Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY403066 Inspection date 07/07/2010 Inspector Sarah Measures

p.1

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.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2009. She lives with her partner and two children aged two and one year in the town of Kettering, Northamptonshire. The childminder is close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. Toilet and sleep facilities are provided on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder has a pet guinea pig and a rabbit.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than one may be in the early years age range. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has links with local schools and childminding and pre-school groups.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, policies and procedures support children's learning and development and their welfare. The childminder has good experience of caring for children within a home environment. She offers a well organised, welcoming and friendly environment for children. This is the childminder's first inspection and she is capably reflecting upon her practice. She is starting to put plans in place in order to drive forward improvement, and she has accurately identified areas for development with the way she communicates with parents and others regarding children's progress. Other key areas for development relate to children's hand washing routines and the child protection policy.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 take steps to promote the good health of the children by routinely encouraging them to wash their hands before eating  improve the safeguarding children policy to include procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against the childminder  improve communications with parents and between providers, with regard to supporting children's progress towards the early learning goals.

p.4

the early years provision

Overall, children are protected by the childminder's policies and procedures. She generally has a secure knowledge of child protection issues and of how to recognise and refer any concerns. She has a written child protection policy in place This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to underpin her practice, however, this does not reflect how she may deal with any allegations made against herself, in order to fully safeguard the children. The childminder shares information with parents as to how to make a complaint, that includes details of Ofsted as the regulator. This promotes a safe and transparent provision for parents and children. Secure procedure are in place to make sure children are safely collected by appropriately identified persons. The childminder conducts careful risk assessments of the premises in order to maintain children's safety. She organises her home and toys and activities well, in order to offer

p.4

the early years provision

children a welcoming and accessible environment.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder observes children closely in order to produce very good summaries of their progress in all areas whilst they are in her care. Children's development records are very professionally presented to parents. The childminder works closely with parents in order to understand and meet children's welfare needs, but she does not involve parents in her observations and assessments. She cares for children on a part-time basis and does not liaise with all other provisions that children attend that also deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. This does not help her to plan comprehensively to meet children's individual learning and development needs. The close and purposeful observations the childminder conducts whilst the children are with her, help her to identify any special needs or difficulties with children's development. Some resources that reflect diversity are included within children's play environment, in order for them to learn to value

p.5

the early years provision

difference. The childminder adapts activities to meet different needs so that all children may take part and be included.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are valued as individuals and welcomed into this homely setting. They choose freely from a suitable range of toys and activities within the home. They gain further learning experiences out of the home as they visit different childminding and pre-school groups. This also enables them to gain important opportunities to socialise with others, and to develop relationships out of the setting. Children use different equipment and develop their imagination as they take part in different creative activities. For example, they make things to take home, they enjoy painting, collage and modelling activities. Children have opportunities to extend their language for communication as they enjoy stories, songs and rhymes with the childminder. Children learn as they play and use books, games and puzzles that help them to count and recognise letters and sounds. They use a variety of toys that stretch their imagination and help them to act out and

p.5

and outcomes for children

make sense of everyday situations, as they learn from each other. Children are confident in the setting and approach the childminder readily for cuddles and comfort.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children have good access to activities out of doors. They make healthy choices at meal and snack times and they enjoy home-cooked meals with fresh fruit and vegetables from an allotment belonging to the childminder's family. Children do not always wash their hands before eating, in order to make sure they learn hygienic and healthy routines. The use a varied range of equipment to develop This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their physical skills, strength and co-ordination. This is because they use different and fun equipment within the childminder's garden and as because they use further challenging equipment when they visit local parks. Children learn to be responsible because the childminder helps them to understand the consequences of their actions and encourages them to consider the needs of others. Children's overall progress is not necessarily planned around their experiences and

p.5

and outcomes for children

achievements out of the setting, in order to fully promote their individual development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

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 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8