Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 220875 Inspection date 28/02/2011 Inspector Karen Millerchip

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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 has been registered since 1988 and lives with her husband and adult son in the Kingsthorpe area of Northampton. Childminding takes place in the playroom, conservatory and kitchen diner. There is a downstaris toilet and access to a secure garden for outdoor play.

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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. This number may be increased when she is working with an assistant. She currently cares for five children in the early years age group and six older children. All attend on a part-time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and pre-school. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is quality assured through the National Childminding Association, Quality First scheme and is part of a childminding network. She regularly attends the local childminding support group and other groups for children under five years.

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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

Children settle well in the friendly, well run setting and develop close relationships with the childminder. Children's welfare and safety is well promoted in all areas and they make good progress in their learning and development. However, current systems for assessment are not fully effective. Well developed relationships with parents ensure that all information is shared to provide for all children's individual needs. The childminder is beginning to gather views from others to identify areas for development and this indicates a satisfactory level of continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop evaluation systems to ensure that the quality of children's learning, development and care continue to improve  develop the use observations more consistently to plan for individual children and match the observations to the expectations of the early learning goals.  develop systems to share information about children's individual learning and development when children attend more than one setting to ensure continuity of care. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are protected because the childminder has a good knowledge of the signs of child abuse and is aware of the procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child in her care. She has a written child protection policy which is available to parents and includes the procedure to follow in the event of an allegation being made against the childminder or her family to ensure that effective safeguarding is implemented. Children receive care in a home that is safe and secure as the childminder has identified and minimised risks to children. The childminder's practice is underpinned by a detailed set of policies and procedures that are shared with parents. The recommendation from the last inspection related to record keeping when administering medication; this has now been updated and promotes children's welfare.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed a hand written self-evaluation document and is able to identify some further areas for development but is not yet fully effective. The childminder's written plans include systems to plan and organise activities that cover the six areas of learning. Observations and evaluation are carried out but are not yet effective in identifying children's next steps in learning, which could impact on their progress. All children's individual needs are met and they are supported and included in the daily routine. Resources and equipment are of a good standard and promote children's learning across all areas. The childminder presents toys in clearly identified boxes in well organised storage units. This supports children in making independent choices in a safe environment.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents and carers to ensure that children benefit from continuity of care. Daily diaries are in place and discussions held with parents on children's changing routines as they develop. Parents know and understand that they are able to see their child's progress records at any time. Comments from parents demonstrate the high value they place on the service provided. The childminder has developed links with other providers of the early years foundation stage to promote continuity of care.

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and outcomes for children

All children make good progress in their learning. The childminder is fully aware of their needs and interests and ensures that all children receive individual support and their learning needs are met. Children enjoy their time at the childminder's house as they have the opportunity to move around and initiate their own play.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder continually interacts with the children, engaging them in conversation and promoting their language and communication skills well as they play. Children are able to make choices about their learning, as they are able to access all the equipment within the house which is stored in various boxes and tubs. Older children recognise colours as they use the building bricks to build a tower and use their imagination in building models using a variety of construction This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 toys. They show an interest in books and bring these to the childminder to read to them, they also enjoy mark making with various wax crayons, creating pictures to take home. Children have opportunities to socialise with their peers when they attend local community groups. Children are able to develop their awareness of diversity because they use toys, such as, books, jigsaws, small world figures and

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and outcomes for children

dolls, which reflect other cultures. Children develop a sense of belonging as they enthusiastically recognise their photograph and those of their friends on the 'very important person' photograph board.

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and outcomes for children

There are effective health and hygiene routines in place to prevent the spread of infection as the childminder ensures all equipment and table tops are cleaned before use and she encourages the children to wash their hands before and after meals. Parents choose to supply meals for their children and these are stored appropriately until needed, healthy snack options are given to older children when they return from school and water is available to children at all times. Children have opportunities for physical play as they use small wheeled toys, push buggies and play with balls. They go for walks in the fresh air and to use local play areas. This helps promote children's coordination and to understand the value of developing a healthy lifestyle. 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 2 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 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 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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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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