Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY300399 Inspection date 12/04/2011 Inspector Ann Austen

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and three years in the town of Rushden, Northamptonshire. The childminder's home is close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childcare purposes, including toilet facilities. Sleeping facilities are provided on the first floor and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. Access to the premises is via two steps. The childminder has two pet cats and marine fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group whose times vary. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of an approved 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

Children are warmly welcomed into this friendly environment. They are well cared for and make good progress in their learning and development. Policies and procedures are effective and inclusive for those children who attend. Safeguarding children is given the highest priority. The childminder uses self-evaluation as a process for identifying areas of strong practice and targets for future development to support continuous improvement. She builds extremely strong relationships with parents to underpin the children's welfare and development. The childminder understands the importance of developing relationships with other providers and services to promote integrated care and education for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further systems to ensure that ongoing assessment is used to fully inform the planning, to track children's progress and to identify future targets and challenges for all children. 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 happy, have fun and develop positive attitudes towards learning as they play. They are offered a variety of adult-led and freely-chosen activities that support them in making good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder records observations and takes photographs of the children's achievements and interests against the six areas of learning. However, systems to fully evaluate this information and track children's progress against the development matters framework are not fully established. As a consequence, information is not always used effectively to inform the planning and to better identify future targets and challenges for children across the six areas of learning. The childminder generally uses a range of open-ended questions to prompt children to think and extend their learning. She has very warm, caring relationships with the children.

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the early years provision

Children are developing positive relationships with one another and seek out others to share experiences. They are developing their personal independence. For example, children help to tidy away the resources, wash their hands before snack and become self sufficient in choosing activities and selecting resources for themselves from labelled low-level boxes and drawers. Children interact and chat with growing confidence, showing an awareness of the listener. They enjoy stories, songs and rhymes. Pictorial images and written words are displayed within the childminder's home which helps young children to recognise letters of the alphabet by shape as they play. Children make marks as they draw and paint. They learn to count and solve problems, for example, how to build a tall tower using light and heavy objects.

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the early years provision

Children explore with imagination as they paint, learn to differentiate colours and use a variety of materials in their collage work such as leaves and twigs. They use their imaginations as they play with equipment such as the pirate ship, castle and small people figures. Children dress up as pirates and fairies and act out real and imagined events. For example, children pretend to prepare meals in the home corner area and make dens under the camouflage net in the garden. Children explore different media and materials using their senses. For example, peppermint essence and shaving foam is added to water and children explore the texture of the sand at the park. They enthusiastically blow, shake and bang musical instruments and are learning to recognise and explore how sounds can be changed. Through a range of first-hand experiences children are beginning to learn about the world around them. For example, they learn about nature and living

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the early years provision

creatures such as the childminder's marine fish. Children visit places of interest, celebrate festivals such as the Chinese New Year and Easter and meet others as they explore the local community. This effectively broadens children's range of experiences.

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the early years provision

Children are confident to explore their surroundings. They develop very secure relationships and strong attachments to the childminder. Children are developing a very good awareness of safety issues and are learning to identify and understand how to keep themselves safe. Older children use laminated sheets as prompts to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 complete their own risk assessment when they go on outings. For example, they asses if they need to apply sun cream and to look out for potential dangers such as broken glass on the pavement. Children learn how to cross the road safely, the importance of not talking to strangers and how to evaluate the building in the event of a fire. This is further reinforced by the childminder who organises regular trips to the fire station to further develop children's understanding of fire safety. Children respond to the childminder's appropriate behaviour management

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the early years provision

strategies that take into account children's age and stage of development. This is supported by the childminder who praises and encourages the children to play harmoniously together, to share and take turns.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a comprehensive understanding of her responsibilities relating to safeguarding children. She has a very good understanding of the indicator signs of abuse and is fully conversant with the procedures to follow to report concerns. The childminder has attended appropriate safeguarding children training and a written policy and all relevant guidance documents are in place to support her practice. She ensures that all children are very closely supervised at all times and conducts thorough risk assessments of all aspects of home and for outings. The childminder is very aware of children's developing abilities and ensures that appropriate safety measures are in place to avoid dangerous situations. For example, the premises and garden are secure, safe barriers prevent younger children from accessing the raised area of the garden without supervision and cupboards containing dangerous items are made inaccessible to children in the

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and outcomes for children

kitchen. Consequently, dangers are minimised and children are able to move around safely and independently. The childminder holds a current paediatric first aid certificate and robust systems to promote the children's wellbeing are in place. For example, the childminder records and monitors any accidents and has clear arrangements in place for the safe administration and storage of medicines.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder holds an appropriate National Vocational qualification. She attends regular training and uses self-reflection to evaluate her provision, identifying strengths and areas for development. The recommendation raised at the last inspection has been met. Child protection procedures now comply with the Local Safeguarding Children Board recording and referral guidelines. All required records, policies and procedures are well maintained and made accessible to parents, for example, such as a behaviour management policy and a complaints procedure. This ensures the safe and effective management of the provision and underpins the childminder's good practice.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder treats all children with respect and sensitivity. They are valued and have equal access to a range of activities and opportunities provided. The accommodation is welcoming to children and their families. Good quality resources are accessible and effectively support children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's relationships with parents are highly positive. Parents are able to contribute what they know about their child when they first attend. For example, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 parents contribute information relating to their child's learning and development and information is exchanged to ensure that specific dietary needs and preferences are catered for and that any medical needs are known and accurately met. This ensures continuous and consistent care for the children. Parents have access to the childminder's online website and a portfolio of written information is made available about the service provided. Information is continually exchanged. For example, verbal discussions are shared at drop-off and pick-up times, the childminder completes a daily diary and parents have regular opportunities to review their child's development record folder and are encouraged to contribute

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and outcomes for children

their comments. Parents are involved in self-evaluation by contributing their views and suggestions about the childminder's care. They comment very positively about the service provided and the caring childminder. 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 1 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 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 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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