Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 221505 Inspection date 27 July 2005 Inspector Jill Hunn

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in January 1996. She lives with her family that include her children aged 10 and 12. They live in a house in the village of Charlton near Brackley in the south of Northamptonshire close to the Oxfordshire border. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding with sleeping facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 3 pre-school children and 5 school age children under 8 at

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 varying times. The childminder walks to the local school and pre-school to take and collect children. She takes children to the local park. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler groups and is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family has a dog and a cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. All children take part in daily outdoor activities that promote their good health and development. They regularly go for walks in the village, visit the park and play in the garden. Children enjoy extended use of the outdoor area during fine weather to provide a range of play opportunities in the fresh air. Older children develop their physical skills as they climb, slide and swing on the apparatus in the park. They ride wheeled toys and play ball games in the garden. Toddlers are able to join in activities because the childminder supports them well and adapts the activities to meet their needs. They develop control of their bodies as they run on the grass, use the baby swing and sit on the ride-on toys. Children learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care during daily routines. They wash their hands before eating, after using the toilet and after handling the animals. They dispose of tissues appropriately and dry their hands on

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Helping children to be healthy

their own towels to prevent the risk of cross contamination. Older pre-school children understand that they wash their hands to get rid of germs. Children become aware of the need to keep safe in the sun through the use of sun cream and hats for outdoor activities in hot weather. Children's welfare is promoted by the childminder's up-to-date training in first aid and her ability to apply this knowledge in the event of any accidents to children. Children benefit from a healthy diet as all children help themselves to drinks from their beakers throughout the sessions. They are encouraged to have additional drinks after active play and on outings. Children are able to choose from a range of fresh fruits and chopped vegetables at snack time. Babies and toddlers thrive because the childminder ensures that their feeding routines meet their individual needs in accordance with their parents' wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a secure and well-organised home. Risks of accidental injury are minimised because the childminder is vigilant and has secure procedures in place to help keep children safe. Children learn the importance of safety as they respond to the childminder's clear guidelines. For example, they understand that they must not use smaller toys near younger children. They learn that they must pick up scattered toys on the floor so that they do not slip over. Children begin to take responsibility for their own safety as they hold hands and stop, look and listen when

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 preparing to cross the road to go to the park. Older pre-school children can explain that they must walk in front and not behind the childminder on outings so that she can always see them. Children are able to use a wide range of good quality resources. They are monitored by the childminder to ensure they remain safe and suitable for children's needs and stages of development. Children are protected by the childminder's secure understanding of local child protection procedures and her clear understanding of her responsibilities for the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's care. She develops warm and caring relationships with the children and knows them well. Children make good progress in their learning through play. The childminder provides a range of worthwhile activities and outings which hold the children's interest. Very young children try out their developing skills as the childminder supports them and involves herself in their play. She uses the principles of the Birth to three matters framework effectively to engage them in activities, such as, mark-making and looking at books. Toddlers smile and chatter as the childminder responds to their gestures and developing speech. Older children increase their mathematical skills as they are encouraged to count, compare numbers and make patterns during activities. They practise their language and literacy skills as they write and sound letters. They confidently respond to the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder's good use of questioning. Children express their imaginations as they take part in a range of craft and role-play activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop their confidence and self-esteem because they are consistently encouraged and valued. Babies and toddlers receive regular cuddles from the childminder. Children learn to share, help each other and assist with putting away the toys. They behave well and are polite. Children's individual needs are met because the childminder has developed trusting partnerships with parents. Secure systems are in place to establish, exchange and review information. The childminder seeks parents' views. She has written policies and procedures to advise parents how her childminding operates. These practices ensure that children's care, welfare and development are effectively promoted. Children begin to develop an awareness of the similarities and differences in people. They play with some resources reflecting diversity and discuss issues with the childminder. However, the range of activities and play materials does not enable

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children to fully appreciate our diverse society and the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are content and at ease in the childminder's home because she organises her time, space and resources effectively to meet their individual needs. Children are given time and space to develop their ideas as they play. They have appropriate levels of support when needed to enable them to progress. Children's care and welfare are safeguarded by well-maintained documentation that is shared with parents to ensure continuity of care. The childminder has updated her first aid training. She has made effective use of publications, such as the Birth to three matters framework, to further promote children's learning. The childminder uses her past experience to successfully evaluate and improve her practice. The provision meets the need of the children who attend well.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has improved two areas relating to children's safety. She has made cleaning products inaccessible to children by attaching a lock on the cupboard door. She has ensured children are unable to leave the outdoor area unsupervised by the use of a lock on the garden gate.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • further develop the range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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