Childminder, Out-of school day care 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 EY252340 Inspection date 02/03/2009 Inspector Sarah Measures

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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 registered in 2003. She lives with her husband, two adult children and sons who are aged six and three years in Desborough, Northamptonshire. Shops, schools, a park and leisure centre are within close proximity. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor as well as the upstairs bathroom and bedroom three. The premises is easily accessible and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder may care for up to four children within the early years age range. She also cares for older children on the compulsory and the voluntary childcare registers. The family has two cats. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has links with local schools.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The overall effectiveness of the childminder is good. She has a good understanding of how to use the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance in order to promote children's individual welfare and their learning and developmental needs. Children are warmly welcomed into this family home and valued as individuals. Not all policies and procedures are in place to fully ensure children's protection. However, the provision for continuous improvement is good because of the childminder's committed attitude towards meeting children's needs and to offering parents and children a good quality provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 make sure that information given to parents as to how to make a complaint to Ofsted is kept up to date.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 make sure that an effective safeguarding children policy and procedure can be implemented if necessary (Safeguarding and welfare, also applies to the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register). 24/03/2009

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provision

Overall, good policies and procedures underpin the provision for children's welfare and for their learning and development. The childminder works well with parents and other settings in order to promote very good continuity of children's care and education. She has good links with the local school that enable her to support This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children effectively by reinforcing their learning within the setting. The childminder reflects upon her practice and plans for improvement, taking into account the wishes of the children. Parents clearly value the care and opportunities the childminder provides for their children. Good quality verbal and written communications ensure parents are kept well informed of children's progress and any issues affecting their welfare.

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provision

Overall, children are safeguarded because the childminder has a secure knowledge of the possible indicators of abuse and of how to refer any concerns she may have. However, she has not developed a child protection policy that she can confidently implement, that covers how she would communicate effectively with parents without this potentially compromising children's protection. Secure systems are in place to ensure children are safely collected by appropriate persons. The childminder keeps well presented and well organised records on the children and uses them effectively to promote their welfare.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very settled and at home within this setting. Good relationships exist between minded children and the childminder and her own family. This is demonstrated as children arrive happily after school and sit at the table completing activities, chatting happily and feeling valued and included. Children's learning and developmental needs are well met because the childminder plans activities constructively in order to further develop activities they are involved in at school. This offers children very good opportunities to make individual progress. The childminder carries out her own observations and assessments on the children in order to give a clear picture of the activities they are involved in and their progress. Children choose freely from a very good range of toys, books and games that are well organised to offer them a welcoming and stimulating setting.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and independence are well promoted within the setting. They play outside in all weathers because the garden is suitable for them to do this and contains varied physical and imaginative play equipment. The provision for outdoor play is an area the childminder has developed recently through processes of self- reflection that included the children. Children make healthy choices as they choose from a variety of fresh fruit for snack, that they help to prepare for themselves. Children are well behaved because they feel secure and are well occupied. The childminder praises and encourages the children effectively in order to help develop their self-esteem and to encourage them into patterns of good behaviour.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The health and safety policy includes careful risk assessments across the provision that effectively ensure children's healthy and safety. Children feel at home as they have safe access to all areas used because hazards are kept to a minimum. The childminder provides information to parents as to how to make a complaint to Ofsted if they wish, however, contact information is not updated in order to ensure a fully transparent service. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified within the early years section of the report (Arrangements for Safeguarding Children) 24/03/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified within the early years section of the report (Arrangements for Safeguarding Children). 24/03/2009 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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