Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY403352 Inspection date 11/01/2011 Inspector Alex Brouder

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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 2010. She lives with her husband and three children aged 17, 14 and 10 years old in Kettering, Northamptonshire. Their home is within walking distance of local schools, shops, a library and park. The children have access to the whole of the ground floor and one the bedrooms and bathroom on the first floor. There is also an enclosed rear garden which is available for outside play. The family have a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for children on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of six children at any one time and currently there are five children on roll, of which three are in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

She holds a National Nursery Examination Board Qualification 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled within the welcoming family environment and they have formed secure relationships with the childminder. Systems to support children's learning and development within the Early Years Foundation Stage are beginning to be used to enable children to make steady progress. A range of accessible toys, activities and equipment are provided to promote children's learning and play. The childminder ensures all children are valued and included and is beginning to use information obtained from parents to identify and address children's individual needs. Records to support children's care, learning and well- being are mostly in place and overall children's safety is appropriately supported. The childminder is keen to improve her service and is developing her systems to self-evaluate her practice in order for her to set a clear action plan for further improvement.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 keep a record of accidents and first aid treatment (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 11/01/2011

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further?

 provide a clearly defined procedure for the emergency evacuation of the premises (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 25/01/2011

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  look carefully at individual children's needs, interests and stage of development and use this information to help plan a challenging and enjoyable experience across all areas of learning  make more use of observations to plan the next steps in each child's development and regularly review their progress  develop self-evaluation and quality improvement processes to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of the provision for all children  record details of evacuation drills and any problems encountered and how they were resolved

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the early years provision

Suitable arrangements are in place to ensure that children are safeguarded, for example, a policy shared with parents and carers, exists to ensure that appropriate action would be taken should the childminder have any concerns regarding children's welfare. In addition, all those that have attained the age of 16 have completed appropriate checks, therefore, are suitable to be in the proximity of children. Suitable written risk assessments are in place for the home, outdoors and outings, highlighting potential areas of risks and the steps in place to minimise these, supporting children's well-being. However, the childminder has omitted to draw up an appropriate fire safety plan and does not have appropriate records in place regarding accidents that occur to children whilst in her care. These omissions have the potential to compromise children's safety and are in breach of the Early Years Foundation Stage welfare requirements. Relevant policies and procedures

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the early years provision

are in place to support children's health, safety and welfare.

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the early years provision

Children are valued as individuals and treated fairly and equally. Resources are provided to children that reflect diversity and are accessible to them in every day play, enabling them to develop their awareness of others and the world in which they live. Sound partnerships have been developed between parents and carers of minded children, ensuring that children's needs are appropriately supported. The childminder visits children's homes in order to understand their routines and background which is a very good way of getting to know the children and their families. Daily verbal feedback is shared with parents on children's well-being and their play activities, along with a diary ensuring that parents are well informed. Effective systems are in place to work with other settings that deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to the children in her care, which she is beginning to use to plan an environment suited to their needs. The childminder has a satisfactory

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the early years provision

understanding of how to access specialised support for children with special educational needs or disabilities.

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the early years provision

Since the last inspection the childminder has taken positive action overall to meet the actions and one recommendation that were raised. For example, she has completed all relevant training required to ensure that she has a working knowledge and understanding of childminding. Her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage is developing, although she is not yet using This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 observation and assessment systems to consistently challenge children effectively or to identify their next steps. She shows a commitment to her work and the children she cares for and has begun to consider her practice and reflect on her own strengths and areas for development. However, she has not yet implemented appropriate systems to enable her to do this effectively. Consequently, this impacts on her ability to maintain continuous improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children are relaxed and secure within the childminder's home. They are familiar with the daily routines and because of this are confident and happy. The childminder knows the children in her care well and overall they make satisfactory progress in the six areas of learning. Children have suitable access to the substantial range of resources on offer and in the main are able to access these appropriately to support their play and individual interests. For example, musical toys, shape sorters and rattles which are presented well and made readily accessible to young children. Although children's learning and development is appropriately supported, the childminder is not yet looking carefully at individual children's needs and interests, to help plan a challenging and enjoyable experience across all areas of learning. In addition to this, observations of children's learning are not yet identifying what children need to do next. This has the potential to

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and outcomes for children

impact on the progress that children make.

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and outcomes for children

Children's social skills are supported well. The childminder ensures that children have opportunities to engage in play with others, for example, at local stay and play sessions, to develop their skills in working with others, sharing and taking turns. Regular praise and encouragement is offered to develop children's confidence and self-esteem and they behave well. Their early language skills are supported appropriately, particularly for very young children, as the childminder talks to them as they engage in their play, giving time for them to respond, for example, as they babble or blow raspberries. Children's creativity is developing as they take part in painting and cooking activities and have access to resources that promote their imaginative skills, for example, dressing-up, role play equipment and train sets. Younger children are able to explore their senses as they move freely and easily and explore what they see and touch. For example, children pick up a

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and outcomes for children

fabric shape and showed enjoyment and wonder at the texture of this within their hands and mouth.

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and outcomes for children

Through routine activities children are learning about number, shape, space and measure, for example, as they sing rhymes and songs and take part in cooking activities. Opportunities for them to learn about the locality develop as they visit local toddler groups and parks, which also supports and extends their physical skills. They learn about other cultures, disabilities and lifestyles as they take part in planned activities, such as, making bonfire pictures, reading books with the childminder or making foods. Children's awareness of technology is appropriately supported as they have easy access to battery operated toys, cameras and game consoles. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's health is appropriately supported as they become aware of their own personal hygiene and begin to manage this successfully and independently. The childminder works well with parents to ensure that children's individual dietary

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and outcomes for children

needs are met. Younger children remain hydrated as the childminder frequently offers them drinks, as they are not as yet, able to tell her when they are thirsty. In the main, children are safe within the secure environment. The childminder speaks to children about road safety and the importance of holding hands and listening to her to support their well-being. The childminder talks about how children have taken part in an emergency evacuation drill, however, evidence to support this and the procedure is not in place. 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 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 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified within the Early Years section of the report (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 11/01/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified within the Early Years section of the report (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 11/01/2011

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