Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 221205 Inspection date 23 September 2005 Inspector Kristin Hatherly

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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 outstanding. 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 is a qualified nursery nurse, with experience of working in nursery settings, as well as being a mother of two children. She has been registered since 2000. The childminder lives in a suburb of Northampton with her husband and two children aged eight and seven years. The local school, pre-school, shops and park are within walking distance. Childminding takes place on the ground floor of the house, and includes the fully enclosed garden. The family have a cat. The childminder is registered to care for five children and is currently caring for five children at various times. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 outstanding. Children are very well cared for in a clean, welcoming and well-maintained home where they learn the importance of good hygiene practices and personal care. They learn why they must wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet and the use of individual towels reduces the risk of germs and sustains a good level of hygiene. Children's health and well-being is very well supported by the childminder's knowledge of paediatric first aid and sound arrangements are in place to exchange information with parents for the administration of medicines and in the case of any accidents. Children understand the importance of good nutrition through the provision of healthy snacks and meals, and through discussion at mealtimes, which also contributes to their good health. They can have access to drinking water at any time, and the younger children's beakers are kept filled and available to them, keeping them well

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Helping children to be healthy

hydrated and comfortable. The childminder gains information from the children's parents to ascertain preferences, dislikes and special requirements to ensure the children's dietary needs are well met. Children enjoy a range of physical exercise and learn about the importance of activity in a healthy lifestyle as they frequently join in free play in the garden and go for walks and are taken to play in the local park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are well cared for in a welcoming and safe play environment because the childminder has a very good understanding of how to keep children safe and secure. Space is organised and used very effectively to enable children to play safely and move freely between activities. They independently select from a wide and varied range of good quality toys and equipment that is suitable for their age and stage of development and their safety is further enhanced as the childminder regularly checks, cleans and replaces resources. This further ensures that children are comfortable and that they can play and eat together safely. Children are well protected and their welfare strongly promoted through the use of appropriate safety equipment such as smoke alarms and a fire blanket. They are further protected and their welfare strongly promoted through regular risk assessments of equipment and premises which includes regular fire drills. This

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

enables children to move freely and develop their play and ideas in a safe environment. Children learn about road safety when out on walks because the childminder talks to them about road safety. They are also protected and their welfare safeguarded by the childminder having all the required procedures and documents in place. Children are further protected as the childminder has a very good understanding of the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures and contact

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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 details for relevant agencies. Children's safety is also ensured as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. All this contributes well towards the safe level of care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy, settled and enjoy a good and varied range of activities and resources which meet their individual needs well and enables children to progress appropriately. Children are secure and very confident because they have good relationships with the childminder and their peers and develop a sense of belonging. They learn to share and take turns as they play together and behave very well. Children purposefully engage in a stimulating and wide range of imaginative and worthwhile play opportunities which promote their emotional, physical, social and intellectual development. Children play together well and are encouraged to extend their play through good interaction with the childminder. They have excellent relationships with the childminder who helps them to develop their confidence through sensitive interactions and regular encouragement. They are listened to and their conversation

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

is valued which assists in developing their confidence and self esteem. Children independently choose between a wide variety of toys and activities. They are able to explore a good range of activities such as crafts, games, puzzles and a computer. They develop their social confidence and learn how to play harmoniously in larger groups as they regularly attend local toddler and childminding groups in the community. Their care is promoted well by efficient and effective organisation which is being further enhanced by the childminder's knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Children enjoy physical exercise during outdoor play and visits to the local park which develops their large body skills as they play on large equipment such as wheeled toys and a climbing frame.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are very well met as they follow a daily routine as discussed with their parents. Children's knowledge and understanding of the wider community are promoted by the childminder's own knowledge and constructive outlook of equal opportunity issues and the development of a good range of resources that include positive images of diversity. They are valued and respected as individuals and receive regular praise and encouragement which promotes their confidence and self esteem. This positive approach fosters children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development well. Children have a strong sense of belonging as they confidently and independently move around the childminder's home and select activities. They respond well to the

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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 childminder's clear, consistent and realistic expectations of them and as a result, behave very well and develop a positive self image. Children benefit from the positive, friendly and professional relationships that have developed between their parents and the childminder. She has a portfolio and clear policies which she shares with parents and information about the children is shared regularly. Parents report positively about the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are happy and settled in an extremely well-organised and safe environment where space and resources are organised very effectively to meet the individual needs of the children. Children are protected and well supported due to the childminder's good understanding of children's development through her qualification and experience as a nursery nurse. They are further supported as the childminder maintains very good supervision, As a result children feel secure and confident. Good understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework ensures that the individual needs of children under three are met well and consistently. Records and procedures are clear and very well organised and medical and accident records are clear, concise and shared with parents regularly. This ensures the efficient and safe management of the provision which promotes and contributes well towards the

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Organisation

safety, care and well-being of the children. Overall, the children needs are well met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At last inspection childminder was asked to ensure that written records are kept of medicines administered to children and that parents sign the record book to acknowledge entry. This has now been done and records are clear and correctly signed by parents.

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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 outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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