Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY282671 Inspection date 19/04/2011 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 2004. She lives with her husband, her adult son and 11 year old daughter in Wollaston, Northamptonshire close to shops, schools, parks and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house 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 which may be in the early years age range and she is currently minding four children in this age group. The childminder regularly works with her daughter who is her assistant. She also provides care to children aged over five years to 11 years and is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes children to and collects them from the local school and attends toddler groups regularly.

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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

The childminder has developed a good knowledge of each child's needs and this makes sure that she is successful in promoting their welfare and learning. Children are safe and they enjoy the gentle yet enthusiastic interaction from the childminder in this inclusive setting. The strong partnership working, both with parents and with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage ensures that the needs of all children are well met in a consistent way. This means that children progress well, given their age, ability and starting points. The childminder has yet to implement systems for self-evaluation; however, she continues to increase her provision to ensure that her service responds to the needs of the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the procedures for observation and assessment by implementing a system to ensure a balance of evidence is in place across the six areas of learning  improve the risk assessment to ensure that each type of outing is included and ensure that specific parental consent is in place for children to use the trampoline  devise a system for self-evaluation to help further improve the outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a well-organised approach to her childminding and works efficiently with her assistant to ensure that they are able to give each child good amounts of individual attention. Safeguarding is given high priority and children are mostly safe and secure. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to keep children safe both at home and when on outings. However, the written risk assessments do not currently include each type of outing that involves the children. Although the childminder is not using her garden at present and the trampoline is included in the risk assessment document the childminder does not have specific written consent from parents for children to use this piece of equipment. All the adults in the household have the required clearances in place and children begin to learn about how to keep themselves safe through good role modelling by the childminder, through discussion about road safety, helping to tidy

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the early years provision

away and asking for play materials that are stored out of reach.

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the early years provision

Children demonstrate very clearly that they feel safe in the childminder's home. They move confidently between their chosen activities, helping themselves to resources from low-level shelves and boxes. They separate from their parents and quickly settle to play; they are familiar with the daily routine and approach the childminder for comfort and reassurance when they need it. The childminder makes very good use of the available space and children thoroughly enjoy being in the dedicated playroom. They have been involved in decorating the notice board and they have access to an abundance of very well-maintained play materials and resources that cover all six areas of learning and a wide age range. Children are encouraged to help themselves and to choose their own toys. They can ask for items that are stored on the higher shelves.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the good partnerships the childminder has built with their parents. She keeps them informed of their child's progress with daily verbal feedback and she regularly shares their achievement files with them. She has recently introduced a sheet for parents to complete when their children start attending which requests information about their progress and interests at home. The childminder uses this information to help her with the planning for individual children. The childminder has effective links in place with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage who are involved with the children. She has access to their planning of activities, discusses children's progress and shares observations with them. This effective working contributes significantly to a consistent approach and a smooth transition for the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has yet to implement systems for self-evaluation. However, she is keen to develop her reflective practice and to identify her priorities for future development in order to continue to improve the outcomes for children. She demonstrates a good capacity for continuous improvement. For example, she has taken positive action on the recommendations made at the last inspection, she has attended a number of relevant training courses and she has increased her play provision and her resources and she has developed her partnership working. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy attending this welcoming and friendly setting. The childminder knows each child well and she is able to anticipate their needs. For example, by providing changes to activities and when it is time for their meal. Children are happy and confident. They are able to make choices about their activities. Toddlers enjoy looking through the books on the low-level shelf. They select which ones they want and open them up to turn the pages. They give them to the childminder who responds in a positive way through smiling and pointing out familiar characters in the pictures. The play room is set up to encourage children to make decisions about their activities. They can help themselves to items from the boxes and low drawers. They have access to a table for games and art and craft activities. The childminder involves the children in making decisions that affect them. For example, they enjoy being involved in making the notice board. Each

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and outcomes for children

child put forward their suggestions for the pictures and have been involved in a variety of art and craft activities to complete the display. Children begin to learn about managing their personal hygiene. The childminder talks to them about the importance of handwashing and she helps toddlers wash their hands before lunch. She ensures that children are protected from cross-infection through following efficient procedures for nappy changing and by cleaning the highchair tray before toddlers eat. Children are all treated with great respect and are valued as individuals. The childminder finds out about any specific needs through regular discussion with their parents. Children have access to a range of resources, books and posters displaying images that celebrate diversity. The childminder is confident to talk to children and to answer any questions they have about people who are different to themselves.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a wide range of activities that are planned by the childminder and her assistant that cover each of the six areas of learning and that take account of their individual interests. The childminder ensures that children are encouraged in their learning and she is skilled in extending their learning through talking to them to introduce new vocabulary or to promote their interests. For example, a child takes part in a game that involves coloured items. When naming the colours the childminder introduces a sequenced pattern when it is her turn. The child picked up on this and chose to make their own pattern with the coloured items. Toddlers show an interest in looking through boxes of age-appropriate toys. They pull out different items, turning them over and exploring what they do. The childminder sets up an activity and demonstrates to the child how to put the balls in a hole and watch them fall down through a system of tipping buckets. The child laughs and

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and outcomes for children

immediately picks up on this by putting the ball down themselves. This sensitive and genuine interest in providing good quality interaction with the children supports their growing confidence and contributes to their development.

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and outcomes for children

Children's progress is recorded in well-presented individual files that contain observations, photographs and samples of their drawings. The childminder and her assistant make regular observations of the children and use the Practice Guidance document to link them to the relevant areas of learning and to help them identify This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 each child's next steps in learning. The observations are recorded chronologically. However, they have not yet implemented a system to ensure that they are gathering a balance of evidence under each of the six areas of learning for each child. The childminder provides a welcoming and calm environment for the children in her care, they respond to her positive interaction and this develops their feelings of belonging 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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