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 EY295164 Inspection date 21/01/2009 Inspector Anne Archer

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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 three children aged five, four and one year in the Rockingham Road area of Kettering in Northamptonshire, close to the town centre and its amenities. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding with access to the first floor for use of an additional toilet in the bathroom and for sleeping in bedroom two. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. No access issues are evident.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to the nearby school and nursery to take and collect children and attends local parent and toddler and childminder support groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association, is an accredited childminder and holds a relevant National Vocational Qualification Level 2 qualification. She is currently working towards a Level 3 qualification.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a valuable, inclusive service ensuring that children's welfare needs are effectively met and that they make satisfactory progress, given their age and starting points, in their development and learning. Partnerships between the childminder and parents are established and working well and links between the childminder and other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage are being developed to ensure that each has all the available information to plan for the next steps for each child. The childminder's use of evaluation and self- reflection and her keenness to seek out and attend training to aid her personal development support the childminding service she provides to meet the ever changing needs of children and families.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the links with children's other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage so that all providers contribute to the assessment process. Also continue to develop the use of observation and assessment to identify learning priorities for each child and to plan purposeful play, with a balance of adult led and child-initiated activities  review the regularity of conducting and recording risk assessment checks to ensure the premises, environment and equipment are safe for all children  review the non collection of children procedure to ensure children are safeguarded and their welfare promoted.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given (Promoting good health) 18/02/2009

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provision

The childminder is clearly committed to helping children progress in their learning and development. However, at present, information obtained from her regular observations and from discussions with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage is not used effectively to promote children's learning and plan for their next steps in the six areas of learning.

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provision

The childminder recognises the importance of having good working relationships with parents and provides daily feedback about the child's day. She also shares her policies and procedures with them, including complaints, and details of the observations she makes on their child's play and development.

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provision

The childminder is intent on self-development to support her childminding practice. She has achieved a childcare qualification and is currently studying to enable her to attain the next level. Policies and procedures are her own and are reviewed annually. Safeguarding procedures are in place and the childminder understands her responsibilities in relation to reporting any concerns and keeping children safe at all times.

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provision

The childminder has completed a risk assessment of her home, garden and regular outing venues and takes appropriate actions to eliminate or reduce potential hazards. However, changes are not recorded other than at the annual review. The non-collection of children procedure requires some updating to take account of safeguarding issues. Although overall, documentation supports the childminder's practice.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder supports children's learning and development satisfactorily. Children make reasonable progress towards the early learning goals in relation to their starting points and capabilities. She plans activities linked to children's interests which she knows they will enjoy, adapting them so that all children can participate. However, while the childminder is able to identify and discuss children's developmental needs, for instance, in relation to socialising, she does not yet plan for those individual next steps in learning nor link planning to the six areas of learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn strategies to keep themselves healthy and safe. They learn about the importance of adopting good personal hygiene routines such as using a fresh paper towel to dry their hands and using and disposing of tissues appropriately. The childminder talks to children about road safety on the walk to school and they wear high visibility vests so that they can be clearly seen by other road users at This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 busy times. The measures used to prevent the spread of infection promote children's good health and the childminder has clear procedures about contacting parents in the event of a child becoming unwell. However, she has not discussed with parents or gained their consent, to administer medication in the event of a child suddenly becoming ill, for instance with a high temperature.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children behave well. They learn the consequences of their behaviour and are encouraged through consistent management, to be caring and kind to each other. Children participate a varied range of activities and are given the opportunity to make choices and decisions about their care and the activities they do. This supports them to become active, inquisitive and independent learners. 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 made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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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