Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY393274 Inspection date 19/07/2011 Inspector Melanie Eastwell

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2009. He lives with his wife and three children aged six years, four years and 21 months in Kettering, Northamptonshire, close to shops, schools, parks and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, no more than one of which may be in the early years age range and he is currently minding one child in this age group. He also offers care to children aged over five years and is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from a local nursery school.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a sound knowledge of children's needs and this makes sure that he is able to promote their welfare and learning in an appropriate way. Children are safe and secure and they enjoy the childminder's gentle and positive interaction with them. The childminder has developed effective partnership working with the children's parents and with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage and this means that children's needs are met. Therefore, children make satisfactory progress given their age, ability and individual starting points. The childminder has begun the process of self-evaluation through seeking the views of the parents about the service he provides and he is keen to implement processes that prioritise his plans for future development.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop further the systems for observation and assessment to ensure a balance of evidence is in place across the six areas of learning and to re-visit the identified next steps to clearly show children's progression in their learning and development  devise and implement a system for self-evaluation to continue to improve the outcomes for children  improve the risk assessment to include each type of outing the children are involved in  ensure that children are always able to access their own play materials independently. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a generally organised approach to his childminding which ensures that most of the required documentation is in place. Children's safety is given priority. All the adults in the household have the required clearances in place and the childminder understands the importance of following the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines in the event of any concerns. Children are safe because the childminder maintains close supervision both at home and when out walking. They begin to learn about managing their own safety, such as, through discussion with the childminder when walking home from nursery. They talk about road safety and the importance of holding hands and looking out for traffic when crossing the road. Written risk assessments are in place that covers all aspects of the childminder's home. However, although children are safe during outings the childminder has not recorded each type of outing the children are

p.5

the early years provision

involved in on the risk assessment document.

p.5

the early years provision

Children demonstrate that they feel safe in the childminder's home. They are confident to initiate conversation and jokes with the childminder and ask for items they want. They show familiarity with the routines of the day and they invite the childminder to join in with their play. The childminder has a range of play materials and resources that cover the six areas of learning. Children know they are stored in the cupboard and ask him for different items. However, on the day of inspection although the children were able to access books independently from the bookshelf, there were no play materials directly accessible for the children to help themselves to. This has a potential impact on children being independent and being able to make choices and decisions.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has built effective working relationships with the parents of the minded children. He keeps them well informed with daily verbal feedback about their activities as well as practical information, such as, how much they have eaten and any messages from nursery. He has an attractive sheet in place to provide written feedback that is offered to parents if they wish. Children's scrap-books are shared with parents and they are asked to provide information on their child's achievements at home before they start attending. Parents report positive and complimentary comments about the care their child receives from the childminder. He has also developed a partnership with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage who are involved with the children. This involves sharing relevant information, such as, topics, planning and the children's interests. This emphasis on partnership working contributes to a consistent approach and a

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has made a tentative start on developing processes for self- evaluation. He has sought the views of parents through the use of a questionnaire and received positive feedback. He demonstrates a satisfactory capacity for continuous improvement because he is keen to keep his knowledge up-to-date and to implement systems to identify well-targeted plans for future development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate that they are happy and relaxed in the childminder's home. They initiate conversation and involve the childminder in their play. For example, organising who will have which trains when playing with the train track and helping to put the track together by finding the correct pieces. Children benefit from the childminder's positive interaction with them. He is attentive and asks them about what they are doing. For example, while working on a puzzle with pictures of transport he suggests looking for the different shapes of the pieces to fit in the holes and talks about the different types of vehicles in the pictures. This prompts the child to ask for the train set. The childminder get this from the cupboard and they work together to put the track together. The child is able to recall events from the past, such as, going on a train with his parents through discussion with the childminder. Children benefit from his interest in what they have to say. Children

p.6

and outcomes for children

begin to learn about managing their own personal hygiene, they are supported to be independent when they use the bathroom and to wash their hands. The childminder has good levels of hygiene in his home which reduces the risk of cross infection. Children's dietary needs are discussed with their parents and the childminder provides freshly prepared, varied meals and snacks. Children sit at the table to eat and they are provided with regular drinks.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder knows the children well and he is able to anticipate when they need changes to their activities. He ensures that they lead the play and that they are treated as individuals and with respect. The play provision and books show images of diversity and of the wider world and the childminder is confident to talk to children about differences and to answer any questions they may have about people who are different to themselves. Children's progress is recorded in well- presented scrap books that contain written observations, photographs and samples of their work. The childminder uses the Practice Guidance document to assist linking the observation to the relevant areas of learning and in identifying appropriate next steps for each child. However, he is yet to re-visit these next steps with further observations to clearly demonstrate how children are progressing. The observations are recorded in chronological order and currently

p.6

and outcomes for children

the childminder does not have a system in place to ensure that he is gathering a balance of evidence for each child across the six areas of learning. Children enjoy being with the childminder who is gaining in confidence and is keen to continue to improve his practice and knowledge to ensure his provision responds to individual children's needs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

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 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8