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

p.1

Unique reference number EY307334 Inspection date 23/03/2009 Inspector Anne Archer

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 4 in the East Northamptonshire town of Irthlingborough. Childminding takes place on the ground floor of the childminder's house with access to the first floor for sleeping. The childminder may provide care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for ten children on a part-time basis including five children in the early years age group. She is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and accredited to the Children Come First Network. She holds a Level 3 qualification in Childcare.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The overall effectiveness of the childminder is good. She provides an excellent service to the children placed with her. Their welfare needs are very effectively met and they make good progress, given their age and starting points, in their development and learning by being able to participate in activities which take account of their interests and their abilities. The very strong partnerships with parents ensure that the childminder has all the information she needs to successfully care for them and make them feel included. The childminder also has well-established links with the nurseries used by the children. The childminder's use of reflection and self-evaluation, periodical questionnaires to parents about their views on the service she provides and her attendance at training events to support her professional development ensure that the service she provides meets the ever changing needs of the children who attend.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 develop further the use of observation and assessment to identify learning priorities across the six areas of learning for children under the age of three  prevent the possibility of cross infection when children dry their hands to further promote their health  include in the risk assessment when it was carried out and the date of review and of any action taken.

p.3

provision

The childminder is clearly committed to using the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to help children progress in their learning and development and she promotes their welfare well. She adapts the level of support she gives to each child to enable them to participate in activities and so feel included. She provides a full range of activities to all children, including the very youngest. Planning and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 achievement records for children in receipt of funding for nursery education clearly show how observations and assessments are used to evaluate and plan for each individual child's ongoing progress. However, although other children in the early years age group are participating in a full range of appropriate activities to support their learning and development, records are less clear and do not currently record children's next steps in the six areas of learning.

p.3

provision

The childminder recognises the importance of having good working relationships with parents and to support this she provides them copies of her policies and procedures, including complaints. She completes a daily journal for children under three and provides regular opportunities for parents to look through their child's records of achievement. Space is provided for them to add their own photographs and comments and to record any information that they feel may help the childminder to care for their child. Links with other providers of the EYFS are well- established and records are regularly shared which supports children's learning and development.

p.4

provision

The childminder uses information gained from discussions with parents and from the periodical quality assurance questionnaires to evaluate her service. She attends a local childminders' group and receives regular visits from a local authority development worker both of which provide ongoing support and constructive feedback to enable her to plan for the future. The childminder fully understands her responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children. She is familiar with the signs of abuse and has clear procedures in place for the recording and reporting of any concerns. To support children's safety she conducts a risk assessment of her home and garden and records details of the actions she has taken to minimise or eliminate potential hazards although the date when the actions were taken are not recorded. All other records, policies, procedures and documents are well- maintained and support her childminding practice.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's learning and development is supported very well and as a result they make good progress towards the early learning goals in the six areas of learning in relation to their starting points and capabilities. The childminder plans activities taking account of which children are present to ensure she provides activities of interest. She uses differentiation to ensure that all children take part in a meaningful way and confidently liaises with parents and others over any concerns about a child's development.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a full learning and enabling environment for all the children. They enjoy both home-based and outdoor activities. Children's recent interests include small world play such as, making pretend meals and serving them to each other which later extended to setting out a picnic on a blanket on the living room floor for everyone. 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 the children's activities. Children develop physical skills on the play equipment in the garden and on visits to parks and activity centres and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their creative development is extended through a range of activities with paint and art and craft materials.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn to keep themselves healthy by adopting good personal hygiene routines such as washing their hands before eating snack. There is colourful poster on the cloakroom to reminder them of the procedure. However, children currently share a fabric towel which may result in cross infection. The childminder provides children with regular drinks and snacks such as sliced grape, banana and apple. She also prepares and cooks nutritious meals such as Shepherd's Pie for the children's lunch and tea. The childminder works with the parents to ensure she maintains young children's sleeping and eating routines whilst ensuring they join in with activities by adapting them to suit children's individual learning needs and capabilities.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about keeping themselves safe as they hold the childminder's hand on the walk to and from school. They wear appropriate seat belts in the car and know not to undo them until the childminder helps them out of the car. Children behave well. They receive lots of praise and are encouraged to be kind and caring to each other. Expectations are realistic and flexible as children learn about the consequences of their behaviour.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children participate in a wide range of activities and are given opportunities to make choices and decisions about their play which supports them to become active, inquisitive and independent learners. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints received by Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.8

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.

p.8