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 EY263926 Inspection date 23/10/2008 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 was registered in 2003. She lives in a residential area in Northampton. The whole house is registered for childminding. Play space on the ground floor consists of a lounge, dining room and a conservatory and there is a ground floor toilet. Children have access to a fully enclosed rear garden.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of three children aged under five years at any one time, and she is currently minding three children under five. She is also caring for two children aged between five and eight and two children aged between eight and 10. She is registered on the Compulsory Childcare Register and the Voluntary 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 holds an early years qualification.

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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 successfully and meets their individual developmental needs appropriately. Children are settled, secure and happy. 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 as she has recorded what she considers to be the current strengths and weaknesses of the service she provides.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems for the use of observation and assessment and information from parents to inform planning for individual children  develop the procedure for complaints to include required response times for written complaints  draw up a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident.

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provision

The childminder provides a warm, welcoming and stimulating environment. She is aware of her responsibilities with regard to supervision and ensures that all resources are appropriate to children's individual ages and stage of development. The childminder is aware of Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 shares information with parents. A portfolio contains policies on confidentiality, behaviour management, diet, health and hygiene, illness and medication, partnership and complaints. The complaints procedure does not include the required 28 day response timescale for any written complaints. There are systems in place for monitoring and self-assessment and the recommendation raised at the last inspection with regard to improving knowledge and understanding of the needs of children under three has been satisfactorily addressed.

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provision

On a daily basis children are safe because the childminder undertakes checks before their arrival. However, a record of the risk assessment is not kept and potential this impacts upon children's safety. All other records required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are in place and are well maintained. Written information provided for parents is good. The portfolio contains Criminal Record Board clearance information, the childminder's qualification certificate, first aid and food hygiene training certificates, public liability and car insurance and safeguarding procedures. Information on each child includes detail on their individual needs. However, detail from parents on what their child knows and can do is not used to inform planning for their child and 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. They enjoy and learn from the range of activities provided that meet their needs at their different stages of development. The childminder is clear of her responsibilities with regard to ensuring that children's individual care needs. The range of resources and planned activities is good, but children's achievements are not recorded and progress is not linked to the six areas of learning. Therefore, observation and assessment does not inform 'next steps' for individual children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play happily and independence is encouraged by the childminder. Safety is addressed as small toys are stored at a level that only older children can reach. Space is used effectively when young and school aged children are present at the same time as one room is reserved for older children so that they can play with small art and craft and construction materials safely. Children enjoy nature walks and they learn that they must not pick berries and should be careful when picking anything up from the ground. When they return home they talk about what they have found, for example, the colour of leaves as they make collage pictures with them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children sort and name shapes and colours and they count as they play. The childminder constantly encourages thinking and language development as she asks open-ended questions whilst supporting children as they play. Children's social development is promoted effectively at parent and toddler groups and children play cooperatively and are learning to share and take turns. Children benefit from learning and play opportunities through other visits and outings, for example, to parks and nature centres and to the "fruit and veg shop" where they explore the different fruits and develop their senses as they touch and smell and later on eat what they have bought. Manipulative skills and control of large muscles are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 developing well.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is not caring for any children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities but she clearly identifies how the environment and activities will be adapted to ensure that 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. Healthy eating is promoted and children participate in regular physical play at home, at groups and at the park. She creates a safe and welcoming environment and children are learning how to keep themselves safe. For example, road safety when out walking and fire safety as they regularly practise the drill. Children's welfare is protected because the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection procedures. There is a strong emphasis on promoting positive behaviour so that children are aware of what is expected of them. They are developing an awareness of diversity and have access to resources that reflect positive images. 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

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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

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

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Satisfactory How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Satisfactory How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Satisfactory

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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

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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

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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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