Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 220944 Inspection date 09 March 2006 Inspector Rachael Mankiewicz

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1992 and works in partnership with another childminder. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 12, 10, and 5 years in a house in the Abington area of Northampton. The local school, shops, park and library are within walking distance of the home. The whole of the ground floor area of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a cat. The childminder attends the local toddler group and childminding group on a regular basis. She is registered to care for three children under eight years at any one time,

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 and currently cares for one child under five years and one child under eight years, both on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from a clean and warm environment, where they use appropriate hygiene practices, including washing their hands after toileting and before eating to reduce cross-contamination. Younger children are beginning to understand about other personal care, and talk about staying healthy through eating healthily. They indicate when they are ready for their lunch and show preferences for the different fruits on offer. Children are able to ask for their drinks, and older children access the jug and beakers for themselves to take drinks for the younger children. Children actively take part in a range of indoor and outdoor play opportunities to develop their physical skills. They participate in activities to encourage their co-ordination by handling small toys and construction equipment. Children enjoy play activities in the garden, walks around the town and using the large apparatus at the

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Helping children to be healthy

park. This helps give children a sense of freedom and they benefit from the regular exercise and fresh air. Children's health and well-being is supported by the childminder, for example, through her knowledge of paediatric first aid and by having consents in place for seeking emergency medical treatment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to move around safely and independently within the safe environment of the home and garden. They are well supervised and cared for and most risks are minimised to allow some elements of challenge both indoors and outside. Appropriate procedures are in place when taking children on outings, and children benefit from learning about road safety. They are becoming aware of how to keep themselves safe from harm as they are reminded to use toys and equipment safely. The required safety equipment is provided within the home, and all toys and equipment are appropriate for the children's age and stage of development, encouraging children to stay safe and promoting their development. Children's welfare is promoted and safeguarded through the childminder's good supervision and knowledge of local child protection procedures. The childminder maintains appropriate written records and procedures to promote the children's

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

welfare. For example, accident and medicine records are shared fully with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children are happy and very well settled in the care of the childminder. They move freely between the different play activities on offer, spending time playing with the toys they have chosen, and building on their concentration span with the encouragement of the childminder. Children are able to select from a range of toys and activities to promote their learning in different areas. For example, they have opportunities to be creative through art and craft activities and cooking. Children have access to a range of age-appropriate books. Younger children count alongside the childminder, and chat with the childminder who promotes their language and communication skills. Activities are adapted to meet the children's individual needs, interests and abilities. The childminder uses her knowledge and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

experience to deliver a generally appropriate service to encourage the children’s development. Currently, she does not use a formal framework to support the children's progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s individual needs are met well, which is helped by the childminder obtaining relevant information such as their likes and dislikes, and checking the wishes of the parents. The childminder regularly exchanges daily information with the parents to help with continuity for their care. The written agreements with the parents lack some detail. Children separate happily from their parents, and are gaining self assurance and confidence with others. They feel that they are special and they are encouraged to express their feelings in a safe environment. Children have easy access to play resources and activities, and they are able to choose what they do. They have access to some play resources which reflect diversity and they are developing their understanding of the wider world. Children are kind and caring towards each other as they develop an understanding of the needs of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

others. They behave well and show good levels of confidence, which is supported by praise and encouragement from the childminder. They generally have cooperative attitudes, take turns and play well together.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled within the childminder's routines which include well-organised time and space. As a result, children have opportunities to engage in a good range of activities both indoors and outdoors. Children experience some individual attention and have a sense of security, with the childminder maintaining appropriate adult to child ratios. The childminder provides a reliable service for parents and children. Children's care and welfare is generally well supported by the relevant written records and documentation. These are reviewed regularly which helps ensure that the needs of the children are met and that there is consistency of care. Overall, children’s needs

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to develop documentation to improve the organisation of care to improve the range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The improvements have been made and help ensure the welfare of the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Concerns were raised about incidents regarding inappropriate behaviour displayed by some children in the home and about injuries to children whilst at the setting. These concerns relate to National Standard 6 Safety, Standard 7 Health and Standard 11 Behaviour. An unannounced visit was made on 24/08/2005. As a result, the inspector asked the provider to ensure accident records contain all required information and are signed by parents and to ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible on the premises and available for inspection at all times. The childminder responded by providing new paperwork and demonstrated how these standards would be met and maintained. The provider remains qualified for registration. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • improve the outcomes for children under three by using an approach in line with ‘Birth to three matters’ • develop further the written agreement with parents that sets out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the child, activities provided and business arrangements.

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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