Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY216804 Inspection date 15/10/2009 Inspector Sheila Dawn Flounders

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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 2002. She lives with her partner, adult child and grandson in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. The property is close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole ground floor of the house is used for childminding and is accessible. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a dog and a rabbit as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and also on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for five children under eight years at any one time, no more than two of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group at various times.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has made changes to her practice to enable her to meet most of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements. She continues to provide a positive experience for individual children retaining detailed information about their needs through close relationships with their families as she cares for several sets of siblings. As a result children's welfare needs are met and children are making at least sound progress in their learning and development. Actions taken since her last inspection, particularly around written information available to parents, demonstrate that the childminder has sufficient capacity to maintain continuous improvement in future.

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain a record of those aspects of the risk assessments checked on a regular basis and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 29/10/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems for sensitive observational assessments identifying more of what children can do and what they need to do next. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder understands her role in safeguarding children and puts measures in place, such as not using the first floor, to ensure they remain under her supervision. She is confident about issues around children's well being that would cause her concern and keeps necessary information easily to hand should she need to make a referral. She uses risk assessment to identify potential hazards to children's safety, although these are not all recorded nor any action she takes as a result of issues identified during her regular check of the premises and resources. All other requirements of EYFS are in place, demonstrating that the childminder has monitored her practice sufficiently and made necessary changes. She has developed a range of policies and procedures which are shared with parents during the enrolment process to ensure they are aware of details such as how long children are excluded following illness and how behaviour incidents are managed.

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the early years provision

Parents are very positive about the care their children receive and appreciate the flexible service provided, within a welcoming environment for the whole family. They are well informed about activities their children engage in and also aspects such as the occasional accident. The childminder has also begun to exchange information with other settings that some of the children attend to support their ongoing care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively deploys resources within her home, providing a dedicated play room where most resources are stored and also additional space to play on the ground floor. Children free flow between the rooms, choosing resources to bring with them showing they are well aware of where things are kept, and that all have access. The childminder has ensured that positive images of diversity are included and also that the older children respect the younger ones space and choices when they are present together. Easy access to the cloakroom supports children's increasing independence with their personal hygiene. The childminder uses her time well, spending the absolute minimum time away from the children when dealing with their care needs such as setting out lunch. She intends to reflect on her practice more and is committed to her career as a childminder, considering additional training and resources she may need to obtain.

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to easily access a wide range of resources enabling them to engage in activities which provide opportunities across all areas of learning, with the childminder ensuring that items available match their current interests. They enjoy role play with the kitchen, shopping baskets and other realistic props, handling money as they pay for their purchases at the till and developing their dexterity as baskets are filled and emptied. Conversation between them and with the childminder promote relevant language, with children active in their own learning as they add additional props and follow their interests to develop their play. The environment effectively supports their ability to make choices and the childminder interacts with them to demonstrate how to use certain resources such This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 as the toy laptop to match shapes. The childminder has begun to record simple

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and outcomes for children

observations with some photographs in individual assessment folders which will demonstrate that children are making progress, although there are few entries to date. She is increasing her confidence about what areas of learning are demonstrated although she does not yet consider the next step in learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children obviously enjoy their time with the childminder and are confident, comfortable in the premises and familiar with routines showing that they feel safe. Their understanding of keeping themselves safe is supported through measures in the premises such as a gate to prevent access to some areas, and taking part in regular fire drills. They go out for walks daily and engage in physical play in the garden, local parks or inside at toddler groups learning to adopt healthy lifestyles. The childminder tries to encourage healthy options through meals and snacks, whilst also accommodating children's choices. Children use hand wash gel regularly and the childminder has robust nappy changing procedures, supported by effective policies for sickness, which help protect children from the risk of cross-infection. Positive behaviour is promoted through praise, and examples of children's caring attitude to others are displayed. Young children generally behave well and

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and outcomes for children

incidents are mainly related to tiredness or developmental stages, which the childminder handles appropriately and consistently so that children learn what behaviour is expected of them. They are developing skills they will need for the future such as taking turns, sharing and respect for others. 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 3 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 3

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Stage

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

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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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