Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY362344 Inspection date 10/11/2009 Inspector Andrea Ewer

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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 registered in 2007. She is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, to care for a total of five children up to the age of eight years. She currently has one child on roll who is in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives in a house in Upton, Northamptonshire. She lives with her husband and two children aged 17 months and three years. Care is provided on the ground floor of the house which includes the living room, kitchen and downstairs cloakroom. There is a garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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

Children enjoy their time with the childminder who spends her time actively playing with and talking to them throughout the day. They feel valued and develop a positive self-image because the childminder treats them all with equal concern and recognises them as individuals. Overall, effective safeguarding procedures ensure children are fully protected from harm or neglect and the written risk assessment shows that generally, active steps are taken to minimise potential hazards and reduce the risk of accidents. The childminder is starting to use self-reflection to identify her strengths and areas to develop to drive improvement and subsequently improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop children’s understanding of the differences in people’s lives and beliefs by providing resources that show positive images of diversity and differences  develop a systematic and routine approach to using observations and use assessment to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress to more clearly show children's progress towards the early learning goals  develop the use of self-evaluation to clearly identify strengths and priorities for improvement to improve outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Children are well protected from harm or neglect. The childminder has a sound understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and has readily available documentation that supports her to carry out procedures correctly if she has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 concerns about a child in her care. The detailed risk assessment shows that active steps are taken to minimise potential hazards and keep children safe. The childminder records the regular fire drills and has effective measures in place to maintain a safe environment. For example, suitable fire safety equipment is in place, safety gates prevent children gaining unsupervised access to the stairs and the premises are secure.

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the early years provision

Written records policies and procedures are clear, well organised and inclusive for all who attend. The childminder also obtains useful information about children's interests, abilities and preferences from parents and other settings they may have attended, at the start of all childminding arrangements. She uses this information to plan suitable care and learning opportunities that are adapted well to ensure all children can participate and contributes well to individual children's learning and development. This ensures all children are fully included and are effectively supported to make progress in their learning. All documentation is shared with parents, helping to forge good working relationships. The childminder keeps parents and others involved in children's care and learning fully informed about their daily routines, such as sleeping and eating patterns, both verbally and through the use of daily diaries. This promotes continuity in children's care,

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the early years provision

The childminder has started using self-reflection as a tool to identify her strengths and priorities for development. She has not yet developed systematic ways of evaluating her own practice sufficiently in order to identify more specific areas for improvement. The childminder does demonstrate a clear commitment to continuous improvement and recognises training as an effective measure to accomplish her aim of improving outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children in the early years age range are generally well provided for. They enjoy a suitable range of activities that meets their play and development needs well and helps them to make progress. The childminder understands that all children are different and ensures the activities provided meet their individual needs. For example, during mark making activities older children may use felt tipped pens and younger children use wax crayons that they are able to grasp more comfortably Consequently, children develop a positive attitude to learning as the childminder supports their play effectively. Children use their imagination well as they act out real life situations which helps them start to make sense of the world. They play happily with the play food and put the doll's clothes in the washing machine. Children express themselves creatively and develop early literacy skills as they have regular access to mark making activities and look at the suitable range of

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and outcomes for children

books for enjoyment. The childminder uses sensitive observations to monitor individual children's progress towards the early learning goals and to plan activities based on their interests and to build on skills they already have. Observations of children's progress do not however, clearly show their progress towards the early learning goals to make the information useful to parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are cared for in a homely environment that is clean, and tidy. Space is well-organised and creates a child friendly environment that promotes children's independence and helps them to feel safe. Children start to make their own decisions as in the main, they readily access the suitable range of resources that meets their play and development needs well. However, they do not have access to resources that help them to appreciate similarities and differences and learn

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and outcomes for children

about the beliefs and cultures of others. Children share warm, friendly relationships with the childminder and are starting to develop friendships with their peers. They play happily alongside each other and become confident in larger groups during regular visits to toddler groups. The childminder gives children frequent praise, support and encouragement and maintains regular daily routines which helps them feel secure. The calm, clear explanations given by the childminder help children understand what is expected of them and the warm and consistent interaction with the childminder guides their play and helps them behave well. Children learn how to keep themselves safe as the childminder gently reminds them to sit nicely on the chair so they do not fall off.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health is promoted. They receive appropriate treatment in medical emergency because the childminder holds a suitable first aid qualification and the first aid box is readily accessible. Children enjoy nutritious, appetising meals and snacks that contribute to their healthy growth and development such as raisins, organic biscuits and breadsticks. Children have drinks with each meal and are reminded to have a drink throughout the day to ensure they are well hydrated. They develop simple good hygiene practices as part of daily routines, such as, covering their mouth when they cough and washing their hands at appropriate times. Children play energetically in local parks and in the childminder's well maintained garden. They have opportunities to climb, push and ride wheeled toys. This ensures children benefit from regular fresh air, which keeps them alert and refreshed, and enables them to gain increased control of their bodies and improve

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and outcomes for children

co-ordination. 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 3 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 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 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 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 improve safeguarding procedures by devising and implementing a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard the children being cared for from abuse or neglect (Arrangements for safeguarding children). 04/12/2009

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