Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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220875 Unique Reference Number 23 August 2007 Inspection date Andrea Ewer Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 good. 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 1988, and is registered to care for six children under the age of eight years. She is currently caring for four children under eight years for various hours and days.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives in the Kingsthorpe area of Northampton, with her husband and one adult son. Care is provided in the play room, conservatory and kitchen diner. Children share access to the fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is quality assured through the National Childminding Association, Quality First scheme and is part of a childminding network. She regularly attends the local childminding support group and other groups for children under five years.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and tidy home where active steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection. They develop a good understanding of personal care because the childminder supports children effectively to carry out simple good hygiene practises as part of everyday routines and nappy changing routines prevent the spread of infection. Children wash their hands at appropriate times during the day, such as, before eating and after visiting the toilet. The childminder maintains good hygiene standards throughout the day, such as, cleaning food preparation surfaces after each use, and she ensures food is heated thoroughly before serving it to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Although parents provide lunches for children, the childminder provides healthy snacks that meets their individual dietary needs and contributes well to their healthy growth and development. The diet and nutrition policy and sample menu shows children enjoy fresh fruit, carrot sticks and raisins for a snack and have a choice of milk or water to drink when they wish. This helps children develop an understanding of healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Most records that support the childminder to promote children's good health are maintained, including written consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice and accident records. Although the childminder keeps a record of medicine given to children, she does not obtain written consent to administer prescribed medicine to children and consent to administer non prescribed medicine is not clear enough. This potentially compromises their good health and well-being. Children receive appropriate care in the event of minor accidents or illness, because the childminder holds an up-to-date first aid qualification and has a well stocked first aid kit, which is readily accessible in an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills. Young children gain control of their bodies, as they kick their legs whilst lying on a blanket and start to grasp objects given to them. Older children build on skills they already have during outdoor play in the garden, indoor leisure centre and local park. They jump energetically on the trampoline, climb on the climbing frame and negotiate space well while pushing and riding wheeled toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play safely in the well-organised and welcoming home. They feel safe and secure as they play in the child friendly playroom and kitchen diner, which provides sufficient space and allows them to move around freely. Older children watch television and play board games as they relax in the conservatory after a busy day at school. Children start to make choices as they decide what to play with from the stimulating range of resources that meets their play and development needs well. They learn about keeping themselves safe as they help to put toys away when they have finished playing with them, and the childminder reminds them that this prevents accidents. Positive steps are taken to reduce the risk of accidents both inside and outdoors. Appropriately fitted safety gates prevent children accessing the upper level of the garden and stairs unsupervised, smoke alarms are fitted throughout the home and catches on

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

floor cupboards prevent children from harmful cleaning materials.

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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 Children are protected from harm or neglect, because the childminder has sound understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the correct procedures to follow if she is concerned a child in her care is being harmed. Documentation that supports the childminder to fulfil her role in protecting children from abuse are displayed for parents information and the written child protection procedure forms part of the parents handbook given to all parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children share warm and friendly relationships with the childminder who takes a keen interest in what they say and do. They approach the childminder confidently to express their needs and generally throughout the day, which helps them feel self-assured. Progress records that take account of the 'Birth to three matters' framework support the childminder to plan and provide activities that capture children's interests and meet their physical, emotional, intellectual and social needs well. Very young children develop their early language as the childminder responds to their sounds and talks to them consistently as they lie on the blanket kicking their legs. Older children show high levels of concentration as they purposefully build models using bricks and carefully thread cotton reels together. Children use their imagination well as they dress up as a fairy and carpenter and make lunch using small world toys. They have fun icing biscuits

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and regularly take part in simple cooking activities. Children express themselves creatively, as they make collages from leaves, pine cones and twigs collected during a walk, and develop their early reading skills as they listen to stories and look at books for enjoyment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have many opportunities to develop their social skills within larger groups. They regularly visit toddler groups where they benefit from a wider range of activities and learn to share and take turns. They often enjoy visits to the zoo where they observe the animals and local park where they feed the ducks. This helps to extend children's play and learning experiences and contributes to their enjoyment during their time with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are settled and content with the childminder. They have a good understanding of the boundaries in the home and respond well to the childminder's consistent approach and effective strategies that take account of children's age and level of maturity. For example children look forward to receiving a certificate for their achievements and understand the explanations given. This helps children learn right from wrong and as a result they are well behaved. Children's individual needs are met because the childminder knows them all well. They start to become independent because the childminder supports them effectively to make decisions and build on their skills. For example, children are given sufficient time to put their own shoes on before the childminder offers to help.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children receive consistently good quality care because the childminder has friendly, professional relationships with their parents. They share information about children regularly and discuss any changes required to the care provided. This includes children who have learning difficulties and/or a disability. The written special educational needs policy supports the childminder to provide care that meets children's specific needs and fully include them into all aspects of the childminding environment. The written complaints procedure which complies with requirements contributes to children's welfare being safeguarded effectively. The recently introduced parents

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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 evaluation shows that parents views are actively sought and written comments show they value the care provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing a positive view of the wider world. They have regular access to a suitable range of resources that reflect themselves and people of other races, cultures and abilities. Children look at books with positive images of people from a range of backgrounds and play with various coloured dolls, dressing up clothes and small world toys such as a Chinese wok and chopsticks. This helps children appreciate diversity and gain an understanding of others.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall the needs of the range of children who attend are met. Children benefit from the organised environment where their welfare, care and safety are promoted. Space and resources are very well organised and allow children to participate in a wide range of activities that meets their physical, intellectual, social and emotional needs.

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Organisation

Relevant checks have been carried out on household members to ensure they are suitable to have regular contact with young children. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to enhancing the quality of care provided through the attendance of training workshops, such as, Good Role Modelling and Equal Opportunities. She has recently become quality assured as part of the National Childminding Association Quality Assurance scheme and regularly attends network meetings, where they share ideas that contributes effectively to improving the care provided.

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Organisation

Attractively presented written policies and procedures provide parents with clear information about the service being provided and include evidence of vetting checks that provide reassurance to parents. Well-maintained records that are up-to-date and shared with parents appropriately ensure children's safety, care and welfare are promoted.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last care inspection recommended that the childminder develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. Children's welfare is now better safeguarded, the childminder has attended a child protection refresher training workshop and has obtained up-to-date documentation that ensures her written policy complies with Local Safeguarding Children's Board procedures. This ensures children are well protected from harm or neglect.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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 good. 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): • obtain written consent from parents to administer medicine.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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