Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 221047 Inspection date 18/12/2009 Inspector Hayley Lapworth

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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 2000. She lives with her husband who also works as her assistant and their daughter who is 10 years of age. The family live in Northampton. The whole of the downstairs of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is also a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a dog and two hamsters.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time when working alone and a maximum of eight children when working with her assistant. There are currently 10 children on roll, six of whom are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), all of whom attend on a full and part-time basis.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children relish their time in the childminder's home where all of their welfare and learning and development needs are superbly met. She provides them with exciting learning opportunities and has an extensive knowledge of each child's individual stage of development. Inclusion is embedded throughout her practice and she has developed extremely good partnerships with parents and carers. The childminder uses a variety of methods to evaluate her service, including the views of the parents and older children in her care, which ensures a continuing commitment to improvement. Most risk assessments are effective.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 extending fully the risk assessment to cover anything with which a child comes into contact.

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the early years provision

Children are exceptionally well safeguarded as the childminder implements robust and vigorous procedures to ensure that all adults working with children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so. A comprehensive safeguarding policy is in place which includes allegations made against her or a member of her family. The childminder has extensive knowledge about child protection procedures and keeps her knowledge updated through attending training. She places a high emphasis upon her own professional development and accesses courses which benefit the setting, for example, training in food hygiene. Systems for monitoring This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and self-assessment are very good. The childminder clearly identifies areas for improvement and seeks the views of parents, older children and her assistant.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an enthusiastic approach towards delivering the learning and development requirements in the EYFS. She effectively promotes inclusive practice and is highly successful in ensuring all children make as much progress as they can in relation to their starting points. Policies and procedures fully support the safe and efficient management of the provision, they are detailed and regularly reviewed. Overall a comprehensive risk assessment has been conducted which includes changes in the premises. For example, the displaying of Christmas decorations and the Christmas tree. Almost all paperwork is exceptionally well maintained. However, there is a minor omission in relation to the risk assessment to be addressed in order for this to be fully effective. Resources are deployed extremely well by the childminder and adult to child ratios exceed minimum requirements.

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the early years provision

Excellent partnerships with parents have been developed. They are kept exceptionally well informed about their child’s achievements, progress and general care on a daily basis. Parents are superbly encouraged to be involved in supporting their children's learning and development at home. For example, the childminder provides them with ongoing, up to date information via a memory stick. This includes observations she has made and the next steps in their learning. Settling-in procedures are highly effective ensuring all children and their parents feel secure. Parents who shared their views about the setting state that 'the childminder is both supportive towards them as parents and to their children' and 'she provides them with thorough detailed information about the care she provides'. The childminder is very secure in her understanding of the importance of partnership working where children attend more than one setting.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely happy in this setting and share very warm relationships with the childminder. They are very comfortable and confident in their surroundings and move freely around all areas of the home. They especially enjoy being able to make choices for themselves from the fantastic variety of resources. Therefore, they are becoming independent and are able to make their own decisions. The quality of planning for individuals is of a very high standard and takes into account children's individual ages, interests and learning styles. The childminder is very aware of how to support children with additional needs, enabling each child to reach their full potential. As a result, children make excellent progress in all areas of their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children in this setting are eager to learn and show maturity in their personal, social and emotional development. Pre-school children show empathy, care and affection towards their younger peers. For example, they try to comfort them when they are upset by stroking their legs and speaking in a warm soft tone saying 'hey little darling what's the matter'. The childminder implements very effective procedures towards the handling of children's behaviour, which at times includes This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 working with other professionals. Consequently, this ensures a cohesive approach, improving the outcomes for children. All children respond exceptionally well to the childminder. They continually receive praise and encouragement regardless of how major or minor their achievements may be. For example, children are praised for sharing their experiences with the inspector and showing concern for one another.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder also displays photographs and samples of children's work throughout the setting. This enables children to develop a sense of pride and belonging.

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and outcomes for children

Skills to develop problem solving, number and reasoning are exceptionally well promoted. This is because the childminder confidently introduces this into everyday situations, for example, by discussing how many colouring pens are available for the children to use. They participate in activities where they are encouraged to use mathematical language and begin to calculate, for example, by working out 'how many apples have been eaten and how many are left'.

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and outcomes for children

Children's knowledge and understanding of the world around them are developing very well indeed. They have opportunities to talk about their differences and learn about one another's cultures through the celebration of festivals. For example, by using a great range of art materials they create angel calendars as a gift for their parents and a nativity scene. This helps them to learn about 'the story of Christmas'. Older children also learn about 'why birds migrate' and participate in fun activities in large natural environments, such as a 'scavenger hunt', where they are set challenges to 'find a feather' and 'something that is red'.

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and outcomes for children

Regular events such as practising the fire drill and wearing high visibility jackets whilst outdoors encourage children to learn to keep themselves safe. Children's good health is promoted as stringent procedures are in place to prevent the spread of infection. They learn about healthy diets as they participate in conversations about food that is good for them and what their bodies need. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 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 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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