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 EY378015 Inspection date 15/05/2009 Inspector Carol Johnson

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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 has been registered since 2008. He lives in Daventry with his wife and adult son. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home, together with two bedrooms on the first floor is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Access to the front entrance of the childminder’s home is via a low front door step.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time when working alone and a total of twelve children when working with his wife. Children attend for a variety of sessions and the childminder is currently caring for two children, both of whom are within the early years age range. The childminder has systems in place to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those children who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family has two cats.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in an inclusive environment and are making suitable progress in their learning and development because the childminder offers them a variety of fun and developmentally appropriate experiences that help to develop their all-round skills and knowledge. Systems used for observing and assessing children's learning and development are at an early stage but regular discussions with their parents ensure that children's individual needs are appropriately known and met. Children’s welfare is suitably protected and clearly written policies and procedures effectively contribute to the safe and efficient management of the provision. The childminder has yet to fully implement systems for evaluating his own practice; however, he demonstrates a suitable capacity for improvement and is keen to develop the service that he provides.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop self-evaluation methods to help identify the strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children  obtain an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding issues in order to implement the safeguarding children policy and procedure appropriately  extend understanding and confidence in completing continual observational assessment in order to form a view of where each child is in their learning, where they need to go, and the most effective practice to support them in getting there. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder's organisation and management of his setting are generally sound. He understands his responsibilities with regard to his conditions of registration and required training has been attended. The childminder works alongside his wife and is well aware of their shared policies and procedures. The childminder affords a high priority to identifying and minimising potential risks to children’s safety and all documentation is well maintained. The childminder is able to identify a range of possible signs and symptoms of abuse, has the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines at hand to refer to and would not hesitate to report any child protection concerns. However, his ability to act in a more effective manner, in the event of any child protection issues is reduced because at present he is unclear with regards to appropriate recording and reporting procedures.

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provision

Children have plenty of space to play and rest, and a warm and homely atmosphere is evident; available space and resources are organised well. Partnerships with parents and others are satisfactory. The childminder has only recently started minding and is developing relationships with the parents of minded children. He chats to them on a regular basis about what their children have been doing and how they have been in his care and he asks parents about home routines and parenting methods so that he can provide consistency of care for their children. Parents are provided with comprehensive information about his service and this includes a website, regular newsletters and selection of clearly written policies and procedures.

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provision

The childminder informally reflects on his practice on a daily basis and shows a general understanding of his strengths and weaknesses. For example, he identifies one of his strengths being his ability to relate to children at their level and this accurately reflects observations made during inspection. The childminder is aware of the gaps in his knowledge and understanding of how to effectively observe and assess children and is working with his wife to devise a system that works for them and meets children’s needs. However, the lack of a clear system to effectively evaluate all aspects of the provision and obtain the views of others impedes his ability to successfully identify weaknesses and priorities for improvement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s welfare is appropriately promoted. The childminder talks to their parents about home routines, individual needs and preferences and he works with them to gently ease ‘new’ children into the setting. The childminder has only recently commenced minding but demonstrates a suitable knowledge of how children develop and learn. He has started to observe children during play and is beginning to consider and plan for the next steps in their learning; however, his methods for doing so are very much in their early stages. The childminder has begun to develop ‘Observation Journals’ for each of the children that will help to create a picture of what they do in the setting and their progress. The journals contain his observation records and photographs of the children involved in play. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children have access to a wide variety of fun and developmentally appropriate

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

experiences that include outings, craft activities and imaginary play. The childminder’s wife takes the main role in planning activities but they share ideas with each other and discuss how activities will be organised and implemented. Children are happy and at ease in the childminder’s company. They eagerly invite him to join in or support their play and he encourages their participation in activities through lots of positive body language and his enthusiasm. They bring books for him to read and happily sit next to him, listening intently, as he reads familiar stories and invites them to look at the pictures. He actively engages them as he asks them what is likely to happen next and they talk about the characters in the story. Children become engrossed in their play because the childminder provides resources and experiences which are appropriate to their age and stage of development. A good selection of toys is easily accessible and this means that

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children can make some independent choices about their play and learning. These resources include those that help children to find out about technology and how it works, and a wide range of role play items.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are developing into active learners and this is encouraged by the childminder who provides activities that make them think and ask questions. For example, children coloured sheets of paper using wax crayons and this was then made into boats by the childminder. These boats were then tested in a bowl of water to see whether they would float or sink. The children understood that the wax helped to make the paper more resistant to the water and they experimented with various objects in the boats to see what would happen. Children behave well in the setting. They respond positively to the childminder's calm manner and simple explanations and they readily accept his gentle reminders to share and take turns. Good manners are evident and children show suitable respect for people and property. Children are starting to keep themselves safe as they practise road safety on outings and whilst feeding ducks at the nearby country park they learn

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

about the need to take care near water. Children get plenty of exercise and regularly play out in the garden and visit local parks and soft play centres. They are provided with opportunities to run, balance and climb and these experiences help to develop their self-confidence and overall physical health. Also, children access activities that help to develop their small muscles and hand to eye co- ordination, for example, jigsaws, cutting and sticking, and building with construction toys. 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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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