Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY332065 Inspection date 15/04/2010 Inspector Hazel Christine White

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and 13 years in a residential area of Wootton in Northamptonshire. There are shops and schools within easy walking distance. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for maximum of six children under eight and is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently four children on roll, all of whom are within the early years age range and attend on a part time basis.

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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 happy, settled and making good progress as they participate in a wide range of planned experiences that interest them, ensure that they are having fun and generally cover all areas of learning. The childminder provides an inclusive service where positive relationships exist with parents and successful links are beginning to forge with other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder shows a strong commitment to continuous improvement and is aware of the value of evaluating the care and learning provided for the children. However, self-evaluation and assessment systems are in their infancy and not yet fully effective.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further a system for self-evaluation and informed discussion to identify strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of the provision for all children  develop further the use of assessments to identify the next steps in children's learning and encourage parents to comment on their children's progress  increase opportunities for children to find out about and identify the uses of everyday technology and use information and communication technology and programmable toys to support their learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good awareness of child protection procedures and has attended specific training in this respect. She shares her safeguarding policy and procedures with parents and this means that they are clear with regards to her role and responsibilities in protecting children. All adults in her home are suitably This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 vetted and children are not left unsupervised in the care of adults who have not been suitably checked. Effective written risk assessments are in place and regularly reviewed ensuring any risks to children are minimised. Daily checks are carried out so that any potential hazards can be identified and safety measures put in place. Children have plenty of space to play and rest. They receive good levels of attention and supervision. The environment she provides is homely, safe and conducive to learning. Resources are plentiful and in excellent condition.

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the early years provision

Strong partnerships with parents exist. Regular two-way communication successfully promotes children's welfare and ensures continuity of care for all children. Parents are provided with good quality information about their children's welfare, progress and the childminder’s service. They have access to their children's assessment records although they are not actively encouraged to comment on them to further complement and enhance children’s learning. A collection of written policies are shared with parents and these reflect the childminder’s effective and inclusive practice. Parents are highly complimentary of the childminder and the care she provides. They comment on how much they appreciate the 'great range of activities' and believe the 'good networking with other childminders has played a fundamental role in their child's life'. The childminder is beginning to make effective links with other providers to ensure

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the early years provision

consistency of care for the children and is aware of how to access support from outside agencies to support children’s care if necessary.

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the early years provision

The childminder has recently begun to evaluate her practice. This is a new process and does not yet fully include the views of parents and others to help her to identify her strengths and any areas that she can further develop in the future. The childminder is enthusiastic about what she does and is committed to improvement. She has attended a variety of training to improve her own knowledge and understanding of childcare and regularly networks with other local childminders to share good practice. Recommendations raised at her last inspection have been fully addressed and a variety of improvements have been made.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in relation to their starting points because the childminder knows them well and works alongside their parents to provide a variety of experiences that meet their individual needs. She regularly observes children and records and assesses what she sees. Each child has designed and decorated their own book which contains examples of their work, photographs of them involved in play and their observation and assessment records. They have access to a wide selection of resources that are developmentally appropriate. These include role play items, books, construction and imaginative play. Babies and young children have interactive toys which make sounds when flaps are lifted or switches turned. However, programmable and information technology toys for older children are limited. This is an area that the childminder knows that she needs to develop to ensure that all children enhance their knowledge and

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and outcomes for children

understanding in this area of learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Toys are attractively stored in the designated play room and a selection is put out on a daily basis. This selection is regularly changed and children are able to ask for additional toys or resources that they cannot reach. They confidently explore their surroundings and the childminder helps foster their growing independence through involving them in simple tasks, such as helping to tidy away after activities. The childminder uses a collection of topics to inspire learning and a range of craft activities. Experiences provided include cookery activities, painting, messy play, story time and singing songs. Children are gaining the skills that they will need in future life as they learn to count and use numbers in many situations. For example, children count everyday items around the home and can name many

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and outcomes for children

shapes. They learn to group colours together when playing with hamma beads and can also identify the various shades of a specific colour.

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and outcomes for children

Children play outside on a daily basis and are learning about nature, alongside gaining plenty of physical exercise and fresh air. They know that they need to wear a coat and wellies if it is raining and have great fun jumping and splashing around in puddles, and blowing bubbles into the wind. Children regularly have picnics in the parks and attend community groups. These outings help to broaden their range of experiences and increase their social skills. Children demonstrate a developing respect for themselves and others. This is fostered through their participation in a variety of activities that explore various religious and cultural festivals and customs and their easy access to a range of resources that portray positive images of diversity. Children behave well and are taught to share and show care and consideration for others.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a safe and supportive environment. Warmth and affection is freely given and contributes to children's sense of well-being. They are happy to go to the childminder for comfort, reassurance and support and she has a calm and approachable manner. Children learn personal hygiene routines from an early age, for example, they wash their hands after using the toilet. A sickness policy is in place to ensure appropriate measures are taken when they are ill. Children learn about healthy eating though cooking activities and the provision of healthy snacks and meals, which their parents provide. The childminder teaches children about keeping themselves safe through everyday routines, such as road safety when they are out and about in the community and regularly practising the fire evacuation procedure so that they are familiar with what to do in an emergency. 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 3 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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