Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 220864 Inspection date 26/04/2010 Inspector Tracey Marie Boland

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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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 2003. She lives with her husband in a residential area in Northampton. There are shops and schools within easy walking distance. Most of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Children are also taken on local outings to parks, the library and places of interest, including regular attendances at the local carer and toddler groups.

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Description of the childminding

There are 10 children currently on roll. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. There are currently five children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, most of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

There is direct access to the setting and the bathroom is on the ground floor. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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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

The childminder demonstrates a firm understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has an exceptional awareness of the individual needs of the children she cares for. She provides a wide range of activities both indoors and out and some planning is in place although this is being developed. The childminder completes detailed observations of the children and all children are valued and included. They are encouraged to understand similarities and differences through discussions and the lovely resources that are accessible to all. The childminder has an awareness of her strengths and takes account of the views of parents within this process.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the use of planning of activities to encourage children's future learning.

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the early years provision

Children enter a welcoming, child-focused environment where their health, safety and well-being is a priority. Supervision is good and children are not left unattended with un-vetted adults. The childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibility with regard to protecting children in her care from abuse and neglect and keeps her knowledge of procedures through ongoing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 training. Concise written risk assessments are in place which identify potential risks and her procedures to minimise them, both in the home and when out. All required records are up-to-date and well maintained and detailed written policies and procedures are shared with parents which clearly reflect the ethos of care provided.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the use of self-evaluation and uses this well to acknowledge the strengths within her practice and identify areas she wishes to develop. Parents views are sought and taken into account at all times. Written comments from parents clearly praise the childminder and reflect how pleased they are with the care their children receive. The childminder sees training as an important part of her ongoing development and accesses various courses to enhance her skills. One recommendation raised at the last inspection asked the childminder to develop the organisation of space to meet children's needs more effectively. She has since converted her car port into a covered, secure play area which enables the children to have free flow to the garden area. Children also access the lounge/dining room for quieter play or to rest.

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the early years provision

Excellent information is obtained from parents detailing their child's needs and preferences. Written policies include a settling children into the setting, child protection/safeguarding, confidentiality, nutrition, sickness and accidents and how they are dealt with, behaviour management, lost, missing or uncollected child, complaints and health and safety. Firm relationships have been formed with other professionals involved in the children's lives which ensures that all involved are fully aware of their needs and provide effective continuity of care.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and understands the importance of obtaining as much information as possible about each child's individual needs to ensure they are consistently met.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress and the childminder ensures that they all enjoy a wide range of activities and play opportunities that challenge them and encourage their learning. The resources and activities meet their needs well and activities are adapted to ensure that all children are involved and included. Children are able to self-select resources and activities relating to their interests and ideas. The childminder gathers information from them about things they have done at home and carries on their interests during the week, for example, one child explained that he had been to the farm with his family. He talked about what he had seen and made collage sheep with a variety of materials with the childminder which also encouraged him to recall his visit and talk about what he had seen with his peers. The childminder also hid farm animals, zoo animals and dinosaurs in a large sand pit full of squirty soap. The children then found the animals, talking about where

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and outcomes for children

they came from, what they are and the activity also encouraged their use of descriptive words. Although systems are in place for planning, these are not consistently used. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are very happy and settled and their independence is promoted effectively in everyday routines such as mealtimes, their own personal care and when selecting from the variety of resources available to them. Children play cooperatively together and the childminder encourages them to share and take turns with the resources. They develop good social skills at the groups they attend and have formed excellent relationships with each other and the childminder who praises them for their achievements.

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and outcomes for children

Children's art and craft creations are displayed throughout their play area as are photographs reflecting the activities they have enjoyed. Children's language is continually enhanced through the skilful questioning by the childminder which encourages their thought processes also. Their understanding of how things grow and life cycles are developed through the books they read and the discussions that take place. Following a visit to the library the children have read the 'Hungry Caterpillar' and recreated the story through a variety of art activities. During the inspection the children re-told the story and talked about the foods they enjoy.

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and outcomes for children

There is a good variety of books and resources such as 'small world figures', puzzles, role play and dressing up which reflect diversity and the wider world and children are involved in discussion about cultural events throughout the year. They try foods from various countries and learn about similarities and differences through their activities. Resources reflect various languages and the childminder ensures that she is fully aware of key words and phrases if a child accessing her care has English as an additional language.

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and outcomes for children

Children play in a safe and secure environment and learn how to keep themselves safe. This includes road safety and their understanding of 'stranger danger' is continually encouraged through discussion. The childminder sees safety as a priority and ensures children are supervised at all times. They develop an understanding of the routine to follow in an emergency evacuation and fire drills are practised regularly with the children, recorded and evaluated to ensure the ongoing suitability of the procedure. 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 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

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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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