Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 260749 Inspection date 22/12/2009 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 2001. She lives with her husband, adult child and 15-year-old in a residential area of Abington in Northamptonshire. She co-child minds with her husband and both have joint responsibility for the childminding practice. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. They also use the cabin and play facilities in the fully enclosed garden at the back of the house. The family has a dog and a parrot.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She minds with a co-childminder, and together they can care for a maximum of seven children under the age of eight years at any one time. There are currently 11 children on roll, seven of whom are within the early years age range. All attend on a part-time basis. There are four school aged children attending for various sessions.

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Description of the childminding

Both childminders have a early years National Vocational Qualification to Level 3. They are members of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and have completed 'Children Come First' quality assurance.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder and her co-childminder provide a child-centred, very welcoming and happy environment. Both have equal responsibility for ensuring that they provide highly effectively for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This is achieved through their excellent knowledge and understanding of how children learn through play. Effective partnerships with parents and excellent links with local schools ensure that there is consistency of care. Children thoroughly enjoy their time in the childminder's home and thrive in the childminder's care, this is because she has a thorough understanding of their individual needs. Regular ongoing training and effective evaluation of her service ensures that she continues to provide outstanding levels of care and education.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 revising the list of emergency contact details that are taken on outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a thorough knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. Local safeguarding contact details are well known and readily This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 available. Both childminders have recently updated their training in this area and are clear of signs and symptoms which may cause concern. This means that children are kept safe from harm. A comprehensive child protection policy is shared with parents to ensure that they are clear of everyone's roles and responsibilities. The co-childminder takes the main responsibility for maintaining appropriate records. All required documentation is in place and is exceptional well organised and continually updated. The childminder knows where essential records are kept for individual children. Safety is a priority and visual daily checks of the premises ensure that potential hazards are minimised. The co-childminder

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the early years provision

conducts and records a thorough risk assessment of the premises, equipment and outings. Robust vetting procedures are in place to ensure that adults in the household are suitable to be in contact with the children, visitors are monitored and children receive excellent supervision at all times.

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the early years provision

Children settle with ease and feel very secure because the childminder dedicates time to get to know them and their parents. Introductory visits are organised at the child's pace to help them settle into their new environment and gain a sense of belonging. Parents receive a welcome pack which contains all relevant information about the childminding service, including, all policies and procedures which inform the childminder's practice. Children benefit enormously from the warm and friendly relationships that are established between the parents, the childminder and her co- childminder. The daily exchange of information, both verbally and written ensures that children's ever changing needs are consistently supported. Parents are kept up-to-date with their child's progress as the childminder shares the children's individual 'Learning Journeys' which record children's progress. Parents comment extremely positively on the service they receive. They are impressed with 'their

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the early years provision

ability to provide an extended family' and feel that their ‘childcare is priceless'. Excellent working relationships with other settings that the children attend within the Early Years Foundation Stage ensure that appropriate information is shared, and consequently, children receive continuity in their care, learning and well-being.

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the early years provision

The childminder works very effectively with her co-childminder, establishing daily routines and flexible planning that are outstandingly supportive of all children. The childminder is fully committed to building on her professional skills and has attended an abundance of training to enhance her knowledge and further influence her practice. For example, she has completed a National Vocational Qualification to Level 3. Together the childminders have developed systems to monitor and evaluate their childcare practice. They have successfully applied for grants that improve outcomes for children such as information technology equipment and individual cameras so that children can capture their favourite moments. The childminder is exceptionally well-organised and demonstrates a professional and committed approach to her role. She has a vast amount of experience caring for children with special educational needs. Any specific requirements are discussed

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the early years provision

fully, met sensitively and used to help children reach their full potential. All children are included in planned activities and have free access to a wide assortment of toys. A comprehensive policy is in place regarding inclusion which details how the service is provided to children. 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 superb understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how to positively promote children's learning and development. As a result, children make outstanding progress towards the early learning goals, given their capabilities and starting points. Their progress is very well promoted as the childminder and her co-childminder plan purposeful play opportunities and first hand learning experiences which include the children's current interests. Children benefit from the well-organised day that provides them with an excellent choice of activities both indoors and outside. All children are fully included in all activities and the childminder and her co-childminder are skilful at using open-ended questions to challenge and build on what the children already know. They are fully aware of each child's individual needs, likes and dislikes and share the responsibility of recording ongoing observations of children's

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and outcomes for children

development. The information gained is effectively used to identify learning priorities and plan relevant experiences for each child.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, separate quickly from their parents and show high levels of self-esteem as they are warmly welcomed into the home. Children are shown care and affection and treated as part of the family. Both childminders support their play by joining in spontaneously and offering ideas. Children's communication, language and literacy skills are very well developed. For example, children regularly look at books both independently and with the childminder and listen to their favourite stories. This supports children's understanding that print carries meaning. Cooking activities help the children to understand about weighing and measuring. They use imperial and metric scales and are very proud of their efforts. Bread baking is a regular occurrence and children thoroughly enjoy eating the end product.

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and outcomes for children

They behave in a manner that is supportive of their learning and develop high levels of confidence, self-esteem and an understanding of other peoples' needs. For example, older children help younger children to build tracks and complete computer games. They learn to share and take turns and show great consideration for each other. Children develop a good understanding of the wider world as they talk about and celebrate cultural festivals and play with resources that reflect diversity in a positive way. They bring back artefacts and souvenirs from around the world which are then used to further promote children's knowledge. Children can identify countries on a globe and discuss a particular country's climate, currency, national flag and family traditions. Children with English as an additional language are supported well and visual aids and key words are used to help them feel a sense of belonging. All children know some basic French words and use

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and outcomes for children

Makaton as another form of communication. The childminder works in close partnership with parents and other agencies gaining valuable information which enables her to ensure children are fully supported. Consequently, children thrive in a very supportive environment where their learning and progress is maximised.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is effectively promoted and good hygiene procedures are in place to prevent the spread of infection. They demonstrate a good awareness of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 personal hygiene and know that hand washing routines prevent the spread of germs. They clean their teeth after meals and know to cover their mouths if they cough or sneeze. The childminder responds appropriately if a child becomes ill or has an accident and both she and her co-childminder have a relevant first aid certificate. The childminder is passionate about children eating healthily and provides an excellent range of home made meals and snacks. Good information is gathered about their dietary needs to ensure that they can eat safely. All children sit at the table to eat and this is a very relaxed social time for children to enjoy their food and chat about their day. They learn about healthy lifestyles as they talk

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and outcomes for children

together about eating fresh fruit to give them energy and understand that exercise is good for them. Children have daily opportunities to play in the fresh air. They confidently ride bikes, negotiate the steps on the slide and enjoy activities such as ball games.

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and outcomes for children

Children gain an awareness of how to keep safe, both in the home and on outings. The childminder and the co-minder help children to develop a secure understanding of how to stay safe. For example, whilst out walking children learn about road safety as they talk about safe places to cross and using patrolled crossings where possible. Systems for dealing with emergencies whilst out and about are under review to make them even more effective. For example, only taking contact details of the children that are actually on the outing rather than the full list. Children have a secure understanding of why they must clear away toys when they have finished playing and older children know that they cannot play with small toys when babies are around because if they put them in their mouths. Children are fully aware of the evacuation procedure and regular fire drills are practised, which develops their awareness of fire safety. They can accurately recall

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and outcomes for children

what they have to do in the event of an emergency. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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