Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY392067 Inspection date 20/07/2011 Inspector Anne Archer

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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 2009. She lives with her husband and adult children in a residential area of Kettering in Northamptonshire. Childminding takes place on the ground floor and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a pet cat, rabbit and hamster.

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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 up to six children under eight years at any one time. The childminder is currently minding four children, including two in the early years age group. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support from the local authority.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's welfare and learning are satisfactorily promoted. The childminder shows a clear understanding of her responsibilities in relation to child protection and keeping children safe, and although one aspect of documentation is not in place, it does not affect children's safety because her practice is sound. Partnerships with parents are very supportive and partnerships with others are established, although these are not sufficiently effective in ensuring continuity of progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has willingly accepted support from the local authority to help her improve her knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has started to evaluate her practice and attends regular training to support her continued development. As a result, her capacity to make continuous improvement is satisfactory.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 provide details of how a record of each full risk assessment for each type of outing will be kept and reviewed before embarking on each specific outing (Documentation). 03/08/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the system used to share information with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure continuity of care and learning  improve further the system used to record children's next steps in learning to clearly show progress towards the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is reasonably well safeguarded as the childminder is able to demonstrate an acceptable level of understanding of her responsibilities in relation to child protection. She is confident in her knowledge of potential concerns and familiar with local Safeguarding Children Board advice in relation to referral and recording. The childminder has a clear procedure for the collection of children and knows what she would do in the event of a child being lost or uncollected.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows sufficient understanding of her responsibilities in relation to keeping children safe. She has a suitable emergency evacuation plan which she practises regularly with the children. Fire detection and control equipment is kept in working order. The childminder has completed a formal risk assessment on her house and garden and carries out visual checks each day to ensure safety procedures remain adequate. Although she can clearly explain how she ensures children's safety when they are on outings with her, she does not keep a record of them. This is a breach of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements.

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the early years provision

The childminder has reviewed and updated her policies and procedures to ensure they reflect the requirements of Early Years Foundation Stage and shares them with parents and carers.

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the early years provision

Children's health is suitably promoted. The childminder holds a current paediatric first aid certificate, which she will renew shortly. She has clear procedures for caring for children when they become ill and for the prevention of the spread of infection. She teaches children when and how to wash their hands appropriately and encourages them to use tissues properly to contain germs. The childminder provides healthy snacks and meals in consultation with parents, ensuring she meets each child's dietary needs.

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the early years provision

The effectiveness with which the childminder promotes equality and diversity is satisfactory. She seeks information from parents about children's welfare needs, including culture, beliefs and ethnicity, and uses this to support each child. The childminder talks to the children about similarities and differences and encourages the older children to help the younger ones. Behaviour management methods are appropriate and take account of each child's level of understanding.

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the early years provision

The childminder engages well with parents. She keeps them informed about their child's day and shares their records of achievement on a regular basis. Procedures for liaising with other agencies are established and support individual children well. Links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage, although established, do not fully support continuity of children learning and progress towards the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

The childminder's premises are suitable for purpose. She provides a varied range of suitable, safe toys and equipment appropriate for the ages of the children cared for. Toys and resources are well maintained and many are easily accessible to the children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 With the support of the local authority, the childminder has evaluated her practice and is taking appropriate steps to maintain improvement. She has also identified training to further support her development.

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and outcomes for children

Children attend on a part-time basis. They are settled and content and enjoy playing with the toys and resources thoughtfully provided for them. They develop a sense of feeling safe and how to adopt a healthy lifestyle through routines, such as hand washing and having their seat belts fastened before going on journeys in the car. They clearly enjoy the childminder's attention and show by their behaviour and mannerisms that they feel safe in her care.

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and outcomes for children

Children have the opportunity to participate in activities to support them in all areas of learning. However, the childminder has only recently started to record their progress towards the early learning goals, resulting in there being insufficient evidence to assess children's progress as better than satisfactory. She now makes observations of the children as they play and uses the information to ensure she provides appropriate support.

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and outcomes for children

Children have access to a good range of outdoor toys and activities which develop their physical skills and support their knowledge and understanding of world. For example, children have been helping to water and eat the strawberries and tomatoes.

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and outcomes for children

One child is particularly involved in helping the childminder to recycle her household waste and is able to put the empty cartons and containers in the correct coloured bins. The child also likes to be involved in placing any unwanted food or vegetable scrapings in the compost bin and is learning why this is an important thing to do.

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and outcomes for children

Children attend several groups with the childminder, which supports their social development and provides opportunities to sample different activities. Children enjoy listening to stories and engaging in imaginary play. The baby is fascinated by the sensory toys that the childminder has made. The childminder provides support as the baby learns to walk and is helping another child with their speech development. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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