Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY436223 Inspection date 14/05/2012 Inspector Ann Austen

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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, two adult children and two children aged six and four years in the Little Billing area of Northampton. The whole ground floor of the property is used for childminding, including toilet and sleeping facilities. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. There are currently three children on roll in this age group who attend 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a homely and inclusive environment. They receive attentive care and are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder implements all legal requirements well. She is continuing to develop children's understanding of diversity and the benefits of healthy eating. Partnerships with parents are good and the childminder develops effective relationships with other providers to promote integrated care and education for all children. She is committed to the development of her practice and has begun to identify strengths and areas for improvement in order to ensure continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further children's understanding of diversity and differences  develop further children's understanding of healthy eating and associated practices.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a secure knowledge and understanding of the procedures required to protect children from all forms of abuse and neglect. She has attended safeguarding training and is conversant with the procedures to follow to report concerns. A written policy and all applicable guidance documents are in place to support the childminder's practice. The childminder conducts risk assessments and steps have been taken to ensure that hazards to children in the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 home and garden and on outings are kept to a minimum. Supervision of the children is good.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed the required training and is a qualified primary school teacher. She has a positive and active approach towards her role and enthusiastically undertakes training to enhance her professional development. The childminder is beginning to use self-evaluation to monitor the quality and ongoing development of her provision. She has developed a good knowledge of the Statuary Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage and understands that ongoing assessment is an integral part of the learning and development process. All required records, policies and procedures for the safe and effective management of the provision are maintained.

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the early years provision

The childminder cultivates an environment of equality and respect where children receive thoughtful care and engage in purposeful conversation. She is a kind and caring role model who praises and acknowledges the children's efforts and achievements. The childminder ensures that children are provided with a good range of quality resources and play materials which support their learning and development. Resources are attractively displayed so that children can make choices in their play, and informative posters, photographs and displays of the children's work further enhance the learning environment.

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the early years provision

The childminder establishes good relationships with parents and carers in order to provide continuity of care for all children. Verbal discussions are shared at drop-off and pick-up times, and home-link developmental record diaries provide daily feedback in relation to all aspects of the children's care and learning. Parents speak positively about the childminder and service provided. They comment on the 'wide range of activities' and how children are 'instantly at ease' in the setting. The childminder establishes close links with other providers who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Consequently, targets are shared and children receive consistent and complementary care.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, learn and have fun while in the childminder's care. They participate in a range of adult-led and freely-chosen activities which support them in making good progress towards the early learning goals. Good quality interactions help young children to feel secure and confident whilst in the childminder's care. Conversations stem from the children's interests and the childminder shows them how to do things and successfully uses appropriate questions to develop and extend their knowledge and understanding. Consequently, children are learning to think for themselves and take part in discussions.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning to communicate with growing confidence as they describe their experiences and recall past events. Younger children are developing their understanding that marks carry meaning as they draw and paint. Older children link sounds to letters, make letter shapes in the air and are encouraged by the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder to record letter formations on paper. They are proud of their achievements. Children are developing their problem solving, reasoning and numeracy skills well. They count, develop early calculation skills, sort objects according to their colour and size, complete puzzles and scoop pasta into different sized bowls to see which containers hold more or less.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy creative art activities, such as painting and sticking. They sing, dance, dress up and use their imaginations as they pretend to be doctors. Children show curiosity as they look at bugs through the magnifying glass, grow cress seeds to learn about growth and draw maps which are successfully used to hunt for hidden treasure. They use information and communication technology to support their learning. Children enjoy meeting others during trips around the local community and through their attendance at toddler groups. However, opportunities for them to develop their knowledge of the wider world and to handle resources that show positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability are not fully embedded in practice. Subsequently, children have insufficient opportunities to learn about the wider world and to value different aspects of other people's lives. Children are developing an understanding of the

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and outcomes for children

needs of others as they learn to play harmoniously together, share and take turns. They are learning to take responsibility for their own safety, for example, the childminder teaches them how to cross the road and to climb the steps of the slide safely. They learn why it is dangerous to run indoors and why they should not climb on the furniture.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to develop an understanding of personal hygiene routines. Meals and snacks are currently provided by parents. However, children's understanding of healthy eating and of associated practices, such as sitting down to eat their snack and meals, is not always effectively promoted by the childminder. Children have opportunities to be physically active. For example, they bounce on the trampoline, climb the steps of the slide, rock on the rockers, and manoeuvre wheeled toys in the garden. Regular trips to the park enable them to access more challenging equipment. Children readily engage in activities which promote their hand-to-eye coordination and strengthen small muscles. For example, they manipulate dough and handle tools such as knives to spread the butter on the bread. 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 3 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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