Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY272131 Inspection date 07/04/2011 Inspector Hazel White

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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 registered in 2003. She lives in the Corby area of Northamptonshire with her three children aged 10, six and five years. The whole of the ground floor and two upstairs bedrooms are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. Shops and schools are within walking distance.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for maximum of four children under eight and is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently six children on roll, four of whom are within the early years age range. The childminder has a recognised early years qualification to Level 3 and is a member of the Northamptonshire Childminding Association. She receives funding to provide nursery education and regularly attends the local childminder support group.

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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

Children are provided with high quality care and are thriving within a fully inclusive and welcoming environment. Their individual needs are extremely well met as the childminder is aware of their interests and abilities and ensures that important information is regularly exchanged with their parents. She is totally committed to working in partnership with other providers, organisations and services to promote the learning and well-being of all the children attending. The childminder shows a very strong capacity for continuous improvement and excellent systems are in place for self-evaluation.

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further?

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

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the early years provision

Children are extremely well safeguarded. Safety is afforded a high priority and comprehensive systems are in place to identify and minimise potential risks. For example, risk assessments are carried out weekly on all toys outside and inside. Any toys that are broken are discarded and replaced. Toys are regularly cleaned to prevent cross-infection. Any toys that cannot be fixed are removed immediately. Each morning daily checks are completed to ensure that everything is in order before children arrive. The childminder demonstrates an excellent knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and shares her safeguarding policy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and procedures with parents. Consequently, they are very clear with regards to her role and responsibilities in protecting children from harm. All adults in her home are vetted and children are not left unsupervised. Documentation in relation to

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the early years provision

childminding is fully in place, well organised and readily available for inspection, although on some occasions daily attendance records are not completed as children arrive.

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the early years provision

Superb communication with parents about home routines and family practices means that a common and consistent approach is adopted. Parents are provided with high quality information about the provision and the childminder's portfolio includes an extensive range of regularly reviewed and clearly written policies and procedures. This ensures that children's individual needs are well met. Photographs, examples of children's work and shared observations keep parents well-informed about their children's progress. Excellent links have been forged with other early years settings. This practice helps to ensure consistency of care for children and, in addition, successfully complements their learning.

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the early years provision

Children's learning and play opportunities are maximised as space throughout the childminder's home is thoughtfully utilised. They enjoy easy access to an extensive range of good-quality and stimulating resources both indoors and outside. The childminder provides an inclusive, welcoming and caring service where the uniqueness of all children is recognised. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are very well supported. The childminder encourages parents to seek help from childcare professionals. She knows where to loan specific equipment to support children's individual learning effectively. Many toys and activities effectively promote children's awareness of other cultures and diversity. Clear systems are in place to support children who speak English as an additional language.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates, through her enthusiasm and professionalism, that each child is valued and special. She has exceptionally high aspirations for quality and uses continual reflective practice to help focus on any areas for improvement. The views of parents and children are highly valued. They complete questionnaires about her childminding service and their comments are used to make changes to her practice. For example, a child wanted more outdoor toys so these were increased to further support his play and learning. The childminder applied for and received a grant that enabled her to improve the garden and make it a more interesting environment for the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has attended a wealth of training courses and successfully uses this learning to enhance her already excellent practice. The recommendation from the previous inspection regarding identifying children's next steps has been fully addressed. The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network and receives monitoring visits from the network coordinator. She regularly meets with other childcare professionals to discuss and share good practice and actively supports other childminders in meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and improving their 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 are very happy and content in a welcoming and child-friendly environment that helps them to feel at home and secure. They make exceptional progress in all areas of learning as the childminder has a secure understanding of the six areas of learning and the early learning goals. She knows each child well individually, establishing their starting points through discussions with parents and regular observations of their play. All children have a learning journal which identifies their next steps and how these will be achieved. They are having lots of fun and are very keen to learn and participate in activities and experiences, both indoors and outside. For example, they collectively make volcanoes from paper mache and mix bicarbonate of soda and vinegar together to make an impressive eruption. In addition, they research information about volcanoes in the library and record their findings using their own words.

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and outcomes for children

Children are active and inquisitive learners as the childminder asks open-ended questions to extend their thinking and helps them to come up with solutions to problems. For example, suggesting that they look for straight edges on jigsaws to form the frame and twist and turn pieces of a track until they fit together. Children's attention is drawn to numbers and letters that they see while indoors and out and about in the local neighbourhood. The childminder broadens their knowledge of the wider world through exceptionally good use of resources and activities. She has created an 'around the world box' which children contribute to. They bring artefacts back from their holiday destinations, such as, Egypt, Ireland, Spain, Denmark and Cuba, and use Chinese and Indian cooking utensils in their role play. In addition they celebrate festivals and special days. They listen to the Diwali story and make clay divas as well as tasting Jewish food for Hannukha.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing a strong respect for themselves and others. They are very confident and demonstrate excellent levels of self-esteem. The childminder takes great care to ensure that all children are included in activities and adapts experiences as necessary to meet their individual needs and interests. Children display very good behaviour, courtesy and consideration for others and the childminder provides them with a very positive role model. She skilfully motivates them through lots of praise and encouragement for their achievements.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health is actively promoted as they enjoy regular access to the outdoors. The garden has an abundance of toys and equipment which promote their physical development superbly. They climb and balance on equipment, manoeuvre wheeled toys and make up their own games. Children thoroughly enjoy being in the fresh air, sitting on the decking area looking at books and watching mobiles spinning in the wind. They plant herbs, fruit and vegetables and learn that they need water to grow. The childminder involves the children in collecting and preparing them for eating. As a result, this successfully promotes their understanding of the importance a healthy lifestyle.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a very good awareness of the importance of a nutritious diet and how to encourage children to understand why good hygiene procedures help This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 reduce the risk of cross-infection and the spread of germs. Children's safety is given a very high priority. The childminder is highly committed to safeguarding children, as from a young age they are taught how to become safety conscious through clear guidance and explanation. For example, she teaches them about road safety and they are well aware of her saying, 'if you cannot see me then I cannot see you'. They are very familiar with what to do in the event of a fire as drills are practised regularly. Older children are extremely careful that small toys are not left on the floor when babies are crawling around. They know that they could put them into their mouths and this could cause them harm.

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and outcomes for children

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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