Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY279308 Inspection date 29/03/2011 Inspector ISP Inspection

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and three years in the Ise Lodge area of Kettering, Northamptonshire. The ground floor rooms of the childminder's house are used for childminding, with sleeping facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The family has a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for up to four children at any one time, including two in the early years age group. She currently cares for nine children in total, including six in the early years age group. All are part-time arrangements.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a Level 3 qualification in early years, is a National Childminding Association Accredited Childminder and 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides an excellent environment in which children's welfare and learning needs are totally met. She enjoys supporting children's learning and does so in a very safe yet stimulating environment. All aspects of the provision are successfully promoted. Capacity to maintain these high standards is excellent as the childminder is constantly seeking out training and literature to enable her to develop and improve her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 including more detail relating to children's progress towards the early learning goals when liaising with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure continuity and coherence of progress towards the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

The childminder is passionate about the experiences she provides for the children who attend her provision. All aspects of safeguarding are excellent. She ensures that the appropriate suitability checks are completed on her family, checks and records the identification of visitors and vets other adults collecting children on behalf of parents. She has thorough child protection procedures which are well This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 thought out and, as a result, successfully keep children safe.

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the early years provision

Policies and procedures are reviewed and updated regularly to ensure they reflect the childminder's developing practice. Risk assessments are conducted on the childminder's home, garden and on outing venues, and all take account of individual children's stage of development and needs. In addition, she carries out visual checks throughout the day to ensure that any potential hazards are minimised. She explains to children what she is doing so that they begin to learn to assess risk for themselves without their developing independence being impeded.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes children's good health very effectively. She teaches children when and how to wash their hands to reduce the risk of infection. They learn to make healthy choices and how to know when they have eaten enough. There are very clear practices for when children become ill to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder maintains a current first aid certificate and a well- stocked first aid kit. Children's sleeping patterns are discussed with parents and adhered to. This ensures they are refreshed and able to take a full part in the rest of the day's activities.

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the early years provision

The effectiveness with which the childminder promotes equality and diversity is outstanding. Children learn about similarities and differences from an early age and are involved in activities which reflect their own and other people's cultures. To facilitate this, the childminder has a thorough knowledge of each child's welfare and developmental needs including their culture, beliefs and ethnicity. The childminder has an established and effective system for observing children at play and assessing their next steps. She uses this information to plan a range of adult- led and free choice activities to support children's progress. Planning is sufficiently flexible to take account of children's ever changing interests and their different learning styles.

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the early years provision

The childminder has devised house rules which give children clear boundaries. Behaviour management is consistently used and takes account of each child's maturity and level of understanding. As a result, their learning is supported exceptionally well.

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the early years provision

The effectiveness of the childminder's engagement with parents is outstanding. Relationships are well established and very positive, ensuring she is fully informed of children's changing individual needs. Parents are kept extremely well informed of their children's achievements, well-being and development through daily chats and diaries and through looking at their child's achievement records. Parents are encouraged to and do contribute to their child's assessment by adding comments and details of achievements made while with their parents.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage are well established. Information is shared regularly to support continuity of care and learning, although less so in relation to children's progress towards the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

The childminder's premises are suitable for purpose. She makes the best possible use of available space, both inside and outdoors, to enable her to provide a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 stimulating learning environment in which all children make excellent progress taking into account their starting points and capabilities. The childminder is constantly on the look out for new ideas and initiatives to further enhance children's learning potential. Resources are of high quality, plentiful and imaginatively used to effectively support children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children have fun while developing and learning new skills which enable them to fulfil their potential. They smile and giggle to show their contentment and pleasure in taking part in the activities on offer and also enjoy initiating their own play. Children make choices about the resources they use to develop their own play adventures from the varied range available. Children's play is assessed daily and provision is made to incorporate any resources necessary to enable children to follow new interests and to further support their learning. A comprehensive record is kept of each child's achievements which clearly shows how they are progressing.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about their personal safety and health through simple yet clear routines. They know where to find their coats before going outside and that they wash their hands before having something to eat. To prevent cross-infection, each child uses a different towel in the cloakroom.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well and rarely test the childminder's boundaries and rules. When they do, they quickly take notice again due to the childminder's excellent child management skills. She knows the children so well she is able to anticipate their reactions to certain situations and take effective action to support the child. Children clearly enjoy the childminder's attention, showing by their behaviour and mannerisms that they feel safe in her care and they behave well under her consistent approach.

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and outcomes for children

Children play a full and active role in their learning by showing curiosity and a desire to explore and learn. They benefit greatly from the availability of outdoor activities as they play on a range of toys and apparatus. They explore the local environment during daily walks as they look for small animals and ducks, with one child identifying the spot where the ice cream van waits.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop excellent skills for the future as they respond to the childminder's challenging questions. They listen to stories and talk about what they can see in the pictures. They show a developing understanding of number at snack time and identify shapes correctly when playing with the toys and puzzles. 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 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 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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