Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY330618 Inspection date 12/10/2009 Inspector Sheila Dawn Flounders

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

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.

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 2006. She lives with her husband and two school-aged children in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. The property is close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. Children have access to all of the ground floor rooms, with the first floor bathroom and computer room also used by older children. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have a dog, a cat and fish as pets.

p.4

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 a maximum of five children at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently minding one child under five during the day and five children over five before and after school at various times.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder uses her car to take and collect children from school. She attends the local support group for childminders and other activity groups. She 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 good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Most requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are in place, supported by well maintained documentation. Strong partnerships with parents are developed to ensure the childminder obtains ongoing information to enable her to care for children's individual needs and provide appropriate support. As a result children make good progress in their learning and development and their welfare needs are fully met. The childminder acted upon the recommendations from her last inspection and the recent completion of her self-evaluation has provided the opportunity to identify current strengths and weaknesses. Her consideration of how to resolve these demonstrates a strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement in the future.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 maintain a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation) 26/10/2009

p.4

further?

 request written parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and welfare). 26/10/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

p.4

further?

 develop children's assessment records to include more information about their next steps in learning.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is confident about protecting children from harm and what action to take if she ever has any concerns about a child's well-being. The premises is kept secure, with robust arrival and departure arrangements and regular routines for outings keeping children safe at these times. The childminder ensures that necessary measures are in place on the premises to safeguard children and that risk assessments are used to identity potential hazards on the premises, outings and some activities. She conducts regular checks of aspects of the risk assessment, but does not currently maintain a record of these, or of any action taken if issues are found. The childminder has most of the necessary permissions and other documentation in place with parents to enable her to care for children in accordance with their wishes. However, she does not currently have permission to seek any necessary medical advice or treatment in an emergency, consequently

p.5

the early years provision

treatment may be delayed. Changes have been made to documentation in light of EYFS requirements to encourage parents to play a more active role in their child's learning and to gain more information about their child's starting points. Parents are also able to access detailed information about the childminder, her policies and procedures and asked for their opinions of the service provided. Systems are in place to liaise with other settings when necessary.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder provides an accessible learning environment both inside the premises, in the outdoor area and within activities attended in the local community. There is a dedicated play room where resources are easily available and the nearby cloakroom provides opportunities for independent personal hygiene routines. She spends most of her time interacting directly with the children and they remain under her supervision at all times. The childminder is able to demonstrate improvements made since the last inspection and has reflected on her current practice to complete her self-evaluation effectively. She has plans to improve outcomes for children further through her own personal development, while reflecting more on the opinions of children and parents.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder and excitedly explore the resources planned to follow their interests and experiences they have had over the weekend. They help the childminder for example, to construct farm buildings and choose which animals to place nearby, learning the names of those they do not know. They experiment to try and make a fence, but decide it is more fun to slide animals down one of the roofs instead. Children are active in their own learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 helping to choose activities, and tidy them away. They particularly enjoy helping the childminder make bread rolls, and dinosaurs, for lunch developing their skill at kneading whilst learning about personal hygiene and how much mess flour can make. A range of activities are planned across the week to ensure children access all areas of learning and their progress is beginning to be documented through

p.5

and outcomes for children

simple observations, often supported with photographs, although there is a limited record of the next steps in their learning. A regular summary tracks this progress and is shared with parents, who are also encouraged to add observations from home.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is well promoted. A good standard of hygiene is a priority, with children aware of how to wash their hands and why it is important. Regular access to fresh air and a range of physical play helps children to adopt a healthy lifestyle and the childminder ensures that drinks are easily reached to keep them well- hydrated. Meals provided, mostly with fresh ingredients, ensure children have a well-balanced diet and younger children are encouraged to try new foods to extend their choices. Children are comfortable with the childminder and readily approach her, although they are also happy to spend some time in independent play, and are confident as they move around the premises and access resources. They have opportunities to make a positive contribution through activities, when helping to tidy away and by sharing their thoughts with each other, with the childminder planning a more structured approach to obtaining their views of the

p.6

and outcomes for children

provision. Children generally understand what is expected of them, as the childminder is consistent in her approach to handling behaviour incidents, and as a result their behaviour is usually very good. They access suitable resources that provide positive images of diversity, supplemented through discussion and experiences within the community which enhance their understanding of the wider world. 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 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

p.7

Stage

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

p.7

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

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