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 221239 Inspection date 01/04/2009 Inspector Sheila Dawn Flounders

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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 1986. She lives with her partner and three children in the village of Earls Barton on the outskirts of Northampton. The setting is close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder’s home is available for childminding, but the children mainly use the playroom and the breakfast room. The family has two dogs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five years on the Early Year Register. At times she works with an approved assistant. She also cares for children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and attends local toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the provision is good. Children clearly enjoy their time at the setting because of the quality of the interaction they have with the childminder and their access to age-appropriate activities that capture their interests. The childminder has positive relationships with each child, their family and other settings they attend which ensures she knows each child's individual needs well. As a result appropriate support is given when necessary in any area of development, children's welfare is well promoted and they are making progress in their learning and development. The childminder has implemented most aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), and demonstrates her willingness to continue to improve in those areas necessary in her recently completed self-evaluation.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop information collected about children's abilities when they start at the setting to more clearly demonstrate future progress.

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain a record of those aspects of the premises that need to be checked on a regular basis and any action taken as a result to ensure children's safety (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 15/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is well-organised and the setting runs smoothly on a daily basis. The effective use of an approved assistant allows the childminder to offer a more flexible service to parents whilst providing children with more opportunities, such as going swimming, due to the higher level of supervision in place. Children are protected because the childminder understands her role in safeguarding them and knows what action to take if she has any concerns. She ensures that all those with unsupervised access to the children are fully vetted and suitable, uses her assistant as cover for any emergencies and asks parents for information about who may collect their child. The childminder has the records, policies and procedures needed to care for the children in place, most are accurate and up-to-date.

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provision

Risk assessments are in place to identify and reduce hazards within the environment children access, some play activities and outings, which are extended as new situations arise. A regular visual check is made to support these, although this is not currently recorded, nor the actions taken if something amiss is found. The childminder has ongoing systems in place to monitor and evaluate her practise, such as completing quality assurance and the Ofsted self-evaluation, during which she highlights areas for development and relevant training to improve her knowledge and skills. The childminder met all the recommendations from her last inspection and as a result has improved her practise, and outcomes for children.

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provision

Positive partnerships with parents develop from the initial meeting, through the settling in period as they are provided with a range of information about their child's activities and routines, and encouraged to take an active interest in their assessment folders. An ongoing open exchange of information keeps both sides updated, with the childminder supporting parents through new issues as they arise. Relationships are under development with the local school and pre-school to provide continuity of care and learning for the children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children access a positive learning environment with resources often at their level, where they engage in a balance of adult supported and child-initiated activities both inside the premises and in the garden. Regular use is also made of resources within the local community. Children benefit from the positive interaction they have with the childminder, who gets down to their level to play with them, supporting their early language skills and building on the knowledge they already have of, for example, numbers and animals. Learning is channelled through their interests, for example, small world activities are taken outside as several of the children love being out there. The childminder regularly observes and records the children's progress under the six areas of learning, sometimes including what she will do next to further their development. They are obviously making progress, although the full extent is not evident as the assessments do not include information about

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

their abilities at the beginning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Promoting children's well-being is a priority for the childminder, who takes every opportunity to build up their self-esteem. Their health is promoted well through access to a balanced diet and regular opportunities to engage in physical play and other activities in the fresh air. Children are protected from the risk of cross- infection by robust cleaning and toileting routines, learning from an early age about the importance of hand washing and other personal hygiene measures. Parents are made aware of the sickness policy so that children do not attend when they are ill, although the childminder will administer some medications with parental consent. Children learn to keep themselves safe through following the house rules, with reminders given if necessary, and the childminder's reinforcement of regular routines when on outings or the school run. They learn

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

what behaviour is expected, as all issues are discussed with parents to encourage a consistent approach at home, and as a result they generally behave well. Children are seen to play together with positive encouragement from the childminder, they take turns and share toys, thus learning habits and skills they need to be active learners in the future. 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? 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?

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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 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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