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 EY384170 Inspection date 11/03/2009 Inspector Sylvia Crawford

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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 2008. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and their teenage child in East Hunsbury, Northampton. Minding takes place on the ground floor of the childminder's house with access to the main bedroom for sleeping purposes. There is an enclosed rear garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder's registration permits her to care for a maximum of six children, of whom three children may be in the early years age group. She currently cares for four children, of whom three children are in the early years age group. Children attend on a full and part-time basis. 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 satisfactory. Children are making satisfactory progress in their learning and development as they play in a well organised and safe environment. The childminder knows them well and recognises each child as an individual. Children are able to participate in a variety of well planned activities and experiences that take into account their interests, age and stage of development. The childminder is committed to improving her service and consequently the outcomes for children in her care. The childminder has taken steps to evaluate the provision to identify areas for development, for example, further developing her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that required documentation is up to date and contains full details  continue to develop a procedure for working in partnership with other settings  continue to develop effective systems to evaluate activities and undertake sensitive observations and assessments to inform planning for children's continued learning and development.

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provision

Children benefit from the good relationship the childminder has with parents and information is shared verbally to enhance the continuity of children's care. The childminder effectively organises her resources, time and space so that children can move and play freely in the home and have access to the garden. The childminder has some well written policies in place to support her service and she shares these with all parents. She requests initial information from the parents, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 such as, the children's likes, dislikes, interests and any special requirements. This is so that she can ensure she is meeting all children’s needs and they are being fully included in all aspects of the setting.

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provision

Regulatory records are maintained and include all necessary written parental permissions. However, some records need further details to ensure that all children's needs can be met. The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of safeguarding all children, and safety in the home and on trips is a priority. Written risk assessments are carried out on a regular basis as well as daily visual checks. These clearly identify areas of risk and the procedures in place to minimise the risk. The childminder ensures that she records all accidents, incidents and the administration of medication. She is aware of the local safeguarding procedures and knows what to do if she has a concern for a child’s welfare. However, the childminder has not established a system to share information about children's learning and development with other providers of EYFS.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play happily in a comfortable and child friendly environment. They are secure and have a good relationship with the childminder and their peers. The childminder knows the children very well as she spends time with them together and individually, offering high levels of interaction. Children benefit from this time spent together, as the childminder encourages their independence, imagination, language development and counting skills. For example, when they make spoon people the children draw the face on themselves and choose the wool colour for the hair. As they begin to play an imaginative game with the finished spoons the childminder joins in and encourages them to extend their imagination and language.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are making satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals, as the childminder provides a range of freely accessible activities. For example, young children enjoy arts and crafts, such as cutting, sticking and drawing, as well as the train track and bricks. Children's art work is on display and this helps them to feel their work is valued. The childminder supports children's learning through activities such as planting seeds and bulbs in the garden. She also links into the local pre- school themes to ensure consistency, for example, when the children were in the garden digging they looked and found some snails and insects. The childminder helps the children with weight and measurements through activities such as making pancakes on Pancake Day. Children have the opportunity to use the computer with appropriate educational programmes. This enables them to improve their skills in mouse control and the use of technology

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has completed an initial briefing session and will be attending further training in the near future to extend her knowledge and understanding of the EYFS. She has started recording observations and assessments to track children's achievements and progress. Most children have a developmental scrapbook which details their learning journey through photographs, art work and written observations. This is shared with parents and the children enjoy looking at them and talking about activities they have enjoyed doing. The childminder has a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 well established routine and she plans some focus activities while also encouraging children to make choices and decisions about what they want to do from the wide variety of resources available. She is beginning to evaluate some of the activities so that she can plan for individual learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children benefit from a clean and hygienic environment. The childminder is a good role model and encourages them to learn simple hygiene routines. She is effective in reducing the spread of infection, particularly through the regular and appropriate hand washing procedures. The childminder provides healthy and nutritious snacks and stores packed lunches appropriately. During the recent cold weather she provided a hot lunch for the children when they got cold from playing in the snow. The childminder helps the children to eat well, have good manners and have a social time while they are eating. The childminder provides a secure and interesting outdoor play space where children can extend their physical skills as well as going for walks locally and to the park. They visit the library regularly and children are encouraged to choose their own books. The childminder then extends the story into other activities, for example, after reading 'Elmer' they do a

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

sticking activity with Elmer templates. The childminder ensures that the premises are safe, for example, through the use of socket covers, stair gates and securing the front door. She has an emergency evacuation plan in place and they regularly practise the fire drill so that children are aware of what to do in the event of an emergency. Behaviour management strategies are discussed with parents and there are some house rules in place that help children to understand about boundaries. They are encouraged to respect one another, to share and to take turns. The childminder promotes good behaviour through praise and encouragement and consequently children behave well and know what is expected of 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? 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? 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? 3 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: 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

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action.

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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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