Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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221190 Unique Reference Number 25 October 2007 Inspection date Susan Ennis 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 16 in Duston, Northampton. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 three children under five all day and three children over five before and after school and some during school holidays. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has one hamster.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder can support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a warm and comfortable home environment. Their health is effectively promoted as the childminder follows consistent procedures, such as giving all children their own individual towels to use and ensuring that all areas used by them are clean and suitable for use. The verbally discussed sick children's policy also protects children as it helps in preventing cross-infection. Procedures regarding emergency medical treatment and medication are comprehensively maintained ensuring the children's immediate welfare and safety. Children understand simple, good health and hygiene practices because they are encouraged by the childminder to; for example, put their hands over their mouth when they cough and use a tissue for wiping their nose. They are also encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Before icing some biscuits children are reminded to wash their hands checking

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Helping children to be healthy

that 'They're nice and clean because we have to do that don't we?'

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a broad range of physical activities, contributing to their good health. They enjoy various opportunities, such as playing in the local park on the swings and slide or playing in the well equipped garden with the bikes, space hoppers and trampoline, all of which develop the children's spatial awareness and coordination. They also very much enjoy participating in group activities enthusiastically recalling the obstacle race organised by the childminder's group. They crawled through tunnels, skipped with ropes and carried eggs on spoons gaining a stamp on their hand when they had completed their laps. Younger children also enjoy singing action rhymes, such as 'row, row, row the boat'. Their rest and sleep patterns are accommodated because the childminder is very aware of each child's individual needs having discussed their home routine with the parent. Older children enjoy a quiet time after lunch

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Helping children to be healthy

watching a film whilst the younger children have their nap ensuring all get the appropriate amount of rest during the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and their health is promoted due to the childminder's good understanding of healthy eating and as detailed in the written nutrition policy. Whilst preparing snack she explains to the children that it is 'a little something to keep you going until lunch time' developing their understanding further. Children are developing knowledge about their own growth and well being as they discuss with the childminder the benefits of eating an apple asking 'can I have apple please then I'll run really fast.' Children are prevented from becoming dehydrated as the childminder uses her experience ensuring that they drink a sufficient amount. Each child has a beaker which is stored on a low-level table encouraging self-selection and their independence. All dietary requirements are fully discussed with the parents and an accurate record maintained.

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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 environment in which they are able to move around freely and independently. Their safety is promoted because the childminder has a competent understanding of this area and takes steps to minimise the hazards. Visual and written risk assessments of the premises and garden are carried out checking that, for example, there are no trailing wires, that sockets are covered and that small items are out of reach. The childminder effectively adapts the environment meeting the individual needs of the children present. When, for example, children are starting to walk, a foam cover is fitted to the hearth ensuring that

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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 the children are protected if they fall over. There is an emergency escape plan in place, however, as this is not regularly practised children's safety is affected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are continually learning about keeping themselves and others safe. Whilst discussing road safety they confidently inform the inspector that 'you have to be safe crossing the road. You have to go to the zebra crossing.' They also learn about stranger danger knowing that 'you don't talk to them.' Children are also developing an awareness for the safety of others as they are encouraged to, for example, play a bingo game at the table because of the small pieces and only play with a toy kettle whilst smaller children are not present as they 'try to eat it.' Children are able to independently select activities from a good range of quality toys and equipment. The childminder sensitively supervises the children's choices ensuring that they are both safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is effectively promoted because the childminder has an accurate understanding of the child protection procedures to follow ensuring that the children are her main priority. She has attended some training and has the relevant contact numbers for concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident, settled and interested in their play. They relate well to the childminder who extends their play and learning experiences by, for example, making good use of open ended questions, such as ' How many biscuits did you make?' when discussing a cooking activity. The children enthusiastically reply ' Three. One for me, one for me and one for mum' making everyone laugh. Children are also further challenged by the childminder encouraging them to take a turn at an activity to stretch themselves, such as joining an older child on the computer and having a go at answering some of the questions. Children can participate in all the activities because the childminder uses her broad knowledge of child development to adapt activities encouraging all to become involved. When doing some drawing, all the children sit at the table but the younger children are given more support in choosing which picture to colour and are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

