Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 220342 Inspection date 13/11/2008 Inspector Mark Evans

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and two children aged 10 years and five years. They live in a house in the Abington area of Northampton. The childminder has provision on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Access to the premises is on ground floor level with a small step to the front of the house. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding as well as the first floor bathroom and a bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet cat and four dogs. Shops, schools and parks are within walking distance and the childminder regularly takes children on local outings.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to receive a maximum of five children and currently has seven children on roll, of whom, four are under eight years. She works in partnership with other agencies and is a member of the National Childminding Association, (NCMA).

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides effectively for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. This is supported by sound records and most documentation being in place. Positive relationships with parents and good exchange of information on each child promotes the unique needs of children. Children are safe and secure, with most aspects of safety and safeguarding in place. The childminder's good support for children's emotional needs, play experiences and additional opportunities through local visits help children to make sound progress with their learning and development. However, processes for assessment and planning are not yet fully implemented. Developing self evaluation helps to identify strengths and areas for continued improvement of early years provision.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 continue to develop systems for assessment to ascertain the achievements of young children and plan for their next steps  ensure that hazardous cleaning materials in kitchen cupboards are inaccessible to children.

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provision

The childminder provides a friendly and welcoming provision for children and parents. Written policies and records support the effective and safe management of the setting and useful information relating to all children is sought on entry. This contributes to meeting the unique needs of all children. The childminder has good systems to share information with parents including written details of children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 experiences, care and activity involvement. Children have a learning journey record book, including written and photographic observations, which are shared with their parents. These observations inform of what children can do; however, this does not effectively feed into assessment and planning of children's next steps in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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provision

Children's welfare, learning and development are soundly promoted because the childminder continues to develop her professional skills through some relevant training. For example, safeguarding children and the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder demonstrates strong commitment to reflecting on practice by using systems for self-evaluation to recognise strengths and assist with the development of provision. In response to the last inspection the setting demonstrates sound capacity to make necessary improvements in practice such as maintaining suitably detailed records of accidents and medicines given to children and consent for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and for transporting children in a vehicle.

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provision

The childminder's knowledge for protecting children from harm or neglect is good and safeguarding procedures are generally secure; however, there is no written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children. The childminder provides a range of safety equipment and undertakes good procedures to maintain children's safety, such as stair-gates and completion of emergency escape practises. She undertakes written risk assessment of the premises and for uses safe practice for trips out, which reduces risk and maintains children's safety. However, there are some accessible cleaning materials in the kitchen area which potentially compromises children's well-being.

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provision

The childminder promotes good levels of inclusive practice; she encourages children and parents to express their views, some of which are in record form, to help assess the provision. Although parents are able to share their views with the childminder, there is no written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints. The childminder liaises closely with parents to exchange information on their child's progress to help promote their welfare and development. Effective links with other agencies help to support children's welfare and meet with their individual needs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about being healthy as they enjoy opportunities for physical and outdoor activities. For example, they visit local parks and activity centres to use a variety of equipment and large apparatus that provide challenge and develop physical skills. Children have healthy choices with a nutritious range of foods and have regular access to drinks to ensure they remain hydrated. Their health is also very well supported as they gain knowledge of the importance of adopting suitable personal hygiene routines such as washing hands after toileting and disposing of tissues after use.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children has a strong sense of value because the childminder develops a settled, close relationship with them; the childminder has good knowledge of children's This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 needs, for example, being aware of a younger child's need to cuddle and have supportive physical contact when within the vicinity of unfamiliar adults. This gives them reassurance and time to feel secure and as a consequence to resume exploration of resources and their environment. The childminder encourages children in their play and supports their involvement in some activities, which stimulates participation and promotes their learning and developmental needs. Children develop early skills that contribute to future economic well-being, for example, younger children make marks and examine their scribed patterns and develop awareness of space, shape and comparison with insert jigsaws. This

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

supports their development for communication, language and literacy and problem solving and reasoning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have sound access to a variety of toys and books that promote positive images of diversity and they regularly have visits to local places of interest. This helps them to gain awareness and understanding of the local and wider community. The childminder supports speech and language development for children who have English as an additional language and effectively involves parents, for example, by providing books for the them to take home and read with their child. Children develop confidence and good levels of behaviour because the childminder supports their emotional needs; she is attentive to their positive actions and regularly offers praise and encouragement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 ensure that there is a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard the children being cared for from abuse or neglect 11/12/2008  ensure that there is a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by email 11/12/2008

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 Take action as specified in the compulsory section of the report. 11/12/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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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