Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 220355 Inspection date 24/11/2009 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

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 1994. She lives with her husband and adult child in a house close to Northampton city centre. There are shops and schools within easy walking distance. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding and an upstairs bedroom for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Children are also taken on local outings and regularly attend local carer and toddler groups.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for maximum of six children under eight and is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently six children on roll, four of whom are within the early years age range and attend on a part time basis. School-aged children attend for various sessions. The childminder is a member of the Northamptonshire Childminding Association.

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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 have a wide range of activities and experiences which help them to 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 in the early stages of being established with other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to ensure continuity and consistency of care. Children are fully included in routines, and activities are effectively planned so that all children are able to participate. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude and commitment to continuous development and has recently introduced systems to evaluate her practice.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 request written permission from parents, at the time of the child's admission to the provision, for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 25/11/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further, links with other providers delivering the EYFS  review the way in which resources are stored to ensure that they are more This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 easily accessible to the children.

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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 referral contact numbers are current. Her knowledge and understanding is kept up-to-date because she attends a childminding network group and issues regarding safeguarding children are regularly on the agenda for discussion. Effective vetting procedures are in place to ensure that adults in the household are suitable to be in contact with the children. A risk assessment has been conducted to identify and minimise potential hazards both indoors and outside. A range of written policies and procedures promote children’s care, learning and well-being and these are implemented effectively

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the early years provision

within her well-organised daily routine. All required written parental consents have been obtained, with the exception of parental permission for the seeking of any emergency medical advice or treatment in the future, for all children. The childminder is mindful to ensure that she cares for an appropriate number of children at any one time and dedicates time outside of her childminding hours for maintaining her documentation and written records.

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the early years provision

The childminder adopts a positive approach to inclusion and welcomes all children into her home. She works closely with parents to securely meet each child's individual needs. A two-way exchange of information is encouraged through daily discussions and also the sharing of a daily diary and children’s individual progress files. Children are cared for in an environment which is organised effectively to ensure they can sleep, eat and play in safety and comfort. However, although a selection of toys are readily available when children arrive to help them settle, other resources are stored in a way that makes them less accessible to the children. The childminder is in the early stages of developing links with other settings that the children attend within the EYFS, so that appropriate information can be shared and consequently children will receive continuity in their care, learning and well-being.

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the early years provision

The childminder is caring and committed to providing a good quality service to children and their families. She completed a quality assurance course in 2007 and has attended a range of short courses since the last inspection. The childminder attends local childminder networking meetings and makes good use of any advice or guidance in order to improve her service. She is currently using the Ofsted's self-evaluation process to monitor and evaluate the quality of her setting and has identified some areas for improvement. The views of parents are welcomed and acted upon as required. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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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 through play. As a result, children make good progress towards the early learning goals, given their capability and starting points. Children have access to a range of first hand learning opportunities and the childminder takes positive steps to find out what interests individual children, how much they know and what they can do. For example, she observes and assesses children and the information gathered successfully helps her to monitor the children’s progress and plan for the next steps in their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident and happy to share information about their day with adults. For example, describing the big Christmas tree they saw when they went for a walk in the morning and proudly showing the pictures that they are colouring in. They reflect and recall recent events when looking through photographs, remembering when they saw a caterpillar and how the pigeons ate the nuts they had taken to feed the squirrels. Children enjoy looking at books and listening to stories; 'Goldielocks and the three bears' is the current favourite. 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 spontaneous play and by using daily routines. They also benefit from a range of outings to places of interest such as going to the park for picnics, visiting the library and attending

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and outcomes for children

Children have warm and caring relationships with the childminder and her family. She helps children to feel good about themselves by frequently providing positive support, praise and encouragement for their efforts. Children are generally well- behaved and any challenging behaviour is dealt with swiftly in a calm, firm but fair manner. The childminder encourages children to play cooperatively and helps children to build relationships and develop their social skills by being a good role model. 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 all children and adapts meal times and play to ensure that her practice is fully inclusive. For example, babies’ highchairs are placed closely to the other children at meal times and they have large wax crayons to mark make, whereas older children use pencils and select their own paper.

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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. They are reminded of the rules that keep them safe, for example, tidying up when they have finished playing to prevent a tripping hazard. The childminder helps children to follow good personal hygiene routines, encouraging them to wash their hands independently, using their own towel. Parents provide their own children with meals to be re-heated or packed lunches. The childminder is fully aware of their specific dietary requirements and ensures that food is appropriately stored and prepared. Children are provided with fresh This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 fruit in between meals and additional 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 3 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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