Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY235569 Inspection date 12 September 2005 Inspector Jan Clarke-Potter

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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

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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.

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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.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

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

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2003. She is registered to mind alone and with another childminder on her premises. She lives with her husband and three children aged eight, nine and fifteen, in a house within walking distance of the town centre and local schools and pre-schools. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The family has two cats. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding seven children at various times, three under five years, two

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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 five to eight years, and two over eight years. When co-childminding, she may care for six children under eight years, with no more than four under five years, and one child under one year. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups, and a childminding support group on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and welcoming home. Children's health is promoted by the childminder's high standards of hygiene and effective practices. Through daily routines the children learn about personal care. They develop their understanding of why they need to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. This sustains high levels of hygiene and helps to prevent the spread of infection. Children are provided with regular meals, snacks and drinks in accordance with parents' wishes. This promotes children's healthy growth and development. Children participate in a range of outdoor activities which contributes to their good health and they have regular opportunities to rest and be active according to their needs. Each day there are opportunities for children to get fresh air, such as going for walks to the local park and playing in the garden on the play equipment

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a well maintained, welcoming home where risks are identified and minimised. The childminder is aware of children's developing abilities and ensures appropriate safety measures are in place to avoid dangerous situations, such as the small parts of children's toys being out of reach of younger children. The premises are secure and children are unable to leave them unsupervised, there is a fence in the front garden and the front door is kept locked, the back gate is also kept bolted which leads to another road. The children understand about how to keep safe as they practise fire evacuations on a monthly basis with the childminder. Smoke alarms are tested regularly and daily risk assessments are completed informally by the childminder. Children are safely escorted on outings, for example the childminder ensures that children are securely strapped in the buggy or car seat.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder is aware of her responsibilities and knows whom to contact although she did not have the local child protection procedures. Children access to a wide range of safe and appropriate furniture, equipment and resources which supports development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The provision is satisfactory. The children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They independently choose from a range of resources and are generally provided with a suitable range of activities to promote their development. Children enjoy playing games with the childminder. They enjoy going on walks to parks and talking about living things and how animals and plants grow. They develop their physical skills when playing in the garden on the climbing equipment. They attend parent and toddler groups and childminding support groups in the local community, and this develops their social skills. Older children are able to relax or be active in accordance with their needs and interests at the end of the school day. They take part in creative activities, and develop physical skills when playing in the back garden at basketball.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children access a varied range of toys, equipment and activities which reflect positive images of various cultures, gender and disability. The childminder understands the need to acknowledge and promote diversity in the wider and immediate society and children benefit from her knowledge and experience as they learn to respect similarities and differences. Children are well behaved and are learning to understand boundaries and about what is right or wrong. They receive praise and encouragement which promotes their confidence and self-esteem. Children are valued, included and their individual needs are met. They are confident in their relationship with the childminder. This increases children's sense of well-being and promotes their emotional development, ensuring that parental wishes are respected. Most policies and procedures are made known to parents, although some children's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

records, permissions and contracts are not available for inspection. The childminder has good relationships with the parents and knows the children well therefore she is able to meet their individual needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has completed the Introduction to Childcare Practice course and has an up-to-date first aid certificate, she has a sound knowledge and understanding of child development. Children feel at home and at ease with the well-ordered routines of the day. Children are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Policies and procedures work in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment and ability to make a positive contribution. However, not all records are available to ensure the efficient management of the provision such as children's records and parent's written agreements. Children's achievements are promoted because the childminder has good relationships with parents and children are happy and secure in the setting. The provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

A recommendation at the last inspection requested that the childminder improve her knowledge of local child protection procedures, although she does not yet have the local Area Child Protection Committee guidance and procedures she understands what to do and whom to contact if she has concerns for a child.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

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

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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): • Ensure knowledge and understanding with child protection procedures with reference to the Northamptonshire Area Child Protection Committee guidance. • Ensure that children's records, contracts and consents are maintained and that accidents are signed by parents.

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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

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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

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