Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY433991 Inspection date 06/03/2012 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 2011. She lives with her partner and two teenage children in the Grange Park area of Desborough, Northamptonshire. The ground floor rooms of her house are used for childminding with access to the first floor for sleeping. There is a rear garden for outside play.

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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 six children under eight years at any one time including three in the early years age group. There is currently one child on roll.

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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

Good policies and procedures promote children's welfare and their learning and development. The childminder has good experience of caring for children with a range of different needs. She offers an inclusive provision where children are valued as individuals. The childminder works closely with parents in order to get to know children well and to plan effectively to meet their individual needs. She has obvious aims to offer children good quality care and education and she puts the needs of the children first. She is developing her systems of self-reflection and she works well with other professionals and actively seeks support and ideas to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systems of self-evaluation in order to plan to meet children's individual needs.

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the early years provision

Policies and procedures effectively safeguard the children. The childminder has a very secure understanding of child protection issues. She would confidently refer any concerns she may have in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board policies and procedures. She shares information with parents as to how to make a complaint and provides them with details of how to contact Ofsted as the regulator. This promotes a safe and transparent provision for parents and children. The childminder keeps well organised records to promote children's health and safety. Safe procedures make sure children are always collected by appropriately identified adults. The childminder organises her home so that it is safe, welcoming and accessible to children. Children choose from a very good variety of good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 quality toys, books and games. Good quality and safe equipment is used to meet

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the early years provision

the needs of very young children and to promote their independence. The childminder conducts thorough risk assessments across the provision in order to make sure children are safe in and out of the home.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good experience of caring for children with special needs and/or disabilities. Her effective methods of observing and assessing children mean that any difficulties with children's development can be identified at an early stage. The childminder organises children's environment to effectively promote equality of opportunity and she includes positive images of difference and diversity across the setting. This enables children to learn to value and appreciate those that are different from themselves. All children, regardless of gender choose from a good variety of toys and activities. The childminder works very well with parents and good, supportive relationships with parents are established. As a result the childminder has a good understanding of children's individual needs to support effective planning. Ongoing verbal and written communications make sure parents are kept up-to-date with children's achievements and routines. This promotes

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the early years provision

good continuity of children's care. The childminder has suitable systems to use to communicate with other settings that children attend that also deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. This is to enable all those involved in children's care and education to plan co-operatively for their individual progress. The childminder works well with other professionals in order to gain new ideas for activities and to seek support to improve. She uses various methods of reflecting upon the quality of the provision for children and has just started to develop a comprehensive system of self-reflection that covers all aspects of the provision.

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and outcomes for children

Children are relaxed and at home in the setting and have good relationships with the childminder, who is very attentive to their needs. Children take part in a very good range of developmentally appropriate activities in and out of the home that cover all areas of their learning. Children's progress towards the early learning goals is effectively secured because of the way the childminder uses her knowledge and experience and the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance to observe and assess children. For example, the childminder makes good use of her observations assessments to plan for children's next steps across each area of learning. Children's learning and development is further secured because of the way she makes effective use of information from parents to inform her planning. Children's language for communication is effectively encouraged by the childminder's purposeful discussions and interactions. Babies and young children

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and outcomes for children

learn to communicate with confidence because of the way the childminder encourages their early attempts to make sounds and noises. Children visit a 'sign and rhyme' group which further supports their communication skills and confidence and gives important opportunities to socialise out of the home. Children are valued and included because of the way the childminder involves them within discussions as they go about their routines. Children learn to behave well because the childminder uses developmentally appropriate methods to manage any This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 unwanted behaviour. Children learn to consider and listen to others because of the childminder acts as a good role model. Children's self-esteem and their desire to learn and to explore is well promoted by the childminder's encouraging manner. Babies and young children explore with a good variety of 'cause and effect' toys

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and outcomes for children

and activities. They also engage in different messy and creative play opportunities, such as hand printing and cornflour and water play. This provides good opportunities for them to experiment with different colours and textures.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn good hygiene practices throughout their routines. Babies and very young children are encouraged into good hand-washing routines, for example before they eat. Children are effectively protected from infection by the childminder's careful nappy changing routines. Children can use the garden for outdoor play and go on regular walks within the community to get out in the fresh air and to develop healthy habits. The childminder has just started to involve very young children in her plans to grow vegetables in the vegetable patch and they will become more actively involved in this as they get older and are more able. This is a good way of giving children first-hand opportunities to learn how to keep themselves healthy and to learn how to look after seeds and plants in order for them to grow. Babies and young children enjoy books and stories as they sit on the childminder's knee and enjoy a cuddle. Children learn to count and consider

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and outcomes for children

number from a young age because the childminder counts with them as they go about daily routines and activities. Children's needs are well met because the childminder makes sure she obtains equipment specifically to challenge and support their individual needs. Children are able to feel safe and secure because the childminder supervises and supports them well. 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 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 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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