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 EY294536 Inspection date 06/11/2008 Inspector Jan Burnet

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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 has been registered since 2004. She lives in a residential area of Northampton with her husband and children aged four years and one year. The whole of the ground floor is registered and children have access to a secure outdoor play area.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of one child aged five or under at any one time. She is currently caring for two children aged under five, at different times, and one child after school. She is also registered on the Compulsory Childcare Register. The childminder walks or uses the car to transport children to local schools. She attends parent and toddler groups.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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 (EYFS). She promotes children's welfare and care needs very successfully and meets their individual developmental needs appropriately. Children are settled, safe and secure. The childminder has a proactive attitude towards inclusion and ensures that all children are valued. Information obtained from parents enables her to meet children's different needs, although they do not fully play an active part in their child's learning. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement, including processes of self-evaluation and her training needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 inform parents of the procedure for a missing child and obtain information about who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility for the child  develop systems for planning, observations and assessment, and use this as well as information from parents to support children’s learning towards their next steps.

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provision

The childminder provides a welcoming, safe and secure environment. She is fully aware of her responsibilities with regards to supervision and ensures that all resources are appropriate to children's individual age and stage of development. The childminder has attended training on Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and provides a clear policy for parents. Other written policies include ones on confidentiality, behaviour management, sickness, complaints, and health This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and safety. There are systems in place for monitoring and self-assessment and one recommendation made at the time of the last inspection to, 'continue to develop the range of activities to meet the needs and interests of the children', has been addressed well. The childminder develops her skills and knowledge by attending training. For example, courses on first aid, behaviour management, good role

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provision

Children are safe because the childminder undertakes checks before their arrival each day and because a record of the risk assessment is kept. Records required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are in place and are well maintained. However, the procedure for a missing child is not shared with parents and they are not asked for information about who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility for the child.

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provision

Written information provided for parents is good. Initially they are shown a portfolio containing policies and procedures, play activity information, police clearance, insurance and parent feedback forms. The childminder is developing individual books for children containing observations and photographs. Information on each child includes detail on their individual needs. However, detail from parents on what their child knows and can do is not requested initially and consistently. Potentially, this impacts upon the progress that the child makes.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are making sound progress and the childminder is clear of her responsibilities with regards to ensuring that all children are challenged effectively. The range of resources and activities meet their needs appropriately. The childminder is developing her knowledge of the EYFS learning and development requirements to ensure that children make progress across all areas of learning. Children's achievements are being recorded, but assessment and information from parents is not yet being used to inform 'next steps' for individual children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play happily and space is used effectively. Children are encouraged to select resources, thus encouraging their independence. They have access to books continually and enjoy listening to stories. Manipulative skills are practised daily as children use play dough, construction toys and a range of writing materials. Children enjoy repeating situations they have seen as they play with home corner equipment, and their creativity is encouraged as they move to music. Children learn colours and shapes as they sort and match toys. They count as they play and the childminder promotes language development. Children's social development is promoted effectively at parent and toddler groups and they are learning to share and take turns. They benefit from learning and play opportunities through a variety of visits and outings, for example, to the library and the farm. They develop physical skills and confidence at the park and soft play centres. Children's 'knowledge and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

understanding of the world' is promoted by the childminder as they learn about how other people live, and parents have supported the childminder in promoting children's learning. They have access to resources that reflect diversity. The childminder is not caring for any children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities but she identifies how the environment and activities will be adapted to ensure that This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 all children are able to take part.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder takes positive steps to safeguard children and promote their welfare because she has a clear understanding of child protection procedures.. Healthy eating is promoted and children participate in regular physical play activities. The childminder promotes a, 'vegetable or fruit of the week' and seeks parents' support in encouraging children to try different tastes. Children play in a safe and welcoming environment and they are learning how to keep themselves safe. For example, they practise the fire drill and the childminder has visited the local fire station with the children. 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? 3 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? 2

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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: Met 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

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action.

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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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