Childminder in West NorthamptonshireOfsted inspection, 24 May 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY338522 Inspection date 24/05/2011 Inspector Karen Millerchip

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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 and lives with her five-year-old child in Kingsthorpe, Northamptonshire. The whole of the premises are registered for childminding with the bathroom being on the first floor. There is a garden suitable for outdoor play. The family have two dogs, two cats and four rabbits.

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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 three may be in the early years age range. There are currently four children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The setting is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

She is a member of the National Childminding Association, holds a Level 3 childcare qualification and is accredited by the local authority as a specialist provider for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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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 keen to attend the childminder's home where they are safe, happy and have their welfare needs met. The childminder has a well developed understanding of how children learn and develop and provides super opportunities to enable children to make sound progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has strong relationships with parents and carers and gains comprehensive information which promotes inclusive practice. Documentation and risk assessment is accurate, current and very well presented. The childminder uses effective methods to evaluate her service, which demonstrate a good capacity for continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systems for self-evaluation.

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the early years provision

Children are extremely well safeguarded as the childminder implements robust procedures to ensure that all adults in the household are safe and suitable to be in contact with the children. A detailed safeguarding policy is in place and shared with parents to ensure they are aware of the childminder's responsibility in this area. The childminder is secure in her knowledge of the procedures to follow should she have any concerns regarding children in her care as she has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 undertaken recent training in this area.

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the early years provision

Informal systems for self-evaluation identify realistic areas for improvement The childminder's home is well organised and the effective use of high quality resources, both natural and man-made, fully support children's learning and development across the age range. Children have regular opportunities for individual one-on-one care as the number of children attending is kept low. This ensures children receive a high level of care and attention that promotes their confidence and self-esteem. Recommendations from the previous inspection have been addressed well and promote children's safety and well-being.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a well developed understanding of the learning and development requirements within the Early Years Foundation Stage. She effectively identifies and monitors each child's next steps to indicate progress in all six areas of learning. Individual children's learning journeys reflect the childminder's commitment to providing an exciting and stimulating range of activities that support children's sound progress towards the early learning goals. A comprehensive range of policies and procedures support the safe and efficient management of the provision; they are very well presented and regularly reviewed. Comprehensive risk assessments, which are regularly reviewed, ensure that children can take calculated risks in a safe and secure environment.

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the early years provision

The excellent relationship with parents contributes to improvements in children's achievement, well-being and development. They are actively encouraged to share what they know about their child when they first start at the setting. They complete information sheets about what their child can do and their individual likes and dislikes. They also share photographs of important people or pets in their child's life. This information enables the childminder to have an excellent knowledge of each child's background and needs and develop plans to provide for each individual child. The childminder provides parents with sound information about the Early Years Foundation Stage and provides a detailed written report detailing their child s progress and achievements. Regular newsletters keep parents fully informed of how the setting operates and includes information about proposed activities and articles of interest from professional journals. As a result

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the early years provision

parents can effectively contribute towards their child's future learning at home. Comments made by parents express the high value they place on the childminding service. They include phrases such as, 'I instantly felt safe and knew I could trust the childminder', 'warm welcoming and re-assuring feeling'and 'exceptional childminder - the acceleration in his learning since he has been with you is exceptional...' The childminder has established good links with practitioners where children attend more than one setting and information sharing takes place, both verbally and through written reports. Consequently, their care and developmental needs are consistently met. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children laugh, have fun and make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder provides a stimulating range of activities that take into account children's individual learning needs. She is skilled in ensuring she allows the children opportunities to lead their own learning. In addition to this she ensures she provides a good balance of interesting and enjoyable adult-led activities. Children have access to many challenging hands-on experiences, such as, planting, tending, harvesting and eating fruit and vegetables grown in the garden, helping to feed the family pets, creating models from natural materials and using a variety of creative resources. Children can freely select from a wide range of toys and equipment that promotes all areas of learning. The flexible planning takes into account children's individual ages, interests and learning styles and identifies the next steps in learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children in this setting are confident, eager to learn and are developing their own personalities. Their personal, social and emotional development is especially strong. All children relate exceptionally well to the childminder and visitors. Children continually receive praise and encouragement from the childminder for all of their actions and deeds and this promotes their self-esteem and confidence. Photographs, posters and children's artwork are displayed within the home. All of which promote the children's sense of belonging. Children's communication, language and literacy are promoted well as the childminder talks to the children during their play, regularly introducing new words and encouraging them to think for themselves. Skills to develop problem solving, number and reasoning are well promoted for children of all abilities. They talk about numbers and problem solving during every day routines both indoors and whilst out and about.

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and outcomes for children

Children's understanding of their own safety is promoted effectively through participating in activities supported by the childminder. They remind each other about the rules and are given gentle reminder by the childminder. They also learn about the emergency services and people who help us. In addition they are involved in practising the evacuation procedure which enables them to keep themselves safe in the event of an emergency. Children's good health is promoted as regular procedures are in place to prevent the spread of infection. Children follow effective hygiene practices as they take increasing responsibility for washing their hands appropriately throughout the day. They benefit from a wide variety of food that is on offer which takes into account any dietary needs they may have. Children are well cared for at times of injury as the childminder is secure in her knowledge of how to deal with accidents involving children. She also holds a valid

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and outcomes for children

first aid certificate. The first aid box is appropriately located for easy access and the stock is effectively monitored to ensure no out of date items are used. Detailed health records are completed and children's specific medical needs are known by the childminder. Therefore, the children's health and well-being is supported very well. 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 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 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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