Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY293592 Inspection date 30/06/2010 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 2004. She lives with her family including two children aged 14 and 10 years in the village of Broughton in Northamptonshire. The house is close to all village amenities. All areas of the property may be used for childminding. There is a large, fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder's house is accessed via a step to the front door.

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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 up to six children at any one time including three in the early years age group and is currently minding two children in the early years age group.

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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 make sound progress in their play and learning and their care and welfare is effectively promoted. Overall safeguarding systems are appropriate and partnerships with parents are well established and positive although partnerships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage are less so. The childminder knows the children well and manages their individual needs satisfactorily. Self-evaluation procedures introduced since the last inspection work well, enabling continuing improvements to practice and children's progress in all outcomes.

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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, assessment and evaluation systems to show clearly children's progress towards identified next steps towards the early learning goals  make sure the fire blanket is located in a safe, accessible place, for ease of use in the event of a fire, to support children's safety.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is satisfactorily safeguarded because the childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities in relation to child protection and keeping children safe. There are secure systems in place for the collection of children by appropriate adults and visitors to the setting are monitored. Policies and procedures have been reviewed and updated to reflect the Early Years Foundation Stage and plans are in place to update them whenever anything changes to ensure children's welfare needs are met. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Risk assessments are conducted by the childminder on all areas and equipment that the children come into contact with and are reviewed and updated appropriately to ensure children's safety. A daily check is carried out to reduce the risk of any potential hazards. The childminder helps children to keep themselves

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the early years provision

safe by, for instance, reminding them to climb up the steps to the top of the slide and to use the trampoline one child at a time. However, a potential hazard to the childminder herself, has been overlooked with the re-positioning of the fire blanket, which may ultimately effect the safety of children.

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the early years provision

Children's good health is well promoted. The childminder provides opportunities for children to take regular exercise in the fresh air either in her garden or at the local park. She has a suitable sick child procedure which is shared with parents. Children are provided with healthy, nutritious meals and snacks and children are familiar with hygiene routines, such as, appropriate hand washing, to help maintain their good health.

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the early years provision

The effectiveness with which the childminder promotes equality and diversity is satisfactory. She obtains all necessary information from parents to enable her to support children's welfare needs and has recently re-organised her observation and assessment systems to enable her to plan more effectively to support children's progress towards the early learning goals taking into account their starting points and capabilities.

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the early years provision

Behaviour management is good and takes account of children's level of understanding and maturity to ensure they understand the childminder's house rules and the boundaries for their behaviour. The effectiveness of the childminder's engagement with parents is good. She has established effective working relationships with them and provides both verbal and written feedback about how their child has been during the day and what they have been doing. She is happy to send texts to parents during the day to reassure them that their child is busy and content. Partnerships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage are less effective as they concentrate on the children's welfare with less emphasis on their progress and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder's premises are suitable for purpose and she provides a stimulating indoor and outdoor environment for the children to develop their confidence and to support their learning. Resources are plentiful, suitable and safe to support children's learning. The childminder's capacity to bring about future improvement is satisfactory. Actions and recommendations from the last inspection have been met and a self-evaluation recently introduced is enabling the childminder to highlight areas that require attention for which she has sought support from the local authority.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled, content and keen to take part in activities. They make sound progress in their learning and development as they make choices about the activities they participate in which mostly reflect their interests and developmental This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and learning needs. The childminder's improved observation and assessment procedures mean that she now records observations of children's progress towards the early learning goals although they do not yet show progress towards previously identified next steps.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop their knowledge of keeping safe and of adopting healthy lifestyles through routines. They are becoming used to selecting safe crossing places on the walk from school, enjoy outdoor play at the park or in the childminder's large garden and understand the rules for using the trampoline. Children enjoy the childminder's attention and show by their behaviour and mannerisms that they feel safe in her care.

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and outcomes for children

Children understand the childminder's house rules and the boundaries that are imposed for their safety. They behave well as the childminder has a consistent approach to managing their behaviour, taking account of their level of understanding and maturity. Children are starting to develop skills for the future. They like to look at books on their own and have a story read to them by the childminder and they communicate their needs well, often non-verbally.

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and outcomes for children

Children are securing early skills to help support future learning. They hold chalks and chunky crayons properly as they make marks, which carry meaning, on a black board or on paper. They giggle as they try to catch bubbles as they come quickly out of the bubble making machine and like to make musical sounds through a recorder, mouth organ or even a cardboard tube. Children help with planting and watering in the garden, they kick and throw different sized balls and participate in imaginary games, such as, going to the place where children can have two chocolate milk shakes. 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 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 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 2 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: 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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