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 EY309395 Inspection date 24/02/2009 Inspector Melanie Eastwell

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and one child aged nine years in Burton Latimer, Kettering in Northamptonshire. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom upstairs of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Access to the premises is via a path and alley way. The family has a dog, a rabbit and aquatic frogs as pets. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for five children at any one time. She is currently caring for six children, three of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are relaxed and confident in the childminder's home. All children are clearly acknowledged as individuals and the childminder ensures that their needs are met in an appropriately inclusive way. The childminder is active in promoting children's safety and welfare and manages their learning and development particularly well. The childminder works effectively with parents, carers and other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure children's needs are met. The childminder has good systems in place to evaluate her provision and these ensure continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to improve the risk assessment by ensuring that written parental consent is in place for children to travel in another childminder's car  obtain a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines.

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provision

The childminder maintains the written documentation for her provision generally effectively to ensure children's safety and well-being. However, although the childminder has a detailed risk assessment in place, this does not fully cover all activities and written consent for children to travel in another childminder's car is not in place and currently the childminder does not have an up-to-date copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines. She has devised polices and procedures that are clearly reflected in her daily activity and are shared with parents. The childminder is keen to keep her knowledge up-to-date. She attends training courses and workshops and has recently completed a Level 3 Qualification in Children's Care, Learning and Development. Children benefit from the effective links that are in place between the childminder, their parents and other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Parents receive detailed information about

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provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their child's progress and have access to their scrapbook that contains photographs and observations showing their progression. Daily information is shared regarding sleep times, changes and meals which ensures parents are fully informed when they collect their children. The childminder ensures a consistent approach for the children through discussing activities, topics and themes with their school or nursery.

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provision

The childminder is effective in managing her provision to ensure that all children are fully included. They have their individual needs met because the childminder discusses any specific needs with their parents. Children begin to become aware of the wider world through imaginative activities around festivals such as Chinese New Year, St. Patrick's Day and through accessing play materials and books that celebrate diversity. Children's welfare is properly safeguarded. The childminder understands the procedures to follow in the event of concerns and the importance of maintaining confidentiality at all times. The childminder carries out effective, informal self-evaluation procedures that ensure continuous improvement and identify areas of strong practice. For example, she took appropriate action from the recommendations made at the previous inspection and has successfully completed her Level 3 Qualification.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and confident in the childminder's home which helps them to develop independence and self-esteem. They approach the childminder for support and reassurance when needed and clearly demonstrate their close and trusting relationship with her. Children are learning about personal hygiene. For example, they are supported by the childminder to be independent in the bathroom and know where to find their own hand towels. They enjoy the freshly prepared meals and snacks provided by the childminder and are developing an awareness of healthy eating through making choices for sandwich fillings, toppings for pizzas and fruit for snacks or making smoothie drinks. Children's safety is given the highest priority. The childminder takes active steps to minimise risks to children and involves them in tidying away when they have finished playing which develops a sense of awareness of safety and care for equipment. All children are effectively

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

included in the setting. The childminder treats them with respect. For example, she listens to their views and opinions and ensures they lead the play. Children are supported to think of others and to be aware of valuing difference and diversity. This inclusive practice fosters children's feelings of value and belonging in the childminder's home.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from the well-thought out learning environment that helps them to progress towards the early learning goals. For example, children are provided with imaginative and stimulating activities and are keen to choose new games when prompted by the childminder. They know where to find the activities and enjoy looking through the boxes of toys. The childminder makes very effective use of a local toy library. Children are enthusiastic to set up a game involving a picnic and a bear. They look at the story book and use the props provided in the sack. This involvement and enthusiasm promotes their enjoyment and learning. Children benefit from the childminder's highly positive interactions with them. She becomes This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 involved in the game and talks to them about what they are finding in the sack as well as encouraging sharing and turn-taking. The childminder records individual

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children's achievements through snippet observations and photographs. These are skilfully linked to the six areas of learning and the childminder uses the observations to plan further activities to promote learning and development. For example, children who are interested in numbers are encouraged through counting games and to look for numbers during daily walks and outings. Children benefit from the childminder's awareness of their particular interests through their time with her and the discussions that take place with their parents about their favourite activities at home. Therefore, children enjoy the extended activities provided by the childminder that cover all the areas of learning because they are meaningful to them. 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? 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

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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