Childminder, Out-of school day care 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 EY378580 Inspection date 25/02/2009 Inspector Sheila Dawn Flounders

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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 2008. She lives with her school-aged child in Towcester, Northamptonshire. The premises is within walking distance of shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder’s house, except for the main bedroom, office and garage, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years in the early years age range. She also provides care for several children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the provision is good. The childminder is confident in her interaction with children and has familiarised herself with most requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Strong, inclusive practice, ensures that all children have opportunities to develop their potential and as a result they are making good progress, their welfare is well promoted and individual needs are met. Positive relationships are developed with parents and other professionals, who are appreciative of the flexible service the childminder provides. The childminder has effectively completed her self evaluation, considering improvements to be made for the future benefit of the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 expand risk assessments to cover anything with which a child may come into contact.

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provision

The childminder is well organised and keeps resources, equipment and documentation that she needs regularly easily to hand. All required information and consents are in place, although, some documentation such as medication records have not been needed to date. She provides children with a well- resourced, homely learning environment where they develop confidence and increasing independence. During the process of completing her self evaluation the childminder has considered various aspects of her practice, effectively identified her strengths and weaknesses and some areas for future development. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 continually strives for improvement and uses resources such as local groups and toy libraries to extend the experiences available to children.

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provision

Children are safeguarded due to the measures in place to protect them, such as keeping individual information confidential, ensuring that they are kept safe on outings with risk assessments used to manage or eliminate most risks. These however, do not consider everything a child may come into contact with, so some potential hazards may be overlooked. The childminder is confident about issues which would cause her concern and what action to take if necessary to protect children. Information about these procedures forms part of the detailed documentation about many aspects of the provision parents receive from the childminder. They also receive daily written and verbal details of their child's day and regular opportunities to look at their developmental records, to which they can add comments. Any concerns the childminder has over a child's development or behaviour are fully discussed with parents so that appropriate support is given.

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provision

The childminder has gathered information from parents when children first attend, settings children have attended previously and liaises through parents about those they currently attend to ensure she is fully aware of all aspects of their development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and enjoy their time at the setting. They access a wide range of activities and opportunities which cover all areas of learning, with resources placed to allow increasing levels of independence. There is a good balance between child-led activities and adult influence to extend learning, for example, through the introduction of new vocabulary and encouragement to say new words. Careful observation by the childminder of what children can do is used to develop the next steps in their learning and development, using age-appropriate resources and experiences targeted at their individual level of understanding. The childminder plays with the young children making learning enjoyable and uses praise and encouragement to celebrate their achievements and progress, such as correctly recognising shapes and colours. Information collected from parents and early observations are being developed to provide a basis for children's records,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

which are effectively supplemented by examples of the children's creativity and photographs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is well promoted. They have a healthy, well balanced diet, with the childminder introducing new foods to young children to broaden their tastes and drinks are easily accessible to ensure children are well hydrated. They are helped to stay healthy as planned activities include regular opportunities for physical play and fresh air, with many activities taking place outside in the summer months. Robust hygiene routines and nappy changing procedures help to protect children from the risk of cross-infection, supported through discussion with parents over any health concerns. Children learn about safety through taking part in fire drills, discussions of any incidents when they are out and by following the house rules such as no throwing or running inside. They are encouraged to behave well through the use of praise, encouragement and if necessary strategies such as reward charts. They are particularly urged to keep trying at things they find hard

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to do. Behaviour incidents, such as toddler tantrums, are handled appropriately with the childminder giving children opportunities to calm down, talking to them at their level and reinforcing the boundaries if necessary. 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? 2 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? 2 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

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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

There have been no complaints 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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