also able to leave the activity at an earlier stage as their concentration level is not as developed as the older children. Also whilst feeding the family's hamster a chocolate treat, the younger children are given larger treats to hold making it easier for them to participate in the activity. Other children then join in asking why there are holes in the lid of the hamster's house to which the childminder responds in an age-appropriate manner involving all in the activity and further developing the children's knowledge and understanding of the world.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's development in all areas is actively promoted because the childminder uses her good understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the Foundation Stage curriculum in planning activities to meet the children's individual developmental needs. This knowledge is effectively used to progress children's further learning, for example, as they are encouraged to write their name correctly forming the letters they find difficult and having learnt to count to five then to count on further. Children are offered a varied and stimulating range of activities including board games, small-world resources including animals and role play activities, such as a play kitchen and dressing-up clothes. Whilst making a play house with pillows and duvets children state 'I'm going to be the baby' and on the walk home from school they pretend that they are stepping into 'another world' as they step from the path onto the road expressing

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their developing vivid imagination skills. Children are also motivated by the everyday tasks going on around them. Whilst the rubbish collection is taking place the childminder explains that the garden debris is being recycled stimulating the children to ask 'how do they make it into paper?' to which the childminder replies 'with a special machine.'

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder ensures that she is aware of each child's individual needs and meets them effectively. Daily conversations together with use of a daily diary for younger children ensures that parents are well informed about their child's development and care. The children show affection for the childminder, looking to her for security and praise when they have completed an activity or are feeling a bit tired. When younger children become a bit distressed because they have to wait their turn to decorate a biscuit, they are consoled with a comforting cuddle which soon has them calm and relaxed again. When older children struggle with a puzzle they are supported and encouraged to find the corners and straight pieces first. This then gives them the encouragement they need and they happily finish the task building their confidence and self-esteem. Behaviour is good and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

is reinforced by the childminder's competent understanding of the importance of consistent and appropriate boundaries for all children. Children are beginning to understand the ground rules, for example, they know to take their shoes off in the porch and that there is no jumping on the furniture. When they momentarily forget the childminder gently reminds them that 'furniture is for sitting on and not for doing acrobatics on'. Children are also taking responsibility for their own actions learning to think how they would feel if someone did something they did not like and to be nice to each other. Other well-used strategies include distraction, reasoning and positive praise. When children help others to put on their socks the childminder says 'thank you for putting on their socks on for me' praising their actions and building their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's understanding of the wider world and community they live in is actively promoted by the childminder who provides a varied range of resources and activities to promote our society. For example, resources, such as books and play figures positively promote those from other cultures and with disabilities and festivals including Chinese New Year and Christmas are celebrated. The childminder has some experience in caring for children with behaviour difficulties and/or disabilities and is able to effectively care for all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's needs and welfare are successfully met because the childminder has a valued relationship with parents. They are informed regarding the childminder's policies and procedures, including the complaints procedure, ensuring that the expectations of both parties are known and agreed upon. The childminder works hard meeting the needs of the parents as well as the children. For example, for parents for whom English is an additional language, she obtains copies of the childminding documentation in their home language ensuring better communication between themselves and her.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised, helping the children feel comfortable, relaxed and secure. They are supported by the childminder, often initiating their own play and learning with confidence and enthusiasm. The individual needs of all children are consistently met by the childminder through her procedures and policies, ensuring that all relevant information is in place. However, not all relevant checks have been completed on household members and therefore the children's welfare is affected. The children's daily attendance is correctly maintained minimising potential disagreements with the parents. The childminder updates her childcare knowledge by attending regular training updates when time allows and by consistently working towards improvement by being part of the Northampton Childminding Network, therefore enabling her to provide better care for all children.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder uses her varied childcare knowledge to assist her in planning a safe, stimulating and caring environment for the children. She ensures that the children are offered a broad and interesting range of activities that all are encouraged to participate in. She also provides continuity of care having cared for some children for over eight years. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain written parental permission for seeking emergency medical treatment. This is now in place ensuring the children's safety and welfare in an emergency situation.

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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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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 the emergency escape plan is more regularly practised • ensure that vetting checks for persons over 16 living in the household are completed.

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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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