Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY399518 Inspection date 24/06/2010 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 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 2009. She lives with her husband and three adult children in the village of Harpole close to Northampton. Local amenities, such as, park, school, pre-school and nursery are nearby. Childminding takes place on the ground floor of the childminder's house and there is a large secure garden for outdoor play. Access to the house is via a small step. The family have a dog and some chickens.

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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 six children at any one time including three children in the early years age range. She currently cares for eight children on a part-time basis, six of whom are under five-years-old.

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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's welfare is successfully promoted and they make good progress in their development and learning. Safeguarding systems are robust and partnerships with parents are established and positive. The childminder knows the children well and she meets their individual needs comprehensively. Ongoing reflection and self- evaluation ensure that strengths and areas for development are identified so that steps are quickly taken to bring about improvement ensuring that the childminder has a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the observation system to show clearly children's progress towards identified next steps towards the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities in relation to child protection and keeping children safe. She is confident in her knowledge and understanding of potential concerns and in her ability to respond appropriately by following the current guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board. Policies and procedures are reviewed periodically and shared with parents to support the welfare of children.

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the early years provision

Risk assessments are conducted on the childminder's home, garden and on outings and added to and updated as required. For example, the childminder quickly found that she was struggling to supervise the younger children in the large garden so she has erected a fence to provide a smaller area for the youngest children to play This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in. She makes daily checks to ensure that any potential risks to children are eliminated or reduced to an acceptable level. The childminder helps children to learn how to keep themselves safe without impeding their developing independence.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes effective steps to promote children's health and well-being and has clear procedures to prevent the spread of infection and to care for children if they become unwell. She is fully aware of children's dietary needs and is happy to provide freshly prepared meals and snacks as well as regular drinks of water to ensure children remain hydrated. The effectiveness with which the childminder promotes equality and diversity is good. She teaches children to recognise and respect similarities and differences and provides activities and resources which meet children's individual needs. The children are clearly making progress in their learning and development, however, the childminder's systems do not yet show if children's progress towards identified next steps is sustainable.

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the early years provision

Behaviour management strategies are appropriate, consistent and are having a positive effect on children's learning. Children learn to take turns and share and older children generally show care and concern for the younger ones. The childminder's engagement with parents are good and she is developing links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage with whom she shares the children's care. Parents are kept well informed of their children's achievements, well-being and development both verbally and through daily diary.

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the early years provision

The childminder's premises are suitable for purpose and she strives to maintain a stimulating and supportive environment for all the children. Equipment and resources are suitable and safe and include natural resources to enable the youngest children to touch and so learn to recognise different textures. Toys and resources are added to regularly to support children's developing interests. The childminder has a clear vision for the future of her provision and her capacity to maintain continuous improvement is good. Reflective practice and self-evaluation ensure that areas for development are identified and addressed.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled, content and keen to take part in activities. They make choices about the activities they participate in and these reflect their interests and learning needs. The childminder makes observations of the children while they are playing both at home and when on outings and uses this information to provide activities she knows they will enjoy.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about safety and health through routines and the youngest children are beginning to acknowledge that they must wear a hat when playing outside in the sun and have clean hands before they have something to eat. Older children are able to independently wash their hands at appropriate times and they learn about safe crossing places while on walks through the village.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy the attention of the childminder and show by their behaviour and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 mannerisms that they feel safe in her care. Children are beginning to learn the childminder's house rules and boundaries and they behave well, responding to the childminder's consistent approach.

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and outcomes for children

Children look forward to the regular opportunities to play outside in the garden. They join in with the actions to songs such as 'Row, Row, Row the Boat' and enjoy listening to and telling stories, particularly while sitting on the garden bench.

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and outcomes for children

Children like counting, sorting and threading beads and dressing up and engaging in imaginative and role play based on their own experiences. They go on outings around the village and further afield, such as, to a childminder's picnic at Abington Park. All these activities help children to develop skills for the future. 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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