Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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220876 Unique Reference Number 22 November 2007 Inspection date Gyatri Rupal 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 1984. She lives with her husband in Northampton. The areas used for childminding are fully self-contained and include a playroom, small utility/kitchen and a downstairs toilet. The children have easy access to a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has one dog.

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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 and is currently minding seven children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the local childminding group. She attends the local toddler group on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are beginning to learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through their daily routine. For example, the childminder encourages children to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating their snacks. Children use paper towels to dry their hands

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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 and brush their teeth after meals which helps them understand personal hygiene care. The childminder's good practices within her daily routine and around the care of children who are unwell or infectious, helps reduce the risk of cross-infection. The childminder maintains an accident, incident and medication folder, which details all accidents and incidents which take place. The childminder has an up-to-date first aid certificate so that she can give appropriate first aid if the need arises. The childminder has a system in place to record any medication that is given to children. However, the system for keeping medication records is not rigorous as some medication records are not available to inspect, this potentially impacts on children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works hard to promote healthy, sensible eating in accordance with parental wishes. Parents provide packed lunches and the childminder provides healthy fruit snacks and drinks. Children are beginning to understand the importance of healthy food on the body through the childminder's discussions and a good range of visual aids. Children enjoy regular physical activities in the fresh air. They walk to the park on a regular basis where they have the opportunity to use a range of large play equipment. Children play games in the garden, using a good range of play equipment. They learn to balance as they ride bikes and dance to music. Their fine manipulative skills are actively encouraged through interesting art and craft activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are happy and developing their confidence as they can readily access equipment, toys and resources independently and safely. Resources are stored within easy reach of children. Toys and equipment are safe, suitable, stimulating and challenging. The childminder checks the toys on a daily basis as part of her risk assessment check list which she uses to minimise all risk to children. Children are able to move around and play safely and independently inside and outside the home. She also uses a risk assessment check list to ensure the local park's play area is safe for children. For example, the childminder checks children's play area has no broken glass and the play equipment is safe for children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe through the childminder’s discussions and planned activities. Children read books on safety issues and visit the paramedic unit to learn what happens when there has been an accident. They learn what to do if there is a fire in the home as they practise regular fire drills with the childminder. Children learn road safety rules when walking with the childminder. Children are protected due to the childminder’s clear knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board. She also ensures parents understand the adult's duty to protect children as she displays the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedure for parents' information.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are inspired and eager to learn as the childminder provides a stimulating environment and a variety of activities to initiate their interest. The childminder plans weekly activities and daily routines to ensure children make choices about their activities and can input their own ideas into their play. Children of all ages are widely consulted about what they want to do which enables them to make decisions and suggest their own ideas.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relish a regular range of excellent activities which include; art and crafts, imaginative play, reading, constructive play, dressing up and cooking. Children respond to challenges

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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 through the childminder’s extensive knowledge and professional support. She ensures activities are appropriate for the individual children's development, enabling the children to move forwards at his or her own pace. They develop rapidly due to the care and excellent preparation which goes into the planning of daily activities and routines. Activities are often adapted to ensure all children present can participate and are appropriate for the individual children's development. For example, children enjoy their imaginative play doing their own different tasks such as cooking ,washing and using the vacuum on the floor. All children sit down to do their art-craft activity and create their own pictures using small paint bottles and a range of materials, including the very younger aged children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The activities significantly develop children's vocabulary and confidence, children become strong communicators as they give the childminder an explanation on what they are cooking and read their favourite story books with the childminder. They enjoy singing and dancing to their favourite nursery rhymes and regularly visit the library for story sessions which also helps develop their language. Children have a good understanding about right and wrong, reinforced by the childminder’s positive attitude towards their care and development. Children acquire new knowledge and skills as they learn about the world around them and how people with a speech impairment communicate using sign language. They learn about current affairs and what is happening in other parts of the world as they share their daily news of the day with each other. For example, children had written on the board 'news of the day is Thanksgiving

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

day in America'. Children had also drawn America’s flag. Their day is full of experiences which ensure they are making connections about their environment through regular visits to places of interests such as music classes, farms and parks. Children are motivated and make many good links in their learning as they learn how things grow by helping the childminder with planting flowers in the garden. They use a weather chart to learn about weekdays and different seasons as they talk about the daily weather chart.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident speakers and communicate their ideas well because the childminder ensures that she is fully meeting the individual needs of the children through continued training and development. Children achieve well because the childminder is highly skilled and uses her exceptional understanding of early years guidance, such as the 'Birth to three matters' framework to plan suitable activities and to assess their progress and development. She ensures parents are well involved with their children's learning and achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are included and valued by the childminder. They gain a positive view of the world around them through a good range of planned activities, resources and play opportunities. Children behave well as they follow clearly written acceptable codes of behaviour rules. The childminder actively promotes the concept of sharing and taking turns. She uses her calm and patient outlook to set a good role model for children. She praises children constantly and ensures good behaviour through positive language.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit greatly from the childminder's good partnership with parents. She discusses all aspects of her practice with parents and keeps them well informed of their children's progress and activities through regular discussions and written notes in the diary. In addition, the childminder also provides lots of useful information about her practice and has clearly written policies and procedures. Children's individual needs are effectively met because the childminder works closely with parents to meet all of the individual children’s needs. Parents' views about their children’s needs and interests are sought before children start at the setting. Parents have

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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 written lots of complimentary letters and cards which acknowledge the positive relationships between the childminder and the minded children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and relaxed due to good organisation. The space and play resources are effectively organised which ensures children have a good range of different, enjoyable and stimulating experiences. Children develop their confidence and self-esteem as they independently initiate their play and their own learning. The childminder has a wealth of experience in child care and uses her maternal experience and sound common sense to promote very good outcomes for children. Most of the required documentation and policies are in place and practised within the daily routine to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. However, the system for keeping required documentation is not effective as last year's daily attendance records are not available to inspect, this potentially impacts on children's care. The childminder is conscientious in delivering all aspects of her service and has just begun to use the self-evaluation

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Organisation

form to monitor and improve her practice. She has attended several training sessions and workshops to enhance her childcare knowledge. She meets regularly with other childminders and together they update their knowledge through discussion and sharing ideas, seeking to further enhance their good practice. Overall, all children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop knowledge and understanding of current child protection issues and to obtain written permission from parents before administering any medication to children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's welfare and well-being is promoted as the childminder has attended child protection training to enhance her Knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. The childminder has the current child protection information procedure about the Local Safeguarding Children Board. She also has a system is in place to obtain parents' written consent before administering any medication.

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Complaints since the last inspection

In August 2007 Ofsted received concerns about the childminder relating to adult to child ratios. An unannounced investigation was conducted in accordance with the National Standards for childminding. These were Standard 2: Organisation and Standard 14: Documentation. It was concluded that adult to child ratios are not maintained at all times and that the record of children's attendance is not accurately detailed. Actions were agreed in relation to National Standards 2 and 14. The childminder remains qualified for registration.

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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): • ensure that daily attendance records are recorded appropriately and records are available to inspect • ensure that all medication records are available to inspect.

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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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