Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY248007 Inspection date 20 June 2005 Inspector Jill Hunn

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in December 2002. She lives with her husband and child aged 11 in a house in the village of Silverstone in the south of Northamptonshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and toilet facilities are available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed area of the garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children under eight and one child over eight at varying times. The childminder walks to the local school and playgroup to take and collect

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 children. She takes children to the local park. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family has guinea pigs and a rabbit that live in the garden.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities in the fresh air that contribute to their good health. They walk to school and to playgroup each day, go for picnics in the park and walks to the pond in the village. They regularly take part in outdoor activities which help them develop their physical skills such as digging in the sand-pit, playing ball games, pushing and riding wheeled toys in the garden and using the slide and climbing apparatus at the local park. Children are cared for in a warm and clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through daily routines. They wash their hands after using the toilet and after stroking the rabbit and guinea pigs and develop an understanding that appropriate practices during cooking activities prevent the spread of germs. Children's welfare is promoted because the childminder has updated her knowledge of first aid, has clear procedures in place for giving medication to children

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

and knows what action to take when they are unwell. Children become aware of the need to keep safe in the sun through the use of sun cream and sun hats when they take part in outdoor activities in hot weather. Children benefit from nutritious meals and a wide selection of snacks that meet their individual dietary needs and promote their good health and growth. They are encouraged to try different tastes, textures and foods from other countries which add further variety to their diet, for example dried mango and papaya, pitta bread, nachos and salsa sauce, and are offered regular drinks.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a secure and well-maintained environment where risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder is vigilant and has clear procedures in place to help keep children safe. Children learn the importance of safety as they respond to clear guidelines set by the childminder, for example, to hold on to the banister when climbing the stairs and not to throw sand when playing in the sand-pit. Children begin to take responsibility for their own safety as they put on their reflective jackets when out walking and stop, look and listen when preparing to cross the road on the way to school. They are able to reinforce their knowledge of road safety as the childminder talks to them about safety as they play with the small world cars and takes them to visit the community police road show in the village. Children use a wide range of good quality books, toys and equipment because the

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder checks the resources regularly to ensure they remain safe and monitors

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 them so that they are suitable for children's individual ages and stages of development. Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's appropriate knowledge of local child protection procedures and her clear understanding of her responsibilities for the children in her care.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children make themselves at home in the inviting environment which has been attractively set out and decorated with many colourful displays so that it captures their interest and engages them well. They confidently choose from a wide range of activities and independently select resources and develop their ideas as they play. Pre-school children make good progress in their learning because they are provided with a range of interesting activities and outings that stimulate them well. Children develop their mathematical skills as they are encouraged to count the building bricks, recognise numbers and shapes and use words such as big and small during activities. They develop their language and literacy skills as they respond to the childminder's questions, listen attentively to stories and practice their pencil control skills by joining up dots and drawing around stencils. Very young children's

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

development is promoted with a range of suitable activities, for example, toddlers learn new words as the childminder engages them in play with puppets and they develop their coordination as they fill and empty containers during water play. However, a secure system for planning activities for children under three to ensure their individual needs are always fully met has not yet been established. Children develop their creativity as they take part in painting and craft activities with a variety of textures and materials. They make connections in their learning as they take part in role play activities, such as making cups of tea and serving cakes in 'the café' and sing happily as they play with the small world animals in the farm set. Older children develop their independence and interests as they take part in a more relaxed session at either end of the school day and during the holidays. They are able to choose freely from a range of activities such as baking bread and scones,

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

planting beans and corn, playing games in the garden or taking part in 'sports day' at the park.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn to share as they are encouraged to take turns when playing with board games and toys. They develop confidence and independence as they make choices in their play and know when to ask for help. They respond well to the childminder's consistent encouragement and clear guidelines and behave very well. Children's individual needs are successfully met because the childminder has developed strong partnerships with parents and effective systems are in place to establish and exchange information. A comprehensive portfolio with written policies and procedures is available to advise parents how the childminding operates and newsletters are sent

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 out regularly to keep parents updated. Information about the care of the children is exchanged verbally each day and questionnaires are sent out to seek parents' views about the quality of the care of the children. Children develop a positive view of the wider world and our diverse society as they take part in a meaningful range of activities. They decorate fans and make masks for Chinese new year and eat noodles with chop sticks, they learn about the American way of life and how deaf people communicate by sign language. Children play with a variety of toys, such as small world figures and dressing up clothes, that reflect positive images of culture, religion, gender and disability which help them appreciate and increase their understanding of other people.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's care because the time, space and resources are organised effectively to meet their needs. They are able to play and learn independently but are also given sufficient support and encouragement during activities when needed. Children's care and well-being are promoted by clear and accurate documentation which the childminder shares with parents to ensure continuity of care. The provision meets the needs of the children who attend well.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has improved the systems for exchanging information with parents by developing the written agreement to include information about activities provided. This further ensures children's individual needs are met.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s):

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 • consolidate knowledge and understanding of the needs of babies and very young children, for example through the use of the Birth to three framework

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.6