Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY416679 Inspection date 18/10/2011 Inspector Susan Marriott

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 2010 and lives with her husband and two children aged two years and six months the Kingsthorpe district of Northampton. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has two pet rabbits who live in the garden.

p.4

Description of the childminding

She is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of one child in the early years age range. She is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register to provide care for three children in this age group. The childminder is currently caring for one child in the early years age range on one day per week during term time only. The childminder holds an Early Years degree and is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Northamptonshire Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

This is a new home-based childcare setting where children feel safe in the childminder's care. She is very warm, caring and responsive to them, securing their personal, social and emotional development. The childminder knows the children well and this enables her to successfully meet their individual learning and development needs. The welfare requirements are fully met. The childminder works extremely closely with parents to ensure continuity of care for children. The childminder is developing her reflective practice and demonstrates good capacity for improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 enhance the systems for the organisation of the setting by developing further, the use of self-evaluation to support ongoing improvement.

p.4

the early years provision

This gentle, calm and friendly childminder has recently established her childminding activities and nurtures children's development effectively. Children's welfare is properly safeguarded by the childminder who has a good knowledge of local safeguarding procedures and related issues, ensuring that all eligible household members have suitable vetting checks. The childminder conducts comprehensive risk assessments and regular safety checks for her home, taking action to manage or eliminate any risks to ensure children's safety. For example, she has given highly appropriate consideration as to how she will manage three This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 very small children when going up and down the stairs. The children are already very familiar with the routine of coming down the stairs on their bottom, counting as they go. All required documentation is in place, including written policies which

p.4

the early years provision

underpin the safe operation of the service.

p.5

the early years provision

The learning environment certainly promotes children's progression towards the early learning goals. This is a very clean and well-maintained family home where children are able to easily access toys stored in the living room and conservatory. Messy activities are set up in the kitchen or at the table in the conservatory. The childminder has experience of addressing suspected and identified special educational needs and/or disabilities. She is well aware of how children learn and is highly skilled in matching activities to children's age and stage of development. The childminder uses a daily diary to keep a record of the activities she does with the minded children, to ensure that she covers the six areas of learning each day. The childminder has begun to reflect upon her practice and now plans to enhance the systems for the organisation of the setting by developing further, the use of self-evaluation to support ongoing improvement in line with her aspiration to

p.5

the early years provision

provide a high quality of care and education.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of maintaining close links with other professionals involved with the children to promote consistent care, although, this is not currently applicable to the children being cared for. Highly effective written daily diaries and verbal communication strategies demonstrate the high value placed upon partnership working by the childminder who makes every effort to keep parents fully informed of all matters relating to their child's care and welfare. The childminder provides parents with a detailed account of how young children have spent their day and the activities which they have enjoyed. Children's individual needs are discussed with parents and re-visited regularly during daily conversations. The childminder sends photographs of their child to the parent at the end of the week to show what they have been doing and to demonstrate some of the things that are being noted and planned for.

p.5

the early years provision

Responses to parent questionnaires commend the 'friendly, relaxed atmosphere and her calm, practical and organised manner'. Parents praise the way in which the childminder considers the children's needs and the parent's wishes so well. They appreciate the daily diary and value the personal development files, saying that 'it is lovely to see what their children have been doing' and that they would 'definitely' recommend this service to others.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder offers professional childcare in a safe and homely setting, offering a wide variety of activities to stimulate and develop each child, focussing on their individual needs and preferences. The childminder sees her role as a learning and development facilitator, giving children encouragement, activities and learning opportunities in a fun and friendly environment. Although activities are planned, she takes a lot of direction from the children. The childminder recognises that there are no rights and wrongs relating to how an activity should be played or completed and she likes to see where an activity can take the children. She is very This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 good at caring for children according to their needs and provides lots of new learning opportunities in a stimulating environment where children are happy and purposefully occupied.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children settle quickly and demonstrate that they feel safe and secure as they readily accept the visiting inspector. Children spend the morning visiting a local garden centre where they can play in the soft play area under the childminder's close supervision. The children help to choose and buy some spinach seeds to sow in the allotment patch in the garden. They chose an advent calendar and talk about the forthcoming Christmas festivities with their childminder. The children have been exploring the textures of autumn leaves which have been laminated and buried in jelly. Children return to the play tray of jelly in the kitchen, several times during the afternoon, to revisit the satisfying sensory experience.

p.6

and outcomes for children

As a qualified early years professional, the childminder is very comfortable with planning, observation and assessment systems. She has begun to compile a delightful learning journal for each early years child, showing children's achievements. Information from observation and assessment is linked to the six areas of learning and the childminder is using the development matters criteria in a very effective way to guide her planning of activities which actively promotes children's progress.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a varied day with a wide range of activities indoors and out. For example, children have fun painting, sticking and colouring. They enjoy music time, cooking, story time, puzzles, toys and games. The garden is secure and they grow vegetables, flowers and fruit in the mini-allotment patch. The childminder also has a wide variety of outdoor games and equipment to utilise in outdoor play and learning. Ongoing discussions mean that young children understand the importance of daily practices, such as, washing their hands before snacks and meals. Children are developing an awareness of healthy eating as they are encouraged to try raisin toast and slices of banana. As they sit at the table, the childminder points out the squirrel running along the fence and the children observe closely as the squirrel carries a pine cone to the allotment patch and buries it in the soil.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is managed very well and they are learning to share their toys and work together when it is time to tidy away. Good hygiene procedures, such as, the wearing of gloves when changing nappies, protect the children's health and well-being. Children learn about keeping safe inside and outside of the home because they are reminded not to run across the room, lest they trip and fall. Children are able to enjoy visits to the park, trips to the library and to the shops. Children explore different countries and cultures through their play, various activities and outdoor visits. The childminder takes them to country parks and accesses groups in the local area to provide new learning experiences in different surroundings, which develops children's social skills. 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 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

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