Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY396757 Inspection date 03/05/2012 Inspector Hazel White

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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 2009. She lives with her husband and adult children in the Rectory Farm area of Northamptonshire. The whole of the property is used for childminding. 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.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently three children attending who are within the early years age range, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. 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 settle well and have close relationships with the childminder and her family. They engage in a broad range of activities and make good progress in their development. Relationships with parents are secure which helps to promote inclusive practice and consistency of care. Good partnerships with other providers have a clear impact on meeting children's individual needs. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude and commitment to continuous improvement. Systems for self-evaluation identify strengths and help her to focus on areas which will improve outcomes for all children, such as developing children's assessment records.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the use of observations and assessments to identify the next steps for each child's learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of her responsibility with regard to protecting children from abuse. She is fully aware of the possible signs of abuse and understands the process to follow if she was to have concerns about a child in her care. Her well- written safeguarding policy is shared with parents. Children receive care in a safe and secure home because the childminder assesses and minimises risks effectively. Adults in the home are suitability vetted and children are supervised well, both indoors and outside of the home. Records are kept up to date and in good order. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder makes sure that resources are plentiful, of good quality and meet the different developmental needs of children. The diversity of individuals is valued and respected and she effectively promotes equal opportunities, ensuring that all children and families feel included and safe. Resources provide positive images of

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the early years provision

race, gender, culture and disability which enhances children's understanding of the wider world. The childminder is willing to work alongside other professionals, such as physiotherapists and speech therapists, to meet the needs of all children.

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the early years provision

Information about the children's individual needs is obtained from parents when care commences and is kept up to date through regular conversations. This enables the childminder to plan effectively for children's care and learning. Daily contact ensures that parents are aware of activities their child is taking part in and their continuing development. Photographs, daily diaries and learning journals give parents information about daily events and achievements. Parents receive their own copies of a comprehensive range of well-written policies and procedures. The childminder has developed partnerships with others involved in children's care and education. She talks to staff about their learning in order to help her extend and support children's learning further whilst they are in her care.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's vision and strong commitment to additional training. She is in the process of working towards an early years qualification. The views of parents are sought as part of the reviewing and evaluating process. They complete questionnaires and the childminder uses this information, along with her own self-assessment, to identify areas for improvement. These include the development of children's learning journals.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. Their independence is promoted effectively as they freely choose and select resources in a well-organised playroom. Toys and activities are appropriate for different ages and stages of development. Planning is informal but the childminder confidently explains the activities she is providing to extend all children's learning. The activities also support children's development of good skills for the future. Each child has a learning journal which contains photos and her observations of them at play. These are clearly linked to their learning; however, they do not identify their next steps. Therefore, children's progress may not be maximised.

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and outcomes for children

Children love looking at books and choose their favourite stories for the childminder to read. She skilfully uses props, such as hand puppets, to engage the children and make reading fun. Lots of conversation and engagement in songs and nursery rhymes encourages early language skills. Children thoroughly enjoy using musical instruments and dance to the rhythm. They count randomly as they play and use card games to encourage number recognition. Young children build towers with blocks and laugh when they topple over. They build tracks together and complete jigsaws which help them to develop their problem solving skills. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are provided with plenty of opportunities to mix with other children and this helps to increase their social skills and broadens their range of experiences. Young children have interactive toys whereby they press buttons to make lights

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and outcomes for children

flash and turn knobs to listen to tunes. Electronic and programmable toys are accessible to older children which gives them an understanding of information technology and how this is a part of our everyday lives. Children are learning about the wider community through everyday discussion and play with a good range of resources that provide positive images of diversity. The childminder cares for children of various ages. She adapts experiences to meet the differing needs and abilities of the children attending so that all children are fully included in all experiences.

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and outcomes for children

All children enjoy regular fresh air and exercise. They take part in activities in the garden and they love regular visits to the local park where they enjoy picnics and extend their physical skills on the large play equipment. They are encouraged to be active and have a positive attitude towards physical play. The childminder helps children to gain a secure understanding of healthy lifestyles. Good hygiene practices are encouraged; each child has their own flannel and towel to prevent cross infection. Healthy hot and cold snacks are provided, taking into account the children's dietary requirements.

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and outcomes for children

Children play in a safe environment and they learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, they know that they must look and listen before crossing the road and practise the fire drill procedure so that they are familiar with what to do in an emergency. Children play well together, sharing and taking turns and develop their social skills as they sit at the table to eat their meals. Children's behaviour is good because they are encouraged and supported by the childminder who provides a calm and responsive approach and takes time to talk and explain things to them. 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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