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 220786 Inspection date 26/03/2009 Inspector Anne Archer

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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 teenage daughter in a house in a residential area in Corby. Local parks and shops are within walking distance. The whole of the premises, with the exception of the main bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of six children at any one time including three children in the early years age group. She is currently minding nine children in total, four of whom are in the early years age group. Most arrangements are part-time.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is accredited to the 'Children Come First' Network. The family has a pet hamster and the childminder runs a parent and toddler group on a Wednesday morning.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The overall effectiveness of the childminder is good. She provides a professional, reliable service to the children placed with her. Their welfare needs are met very effectively and they make good progress, given their age and starting points, in their development and learning by being able to participate in activities which reflect their interests, learning styles and abilities. The excellent partnerships with parents make sure that the childminder has all the information she needs to successfully care for them and ensure they feel included. The childminder also has established links with the nursery used by the children. The childminder is, at present, working towards a Level 3 qualification in early years childcare and education to support her personal and professional development. This, along with her use of self-reflection and the regular consultation with parents on their views about the service she provides, ensures that she is equipped to meet the ever

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

changing needs of the children in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure all policies and procedures reflect current practice within the setting  use observation and assessment records to evaluate and plan for children's next steps in learning and development in all six areas of learning

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provision

The childminder is very committed to helping children to make progress in their learning and development and she promotes their welfare well. She adapts the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 level of support she gives to each child to enable them to participate in activities and so feel included. She provides a wide range of activities on a rota basis, due to limited space. Children's achievement records provide details of the childminder's almost daily observations about their participation in activities and an assessment of their learning, supported by photographs. Whilst the childminder is able to discuss how she evaluates this information and plans for children's next steps in the six areas of learning, this is not documented.

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provision

The childminder appreciates the importance of the partnerships she has with the children's parents and to support this, she provides them with daily verbal feedback about how their child has been and what they have been doing. She completes a daily journal for the younger children and provides weekly opportunities for parents to look through their child's learning journey record. She encourages them to comment and consults with them about their child's future learning needs. Links with the children's other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are established and information is shared to support children's learning and development at both settings.

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provision

The childminder uses information gained from regular consultations with parents to evaluate her service. She attends a local childminder's group and receives visits from a local authority development worker, which both provide ongoing support and constructive feedback to enable her to plan for the future. The childminder understands her responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children. She is familiar with the signs of abuse and, in discussion, is clear about the procedure she would follow to record and report any concerns. To further support children's safety, she conducts an annual risk assessment of her home and garden and records details of actions taken to eliminate or minimize potential hazards. From observation of the childminder's practice and from discussion with her, it is clear that she has a good understanding of the requirements of the EYFS and how to implement it. However, not all of her policies and procedures reflect her current practice.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's learning and development is well supported and as a result they make good progress towards the early learning goals in relation to their starting points and capabilities. The childminder takes account of which children are attending when selecting activities and resources to ensure she provides for their interests and ability. Additional resources and toys are readily available for children to access themselves. The childminder uses differentiation to ensure that children take part in activities in a meaningful way and liaises with parents about any concerns she may have about a child's development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a full learning and enabling environment for the children. They enjoy home-based and outdoor activities. Children's recent interests include building and making patterns with different coloured bricks, putting coloured pegs into different containers and joining in with action rhymes such as 'Five Little Ducks'. Children are praised for their achievements, encouraged to express their own ideas and challenged to try new things. The childminder incorporates the development of communication skills, problem solving and numeracy into many of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the children's routines and activities. Children are provided with opportunities to make choices and decisions which support them to become active, inquisitive and independent learners. Children develop physical skills on the play equipment in the garden, such as when balancing on the low wall, under supervision, and then

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

learning how to negotiate getting down. Creative development is extended through a range of activities with paint and art and craft materials.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn to keep themselves healthy by adopting the very good personal hygiene routines encouraged by the childminder. They have healthy snacks, such as plums and bananas, and jugs of water and juice are available throughout the day for them to have regular drinks so they remain hydrated. Children bring a packed lunch from home and the childminder provides a nutritious cooked tea for the children. The childminder works with parents to ensure she maintains the younger children's sleeping and eating routines, whilst ensuring they join in with activities by adapting them to suit each child's learning style and capabilities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about keeping safe as they learn about road safety on the walk to nursery and school. They wear appropriate seat belts in the car and learn not to undo them until the childminder helps them out of the car. Children generally behave well. They receive lots of praise and are encouraged to be kind to each other. Expectations are realistic and flexible as children learn about the consequences of their behaviour. The childminder consults with parents when issues occur and they work together to resolve them quickly. 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? 1 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 the last inspection Ofsted has received one complaint that required the provider to take action. This related to the safety of a child left with an unsupervised household member.

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Detail of the complaint/s

We carried out a visit and set an action for the provider to ensure that children are never left unsupervised with persons who have not been vetted and for the provider to notify Ofsted of significant changes or events. As a result the provider has reviewed her practice and procedures. The provider remained suitable for registration at the time the investigations were closed.

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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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