Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY413673 Inspection date 15/12/2010 Inspector Christine Hodge

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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 assesses 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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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 July 2010. She lives with her husband and two young children aged three years and one year in a house in Charlton in the London borough of Greenwich. All areas of the property are used for childminding although children mainly play in the ground floor dining room and lounge and sleep upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of four children under eight years, of whom one may be in the early years age group at any one time. She is currently caring for two part-time children in the early years age range, one of whom is at full-time school. The childminder is also registered to provide overnight care. She attends local toddler groups and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

The childminder offers a caring, stimulating and inclusive environment in which children are happy, settled and make good progress. She ensures her home is safe and secure for children at all times. Her secure knowledge of the children in her care, together with strong partnerships with parents and other early years professionals, ensures that children have good continuity of care and enables the childminder to plan effectively for children's learning. The childminder has begun to reflect on her practice and is committed to extending her childcare knowledge by attending further training.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop a system for sharing the information gained from observation and assessment with parents  develop further the self-evaluation process.

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the early years provision

A strong emphasis is placed on children's safety. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of child protection issues and of her role and responsibility for protecting children in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. She completes daily checks of her home, together with more rigorous risk assessments of the setting and outings. Fire evacuation procedures are clearly displayed and are practised with children. All required documentation is in place and is well maintained. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder provides an inclusive service and welcomes all children and families into her home. She recognises the uniqueness of each child and ensures that their individual needs are met. She makes very good use of the space within her home. The extensive range of good quality play resources is effectively deployed, allowing children maximum opportunity to independently select what

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the early years provision

they want to play with, as they move confidently and freely between rooms. Resources include positive image toys and books to help children to learn about diversity and disability.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents and other early years professionals, for example children's reception class and nursery class teachers, and shares information on a regular basis. She provides parents with good information about her provision for example, written policies and procedures, regular newsletters and two way contact books. The childminder uses reflective practice and feedback from parent questionnaires to improve her practice and will be completing the Ofsted self-evaluation form in the next few weeks. She is committed to providing children with good quality care and extending her childcare knowledge by attending further training with Greenwich Early Years. Her long term goal is to complete her National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at level 3 and possibly open a pre-school or nursery.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's warm and responsive approach to caring for children's differing needs ensures that children settle quickly and build up close relationships with her and her family. The childminder has good systems in place to find out about children's individual needs and starting points. She observes children at play and makes meaningful notes about their interests, skills and abilities. She then uses this information to carefully plan activities which will engage them and help them to make progress. Although parents are kept up-to-date about routines and activities in the daily contact back, the childminder does not yet have a system in place for sharing observations and development plans with parents. This is something that has been suggested by parents on the questionnaires and has been identified as an area for improvement by the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure in the setting because the childminder provides them with familiar routines and positive relationships. The day is planned around younger children's individual routines for sleeping and eating. Children happily play by themselves in the knowledge that the childminder is on hand to provide cuddles and support them. The childminder spends lots of time playing and interacting with children. She promotes their early language skills well by consistently talking to children and encouraging them to respond. Younger children are beginning to vocalise and imitate adults while older children confidently use language to organise their play. They enjoy exploring their surrounding and investigating with a vast range of cause and effect toys, choosing their favourite books and listening to stories read to them by the childminder. Children have good opportunities to develop their creativity and imaginations using a wide range of art and craft

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 material, singing songs, playing musical instruments and through role play. Children have access to junk modeling, games, puzzles and construction resources for problem solving and to help them develop their number and counting skills. They learn about the wider world on outings to local parks, children's centres and toddler groups.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and welfare is well promoted and is underpinned by comprehensive policies and procedures. Children play and eat in clean, bright surrounding, sit on child-sized furniture for comfort and are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles. Children learn good personal hygiene routines and to understand the importance of healthy eating. Children engage in a wide range of physical activities, both indoors and outdoors, increasing their understanding about the importance of regular exercise as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Provision is made for children to rest during the day if required. Babies and very young children are content and settled because their health, physical and dietary requirements are well met. The childminder promotes positive behaviour by praising and encouraging children's achievements and allowing them to develop good independence and social skills. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 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 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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