Childminder in North 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

p.1

Unique reference number 220704 Inspection date 09/12/2008 Inspector Anne Archer

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1990. She lives with her husband, one child aged 13 years and two adult children in Burton Latimer in North Northamptonshire. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom on the first floor of the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has two pet dogs and other small animals.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children in the early years age group on both a full-time and part-time basis. She also cares for two older children on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She has two assistants who works with her on a part-time basis.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends a local toddler group and the local childminder's support group. The childminder provides an inclusive service and supports children with learning difficulties. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and an approved childminding network and holds a childcare qualification.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a highly commendable, inclusive service to each child that is placed with her. Children's welfare needs are very effectively met and they make exceptional progress, given their age and starting points, in their development and learning. Excellent partnerships with parents have been developed to ensure the childminder is fully conversant with each child's needs and developmental stage to enable her to successfully care for them. The childminder's use of reflection and self-evaluation and her willingness to seek out and attend training to aid her personal development ensure that the service she offers to children and families caters for their ever changing needs.

p.3

further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

p.3

further?

 make a copy of the complaints procedure available to parents.

p.3

provision

The childminder is fully committed to helping children progress in their learning and development. Her records show observations, photographic evidence and clear assessments of children's development in all six areas of learning. She recognises the importance of having good working relationships with parents and shares her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessments and plans for the next steps with them. She produces a regular newsletter and has established links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage, sharing information with key workers to support children's learning and development.

p.3

provision

The childminder has gained a Certificate in Early years Practice and attends many training courses to support and further develop her childminding practice. Safeguarding procedures are well established and the childminder fully understands her responsibilities in relation to reporting any concerns and keeping children safe at all times. The childminder completes regular risk assessments of her home, garden and outing venues and takes appropriate action to reduce or eliminate potential hazards. Apart from making a copy of the complaints procedure available, all documentation and records are well maintained and support the childminder's practice very effectively.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder supports children's welfare, learning and development exceptionally well. As a result, children make very good progress towards the early learning goals in relation to their starting points and capabilities. The well thought out activities are planned taking close account of children's interests and learning and development needs ensuring that each child enjoys each activity and is suitably challenged by it. When planning activities the childminder also take account of information gained from parents and other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage as well as her own regular observations and knowledge of each child.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children thoroughly enjoy home-based and outdoor activities equally but particularly enjoy music based activities. They develop excellent keyboard skills and enjoy using all available forms of information technology equipment. Local outings provide opportunities to develop their skills in communication, numeracy and knowledge and understanding of the world. Children learn how to keep themselves healthy by taking regular drinks, eating nutritious foods and adopting good personal hygiene routines. The childminder works with parents to ensure she maintains babies' and young children's sleeping and eating routines whilst also ensuring they join in with activities by adapting them to suit their learning needs and capabilities.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children behave very well. They learn about the consequences of their behaviour and are encouraged, through consistent management, to be caring and kind to each other. Children participate in a broad range of activities and are given opportunities to make choices and decisions about their care and the activities they participate in. This all supports them to become active, inquisitive and independent learners. Children's welfare is very effectively supported by clear, comprehensive procedures and policies and by the consistent good practices of the childminder. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.5

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

p.5

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 1 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.5

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? 1

p.5

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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?

p.5

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

p.5

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

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.

p.7

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.

p.7

Detail of the complaint/s

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

p.7

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.

p.7