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 EY381967 Inspection date 09/03/2009 Inspector Jan Leo

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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 2008. She lives with her husband and one child, aged three years, in a village near Banbury. The children use the ground floor of the property for play and rest or sleep in a bedroom upstairs. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She can look after a maximum of five children under the age of eight years and currently cares for seven children, five of whom are in the early years age range. Children attend on a full or part time basis. The childminder supports children with leaning difficulties and disabilities.

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Description of the childminding

There are three steps to access the property through the front door but an alternative level access is through the rear entrance. Parking is available on the driveway or in the road outside.

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Description of the childminding

The family has a pet dog and a chinchilla.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder maintains extremely high standards in almost all aspects of her provision evaluating each day effectively to bring about improvements and keep standards high. She is very skilled at including children in the activities and developing their knowledge and understanding effortlessly, through their own ideas. The childminder has a comprehensive range of documents to support her service but some lack full detail, limiting their value to a small extent. The childminder strives to stay up-to-date with current thinking and has a very secure understanding of health and safety. A recent failed attempt to complete a first aid course means that training requirements are not met, however, this has little impact on the children as the childminder manages to retain information from previous training courses and is perfectly able to respond appropriately when dealing with children's health

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further?

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

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further?

 add more detail to documentation to ensure parents and carers have all the information regarding welfare procedures and their children's learning and development

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further?

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

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further?

 complete local authority approved paediatric first aid 15/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 training and notify Ofsted of the details of the qualification (Qualifications, training, knowledge and skills) (Also applies to the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register)

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provision

The childminder is extremely well organised, preparing a programme of activities to suit those present and planning specific areas of focus to help each child progress at their own rate. She builds strong bonds with the children and as a result the children settle very quickly and feel emotionally secure in her care. She sits on the floor to join in play and welcomes young children with open arms, saying 'can I have a hug' as they climb over her, completely relaxed in her presence. The childminder uses eye contact and refers to children by name to ensure they feel special, and they learn to play harmoniously with their peers to develop their social skills and a strong sense of self.

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provision

At the end of each day, the childminder reflects on the successes and failures and plans changes to bring about improvements. She has a clear vision of how to develop her home to improve the environment and plans more and more interesting outings to widen learning opportunities for all who attend. For example, a train ride is planned for those without experience of such a journey, to bring excitement to the day while developing children's knowledge of the wider world.

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provision

The focus is always the children and their ever changing needs. The childminder routinely helps children keep a high standard of health and safety to develop good habits for later life. They take advantage of outdoor space to benefit from fresh air and exercise, eat healthy meals and snacks, and learn effective hygiene routines to protect themselves from infection. The childminder completes risk assessments on an ongoing basis to address hazards as children grow and develop, and she has a very secure knowledge of the child protection procedures and how to safeguard children from harm.

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provision

All documentation is of a high standard, clear and easy to follow. Some, whilst effective does not contain full details reducing the value slightly for parents who use the service. For example, useful contact numbers are sometimes separate from the policies and observation records are undeveloped. They clearly show what children do and their rate of progress but there are no links to the areas of learning. The childminder provides verbal feedback at the end of each day, adding more information about children's achievements and suggesting how adults might continue learning at home. However, the absence of links in observations hamper parents' ability to learn more about the value of the daily activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children eagerly join in the activities, playing well together and learning to share toys fairly. The childminder encourages children to make new friends by This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 providing small group activities and helping the children to join in. She suggests activities based around children's interests and she competently changes the activity when concentration wanes. The children receive a running commentary throughout the day to help them make sense of things, receiving clear explanations from the childminder, to develop their level of understanding appropriately. The childminder shows genuine interest in children's opinions and tirelessly interacts with them to help them express themselves. The children repeat what the childminder says to confirm their understanding, using single word responses for the majority of the time. The childminder asks questions to promote

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

language, stressing new words and repeating them in a relevant context to reinforce learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are completely unaware that they are developing new skills and thoroughly enjoy their play. The childminder steers the day around children's free play activities and competently extends them to bring in all areas of learning. For example, she automatically covers colours, size, shape and position, as children construct with large Lego bricks together. They 'match' pieces, develop physical skills by handling pieces of various sizes, look at which piece is 'too small' and how things need to be turned around in order to fit, solving problems together in a very sociable group.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Some, with little language, chatter incessantly about what they do, showing pride in their achievements. The childminder acknowledges their efforts, giving praise to encourage an enthusiasm for learning. Children experience a very successful and appropriate activity programme which the childminder ably puts into practice to ensure they have the right inspiration and support to reach their potential. The planning is very effective but the childminder currently records little detail and consequently parents require additional information from the childminder to become fully involved in their children's day. 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? 1 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? 1

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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?

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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 in the early years section of the report (Qualifications and training) 15/04/2009

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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 in the early years section of the report (Qualifications and training) 15/04/2009 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 registration.

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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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