Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 220829 Inspection date 04/11/2011 Inspector Susan Marriott

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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 1991 and holds a relevant childcare qualification. She lives with her adult child aged 24 years and two foster children aged eight and seven years in a house in Corby. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet rabbit, a kitten and some goldfish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder 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 both parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of three children. The childminder is currently caring for one child in the early years age range on a part-time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

This experienced childminder combines part-time minding with her role as a foster carer, providing a welcoming and inclusive home environment for children. However, two specific legal requirements relating to risk assessment are not met. Children are busy and purposefully occupied and make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. Informal planning, observation and assessment systems are in place but these are not sufficiently linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder builds sound relationships with parents to underpin children's welfare. She has begun to use self-evaluation as a process for identifying areas for development in her provision to support continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 keep a record of the risk assessment that includes when it was carried out, any action taken and the date of reviews (Documentation) 09/12/2011

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further?

 ensure that a full risk assessment is carried out for each type of outing that includes the details set out in the welfare requirements (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 09/12/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 link planning, assessment and learning priorities to secure children's good progress towards the early learning goals, for example, through the use of the criteria in the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Over the years, this childminder has attended many training courses to stay up-to- date with changing legislation. Her work as a foster carer complements that of her role as a childminder. Children's welfare is appropriately safeguarded by the childminder who has relevant reference materials and a good practical knowledge of local safeguarding procedures and related issues. Criminal Record Bureau checks for the childminder and other adults living in the household are regularly updated to reassure parents and carers of her continuing suitability to care for children. The childminder provides a safe indoor and outdoor environment for children, but she does not record her risk assessments. Children are kept safe on outings, because the childminder always makes appropriate use of safety reins, ensures children hold onto the buggy and teaches road safety. However, she does not carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing. These are breaches of

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the early years provision

specific legal requirements. All policies, procedures and child records that are required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are maintained.

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the early years provision

Children make satisfactory use of the space and resources available. The home is welcoming and resources are readily organised and generally accessible, enabling children to make independent choices about their play. The childminder makes sensible use of community facilities. For example, she visits the local library, children enjoy playing at the local park and they visit social groups when appropriate. The childminder's sound understanding of anti-discrimination means that she provides a service which is inclusive for all children and their families. She ensures that she understands each child's background, cultures and beliefs. She uses this knowledge when she encourages children to recognise differences, offering them information about other ways of life and encouraging them to respect diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder has begun to use self-evaluation to sustain a satisfactory level of continuous improvement. Since the last inspection, she has improved children's health and well-being by gaining parental permission for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. She is always striving to improve her knowledge and the care she provides through training and courses. The childminder attends coffee mornings and meets regularly with other childminders and carers, making use of the opportunity to listen to their experiences and any suggestions they may have. She evaluates her provision for learning and development by watching each child's individual progress.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a suitable understanding of the importance of maintaining close links with other professionals involved with the children to promote consistent care. Effective verbal communication strategies demonstrate the value placed upon partnership working by the childminder who keeps parents fully appraised of all matters relating to their child's care and welfare. Children's individual needs are discussed with parents and re-visited regularly during daily conversations with parents and carers. Parent's state that 'We are very happy with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the care our children get and could not ask for a better person to care for our children. We hope she looks after our children for many more years'

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and outcomes for children

This friendly childminder has been childminding for many years and treats children with warmth and kindness. She organises her minding activities on a part-time, flexible basis. This ensures that she can devote her time and attention to each child, so that they are happy and purposefully occupied. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure as they readily accept the visiting inspector and continue with their play. As young children become tired, the childminder recognises this and soothes them to sleep in their buggy. The childminder takes good care of children. She demonstrates a good understanding of their needs and takes great care to find out the preferences of children, informally planning activities which she feels they will enjoy. She capably guides the learning from child-led interests and play, sustaining competent levels of interaction with the children which develops positive attitudes to learning.

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and outcomes for children

Planning is informal and very flexible because the childminder often does not know much in advance when she will be minding. The days are well-structured to suit the ages and stages of development of the children attending and the childminding setting offers an appropriate range of toys, games and equipment. She has devised a toy choosing book to support children's decision making. Children have daily access to the garden and walks everywhere in the locality so they get plenty of fresh air and exercise. Children benefit from additional activities at the local Surestart centre and various childminding groups where they can socialise with other children, expend their physical energies and enjoy messy art and craft activities. The childminder keeps photographs, annotated with brief observations of the children. The childminder knows that the children are progressing when they meet their milestones. For example, a baby may move from not being able to

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and outcomes for children

crawl, to walking around the furniture and then to taking their first independent steps. However, planning, observations and next steps are not sufficiently linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage criteria to actively promote children's progress.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder gauges children's mood by watching their body language to establish whether they are happy or sad in order to support their good health and well-being. She communicates with children through play, drawing, reading or just talking. She offers cuddles and reassurance and if the child is unsettled, she maintains contact with parents and carers throughout the day. She offers a continuous commentary on the daily routine, including, teaching about colours, numbers and shapes. Children behave well in response to the clear boundaries set by the childminder and she has recently attended a training course about managing challenging behaviour entitled 'Tiaras, tantrums and testosterone'. Road safety and 'Stranger Danger' are frequently discussed topics and the childminder encourages children to play with technological toys and put on their own coats and shoes as they develop skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

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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