Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 221173 Inspection date 18/02/2011 Inspector Melanie Eastwell

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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 1993. She lives with her husband and her two adult children in the East Hunsbury area of Northampton, close to shops, schools, parks and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. The family have a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range and she is currently minding three children in this age group. She is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes children to toddler groups regularly and she is a member of the Northamptonshire Childminding Network.

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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 has a very well-developed knowledge of each child's needs which ensures she is able to successfully promote their welfare and learning. Children are safe and secure and they enjoy the childminder's very positive interaction with them. The childminder has built effective working partnerships with parents and this contributes to making sure the needs of all children are well met. This means that children make very good progress given their age, ability and starting points. The childminder has implemented systems for self-evaluation that identify the many areas of strong practice and prioritise her future plans.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the system for observation and assessment to ensure a balance of evidence is in place across the six areas of learning  improve the risk assessment to ensure that each type of outing is identified.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a well-organised approach to her childminding commitments which ensures she is able to give all children good amounts of individual attention. Children's welfare is safeguarded. All the adults in the household have appropriate clearances in place and the childminder understands the importance of following the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines in the event of any child protection concerns. Children benefit from the childminder's close supervision and good awareness of managing any safety risks. Her good practice is underpinned by This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the required documentation. For example, written risk assessments are in place and are regularly reviewed. However, although the childminder is well aware of how to maintain children's safety on outings, she has not identified in the risk assessments each type of outing she takes the children on. Children are

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the early years provision

encouraged to make choices and decisions and the childminder makes effective use of the available space. They enjoy using the dedicated play room and move freely into an adjacent room where they can select their own play materials from large baskets.

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the early years provision

The childminder fully understands the benefits to children of working in close partnership with their parents, other agencies and other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. She works closely with children's parents; providing them with detailed verbal and written feedback each day through the use of a communication book that records practical details, such as, their food intake, sleep times and nappy changes as well as details about the activities they have enjoyed during the day. A notice board in the playroom displays information about the Early Years Foundation Stage, fire drill procedures and the daily routine. The childminder provides information and reassurance for parents during the day through sending them text messages. The childminder has previous experience of working closely with other providers who share the care of the children and other agencies who are involved with them and this effective partnership working

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the early years provision

provides a smooth transition and a consistent approach for the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has implemented appropriate systems to reflect on her daily activity with the children. She demonstrates a good capacity for further improvement. For example, she has taken positive action on the recommendation made at the last inspection and she has recently completed a level 3 qualification. The childminder receives very positive and complimentary comments from parents regarding the care she provides for their children. The childminder is keen to continue the process of self-evaluation and to keep her knowledge up-to-date.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They demonstrate that they feel safe in her company; they are confident to ask for items they want and regularly initiate conversations with her. Children approach her for cuddles and reassurance when they need it and enjoy her involvement in their play. Children begin to learn about their own safety. For example, they are encouraged to help tidy away when they have finished playing and they know about the house rules that are in place for everyone's safety. Children are ably supported by the childminder to share and to take turns. She talks to them about thinking of others and children often fetch toys to give to their friends. Children's confidence and sense of belonging are promoted because the childminder involves them in making choices and decisions about matters that affect them. For example, children are consulted about what activities they would like to do and if they are ready to have

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and outcomes for children

their snack. The childminder discusses any dietary needs and preferences in detail with the children's parents. This enables her to provide a range of varied and nutritious snacks and drinks. Children's packed lunches from home are stored in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the fridge until it is time to eat. Children begin to learn about managing their own personal hygiene; they are supervised upstairs to wash their hands before meal times. The childminder follows effective practices for changing nappies. For example, she maintains each child's dignity and privacy; she cleans the mat and washes her hands after each change. The childminder knows all the children very well and this enables her to meet their individual needs most effectively. She is able to anticipate when they are hungry or tired and when they need to be offered different activities. All children are treated as unique individuals and with respect.

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and outcomes for children

They begin to learn about the wider world and diversity through a very good range of books and resources and through discussion with the childminder. She is able to support children who have specific needs and has experience of working with parents and other agencies to support children's development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well supported in their learning and development. The childminder is skilled in engaging them in interesting activities and the children thoroughly enjoy her involvement. For example, a child shows an interest in the doctors set. The childminder demonstrates how to use the stethoscope and the child proceeds to 'listen' to her tummy. This activity is extended because the childminder talks about what they are doing and introduces new language such as 'gurgling'. Children's self-esteem and confidence is promoted because the childminder encourages them to try hard and gives lots of praise through positive facial expressions and language for their efforts and achievements. For example, a child enjoys working on a jigsaw puzzle; they manipulate the pieces and turn them round before finding the correct place. The childminder ensures that the child is encouraged to complete the puzzle by themselves and when they are successful they proudly

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and outcomes for children

smile at the childminder. Children's interests are incorporated into the childminder's informal planning of activities. She watches them in their play and takes note of these interests. For example, a child becomes interested in a particular character on the television. The childminder provides them with dressing up clothes, a wide variety of puzzles and vehicles that relate to the character. When children ask for further items to extend their play the childminder has resources in place. The child asks for a fire hose and the childminder provides them with some cardboard tubes that slide into each other and the child proceeds to use these in their play. This resourcefulness and consideration promotes children's progress across the areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder records children's progression through discussion with their parents and general observation of their play in order to find out their starting points. She regularly records snippet observations and links these to the relevant areas of learning through using the Practice Guidance document. The observations are used to inform the future planning and each child's next steps in learning are identified. The childminder periodically revisits the next steps which clearly demonstrate their progression. The records of achievement are very well presented with photographs and samples of the children's work alongside the written observations. Each child's records are regularly shared with their parents. Due to the chronological method of recording the observations, the childminder does not currently have a system in place to ensure she is gathering a balance of evidence for all the areas of learning. The children show a real sense of belonging

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and outcomes for children

and security in the childminder's home and they respond very positively to her enthusiastic involvement in their play. 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 1 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 1 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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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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