Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 220811 Inspection date 05/12/2011 Inspector Sarah Measures

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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 registered in 1988. She lives in a house in Corby, Northamptonshire. Local parks and shops are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a secure garden used for outdoor play. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years and the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years at any one time. There are currently three children on roll who are under the age of five years.

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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

Policies and procedures appropriately promote children's care and their learning and development. The childminder offers a warm and homely setting. Children choose from a very good variety of toys and activities, although systems of observing and assessing children are still developing. Not all requirements are met which means the welfare of the children is not fully promoted in some areas. The childminder has started to reflect upon her practice and she has some ways of working that secure improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain a record the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, the date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation) (Also applies to the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register) 12/12/2011

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further?

 make sure that all outdoor equipment is safe and suitable for its purpose and make sure that children are able to use the large trampoline safely, with appropriate risk assessments in place (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 12/12/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop methods of observing and assessing children in order to clearly show their progress towards the early learning goals, across each area of learning  develop the methods of self-evaluation in order to plan and organise systems to meet children's individual needs  make sure that safeguarding children procedures include up-to-date information from the Local Safeguarding Children Board. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a suitable understanding of the different types and possible indicators of child abuse. She knows how to make a referral if she has concerns about a child. However the information she has from the local safeguarding children board is not the most recent and up-to-date in order for her to make a referral easily and quickly if necessary to protect children. The childminder shares appropriate information with parents as to how to make a complaint and she displays details of how to contact Ofsted as the regulator. This promotes a safe and transparent provision for parents and children. The childminder has suitable procedures to make sure children are safely collected by appropriately identified adults. She organises her home so that it is safe and welcoming to children. However, she has not sufficiently risk assessed hazards to children when using large play equipment in her garden. This is because large play equipment is not

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the early years provision

securely pegged into the ground. Also, the childminder is not currently following the manufacturer's instructions to make sure that children use the large trampoline safely. This potentially impacts upon the health and safety of the children. The childminder does not carry out written risk assessments of the premises and equipment in order to demonstrate how children's safety is always promoted. This does not meet with requirements.

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the early years provision

Appropriate communications with parents enable the childminder to meet children's needs. The childminder shares clear information regarding children's routines and significant achievements with parents through a daily diary until children are approximately one year old. Children that attend currently do not use any other settings that also deliver the early years foundation stage. However, the childminder has given due consideration as to how she may share key information with other settings in order to promote suitable continuity of care. The childminder's self-evaluation accurately identifies some areas for development, but it does not comprehensively cover all aspects of the early years foundation stage in order to be fully effective. The childminder promotes equality of opportunity appropriately within the provision. Boys and girls enjoy choosing from a variety of activities with no gender preference and toys and resources include relevant

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the early years provision

images of difference and diversity in order to help children to learn to value those that are different from themselves. The childminder works with parent's to gain a secure understanding of children's routines and backgrounds which helps her to value them and include them.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and happy in this warm and homely setting. They have good relationships with the childminder who is attentive to their needs and interacts with them warmly. For example, when children wake from sleep they smile happily and enjoy a cuddle with the childminder. Children choose from a good variety of purposeful toys and activities that are easily available to them. Children feel included because activities are suitably adapted so all can be involved. However, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's progress towards the early learning goals is not fully promoted because the childminder is not yet making full use of the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance to support her observations and assessments. She keeps records of some of children's achievements and she does plan for the next steps key stages of their development. However, she does not always link her observations to the

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and outcomes for children

framework in order to provide a confident and comprehensive assessment of children's progress across each area of learning. Children enjoy important opportunities to socialise and make friends because the childminder regularly meets with another childminder and her minded children. They enjoy using musical instruments and experiment with different instruments and the sounds that they make. Their early attempts to communicate are warmly encouraged by the childminder. One child who is just learning to speak has recently learnt to say 'fantastic' as one of his first words because he repeats the positive language the childminder uses to encourage children. Children enjoy suitable singing activities which also helps them to communicate and learn new language and to develop confidence as they express themselves in different ways. Young children take part in suitable messy play opportunities and explore with different resources and

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and outcomes for children

Children visit the local park in order to use different large play equipment and to get out and about in the fresh air. They develop suitable healthy routines because the childminder helps them to wash their hands before eating, before any cooking activities and after using the toilet. Children make appropriate healthy choices because a variety of fruits and vegetables are included within menu planning. Children's dietary needs are met through working co-operatively with parents. Children learn to be well-behaved because the child minder uses suitable methods to manage and divert any unwanted behaviour. Her methods of managing children's behaviour are developmentally appropriate and meet children's needs. Children use suitable equipment to keep them safe when they are out walking. However, they do not always learn safe habits because of the way the childminder organises the use of outdoor play equipment.

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 keep and implement a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard children being cared for from abuse or neglect (Arrangements for safeguarding children) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 12/12/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 undertake a risk assessment of the premises and equipment; at least once in each calendar year, and immediately, where the need for an assessment arises (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 12/12/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 develop a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by email (Procedures for dealing with complaints) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 12/12/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified within the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Arrangements for safeguarding children, Suitability and safety of premises and equipment and Procedures for dealing with complaints). 12/12/2011

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