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 EY292023 Inspection date 12/02/2009 Inspector Susan Marriott

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged five years and one year, in their house in Irchester, near Wellingborough. Access to the house is gained from the front garden path. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor and the upstairs bathroom for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time. She is currently minding two children in the early years age group, of whom one is full-time and the other is cared for on a part-time basis. The childminder also cares for four older children for flexible out of school hours care. The family have a dog and two cats as pets. There are also several pet fish in the securely fenced garden pond. The childminder is a member of the National

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Description of the childminding

Childminding Association and has gained a Level 3 'Quality First' quality assurance award.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the provision is outstanding. Children clearly thrive in this family setting that genuinely recognises their uniqueness and individuality and meets the needs of children of all ages. Each child receives optimised support according to their individual needs, enabling them to take part in all activities in a fully inclusive way and to make extremely good progress. The childminder has begun to develop reflective practice through her participation in a recognised quality assurance scheme and her completion of the Ofsted self-evaluation form. She is continually striving to offer the very best possible care and education to the children and demonstrates a determinedly strong capacity to improve.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continue to refine the assessment system in line with the 'Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage'.

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provision

Children enjoy an exemplary quality of care in this setting, supported by precise policies, procedures and records. A very clear complaints procedure is in place. Whenever the childminder comes across a new situation she reflects upon her own practice and devises a policy to clarify her actions and intentions. For example, her 'extreme weather policy' resulted from her realising that she could not get out and about with a double buggy in the recent heavy snow. This childminder attends network meetings and works closely with her development worker to ensure that This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 she is fully informed and up to date with change in the childcare field. She demonstrates a genuine commitment to attending training courses to extend her knowledge, enabling her to offer a high quality of inclusive care and education to the children.

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provision

Thoroughly detailed risk assessments are carried out visually on a daily basis and written assessments are periodically completed for every area of the home and for every type of outing. The childminder regularly reviews her procedures and seeks to improve them, as shown by the evidence supplied in the self-evaluation form. Extremely effective links with the parents and carers, together with other professionals involved in the care and education of the children, enables the childminder to tailor activities to the individual children in her care. All children have a child progress and development file which is sent home regularly. A question sheet is included for parents to record their comments or concerns, enabling them to fully share in their child's learning and development.

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provision

The childminder successfully draws the learning from play and offers a broad, stimulating range that offer challenges to children of all ages. This has a very positive impact as the children have learnt to work together and respect each other, thereby effectively improving overall the early years provision and outcomes for children. Informative daily diaries and regular discussions ensure the parents are kept extremely well informed about the care their child receives. The childminder demonstrates an extremely good understanding of the procedures regarding the safeguarding of children and a very high level of commitment to promoting children's safety. For example, she always demands to see verifiable identity documents when visitors call and has recently introduced a visitor record for child protection purposes. Clear records of accidents, incidents and medication, shared with the parents ensure the needs of the children are fully met. All

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provision

equipment and toys are checked regularly for safety. Very effective procedures ensure children's health and well-being are promoted throughout the day.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder actively promotes learning through fun, exciting experiences of play and the real world. She asks lots of open questions and is ready to extend the conversation when she notes that she has gained children's interest. For example, when children are given different textures of paint to explore, they squeal with delight and are very eager to show their work to their parents and tell them what they have been doing. Learning is effectively taken into the thoughtfully constructed outdoor environment where minded children care for their own pet fish and watch tadpoles growing into frogs. Photographs show children building a vegetable container garden and growing runner beans and holding a sunflower growing competition. Resources are used imaginatively. For example, foam letters and numbers in the water promote counting, number and alphabet recognition as children wash their hands. Children delight in writing their names with a stick in

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the snow. The childminder uses food colouring to emphasise the letters proudly displayed by the children. The childminder is always mindful of issues of inclusion, demonstrated by her annotated photographs of the children having made a 'snow person' and the children baking 'gingerbread people'. Children are encouraged to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 be polite and courteous and older children show care and concern for younger ones by fetching a much needed dummy or a comforter when they are tired.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have access to a very large, soft pore surfaced play area in the garden which enables them to play outside in all weathers. In a recent topic about physical activity and play, children explored why their heart beats faster when they run. Children wash hands when they have been outside and stroking animals and they brush their teeth after meals. Children learn about healthy eating and regularly discuss food choices. As a highly responsible childcare provider, the childminder has attended many training courses to ensure children are taught to protect themselves from harm. For example, they learn about the Green Cross Code and all children participate in monthly fire safety drills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy their play and achieve rapid progress because the childminder listens to children and watches them play, providing challenges to promote active learning. The childminder tracks children's development in a highly effective manner, utilising the 'Principles into Practice' cards from the Early Years Foundation Stage materials pack to plan, record and to identify the next steps in children's learning. The childminder identified this as an area which she wishes to continue to develop. Children join in, share and are respectful of themselves and others, because each one is valued as an individual. Their needs are identified and discussed with parents to enable them to feel secure in this setting. The childminder encourages children to be independent and control their own behaviour, valuing them for their own social, cultural and religious background. Resources reflect all aspects of inclusion and work topics extend children's

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

experiences of other religions and cultures. Children gain knowledge and understanding of the broader community as they visit a wide range of social groups. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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

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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