Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 220356 Inspection date 22/03/2011 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 1984. She lives with her husband in the Abington area of Northampton, close to shops, schools, parks and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding.

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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 whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four 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 attends toddler groups regularly and she 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

A well-developed knowledge of each child's needs makes sure the childminder is successful in promoting children's care, welfare and learning. Children are safe and secure and they enjoy the inclusive, gentle and positive interaction from the childminder. The partnership with parents is very strong and is significant in making sure that the needs of all children are met. This means that children make good progress given their age, ability and starting points. The childminder has implemented systems to evaluate and reflect on her practice and she is keen to develop these further.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systems for observation and assessment through implementing a system to ensure a balance of evidence is in place across the six areas of learning  update the risk assessment to cover all types of outings that involve the children  develop further the system for self-evaluation to continue to improve the outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an organised approach to her childminding that includes mostly effective documentation and written policies which underpin the effective and safe operation of her business. Children's safety and safeguarding procedures are given high priority. All the adults in the household have the required clearances in place and the childminder takes active steps to ensure the children's safety at This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 home and when on outings. The childminder maintains close supervision of all the children and generally effective risk assessments are in place. The childminder is very aware of how to maintain safety during outings, although not every type of outing the children take part in is included in the risk assessment document. The children demonstrate that they feel safe in the childminder's home. They are confident to ask for items they want and to initiate conversations with her. They

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the early years provision

seek reassurance and comfort when they need it. Children are confident to select their own play materials and activities. Babies sleep peacefully and wake up happy to see the childminder. Children are able to make choices and decisions about their play and activities and thoroughly enjoy spending time in the dedicated playroom which contains an abundance of toys and resources that cover the six areas of learning. They are able to choose freely from low-level boxes and shelves and can ask for different items that are stored elsewhere. The childminder ensures that all the equipment is very well maintained.

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the early years provision

The childminder has built very effective partnerships with the parents of the minded children. She keeps them informed each day about their daily routine; their food intake, nappy changes and sleep times, as well as telling them about the activities their child has enjoyed. She gives them photographs on a regular basis and shares their child's learning journal with them. Parents are invited to add their own comments to their child's file and the childminder uses any relevant information in her future planning for that child. The childminder does her best to support the parents and supplies guidance and reassurance whenever she can, often attending appointments with parents to support them. The children know the childminder's family very well, particularly her parents, and they talk enthusiastically about 'Grandma' and 'Pap'. The childminder is also very aware of the benefits to children of working closely with other providers of the Early Years

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the early years provision

Foundation Stage and any other agencies who may be involved with them. This very effective partnership working is beneficial to a consistent approach and a smooth transition for the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a wealth of work experience and this ensures that she is very effective in her care of the children and in valuing and supporting their parents. She has implemented systems for self-evaluation and demonstrates a good capacity for continuous improvement as she has taken positive action on the recommendation made at the last inspection and has identified some areas that she wants to develop further. She has sought the views of the children's parents who give highly complimentary comments about their child's experiences with her. They comment on how willing she is to be flexible in her care and the high quality of the activities and care she provides for their children. She is keen to continue with the process of reflection in order to celebrate her areas of strong practice and to continue to respond to the needs of the children and their families.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate that they feel confident and safe in the childminder's home. They move between their chosen play materials and enjoy selecting the items they want to play with. The childminder provides a great range of resources that the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children can help themselves to and these cover the six areas of learning. Children's individual interests are followed in the planning of activities and the childminder supports them to lead the play. For example, children choose which doll they want, wrap them up carefully in a blanket and feed them with a pretend bottle before putting them in a pushchair. Children then move on to find some dressing up clothes and older children help their younger friends to put on a variety of 'animal' waistcoats and hats. This free choice encourages children's decision making and growing confidence. Children get on very well together. The

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and outcomes for children

childminder has clear boundaries in place and they understand these and the expectations for behaviour. Children know the daily routine and enjoy sitting down together for a snack. Their individual dietary needs are discussed with their parents and their packed lunches are stored appropriately. The childminder discusses babies' feeding patterns with their parents and supplies specific bottles to assist with the prevention of colic. Older children have their drinks cups available to them throughout the day. Children begin to learn about managing their own personal hygiene. They enthusiastically wash their hands before snack time and report that this happens before lunchtime too. Each child has their own towel and they know which colour is theirs.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a wonderful array of resources and dolls that celebrate diversity. Children freely access these dolls and small world characters and talk about them in relation to members of the childminder's own family. Each child is treated as a unique individual. The childminder knows them very well and is able to anticipate their needs for food, rest and changes to their activities. She carries out informal planning for each child that follows their individual interests. Children begin to learn about the wider world through various celebrations, such as, Chinese New Year, Pancake Day, seasonal and charity events. The childminder has a lovely range of artefacts and meaningful ideas for art and craft activities that the children enjoy taking part in. Older children look at photographs of the Chinese New Year celebrations and recall that they did not like the taste of the sauce on the noodles.

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and outcomes for children

Children's progress is clearly demonstrated in their beautifully presented learning journey files. The childminder completes regular snippet observations that she links to the relevant areas of learning and these observations are often backed up by photographs. Each child's next steps in learning are identified and planned for on a regular basis and the childminder revisits these next steps to demonstrate their progress. The records are kept in chronological order. Although the children's progress in their development is clearly shown, the childminder does not currently have a system in place to ensure that she has a balance of evidence across each of the six areas of learning. These learning journey files are shared with parents every six months and they are encouraged to add their own comments about their child's progress. This family involvement extends to comments from the children's grandparents. The childminder demonstrates that she is committed to providing

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and outcomes for children

the children with a warm and friendly environment where they have plenty of time to play freely. The children respond to her positive and gentle manner with them and this develops their feelings of security and well-being. 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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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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