Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 220999 Inspection date 24/03/2011 Inspector Susan Marriott

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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 1986 and holds a relevant childcare qualification. She lives with her husband in a house in the Ecton Brook area of Northampton. The childminder uses the ground floor of the property for childminding activities and toilet facilities are also available on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in the early years age group. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association, a Network member of the Northamptonshire Childminding Association and has completed a quality assurance scheme 'Quality First'.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

This childminder demonstrates genuine dedication to her role and has enthusiastically embraced the spirit of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She continuously applies expertise gained from her substantial childminding experience and training to her daily practice and this enables her to offer an excellent standard of care and education to the children. Children clearly thrive and make rapid progress in this well-organised, domestic environment that truly recognises their uniqueness and individuality. The provider meets the diverse needs of children and ensures that children participate in all activities in a fully inclusive way. Through her passionate commitment and rigorous reflective practice, she demonstrates an outstanding ability to identify strengths and weaknesses, enabling the continuous enhancement of daily care and learning experiences for children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 enhancing the culture of reflective practice, self-evaluation, training and informed discussion to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will further improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

Children enjoy an exemplary quality of care and education in this homely setting, supported by exceptionally well-organised and individualised policies, procedures and records. This childminder is extremely confident in her childcare practice. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 uses her maternal experience in combination with her highly effective organisation to promote exceptionally positive outcomes for children. The childminder demonstrates an extremely good understanding of the procedures regarding the safeguarding of children and a very high level of commitment to promoting children's safety. She ensures that all household members undergo appropriate checks. A very clear complaints procedure is in place and the extensive risk assessment is carefully recorded and consistently monitored. Visitors are required to produce identification and sign the visitor record. Consequently, dangers are

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the early years provision

minimised and children's safety is robustly secured.

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the early years provision

The childminder fully exploits community resources, such as childminding support groups and the toy library to provide an extended range of opportunities for children. The childminder's highly competent understanding of anti-discrimination means that she provides a service which is inclusive for all children and their families. She ensures that she understands each child's background, cultures and beliefs. She uses this knowledge when she encourages children to recognise differences, offering them information about other ways of life and encouraging them to respect diversity. Play people depicting positive images of disability are displayed on top of the toy storage units in the dining room.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very good understanding of the importance of maintaining close links with other professionals involved with the children to promote consistent care. When planning children's play and daily routines, she considers the other settings they attend so she can provide the best complimentary opportunities for each child. The childminder liaises effectively with local schools to provide consistent care for children. The childminder builds excellent relationships with parents and carers and this enables them to exchange information about the children and ensures that the childminder can offer children appropriate support. Parents are extremely well informed about the service the childminder provides. They receive copies of policies, are aware of their child's activities and receive daily updates on activities and progress. Information for parents and carers is displayed and parents receive daily verbal feedback and photographs. Exceptionally

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the early years provision

complimentary letters of testimonial from parents confirm that the childminder provides 'excellent care and outstanding opportunities for learning and development'. They praise the help they have received with dietary issues and other parenting matters. Parents proclaim that they are 'lucky to have someone that is not just experienced and professional, but someone that cares from the heart as she does' and 'we would recommend her to anyone'.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates an infectious enthusiasm for her work and is highly motivated to make changes that drive improvement and improve the outcomes for children. Consequently, the childminder is committed to the further enhancement of her self-evaluation processes and is now using her self-evaluation form as a working document to secure her outstanding capacity to improve. The childminder values the benefits of continuing professional development and regularly attends training courses to extend her skills and support further improvement in her practice. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children's learning and development is extremely well-organised, with themes and activities tailored to the interests and abilities of the children in attendance. These cover all aspects of the early learning goals, ensuring children enjoy a broad, stimulating variety of activities and are designed to meet each child's developmental needs. Children enjoy fun packed days because the childminder delivers stimulating activities at a good pace, keeping the children constantly occupied, supervised and entertained. Children feel safe because the childminder introduces the inspector to the children and the children to the inspector. The children then place a symbol of the visitor lady in the 'House' to show who is here today. They count how many people are now in the house and readily accept the visiting inspector, carrying on with their play.

