Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 220992 Inspection date 12 January 2006 Inspector Andrea Ewer

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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 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 lives with her husband and 3 children aged 12, 10 and 7 years old. The family live in a house on the outskirts of Northampton. Care is provided in the through lounge, and children have access to the downstairs cloakroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for 5 children up to 8 years and is currently caring for 4 children for various hours. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 The family do not have any pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s health is promoted well. The childminder uses information from parents effectively to plan and provide nutritious meals and snacks that promote their healthy growth and development, including fresh fruit and milk drinks. Children benefit from fresh air and regular exercise that helps them develop their physical skills. They enjoy active play in the garden, walk to the local shops, and visit the local park and indoor leisure centre where they climb, run and bounce on large play equipment. Children start to understand the importance of good hygiene through everyday routines, such as, washing their hands before eating and after visiting the toilet. They are cared for in a clean and tidy home, where hygiene standards are well maintained. Nappy changing routines effectively prevent the spread of infection. Children receive appropriate attention in the event of minor accidents or illness because the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder holds an up-to-date first aid qualification and has a well stocked first aid kit that is easily accessible in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are beginning to understand the rules and everyday practices that keep them safe. They are cared for in an organised and welcoming home where potential risks have been identified, and effective measures put in place to prevent accidents. A safety gate prevents children using the stairs unsupervised, and smoke alarms are fitted to both floors of the house. Children play with a range of good quality toys and activities that meet their play and development needs well, and are checked regularly to ensure they are safe. They develop their own ideas as they choose what to play with from the range set out for them. Overall children are protected from harm or neglect because the childminder has secure knowledge of the signs and symptoms of child abuse, and the correct procedure to follow if she has concerns about a child, or if an allegation was made about herself or a member of her household . She does

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

not, however, keep a record of any injuries children arrive with to show clearly how and when the injury was sustained.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They share warm, caring relationships with her, and feel secure. Although children participate in a stimulating range of activities that meets their play and development needs well, the childminder has not yet started to use the 'Birth to three matters' framework to promote the outcomes for children. Children do, however enjoy playing with the suitable range of resources that

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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 helps develop their physical, social, emotional and intellectual skills. They persist at activities until the task is complete because they childminder is skilled at providing suitable activities that children are interested in, and she spends time playing with children to extend their ideas. As children place bricks into a baby walker the childminder names the colours, shapes and position of the bricks, they count the bricks as they build a tower and clap together as the tower falls over. Children are well supported to develop their skills and move on to the next stage in their development. They complete puzzles while the childminder explains that they may need to turn the piece around to make it fit, and she talks to them about the characters in the puzzle therefore extending their language and problem solving

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

skills. Children develop their social confidence during regular visits to toddler groups and other childminders homes, where they enjoy mixing with other children in a larger group.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children feel valued because the childminder and parents work closely together to ensure their individual needs are met. Information about children is obtained from parents at the start of the childminding arrangement, and is shared daily thereafter to enable appropriate care to be given. Children feel confident and are developing a positive self-esteem. They have good opportunities to make choices about which activities to join, and develop their independence as they start to feed themselves with appropriate support from the childminder. Children start to appreciate our similarities and differences as they play with toys and activities that positively represent themselves and people of other cultures, religions, beliefs and abilities including books, dolls, small world toys and puzzles. Children respond well to the clear and consistent expectations of them and are familiar with everyday routines.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

They are well behaved and use good manners.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are secure in the well organised environment. Their safety and welfare are promoted effectively because relevant checks have been carried out on all household members to ensure they are suitable to be around young children. Children are familiar with everyday routines and enjoy their time with the childminder. Good use is made of space and resources, enabling children to rest, eat and participate comfortably in a wide range of activities. Children receive a good standard of care because the childminder has a good knowledge of child development and continues to enhance her skills by attending training workshops. Good quality documentation, and records that support the childminder's practice are used effectively to promote children's welfare, care and development. Overall the needs of the range of children are met.

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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 The last care inspection recommended that the childminder develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures including what action to take if an allegation is made about her, ensure appropriate car insurance is maintain for vehicles used to transport minded children, and ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that positively promote disability. Children are now more effectively protected from harm or neglect because the childminder has developed her knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse, and the correct procedure to follow if she has concerns about a child. She does not, however keep a record of any injuries a child arrives with to show clearly how and when the injury was sustained. Children's safety is promoted

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Improvements since the last inspection

more effectively while being transported in the car, because the childminder now has appropriate car insurance. Children are gaining a more secure understanding of diversity because the childminder has developed the range of resources that show positive images of people who have a disability.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints to Ofsted since April 2004. 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): • keep a record of any injuries a child arrives with to show clearly how the injury was sustained • improve the outcomes for children by using an approach in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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