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

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Unique reference number 220944 Inspection date 16/02/2009 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 1992. She lives with her husband and three children aged 15 years, 13 years and eight years in their house in the Abington area of Northampton. Access to the house is gained from the front garden path. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor 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 five children at any one time when working with another minder at the same address or for three children when working alone. She is currently minding one child in the early years age group on a full-time basis and two older children for flexible out of school hours care. The family have a cat, two fish, three guinea pigs and a rabbit as pets.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and content in this home from home environment where the childminder uses her substantial experience to effectively promote many aspects of children's care and education in a sufficiently inclusive manner. Every child is valued as a unique individual and the childminder has made a commendable start with required observation and assessment. The childminder builds positive relationships with parents to underpin children's welfare. She has begun to develop processes for identifying strengths and weaknesses in her provision to support continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further, the observation and assessment systems to identify challenging learning opportunities to enable children to progress within their next steps of learning.

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provision

Written records, policies and procedures are reviewed annually and underpin the safe and sound management of this warm and welcoming provision. The childminder uses her extensive minding experience to provide activities in an inclusive manner and all activities appropriately involve children at their individual developmental level. The childminder devotes her time and attention to the children during minding hours, effectively promoting learning through play. Therefore, the needs of children are generally met in practice. The childminder has made a good effort to implement the learning and development requirements in relation to planning and assessment. However, observations and the notes of next steps in learning are not linked to the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage to demonstrate children's progress. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children are kept safe because the childminder has a clear knowledge and understanding of vetting procedures and child protection issues. Risk assessments are carried out visually on a daily basis and records show that preventative action is always taken to address identified hazards and minimise the risk to children, ensuring a very safe environment. The childminder has just begun to review her practice in order to identify strengths and weaknesses and is seeking to improve, as shown by the evidence supplied in the self-evaluation form. Effective links with the parents and carers enable the childminder to tailor activities to the individual children in her care. Parents write complimentary references and express their satisfaction with the standard of care offered.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is properly protected and clear, effective procedures are in place to secure children's health and well-being. Suitable documentation is maintained relating to accidents, medication and incidents and the childminder promotes suitable systems to prevent the spread of infection. Children can readily access toys and equipment and this ensures that they develop personal independence and the ability to make choices and decisions. Their behaviour is very well-managed and generally effective strategies ensure their social, physical and economic well- being are suitably met.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from a wide range of informally planned and purposeful play activities provided by the childminder. This has a positive impact as the children are beginning to extend their vocabulary and learn about early numbers, shapes and colours. Young babies enjoy baby massage sessions with the childminder who flexibly plans her week to include daily indoor play and outdoor exercise, balancing time spent in the home and time spent at social groups. The childminder walks everywhere with the children and takes them to extra activities such as swimming, a local 'mums and tots' group, the library and trips to Abington Park and the Racecourse Park. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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 that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action 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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