Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY423710 Inspection date 04/08/2011 Inspector Hazel White

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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 2011. She lives in the Rothwell area of Northamptonshire with her husband, two adult sons and two other children aged 15 and five years. The whole of the ground floor and upstairs bathroom are used for childminding. Accessibility to the front of the premises is via steps. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has two dogs, two cats and a rabbit.

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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 five children aged under eight years at any one time and of these, three may be in the early years age group. There are currently three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She holds a National Nursery Education Board (NNEB) qualification and a University of Northampton Foundation Degree Arts in Early Years.

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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 settled in the childminder's home and have access to a broad range of play opportunities which support their learning and development well. They are all equally valued, respected and receive care that meets their individual needs. Good relationships exist with parents and the childminder is committed to working in partnerships with other professionals. Children benefit greatly from the childminder's commitment to improve her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage through gaining additional qualifications. She demonstrates a strong capacity for improvement and is beginning to use self- evaluation to monitor practice and help promote successful outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the existing risk assessment to ensure that it covers outings  develop further self-evaluation and informed discussion to identify strengths and priorities for improvement that will improve the quality of the provision for all children. 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 promoted and safeguarded effectively due to the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of what to do if she is concerned about any of the children in her care. She has attended a child protection course and has clear guidelines to refer to, should the need arise. A well-written safeguarding policy is shared with parents so that all adults are aware of their roles and responsibilities in protecting children from harm. In addition all adults in the household have had their suitably checked. The childminder is alert to possible hazards and ensures she maintains good standards safety in the home. She keeps a comprehensive record of her risk assessment. However, she has overlooked covering outings which may mean that not all potential risks are identified when children are out and about.

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the early years provision

The childminder is careful that she cares for an appropriate number of children at any one time. All of the required documentation, such as, personal records, policies and procedures are effectively implemented and consistently applied. Her home is organised so that children can play in comfort and have easy, independent access to a good range of toys, resources and activities. The daily routine includes time for children to follow their own interests. They have time for outdoor play in the garden and visit places of interest. Children of all abilities are fully included in play activities and those who have English as an additional language are encouraged to use their home language. There is also a variety of toys and resources that encourage children to understand and respect diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops strong relationships with parents to ensure that she cares for their child in accordance with their wishes. Information about their care needs and interests are recorded and are used as a basis on which to build the children's learning and development. Each child has a learning journey which contains photographs and written observations of their progress. They are available to parents and they are encouraged to contribute to them. A daily diary keeps parents up to date with what their children have enjoyed during the day. Parents comment positively on the care the childminder provides, stating that 'communication is excellent' and 'she has a good level of understanding about child development'.

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the early years provision

There are effective partnerships with other early years professionals which helps to ensure consistency of care for children. Good links are established with teaching staff therefore information is shared on a regular basis and this is used to complement their learning whilst they are in her home. She is very aware of how to access help and guidance from outside agencies to support children's care if necessary. The childminder has a wealth of experience working in day care settings and a strong commitment to additional training. She has an early years qualification to level 3 and has also obtained an early years degree. The childminder has recently begun to evaluate her practice, this is a new process but she can see how this can help her to identify her strengths and any areas that she can further develop in the future. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and having fun. They make good overall progress in relation to their capabilities and starting points and demonstrate a strong desire to learn and participate in the experiences available to them. Their learning and development is promoted well because the childminder has a good knowledge of how children learn through their play. She knows individual children well and observes them on a regular basis, thoughtfully using what she sees and knows to help assess their progress and to plan for the next steps in their learning. 'Learning Journeys' are used to record children's achievements and these contain some examples of children's work, photographs and their observation records.

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and outcomes for children

Children independently select resources for themselves because they are stored within easy reach. They learn to recognise that print carries meaning as they regularly look at books and listen to stories. Children practise writing and make marks as they play. For example, they helped the childminder to label the toy boxes and are beginning to form words and distinguish one sound from another when they use magnetic letters. They build constructions together and complete jigsaws which help children to develop their problem solving skills. Art and craft activities enable children to use their imagination and be creative. They use paper, paint and string to make spiders and proudly hang them on the drain pipe in the garden. Children attend local groups and regularly explore their community. Collectively these activities help children to develop appropriate skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well because the childminder is a good role model and sets clear boundaries for their behaviour. Their self-confidence is effectively promoted as they are consistently praised for effort and achievement. Older children are developing a caring attitude towards younger children and support them in their play. They learn to share and take turns with popular activities. Children are helped to consider and value diversity through a range of toys and books. In addition they celebrate some festivals to extend their awareness of other cultures and traditions. The childminder works closely with parents and liaises with other relevant professionals when necessary to help ensure that each child's need is fully met.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate their growing awareness of personal hygiene by following satisfactory hand washing procedures. Parents supply packed lunches for their own children and the childminder provides fruit and a biscuit for snacks and access to drinking water. They take part in activities, such as, bug hunts in the garden and enjoy regular visits to the local park, to extend their physical skills on the large play equipment. Children feel secure with the childminder and have a good understanding of safety. In the home they practise the emergency evacuation procedure and are reminded to hold on to the banister when walking up and down the stairs. On outings children learn to cross the road safely and the childminder explains why it is important for them to stay within her sight. 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 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 3 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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