Home Childcarer in North NorthamptonshireOfsted inspection, 24 Oct 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY356592 Inspection date 24/10/2011 Inspector Anne Archer

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and 16 in Kettering in North Northamptonshire. Most ground floor rooms of the childminder's house are used for childminding with access to the first floor for sleeping and additional toilet facilities. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family has a pet dog.

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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 up to five children at any one time including three in the early years age group. She is currently minding two children in the early years age group.

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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's welfare is successfully promoted overall and they make good progress in their development and learning. Strong safeguarding systems are in place and partnerships with parents are effective although partnerships with other providers are less so on occasion. The childminder works hard to ensure she has all the necessary information about each child's individual needs so that she can meet them effectively. Ongoing reflective practice ensures that day-to-day issues are acknowledged and developed.

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further?

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

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further?

 explore further ways to encourage and enable parents to contribute to their child's ongoing assessment by sharing what they know about their child's development and learning and continue to work on establishing effective links with all the other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure progression and continuity of care.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities in relation to child protection and keeping children safe. She has a good knowledge and understanding of potential concerns and how to respond to them. Policies and procedures are updated annually and shared with parents.

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the early years provision

Risk assessments are conducted on the childminder's home and garden and on outing venues. They are added to and updated as required but at least annually. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Daily checks are also carried out to reduce any risk or potential hazard to children. The childminder helps children to learn how to keep themselves safe without impeding their developing independence, for instance, by explaining and showing children how to use the outdoor equipment properly.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes equality well. Children learn to respect each other's similarities and differences through talking and activities are adapted so that all children can participate if they wish to. Management of minded children's behaviour is effective and has a positive impact on their learning. Engagement with parents is good overall. The childminder has developed supportive relationships with parents and they keep her informed of any changes to their child's routine. However, they are not all contributing to their child's ongoing assessment. The arrangements for establishing and maintaining links with other agencies and other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage are usually effective in supporting children's learning. However, there have been a few occasions when the childminder has been unable to obtain information..

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the early years provision

The childminder's premises are suitable for purpose and she strives to maintain a stimulating environment where children can develop at their own pace. Resources are suitable and safe and are rotated regularly to support children's developing interests.

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the early years provision

The childminder's capacity to maintain continuous improvement is good. She has successfully completed the recommendation from the last inspection report. Although she has not yet completed a full self-evaluation due to time constraints, her on-going reflective practice makes sure that areas for development are identified and addressed.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and content and keen to participate in activities. Activities and resources reflect their interests and individual learning needs while following a theme and children progress well. The childminder makes observations of children as they play to provide her with information to decide what activities and resources to provide that they will enjoy and benefit from.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn about their personal safety through the repetition of routines. For example, they know that they must put on their outdoor shoes before playing in the garden and must hold on to the rail on the sides of the steps when climbing to the top of the slide. Children's health is well promoted and they are encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The childminder maintains a current paediatric first aid certificate so that she can deal with minor injuries which may occur as the children play. The childminder has clear procedures for caring for children who become unwell and to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder is fully aware of children's dietary needs and serves the children with food provided by their parents at regular times to suit their individual routines. She encourages children to take regular drinks of water or juice to make sure they remain hydrated which further supports their general good health.

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children show by their behaviour and mannerisms that they enjoy the childminder's attention and feel safe in her care. Minded children show by their actions that they are beginning to understand the childminder's rules and behave well. The childminder has a consistent approach which takes into account their level of understanding and maturity. Children look forward to the regular opportunities to play outdoors. They enjoy playing on the equipment and toys in the childminder's garden and visiting local parks to use different apparatus. All of which support the development of physical skills and confidence. Children smile and jig about to tunes and like experimenting with musical instruments. They enjoy fitting the pieces into inset puzzles and having tea parties with the teddies. The varied range of activities provided for the children enable them to develop and

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and outcomes for children

improve skills, which will support their future social and economic well-being. 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 2 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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