Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY392067 Inspection date 10/11/2009 Inspector Kristin Hatherly

p.1

Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

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.3

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.3

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.

p.3

Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2009. She lives with her husband two adult daughters in a suburb of Kettering. Local amenities such as park, shops, schools and pre-schools are nearby. Minded children have access to all of the downstairs which includes a toilet. There is a secure garden. The family have a cat and a rabbit. There is a small step to the front and back door.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for six children at any one time. She is currently caring for one child. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy their time with the childminder who treats them with equal care and concern. They benefit from her warm and friendly approach which ensures children are happy and confident in her care. They are settled and actively occupy themselves, playing with toys of their choice. Although the childminder’s knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is developing, she has not developed her observations, assessments, planning and activities to ensure the individual next steps for children are linked to activities. The lack of reflective practice as a means of ensuring continuous improvement has resulted in gaps across some aspects of the provision. Nevertheless, aspects of the provision are good particularly with regard to the care, and inconsistencies relate to the learning and development aspects of her care.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

p.4

further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

p.4

further?

 request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding and Promoting Children's Welfare) 10/11/2009

p.4

further?

 develop a system of reflective practice and self- evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children. (Organisation) 24/11/2009

p.4

further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop the use of observations and assessments to show how they link to initial starting points for children and the next steps and show the progress that children are making ensuring that parents contribute to that process  develop a system for regularly carrying out and recording evacuation drills  develop opportunities for children to learn to value diversity in others and provide an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safe due to the childminder's satisfactory knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures. Children have some opportunities of self-selecting their own resources, and know that they can ask to play with other resources. The childminder ensures all children have sufficient clear play space so that they are able to move around freely and develop their own play effectively. Potential hazards have been identified and removed through regular risk assessments which includes clear risk assessments of outings, which further ensures the safety of the children. However, children have not practised emergency evacuation drills to ensure their safety in the event of a fire.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder recognises the benefit of taking children on regular outings as a way of enabling them to mix with other children and to help them begin to develop their knowledge and understanding of their local community and the wider world. However, there are very few opportunities for children to learn to value diversity and disability or engage with resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. Systems for reflective practice as a means of driving improvement are not yet in place.

p.5

the early years provision

Policies, procedures and records required for the efficient management of the provision are in place. Written policies are shared with parents, with whom the childminder has established positive relationships. Although she has not obtained information with regard to children’s starting points, verbal exchange of information keeps parents up-to-date about their child's care. However, systems are not in place to inform parents of children's progress or for parents to share children's achievements at home.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are safeguarded effectively through clear procedures that ensure their welfare is promoted at all times. The childminder's knowledge and understanding of how to effectively safeguard children, ensures the welfare of every child remains of paramount importance. The childminder carries out clear risk assessments and ensures the written record is reviewed regularly to maximise children's safety.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder records her observations of the children, although she does not clearly assess the observations to identify their next steps. It is not clear how This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's learning is developed in the planning and activities to ensure they progress appropriately.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy growing vegetables in the garden. They develop their social skills and learn about the local community through visits to mother and toddler groups. Children enjoy physical exercise on outings and visits to the park. They use their imagination when playing with small world toys and enjoy playing with musical instruments. They develop their communication skills through good interaction with the childminder and take part in spontaneous counting during play.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to keep themselves healthy and safe because the childminder helps them to develop good hygiene habits which help to prevent the spread of infection. Children are well occupied and enjoying themselves and behave well.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder encourages children to have a healthy attitude towards food because she provides a good range of balanced and nutritious meals and snacks. She gathers clear information from parents about children’s dietary requirements and this ensures children eat safely. The childminder provides an inclusive environment where each child is valued and clearly relaxed and comfortable in her care. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 4 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 4

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

p.7

Stage

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.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8