Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 220550 Inspection date 11/05/2011 Inspector Jan Burnet

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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 1994. She lives in Brackley, Northamptonshire with her husband. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is registered and a fully enclosed garden at the rear of the house is registered for outside play. The family has two dogs.

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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 six children aged under eight years at any one time and of these, three may be in the early years age group. There are currently five children in the early years age group on roll. Of these, two attend on a full-time basis and one attends before and after school. The childminder also cares for five older primary school children and of these, one is aged under eight years. The childminder walks with children to and from a local school and pre-school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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's understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage is strong. She promotes children's care needs well and meets their individual developmental needs effectively. Health and hygiene systems are excellent and generally good systems are in place to ensure children's safety. The childminder makes sure that all children are valued and included. Information obtained from parents helps her to identify and address children's differences. The childminder is aware of her strengths and areas for improvement and uses this awareness to review her practice. Her commitment to continue to monitor and extend her practice within her childminding supports the development of children's care and learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 review safety measures with regard to the pond in the garden.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment. All potential risks are identified in the risk assessment record and in practice have been addressed generally well. However, potentially children's safety is compromised because a section of the mesh that covers a garden pond has loosened and is under the level of the water. Necessary checks for the childminder and her family have been completed and the childminder ensures that children are never left unsupervised This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with a person who has not been vetted. The childminder is aware of her responsibility with regard to protecting children from abuse. Parents sign to say that they are aware of a full range of policies and procedures including a thorough safeguarding procedure. She also provides information on the Northamptonshire Safeguarding Children Board procedure.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the benefits of self-evaluation. She has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form and identifies that her most recent priority was to provide questionnaires for parents. Her commitment to improve her knowledge and skills is strong and training since the last inspection includes safeguarding, food safety and hygiene, supporting children with additional needs and first aid. There were two recommendations linked to medication records raised at the time of the last inspection and these have been addressed well. Advice is sort and welcomed from local authority development workers and from other childminders. The childminder makes sure that resources are chosen for their quality and durability and that they meet the different developmental needs of children well. Toys are maintained in a good state of repair. Records are kept up-to-date and in good order.

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the early years provision

Information provided for and obtained from parents is comprehensive. As well as the safeguarding policy, the childminder provides written policies on complaints, equal opportunities, special needs, managing behaviour, accidents, medication, confidentiality, a missing child and a child not collected at the agreed time. Information displayed or provided in folders includes contact details for Ofsted, training certificates and insurance details. The childminder seeks the views of parents about the provision, verbally and with a questionnaire. Parents are asked for their views on routines and activities, the menu, their child's development, safety procedures, health issues, if their child's individual needs are supported and any ways that additional support can be offered. Parents have easy access to their child's observation and assessment records on a daily basis and they are invited to add their own observations and comments.

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the early years provision

The childminder encourages children to gain an understanding of difference, for example, she provides resources that reflect positive images and raise children's awareness of different cultures and beliefs, foods, clothes and music. In discussion, the childminder explains how she will ensure that the needs of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and English as an additional language are met. For example, by obtaining as much information as possible about each child's individual needs from parents and by agreeing with them how they can work together to meet these needs. Superior systems are in place for establishing and maintaining positive links with other early years providers in order to ensure continuity of care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress and the childminder is clear of her responsibilities with regard to ensuring that all children are challenged effectively. The range of resources and activities meet their needs well. The childminder has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 developed good systems for obtaining information from parents and other providers, and for recording children's achievements in order to plan next steps in their learning. Priority is given to planning in accordance with children's interests. Personal, social and emotional development is strong. Children are happy and settled. Their independence is promoted effectively as opportunities for them to choose and select resources are good. They are able to address their own personal hygiene needs as they have easy access to the ground floor toilet. Children play cooperatively and they are learning to share and take turns.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy singing and moving to music. They have easy access to a range of role play resources and they enjoy a variety of art and craft activities. Children choose different colours as they colour-in with felt tipped pens and they make marks in a variety of ways, such as with their fingers in paint and 'glupe'. Children develop good manipulative skills as they play with a variety of resources that are appropriate for different ages and stages of development. Books are always available and the childminder promotes children's thinking and vocabulary as she asks them open-ended questions. Children count randomly as they play. The childminder promotes their development effectively as she encourages mathematical language and 'one on one' counting. Younger children learn to match and name shapes and colours.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, why they must hold hands or onto the pushchair when out walking, road safety and 'stranger danger'. The childminder has developed excellent systems to ensure children's good health. She uses her food hygiene knowledge to full effect and provides healthy meals and snacks. Children gain an awareness of their own growth needs in relation to the vegetables that they plant and grow. They are active and develop confidence and skills as they use physical play equipment at the childminder's home and at the park. Children understand and adopt healthy habits, such as good hygiene practices. They gain a sense of community as they explore the local environment and speak to teachers, neighbours, refuse collectors, police officers and post delivery men and women. 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 2 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 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 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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