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

p.1

Unique reference number EY248007 Inspection date 26/02/2009 Inspector Susan Marriott

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and one child aged 15 years in the village of Silverstone, in Northamptonshire. The accommodation is arranged over three floors. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor, plus the first floor 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding 12 children in total at varied times during the week. Of these, seven children are in the early years age group. The childminder walks to the local school, pre-school and toddler group. The family have a pet chameleon, three red-eyed tree frogs, five poison arrow dart frogs, 13 guinea pigs and two rabbits. The childminder supports children with

p.3

Description of the childminding

learning difficulties and/or disabilities and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The provision is outstanding. Children clearly thrive in a 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. The children make extremely good progress and greatly benefit from the professional expertise of the childminder. Through very balanced self-evaluation of activities and detailed analysis of procedures the childminder identifies and promptly acts upon any areas for improvement. She is continually striving to offer the very best possible care and education to the children.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

provision

Children enjoy an exemplary quality of care in this setting, supported by well-kept, clear policies, procedures and records. A very clear complaints procedure is in place. The childminder holds a professional childcare qualification and regularly attends training courses to extend her knowledge, enabling her to offer a high quality of inclusive care and education to the children. Thoroughly detailed risk assessments are carried out visually on a daily basis and written assessments are completed for every area of the home and for every type of outing. The childminder identified this as an area for further enhancement. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 regularly reviews her procedures and seeks to improve them, as shown by the evidence supplied in the extensively detailed self-evaluation form. Extremely effective links with the parents and carers, together with other professionals

p.3

provision

involved in the care and education of the children, enables the childminder to tailor activities to the individual children in her care.

p.4

provision

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 uses 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. The childminder successfully develops the activities, and offers a broad, stimulating range that offer challenge 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. They have expressed their confidence and pleasure in the provision through the regular questionnaires the childminder

p.4

provision

instigates and the detailed information shared when a child first starts at the provision.

p.4

provision

Extremely competent planning and assessment secures the rapid progress children make. The childminder uses her experience as a former pre-school leader, together with knowledge gained from ongoing training to compile 'Learning journeys' for the children in her care. Folders include an introductory sheet explaining the Early Years Foundation Stage to parents and carers and a topic web is illustrated with pictures. Written observations track children's progress against the 'Development Matters' section of the Practice Guidance. Examples of work are annotated with the aims of the activity and an evaluation of each child's achievement. The next steps are appropriately identified as targets for future development. Examples of children's work are presented to parents, who are invited to comment and sign their entry. This significantly strengthens the partnership with parents and carers. The childminder genuinely values the views of

p.4

provision

parents, carers and children. Her compliments and complaints record summarises comments in large print to make them easy for everyone to read. These confirm that parents happily and confidently leave their children in the knowledge that they are safe, extremely well-cared for and most importantly happy. Parents and carers declare that the childminder has a very professional attitude towards the children, being kind and fun but also firm with a high expectation of good behaviour. Children actively contribute their views on a pictorial grid by voting for the activities which they want to do the following week.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder gives outstanding support to learning. Children develop highly positive attitudes towards learning. The education programme is extremely well organised with themes and activities tailored to the interests and abilities of the children in attendance. These covers all aspects of the early learning goals, ensuring children enjoy a broad, stimulating variety of activities and are designed This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to meet each child's developmental needs. The childminder prepares her environment with exceptional thought and care and very good use is made of indoor and outdoor space, enabling children to move freely between activities of their choosing. For example, children at the stage of learning their colours, arrive at the childminder's home to find a vast array of activities set out to provide opportunities to reinforce the recognition of blue. They cut, stick and make a

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

collage picture with a wide range of media and materials in varying shades of blue. They complete a colour matching jigsaw. They explore the blue artefacts and books about colours on a display table. This enables the children to focus on activities suitable for their age and stage of development in a very conducive environment. Children can serve themselves water because a covered jug, cups and beakers are available on a small table and low-level drawers enable children to access scissors, pens and paper independently. Children are active learners and are encouraged to think critically. The childminder's current project is the creation of a 'Dark Den' where children can explore musical instruments made luminous by fibre optic lights. Children frequently use the comfortable book corner to share stories with their childminder. They learn to share readily and take turns as they play and swap musical instruments to accompany their rendition of familiar nursery

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is very effectively promoted. They enjoy regular access to fresh air in the extremely well-equipped courtyard garden where learning is readily taken outdoors. For example, children can count the teddies on the number line fixed to the fence and explore the miniature sensory garden with fragrant herbs, wind chimes and a safe water feature. They enjoy the challenge of searching for foam alphabet letters hidden in the garden and dig in the compost tray. Children always walk to and from school irrespective of the weather, wearing their fluorescent jackets to enhance their visibility and protect their welfare. Local outings extend their experiences appropriately. Children discuss safety with the childminder on a regular basis and reasons are given for having rules for inside the house which are different to those for outside. For example, children know that they can throw balls outside but not inside. Rules include helping to tidy up, closing doors, being aware

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

of other children’s abilities and limitations and how to treat and behave with animals.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children effectively learn good behaviour because the childminder leads by example and uses praise and positive reinforcement for desirable behaviours. She treats children with respect and value, and has consistent, clear boundaries, explaining why certain behaviours are not acceptable and discouraging children from pursuing them. The childminder understands that it is important to acknowledge children’s feelings and make allowances for age, development and changes in personal circumstances. Children develop an awareness of the wider world through using resources and equipment which reflect positive images and the childminder occasionally works informally with another local childminder to extend experiences appropriately. For example, they hire the school hall to enable all the children to share planned activities relating to the Chinese New Year. Children develop skills for the future across all six areas of learning within the

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

childminder's home and whilst out and around the local area. For example, children use calculators, tills and telephones in the home corner and learn how these are used and what they are used for. Children develop their gardening skills This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and grow their own carrots, potatoes and lettuce. The policies, procedures and practice, unique to this setting, are extremely robust and implemented with a very high level of consistency. The indoor and outdoor environment, together with the equipment and toys, provides a very safe and welcoming environment for the children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.7

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

p.7

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?

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8