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and outcomes for children

Activities cover all six areas of learning. For example, the childminder invites the children to come and see what has happened to their jelly. She points out that it is not watery any more. A large plastic tray contains plastic bugs set into green jelly. She encourages the children to explore using their senses, asking whether the jelly is hot or cold and encouraging the children to put their hands into the jelly to find the bugs. Children extend their language skills and vocabulary as they name the insects and respond to the childminder's questions. They count how many legs each creature has got and talk about whether it can fly or crawl, sorting the flying creatures into a separate bucket. When the children find a spider, the childminder links this to a familiar nursery rhyme and then suggests that the children might find another spider, highlighting the fact that one and one make two spiders. She

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and outcomes for children

talks to the children about scorpions living in hot countries and mentions that snakes slither and wriggle slowly through the grass, just as they do through the jelly. Children develop their personal, social and emotional skills as they co-operate with others during play. They learn new vocabulary and language skills and count and calculate through play. The activity develops children's small muscle skills and their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes exceptionally good use of the space available in her home to provide a very welcoming, child-friendly environment where resources are well organised and accessible, enabling children to make independent choices about their play. For example, children move freely between the living room, spacious hallway, dining room and kitchen. Pictures of birds and wildlife commonly spotted in the childminder's garden are stuck onto the French windows and are labelled with words so that children begin to link letters and sounds in their environment. The childminder achieves an excellent balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities. For example, children ask to sit with their childminder to share a story and listen carefully, commenting upon what they think might happen next. She then encourages the children to free play for a little while, putting the music on for them to dance and sing.

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and outcomes for children

The side garden is dedicated to children, providing a superior enabling environment for outdoor play. Children count the number of steps from the back door when going outside to play. They can explore and experiment in the water This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 tray or when using the guttering ball run. Children develop their physical skills on the adventure frame, the wheeled toys and the wire weaving frame. They can chalk and make marks on the wall-mounted chalkboard and help to plant and grow flowers and raspberries in the baskets and pots.

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and outcomes for children

Exceedingly well-presented and documented observations, very closely linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage, are maintained on all children prior to starting school. From her observations of the children in her care, she identifies their particular interests and incorporates these within the planned activities. Plans identify very clear aims for learning and are always phrased in terms of the 'Development Matters' criteria in the Practice Guidance. Children's achievements are illustrated with carefully chosen photographic evidence, observed sensitively and evaluated effectively to identify the next steps in learning. Diary notes and regular discussion with parents keep them very well informed of their child's development and children progress extremely well with very high levels of achievement in relation to their age and stage of development. The childminder is working in an effective manner to narrow the achievement gap, taking account of

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and outcomes for children

different learning styles and using these to support individual development.

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and outcomes for children

Children stay safe when using any equipment, from scissors to a slide, because they are shown how to use it correctly and safely. Children are positively encouraged to learn about keeping themselves and others safe. For example, the childminder talks about road safety when out and about in the community. Children develop a very good understanding of healthy practices. For example, they wash their hands at appropriate times, singing the hand washing song to the tune of 'Row, row, row your boat'. They talk about how nice their hands smell. Children have individualised coloured towels which helps to prevent the spread of infection and clean their teeth after food. Children are given choices at snack time which helps them to develop decision making skills and independence and the childminder is observed to maintain excellent standards of hygiene and attention to detail. Children demonstrate good manners, politeness and respect for others.

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and outcomes for children

They respond positively to the expectations of adults, and make choices and decisions. Children develop skills for the future as they explore other cultures, develop an awareness of disabilities, similarities and differences, and their own cultural heritage. Role play and other activities help them develop their number, reading and writing skills through play, with adult guidance as necessary. 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 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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