Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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220780 Unique Reference Number 27 November 2007 Inspection date Elizabeth Culley 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 registered in 1999. She lives alone with her adult son in the Corby area of Northamptonshire. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom and small front bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years and is currently minding seven part-time children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She regularly attends the local carer and toddler groups, childminding group and she is working towards accreditation with the Northamptonshire Childminding Network Group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted well. They are looked after in a well-maintained clean and tidy home. Young children are beginning to learn about personal hygiene in their daily routines as

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 they follow the childminder's example and wash their hands after using the toilet and before meals to prevent the spread of infection. Good nappy changing routines protect younger children from cross- infection. Children's physical and emotional well-being are promoted because they have good opportunities to relax, play and learn and they are happy. They enjoy the benefits of playing outdoors in the fresh air and are protected from the harmful effects of the sun by playing in the shade, using suncreams and drinking extra fluids. Children develop their large body muscles as they run, climb and jump in the garden. They develop their hand eye co-ordination as they manoeuvre small world toys and learn to control pencils. Children are given appropriate care and support when they are unwell because the childminder keeps

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a well-balanced diet of freshly prepared and cooked meals which includes fruit and vegetables. Older children independently help themselves to fresh drinking water from a water cooler whist younger ones are able to reach their own beakers. Specific dietary requirements are identified and recorded at the initial visit and the childminder ensures that children's individual needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is promoted well. All exits are locked and bolted to prevent children leaving unaccompanied or unwelcome visitors gaining access. Children's resources are effectively organised to create a child-friendly environment and samples of their creative activities are kept on display. The comfortable and child-centred environment enables children to select their activities from the developmentally appropriate resources and they make good progress in their overall development. Children are protected from most potential hazards because the childminder provides suitable safety equipment in the home, however, this is compromised by the lack of locks on the kitchen cupboards. Children read stories with the childminder which introduces them to personal safety. They practise emergency evacuation procedures and crossing the road safely in their daily routines, therefore, they are learning to manage their own safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good knowledge of the local authority guidelines for safeguarding children. She is able to put emergency procedures in place to protect children from abuse, if necessary, and their welfare is fully promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and enjoy their time with the childminder. They confidently communicate with adults and their peer group and are beginning to establish good relationships. Children talk to the childminder about what they are doing and involve her in their play, for example, they bring her food when taking on adult roles in the play kitchen and describe what they are cooking. They read stories and sing songs together and they are making progress in their language development. The childminder plans a variety of interesting activities for children both in the home and at group networking sessions. Children are making progress in their mathematics as they count everyday objects, complete puzzles and play games. They enjoy being creative and eagerly show their snowmen which they made at the network group that morning. Children learn about their local community and environment through visits to the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

farm and different parks. They develop strength and self-control through physical activity on the outdoor play equipment. Younger children are showing an interest in their own personal

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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 identity as they play games, for example, they point to their own fingers and toes and look at themselves in the mirror. They are well supported emotionally as they receive cuddles and sit with the childminder until they are ready to participate in activities following their daily nap.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children have a positive experience with their childminder and are fully included in the range of activities provided. Their self-esteem is promoted as they make independent choices in their play. Children with specific development needs are well cared for by the childminder who demonstrates an awareness of the effective support required and the importance of working in partnership with the child's parents and any outside agencies. They are developing a good knowledge of diversity through play because the childminder provides resources which reflect the society in which children live. Children are learning to play in harmony as they share resources and take turns. They respond well to praise and are rewarded for good behaviour, therefore, they behaved well throughout inspection.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shares her portfolio with parents and they work hard to develop good relationships. New children have a planned induction period to familiarise them with the childminding routines. Children's progress is discussed orally each day, however, their welfare is compromised as feedback is not delivered confidentially to individual parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The needs of the range of children are met. Children's welfare is promoted well because the childminder attends regular training to update her knowledge of child care issues. She keeps Ofsted fully informed of changes to her practice. All records, policies and procedures are sufficiently detailed and in place to promote good care for children, parents however do not sign children in and out. Children are well supervised by the childminder because she works within her adult to child ratio for childminding. Space and resources are effectively organised to support children's independence, learning and development therefore children make good progress overall.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve her practice in three areas. Children's safety and well-being has improved because they are learning how to keep themselves safe by practising emergency evacuation procedures. Medical records have been updated and show details of accidents and medication administered to children and are signed by parents.

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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): • improve record keeping by asking parents to sign the register to show arrival and departure times of children • improve partnership with parents by ensuring oral feedback remains confidential to individual families • improve safety for children by ensuring they are unable to access the contents of the kitchen cupboards.

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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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