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 EY367909 Inspection date 09/10/2008 Inspector Andrea Ewer

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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 in 2008 and is on the Early Years and Compulsory part of the Childcare Registers. She is registered for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for one child in the early years age group, on a part time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and two children, aged one and six years, in a house in Northampton. Care is provided throughout the house including the living room and kitchen. Children share access to the garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides effectively for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. They share warm, friendly relationships with the childminder and enjoy their time with her, which helps children feel secure. The effective partnership between the childminder and parents ensures children's individual needs are met well given their age, ability and starting points. Overall effective measures are in place to promote children's safety, however, written risk assessments lack some detail and the childminder has not yet started to evaluate her service to identify what is being done well and what areas need to be developed.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop risk assessments to ensure they clearly state when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident  link observation and assessment records to development matters  develop the use of self-evaluation to clearly identify what is being done well and areas to be improved to further promote children's welfare, learning and development.

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provision

Effective safeguarding procedures ensure that children are well protected and their welfare needs are met. The childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the correct procedure to follow should she be concerned about a child in her care. Although safety measures ensure potential hazards are minimised, written risk assessments lack some details. Indoor and outdoor areas are well organised, allowing children to move around safely and access the age appropriate resources independently. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has completed all required training that supports her to promote children's welfare, learning and development including the Introduction to Childminding Practice, First Aid and Early Years Foundation Stage. Some systems are in place to develop the quality of care, learning and development provided,

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provision

however, the childminder does not yet evaluate her provision to identify what is being done well and areas to be improved.

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provision

Children benefit from the strong partnership with parents where information is shared regularly through discussions and the use of daily diaries, which help to promote consistent care. The childminder understands the importance of establishing links with other agencies and providers to ensure the care, learning and development experiences children receive are coherent. Children's records, including 'All about Me' booklets are completed by parents to support the childminder in catering for children's individual needs and helps them to feel fully included. Written policies and procedures are well maintained, shared with parents appropriately and underpin the childminder's day-to-day practice.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy, confident and enjoy their time with the childminder. They play purposefully in the child centred home. This allows them to actively participate in the range of activities and meets their learning and development needs very well. They confidently initiate their own play in the enabling environment. Resources are readily accessible to children allowing them to choose what to play with and select additional resources to develop their ideas. They develop their physical skills both indoors and outdoors. Children move around the home freely, enjoy regular outdoor play in the garden, visits to the local park and indoor activity centre, where they have fun splashing in the puddles after the rain, push and ride wheeled toys and run around energetically.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder provides a stimulating range of activities and play experiences based on children's interests. They talk about their pictures as they paint and start to name the shapes as they post them into the shape sorter container. Written observations supported by photographic evidence show what children can do and the childminder identifies the next steps for children's achievements. They do not however link clearly to the development matters. The childminder recognises that children develop at different rates and provides activities that build on what individual children know and can do. Children benefit from warm, friendly interaction with the childminder, who spends her time playing with and talking to them. They look at books for enjoyment and listen to stories with interest, which helps children develop their communication, language and literacy skills. Children regularly visit group settings where they learn

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

to share, take turns and play co-operatively with their peers and gain confidence.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are valued and respected as individuals because the childminder has a positive attitude towards inclusive practice. Information is obtained from parents and used to provide good standards of care to children. This supports the childminder to plan effectively for their learning and development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's welfare is promoted extremely well. They develop simple good hygiene practises as part of daily routines and effective steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder provides nutritious meals and snacks that contribute well to children's healthy growth and development and helps them start to understand the benefits of eating healthily. Children are very well behaved. They respond well to the strategies used by the childminder to help them understand what is expected of them. For example, they learn to share and take turns, because

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the childminder uses calm explanation and distraction. She praises children's achievements which promotes confidence and self-esteem. The childminder recognises the importance of having a consistent approach and being a positive role model. 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? Good 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? Good

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

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

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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

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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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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