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 EY385169 Inspection date 13/07/2009 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 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 lives with her husband who is also a registered childminder and their four children aged 16, nine, three and one year. All areas of the childminder's house are used for childminding with the exception of the loft conversion and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet dog.

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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. When working alone she may care for up to four children at any one time, one of whom, may be in the early years age group. When working with her husband she may care for up to six children, four of whom, may be in the early years age group, including two children under the age of one year. The childminder may provide overnight care for two children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The overall quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a happy, safe environment in which children's welfare is effectively and inclusively promoted. Children appear to make satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals given their individual starting points. The strong working relationships established with parents ensure that the individual needs of each child are fully met. The childminder reflects on her practice, seeks comments from parents and children, where appropriate, and evaluates strengths and weaknesses enabling her to develop childminding practice to meet the needs of the children who attend.

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain a record of the educational programme being provided through planned, purposeful play, with a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities  use observation and assessment records to plot and record children's next steps in learning  ensure the child protection policy takes account of Local Safeguarding Children Board advice in relation to referral and recording procedures  include details of Ofsted's current correspondence address in the complaints procedure information provided to parents.

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provision

The childminder promotes children's welfare very well and is committed to helping them make progress in their learning and development. She adapts the level of support provided to each child to enable them to join in and so feel included. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Activities, toys and resources are provided, which take account of children's interests and stage of development and opportunities are used appropriately to include literacy, numeracy and problem solving into an activity. The childminder makes almost daily observations of the children at play and uses this information, supported by photographs to decide what activities to provide the following week. Whilst the observation notes and photographs are set out in a folder and shared with parents to provide a record of children's development and progress, currently the childminder does not keep a record of planned activities or record children's

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provision

next steps linked to the early learning goals.

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provision

The childminder acknowledges the importance of partnership working with parents and carers and to support this she provides a verbal feedback each day of what the child has been doing and how they have been. She is willing to provide a written record when this is requested by parents. All of the required documentation relating to children's welfare is kept and is well maintained, although, the complaints procedure does not include the regulator's current correspondence address. The childminder self-evaluates her practice by reflecting on each day and deciding what steps to take to develop her childminding practice. She has completed the required registration training and is in the process of deciding what other training will best support her development.

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provision

The childminder thoroughly understands her responsibilities to safeguard children, although, her child protection policy, written during her training, requires updating to reflect the Local Safeguarding Children Board advice for day carers, relating to reporting and recording concerns. She actively promotes children's safety by having suitable measures in place around the house and garden and by making sure that children understand about road safety and personal safety, such as, how to negotiate stairs to prevent falling.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's learning and development is reasonably well supported and as a result they make satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals in relation to their starting points and capabilities. The childminder sets out activities and toys in rotation to complement and support each child's stage of development and which she knows they will enjoy playing with. Other toys and resources are easily accessible and children have free choice. For example, a child selected a toy cash register and money as she wanted to play supermarkets. The childminder uses differentiation to ensure that each child can take part in an activity in a meaningful way.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminding environment supports children's learning because resources are easily accessible and because the childminder ensures it is safe for them to develop their independence and confidence. Children learn to consider their own and other children's feelings as they put the train track together or take turns to use the cash register. They receive praise to support their self-esteem and confidence as they come safely down the stairs in the way they have been shown.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about keeping themselves healthy as they eagerly wash and dry This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their hands thoroughly before lunch. With regular reminders from the childminder, they learn to take frequent drinks to keep themselves hydrated during warm weather and they enjoy physical play, both in the garden and at mini gym sessions. The childminder is happy to provide healthy, nutritious meals and snacks in consultation with parents or where they prefer, to safely store and give a pack- up meal at lunchtime.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children generally behave well. House rules and boundaries are shared with parents and children and they receive lots of encouragement, support and praise. Expectations are realistic and fair taking account of children's developmental stage and maturity. Children participate in a range of activities which provide choice and involve decision making which support them to become active, inquisitive and independent learners. 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? 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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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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