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 221233 Inspection date 15/05/2009 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 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 1999. She lives with her husband and three school-aged children in the centre of a village between Wellingborough and Kettering, Northamptonshire. The property is close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of childminder’s home is used for childminding and there is a rear garden available for outdoor play. The premises is accessible. The family has pet guinea pigs, gerbils and a tank of fish inside, with chickens in an enclosure in the garden.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five years. She also offers care to 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 several toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and an approved childminding network.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the provision is good. The childminder is well organised and has familiarised herself with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She interacts positively with the children to ensure that support is given to those who need it and that all children are included. Activities are provided which follow their interests and as a result they make good progress in learning and development, although some of the documentation does not fully reflect this. All aspects of their welfare are also well promoted due to the childminder's understanding of them as individuals. Positive relationships with parents support all aspects of her practise and ensure an ongoing exchange of information. The childminder is able to demonstrate improvements that have benefited children and has a strong capacity to maintain ongoing improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop children's assessment records to idenfity their progress in each area of learning.

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provision

The childminder is well organised and ensures that all necessary records, policies and procedures are in place, shared with parents and maintained so that confidentiality is assured. She has kept updated about recent changes and continues to attend relevant training, maintain contact with other local This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminders and also receives additional support through her childminding network. Resources are effectively deployed to provide a child-centred environment, which provides children with opportunities for increasing independence. Ongoing risk assessments are used to identify potential hazards to children, with action then taken to minimise these, and the childminder has a positive understanding of those aspects of the environment that need checking regularly. Children are also protected due to the childminder's understanding of her

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provision

role in safeguarding children; she has sufficient knowledge of the symptoms of child abuse and what action to take if she has any concerns about a child. She ensures that the premises is kept secure, and all those with access to the children are suitable.

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provision

The childminder builds up positive relationships with parents. New parents are provided with detailed information about the provision and encouraged to attend settling in visits with their child. Information is collected about the child's individual routines and the parents wishes so that the childminder is able to meet these. Ongoing verbal exchanges keep everyone aware of any changes, with a 'care sheet' also used to provide additional information about the younger children. Parents are encouraged to access their child's development folders and given the opportunity to add their own comments. Relationships are also being established with other settings some of the children attend. The childminder has begun to reflect on her practice, effectively identifying areas for ongoing improvement through self-evaluation, and considered actions that will develop some of her weaknesses. She is able to demonstrate that her completion of the

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provision

recommendations set at her last inspection have had positive benefits for the children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children spend their time in a positive learning environment, with a well used outdoor area, where independent access to resources is encouraged and they benefit from the quality of the interaction they have with the childminder. They engage in activities largely of their own choosing, which enable them to learn and develop across the curriculum, with opportunities to access a balance of activities, for example, role play is prominent. Children model familiar experiences in the home corner, discussing with the childminder what they are doing; with encouragement they take turns with the shopping trolley and all help to tidy away when they have finished. The childminder ensures that some informal planning occurs so that she always has ideas ready to link in with what she has identified as children's next steps. The childminder is building up assessment folders for each child, which contain a variety of photographs, examples of their creative efforts

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and spontaneous observations providing evidence of their good progress, with some information obtained from parents about their starting points. She is still developing confidence with using the six areas of learning, and also monitoring the overall provision to ensure all children have opportunities to access all areas equally, according to the length of time they attend.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged towards a healthy lifestyle through access to challenging physical play in the garden, outings in the locality and regular access to fresh air. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder does not currently provide any main meals, with children bringing lunches from home, although they are provided with healthy snacks and encouraged to keep themselves well-hydrated. Children are protected from cross infection by robust personal hygiene routines and the exclusion periods following illness, which parents are made aware of. They learn to keep themselves safe, for example, through discussions about road safety and practising the fire drill. They generally get on well together, with praise and simple rewards used to reinforce their understanding of the house rules. Suitable strategies are used to handle any incidents, taking children's ages and level of understanding into account. They

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

learn to use their manners, respect each other and the property, to take turns and share, thus developing skills and habits that will be of benefit 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? 3

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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

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