Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY433543 Inspection date 07/02/2012 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 2011. She lives with her husband and one child aged four in the village of Isham, Northamptonshire. The childminder's home is close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding. Toilet and sleeping facilities are provided on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder has a pet dog and three cats.

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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 a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time including three in the early years age range. At the time of the inspection she cares for six school children including one child 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 and well-being is successfully promoted and they make good progress in their play and learning. Safeguarding systems are robust and partnerships with parents are established and generally supportive. The childminder knows the children well and meets their individual needs thoroughly. Ongoing reflective practice and evaluation ensure that areas for development are identified and steps taken to bring about improvement. As a result, the childminder's capacity to make continuous improvement is good.

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further?

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

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further?

 explore ways to enable parents to share what they know about their child to further support continuity of learning.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is thoroughly safeguarded because the childminder has an accurate understanding of her responsibilities in relation to child protection and is confident in her ability to respond effectively to any concerns by following current advice from her local Safeguarding Children Board. Procedures are in place to confirm the identity of visitors and other adults collecting children on behalf of parents and her complaints policy and procedure are shared with parents.

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the early years provision

A comprehensive risk assessment has been conducted on the childminder's home and garden and on the regular outing venues. It is reviewed and updated when new children start with the childminder and when anything else changes. In This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 addition, the childminder carries out visual checks throughout the session to ensure that any potential risk is minimised, often by alerting the children to it so they begin to learn to assess and negotiate potential risk for themselves.

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the early years provision

The childminder checks fire detection and control equipment regularly and practises the emergency evacuation procedures with the children to identify and resolve any potential difficulties. The childminder's engagement with parents is good overall. She keeps them well informed of their child's achievements, well-being and progress verbally and with very young children, through the use of a daily diary. She also encourages contributions towards children's learning journals although this is not fully utilised to support learning. Systems to liaise with and share information with other agencies and providers are established and effective.

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the early years provision

The effectiveness with which the childminder promotes equality and diversity is good. She has a thorough knowledge of each child's welfare and developmental needs and has established systems to improve outcomes for children in relation to their starting points and capabilities. The childminder's premises are suitable for purpose and she strives to maintain a stimulating and supportive environment which children enjoy spending time in. Resources are safe and suitable and support children's interests and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear vision for the future of her provision and her capacity to maintain continuous improvement is good. Reflective practice and consultation with parents ensure that areas for development are addressed and improved to support children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled, content and keen to take part in activities which are planned such as painting dry clay models made at a previous session. They also engage in free choice activities with great enthusiasm. Children learn about personal safety through daily routines, such as when walking home from school. They know they need to wear their boots to avoid slipping on the freezing pathways and roads and to walk on the inside of the footpath away from the busy road. They know to wait until the electronic crossing advises them it is safe to cross the road.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop an understanding of the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle. They learn that they must wash their hands after stroking the childminder's pets or after playing in the garden so they do not spread any germs they may have picked up and that they should also have clean hands before eating their snack. Children know to cover their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze and when to use a tissue.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy the childminder's attention and their contentment is reflected in their behaviour and mannerisms, showing that they feel safe in her care. Children show by their actions that they understand the childminder's rules and know their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 boundaries and behave well under her consistent and caring approach.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a range of creative activities including making flapjacks and cakes, painting and learning to sew. They learn about growth as they plant and tend vegetables in the garden and then enjoy eating the results often taking some home with them.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop problem solving and reasoning skills which support their future learning as they play both board and electronic games. These games also encourage the children to take turns and share and to negotiate their own rules. They become competent at using information technology as they are encouraged to do their own research, such as when one child wanted to know what colour to paint an eagle's beak and was guided onto a child-secure internet page to find out. 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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