Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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220764 Unique Reference Number 30 October 2007 Inspection date Sarah Measures 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 was registered in 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and 14 years in Kettering, Northants. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. The childminder currently uses local parks for outdoor play because renovation work is being completed in her garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She currently has 11 children on roll, five of whom are eight years or above. Only one child attends on a full-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local childminding group and a variety of other pre-school groups in the area and is a member of the local childminding quality assurance scheme.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very clean and hygienic minding home. Their good health is effectively promoted because the childminder follows careful hygiene procedures, for example when she

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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 changes nappies and prepares food. The childminder has established cleaning routines before children arrive in order to ensure the premises and equipment are clean and suitable for children to use. Children are inducted in to good hygiene routines as the childminder wipes the hands of the younger children before they eat snack. Older children's independence is well encouraged because they can wash their own hands and faces using individual flannels and towels kept at the setting. This also help children to secure a good sense of belonging.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular outdoor exercise because the childminder rarely uses her car and therefore walks children daily to school and to pre-school and childminding groups in the area. She also uses local parks and takes balls with her so children can have fun and benefit from being out and running around in the fresh air. Children make good healthy choices, for example they enjoy fresh and dried fruit, dips with chopped vegetables and yoghurts for snack. The childminder works well with parents in order to meet any dietary or health needs. She has a good knowledge of the home routines of the younger children which helps her to meet their needs effectively in the setting. Children are well protected in the event of an accident because accidents are clearly recorded and signed by parents, and because the childminder has up-to-date training in first aid.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, safe and secure setting. Their safety is ensured because the childminder has a good knowledge of safety issues and risk assesses areas used on a daily basis. Children's safety is particularly well promoted because the childminder takes care to supervise them well. She carefully organises the spacious living room and equipment so that children can play, rest and sleep in the one area and if she needs to leave the room for any reason she either takes young children with her or places them briefly in the play pen so that she knows they are safe. Risk assessments have identified all hazards within the home. However, as the childminder relies upon her good supervisory skills and good organisation of space and equipment, not all hazards within the premises are inaccessible to children in order to fully ensure their safety at all times, for example if the childminder was very busy or distracted for

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children choose freely from a range of good quality toys, books and games that are easily accessible to them in order for them to feel welcome and at home. A range of good quality equipment is available to support the developmental needs of babies and young children. Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder is confident in her knowledge of child protection issues and keeps local referral information to hand to use if she has any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and at home within the setting. They develop a secure sense of belonging because they have good relationships with the childminder who works hard to help them feel at home. Children readily approach the childminder for cuddles and comfort and she gently encourages children through warm and caring interactions and discussions. Children's needs are well met because the childminder gets to know their individual personalities and interests well. Young children choose from a good range of toys and activities that stimulate their curiosity and encourage them to learn as they investigate. For example, they choose freely from a range

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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 of sensory toys and they develop confidence as they play with pots and pans provided by the childminder so that they can explore and make a noise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children choose from a good range of fun and interesting activities in and out of the home. For example, they enjoy musical and creative activities within the home and as they visit various pre-school and childminding groups locally. This also effectively encourages their social skills. Exciting experiences are offered to children during school holidays in order to ensure they benefit from a full range of experiences. For example, photographs show children having fun whilst taking part in a good range of outdoor activities as they visit locally organised events.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a good sense of belonging because they are valued as individuals. Equality of opportunity is effectively promoted for children because a range of good quality role play toys and books that represent a diverse society are well integrated into their play environment. Children's understanding of different ways of life and different beliefs is fostered further as they celebrate different religious and cultural festivals at the various social groups they attend and as they dress up and enjoy different foods with the childminder. Although there are currently no children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities in attendance, the childminder has a secure knowledge of the issues to consider if asked to care for a child with special needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved because they feel secure and have plenty of adult support and attention. The childminder has a calm manner and sensitively shows children how to behave responsibly. She makes good use of discussions to help children understand situations. Professional and friendly relationships are in place with parents in order to promote good continuity of children's care. The childminder works well with parents in order to ensure children are fully supported. For example, good opportunities are offered to share verbal and written information with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Policies and procedures effectively promote children's health, safety, enjoyment and achievement and their ability to make a positive contribution. The childminder has been registered for several years and has cared for many different children meaning she has good experience of meeting a variety of children's needs. The childminder is committed to providing children with good care and keeps her knowledge up to date by attending training opportunities and through maintaining her membership of the quality assurance scheme.

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Organisation

Routines are well established and effectively take in to account individual needs in order for children to feel secure. Space and equipment is well organised to meet children's needs and promote their independence. Systems for keeping records are clear and used efficiently to promote children's welfare. Records are stored confidentially in order to effectively protect children and their families. Overall, the setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, keep a written record, signed by parents, of medicines given to children and

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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 make sure that all low-level glass is safe or inaccessible. Since this inspection the childminder has attended child protection refresher training in order to update her knowledge and ensure children's protection. Although she had not administered any medications since the last inspection, clear systems in place to show how this would be recorded appropriately and signed by parents in order to promote children's welfare. Low-level glass has been removed from the setting in order to encourage children's safety.

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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 upon request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made 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 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): • further develop the risk assessment to ensure no hazards are accessible to children within the home in order to fully promote their safety at all times.

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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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