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

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Unique reference number EY375597 Inspection date 13/01/2009 Inspector Judith Chinnery

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2008. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her family in a house in Desborough, Northamptonshire. The local school and park are nearby. The childminder is able to offer care to six children aged under eight years. She is currently caring for three children aged under five years.

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Description of the childminding

The whole of the ground floor along with three bedrooms on the first floor are areas used for childminding. Children have access to outside play in the garden. The ground floor is accessed via a shallow step. There is a downstairs toilet available. The main part of the garden is accessed by some steps.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children in this setting are happy and well settled because the childminder promotes their welfare well. Generally they are making sound progress in their learning and development because the childminder provides a wide range of appropriate activities. She caters for the individual needs of the children and supports them appropriately in becoming involved in the life of the setting. She is establishing sound partnerships with parents which support children's care. She is generally aware of her weaknesses and willingly implements improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop understanding and confidence in completing continual observational assessment in order to form a view of where each child is in their learning, where they need to go, and the most effective practice to support them in getting there  develop partnerships with parents to enable them to share information and become involved in their child's continuous learning and development  develop a culture of reflection and self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality for all children.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment of all areas of the premises used by the children and ensure that it is reviewed regularly (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (this also applies to the Childcare Register) 31/01/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder's organisation and management of her setting is generally sound. In the main, record keeping supports her in managing children's welfare needs well. For example, she maintains accurate accident and medication records which contribute to the support of children's health. Various policies, such as those for managing complaints and children's behaviour, underpin the childminder's practice and keep parents informed. Whist the childminder has identified various hazards around the house and sought to minimise these, she has, as yet, not completed a risk assessment to support this process. She is generally aware of the strengths in her provision for children but the lack of systems to evaluate her provision on a regular basis sometimes impedes her ability to implement improvements for children's care in a more timely manner.

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provision

Children are well protected and safeguarded in this setting because the childminder has a clear understanding and knowledge of local safeguarding procedures. She is well aware of the signs of possible abuse and is clear about the need to record and report any concerns she may have.

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provision

The childminder is establishing sound partnerships with parents. They receive appropriate information regarding their children's care each day. Their wishes regarding children's needs, such as what they like to eat are shared and provided for. This supports children's welfare needs well. The childminder is keen to share information regarding children's development and progress, but has not yet established effective systems for sharing this on a more formal basis. This means that parents are less able to become involved in their children's learning and development in more meaningful ways.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy being in this setting and are developing sound relationships with the childminder and her family. Children experience good routines and activities which promote their good health and hygiene. They readily wash their hands before meals and snacks and like to talk about and make choices about what they are eating. For example, they enjoy apple and banana for a snack and try cherries with their lunch. They are active and like to get outside each day. Regular walks to the park where they can use the large climbing equipment supports their physical development well. The youngest children really enjoy the space in the house to try out their new found walking skills. The childminder is vigilant about children's safety. She minimises hazards, such as putting sharp knives out of reach and preventing unsupervised access to the stairs with a stair gate so that children are able to move freely and safely around the house.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children become engrossed in a wide variety of activities because the childminder provides resources which are appropriate to the children's age and stage of development. Children are developing sound skills in mathematics when they count different items and talk about what size cup the play dough will fit in. Children are able to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world in a variety of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ways. For example, the youngest children really enjoy exploring the cause and effect toys and are delighted when the toy lights up or makes a noise. Older children persevere in fitting together the train track and talking about the trains. This contributes to the sound enjoyment and achievement of most of the children in the setting and is enabling them to develop appropriate skills for the future. The childminder has also begun to support this by starting to establish some

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

appropriate systems for recording observations of what the children can do and analysing their development. However, these systems are not yet sufficiently embedded and do not always link to the planning of activities around children's needs and interests.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children behave really well in the setting. They respond positively to the childminder's clear and simple explanations and readily accept her gentle reminders to share and take turns. The children's individual needs regarding their care are well met. They are also starting to develop some understanding of other cultures and beliefs because they can access resources which reflect positive images. For example, using the African drums enables the childminder to talk with the children about other countries. This means that the children are starting to develop a respect for themselves and others as they explore similarities and differences. 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: 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

 develop and implement a statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children (Arrangements for safeguarding children) 31/01/2009  take action as specified in the early years section of the report. (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) 31/01/2009

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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

 develop and implement a statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children (Arrangements for safeguarding children) 31/01/2009  take action as specified in the early years section of the report. (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) 31/01/2009 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 registration 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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