Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY391532 Inspection date 08/12/2009 Inspector Anne Archer

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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 2009. She lives with her partner and two sons aged five and one in Duston, Northampton. Local amenities such as park, school and pre-school are nearby. All areas of the childminder's house may be used for childminding although care is generally centred on the ground floor. There is a secure garden for outdoor play and activities. The family has two cats. There are two steps leading up to the front door.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of four children at any one time, including two in the early years age group.

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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 cared for in the welcoming, child-centred environment where their individuality is recognised and valued to ensure their welfare and learning and development needs are well met. The excellent partnerships with parents and carers and the established links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) contribute to the promotion of continuity of care. The childminder has been registered for only a short time but already has begun to reflect on the effect her practice has on the children in her care and is considering future training options to enable her to develop her service. As a result, prospects for continuous improvement are good.

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further?

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

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further?

 collate all evidence gathered to enable further development of the recording system that shows progress towards the early learning goals in the six areas of learning, for all children within the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is very well safeguarded because the childminder understands her responsibilities in relation to child protection. She has a clear policy and procedure linked to the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance of the steps to take if she has concerns about a child and feels confident about using it. Children are well supervised and effective safety measures are in place to keep them safe at all times whether in the home, garden or on the walk to school. The childminder updates written risk assessments regularly, for instance, they include the Christmas decorations that the childminder has recently erected. Resources are plentiful for the age and developmental stages of the children who attend and the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder uses them effectively to support children's welfare, learning and development. All equipment, furniture and toys are well maintained and

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the early years provision

appropriately accessible to the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides an inclusive, safe and accessible environment for the children. She sets aside time each day for information sharing with parents and other providers of the EYFS. Partnerships with parents are excellent. The childminder provides them with comprehensive information about the service she provides. She makes sure they fully understand the details of her policies and procedures and keeps them accessible at all times. All records relating to children's welfare are kept and well maintained to support their health, safety and well- being.

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the early years provision

The childminder observes and assesses all children's learning and development and plans for their next steps towards the early learning goals. The childminder shares information about progress and development with parents on a regular basis, inviting and acting upon their contributions and comments. Whilst complete records of children's learning journeys are in place for the pre-school age children, the childminder has not yet collated all the evidence and information she has gathered from various sources about the learning of the reception age children to provide a record of their progress.

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the early years provision

The childminder clearly enjoys her role and the close and caring relationships that have been established with the children and their families ensure children are happy and settled. The childminder has completed all the required registration training including obtaining a certificate in paediatric first aid. She has started to reflect on her practice by seeking the views of parents and by completing a self- evaluation form which she proposes to revisit periodically. To support her developing practice she plans to undertake more training and this commitment supports her aptitude for continuous improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and happy in the childminder's care and she ensures they receive lots of attention. She identifies their starting points from her own observations and from detailed information received from parents. She responds to children's interests by ensuring appropriate resources are available and easily accessible to them. By getting to know the children well, the childminder is able to provide suitable activities to support their learning ensuring they are able to make good progress in their learning given their starting points and capabilities. Space and resources are well organised to allow children access and choice in their play which actively promotes their independence.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy the activities they take part in and are curious and interested in new activities. The older children are able to contribute to the planning of the weekly activities and eagerly join in with anything which is adult-led, such as making their own pizza for tea. The childminder supports their school work by, for instance, providing opportunities to practise their numeracy and spelling and by providing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 suitably safeguarded access to the internet to research school topics.

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and outcomes for children

Children have access to a good range of apparatus and activities to develop their physical skills and they walk to and from pre-school and school which provides them with daily exercise. Children enjoy selecting books and sitting on the settee with the childminder to listen to stories and sometimes join in with well-known favourites. Children's imaginary play is well developed. They prepare meals and drinks in the play kitchen and present birthday cakes with pretend candles to be blown out by the recipient.

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and outcomes for children

Children's individual eating and resting routines are followed in consultation with parents. The childminder is fully aware of children's dietary needs and draws on her experience and catering qualifications to cook and present nutritious meals and snacks. She encourages children to take regular drinks of water and also offers milk and juice as an alternative at snack time. Children clearly feel safe as they chat or make non verbal communication with the childminder, seek out cuddles and appear relaxed and comfortable.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn the importance of adopting thorough personal hygiene routines to maintain their good health as they go to the cloakroom to wash their hands before snack. Children's behaviour is well managed in consultation with parents and they are developing skills to support their learning, such as sharing, turn taking and listening which is supported by the good role modelling of the childminder. 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 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 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 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 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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