Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY243077 Inspection date 18 July 2005 Inspector Jill Hunn

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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 was registered in December 2002. She lives with her partner and 2 children aged 7 and 1 in a house in Brackley in the south of Northamptonshire. Most of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local school and drives to a pre-school in a nearby village to take and collect children. She takes children to the local park. The childminder is a member of the

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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 National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and clean home. They learn the importance of good hygiene practices in promoting their health through daily routines. They wash their hands before eating and after going to the toilet, and understand that they do so to get rid of germs that may make them poorly. Children's welfare is promoted because the childminder has updated her knowledge of first aid and has suitable procedures in place if children are unwell. Each day children take part in activities in the fresh air that promote their growth and development. They enjoy a range of activities that help them gain control of their bodies. For example, they regularly walk to the park where they develop their physical skills as they play on the swing, slide and climbing frame. They have fun in the garden as they run around, play ball games and ride on wheeled toys. Children have good opportunity for rest during the afternoon sessions as they relax with

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Helping children to be healthy

quieter activities after eating their lunch. Children benefit from nutritious meals and snacks that contribute to their good health. They learn the importance of having regular fluids as they are encouraged to help themselves to drinks throughout the session, especially when the weather is hot.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from a secure and well-organised environment where potential hazards are minimised to help keep them safe. They are able to choose from a range of good quality toys and equipment, which are monitored by the childminder to ensure they remain safe and suitable for their needs. Children learn the importance of safety as they respond to clear guidelines set by the childminder. For example, they learn how to use the stairs safely by holding hands and to be careful when climbing the steps in the garden. Children become aware of the importance of road safety as they look right and left for traffic when preparing to cross the road during outings. However, the childminder is not fully aware of local child protection procedures to safeguard children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's care. They enjoy a suitable range of indoor and outdoor activities that cover all areas of their development. For example, making models, finger painting, imaginary play, listening to stories and

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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 games in the garden. Children develop their language and mathematical skills as they respond to the childminder's questions and build towers with bricks and compare their heights. Children make progress because they are well supported in their activities. They are also encouraged to make choices and develop their own ideas during their play. However, opportunities for pre-school children to become involved in more extended and challenging activities are sometimes limited because of their part-time hours of attendance.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They develop their confidence and independence because there are clear routines to the sessions that help them feel secure. Children choose from a range of accessible play materials, help themselves to drinks and take their used plates into the kitchen after eating their lunch. Children learn what is expected of them because the childminder manages their behaviour positively and consistently. They respond to the childminder's guidelines and encouragement and they behave well. Children's care and development are promoted through friendly and effective partnerships with parents. Their needs are met as their parents' wishes about their care are established and followed during daily routines. Information is shared verbally at each session although not all written agreements are sufficiently detailed. Children are able to develop some awareness of equality as they play with a limited range of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

resources reflecting diversity. However, the range of activities restricts opportunities for children to fully appreciate each other's similarities and differences and develop a positive view of the wider world.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the effective organisation of the childminder's time, space and resources both inside the home and in the garden. This enables a range of activities to be provided with appropriate levels of adult support and also allows children to make choices about their play. Children's well-being is safeguarded because all required documentation is in place with most sufficiently detailed. Records are shared with parents to ensure continuity of children's care. The childminder has developed her childminding practice by attending training courses. This further promote children's care and learning. The provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to improve aspects of her practice relating to children's safety and the organisation of her childminding. The childminder has now attended an appropriate registration course that further promotes children's

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Improvements 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 care and learning. She has practised her emergency fire evacuation plan and has developed some aspects of her child protection knowledge. These actions further safeguard children's safety. However, the childminder has not yet developed the written agreements with parents so that they contain information about activities provided. Her child protection knowledge has not been extended to include whom she should contact if she is concerned about a child in her care. These issues have been taken forward from this inspection.

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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): • further develop knowledge of local child protection procedures, particularly whom to contact if concerned about a child • develop the written agreement with parents to include up-to-date information about the care of the child and activities provided • make sure that children have access to an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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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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