Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 221205 Inspection date 07/10/2009 Inspector Hazel Christine White

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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.

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

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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

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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.

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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

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and 11 years in a residential area of New Duston in Northamptonshire. The premises are easily accessible and the whole of the property is used for childminding, with the exception of the main bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There is currently one child on roll within the early years age range. The childminder also offers care to children over the age of five years. School aged children attend various sessions. The childminder holds a recognised early years qualification to Level 3.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They enjoy participating in a wide range of activities and make good progress in their learning and development. Children are safe and secure and effectively protected through clear procedures and everyday practices. The childminder fosters strong partnerships with parents ensuring that children's individual needs are met. Links are forming with other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), ensuring continuity and consistency in their care. Children are valued and included because the childminder ensures that routines and activities are effectively planned so that all children are able to fully participate. The childminder is aware of some of her strengths and areas for improvement and her commitment to continuous improvement is sound.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain written parental permission for children to take part in outings  improve risk assessments by signing and dating when they were conducted  develop further partnerships with other providers delivering EYFS.

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the early years provision

Positive steps are taken to safeguard children and to promote their welfare. The childminder is aware of her role and responsibilities in relation to child protection and ensures that children feel safe and secure through clear procedures and everyday practices which are shared with parents. A child protection policy underpins her good practice and contact numbers have recently been updated to make sure that they are current. A risk assessment has been carried out of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 premises, toys and equipment, to ensure that hazards are promptly identified and minimised. However, these records are not signed or dated to show that they are regularly reviewed. Children benefit from good levels of supervision and individual attention. A range of written policies and procedures promote children’s care, learning and well-being and these are implemented effectively within her well-

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the early years provision

organised daily routine. All required written parental consents have been obtained, with the exception of written parental permission for children to take part in outings.

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the early years provision

Effective links are beginning to form with other EYFS settings and the childminder works closely with parents to ensure children are provided with good levels of support. Children are cared for in line with their parents' wishes. A two-way exchange of information is encouraged through daily discussions and the sharing of children’s individual progress files. The childminder encourages children to take items home, such as paintings and drawings, which helps to involve parents in their children’s learning. Children are cared for in an environment which is organised effectively to ensure they can sleep, eat and play in safety and comfort. They have access to a variety of resources, play opportunities and activities which reflect diversity and acknowledge cultural differences.

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the early years provision

The childminder is in the early stages of monitoring and evaluating the quality of her provision using the Ofsted self-evaluation process. She demonstrates a positive attitude towards improvement and has identified some areas for improvement. The childminder is experienced, caring and committed to providing a good quality service to children and parents. She attends regular training and holds a current first aid certificate.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a good working knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how to promote children's learning and development. As a result, children make good progress towards the early learning goals given their capability and starting points. Their progress is effectively promoted as the childminder allows the children to initiate their own play, as well as providing purposeful play opportunities covering all six areas of learning, both indoors and outdoors. The childminder takes positive steps to find out what interests individual children, how much they know and what they can do. She observes the children while they play and records what they can do. The information gathered helps the childminder to monitor the children’s progress and plan the next steps in their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Warm and caring relationships between the childminder and children are evident. Children are valued and the childminder helps children to feel good about themselves by frequently providing positive support, praise and encouragement for their efforts. They are encouraged to play co-operatively because the childminder helps children to build relationships and develop their social skills. Older children learn to be patient with younger children when they are playing team games because their skills are not fully developed. For example, they have extra goes at This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 trying to hit the ball when playing rounders.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities to explore, investigate, and express curiosity as they access age-appropriate toys and activities which offer challenge and cover all areas and aspects of learning. Most toys and resources are placed at low level, which encourages children's independence. They enjoy using programmable and electronic toys, make circuit boards and are fascinated by kaleidoscopes. The childminder ensures that children develop effective skills from a young age to enhance their future economic well-being. For example, she encourages them to talk about size, shape and colour and to practise counting throughout their play and daily routines. Children enjoy looking at books and listening to stories. They also benefit from a range of outings to places of interest such as the park, library, Bluebell Wood and farm. These contribute to a healthy lifestyle and help develop their physical skills. They have daily access to the garden and play rounders and

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and outcomes for children

football on 'the green' opposite the childminder's home.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder adopts a positive approach to inclusion and welcomes all children into her home. They are beginning to develop an understanding of the wider world through a range of resources that is representative of diversity. The childminder is sensitive to the needs of children with additional learning and development needs. For example, she works in partnership with parents and other professionals to ensure that each child is fully supported. As a result, children thrive within a supportive and inclusive environment.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a good understanding of how to stay safe through discussions about road and fire safety. The childminder helps children to follow good personal hygiene routines, encouraging them to wash their hands independently using their own towel. Children are offered a range of healthy cooked meals and snacks and are helped to enjoy food and understand why some foods are healthy and others are not. For example they talk about foods that help bones and muscles become strong and why sweets should be eaten in moderation. If parents choose to provide packed lunches they is stored appropriately and children are provided with drinks to ensure that they remain hydrated throughout the day. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 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

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

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

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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

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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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