Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY360663 Inspection date 02/07/2012 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 2008. She lives with her husband, one adult child and four children aged 15, 10, eight and five years in the Southfields area of Northampton. Local amenities are within walking distance of the childminder's property. The whole of the ground floor 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 five 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 two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. 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.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the childminder does not effectively meet the needs of the children who attend. Safeguarding regulations are adequately met. However, the childminder cannot demonstrate a secure understanding of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements, including the effective use of resources. As a consequence, children are unable to make sufficient progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder is continuing to develop positive relationships with parents. However, partnership working with other providers who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage is not effectively established. Self-evaluation is not efficiently used to accurately identify areas for continuous improvement, in order to support better outcomes for children.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 plan and organise systems to ensure that every child receives an enjoyable and challenging learning experience that is tailored to their individual needs as they progress towards the early learning goals (Organisation) 31/08/2012

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further?

 lead and develop a culture of accurate reflective practice, self-evaluation and informed discussion to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for 31/08/2012 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development that will improve the quality of the provision for all children (Organisation)  develop partnership working where children receive education and care in more than one setting to ensure effective continuity and progression by sharing relevant information with each other and parents (Organisation) 31/07/2012

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further?

 develop further the range and effective use of available resources to achieve planned goals in children's learning and development (Organisation) 31/07/2012

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further?

 improve knowledge of the educational programmes for all areas of learning (Educational programmes). 31/08/2012

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop systems to encourage parents to share information about their child's learning and development when they start to attend.

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the early years provision

Adequate steps are taken to safeguard children. The childminder understands the indicator signs of abuse and how to report concerns to the appropriate agencies. She has taken reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children both indoors and outdoors are kept to a minimum. For example, a safe barrier prevents children from having unsupervised access to the kitchen and the front door and rear garden gate are secure. The childminder holds a current paediatric first aid certificate and appropriate arrangements are in place for the recording and monitoring of any accidents and the administration of medicines.

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the early years provision

The childminder is unable to confidently demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements. She does not have an in-depth knowledge of the six areas of learning, assessment arrangements are inconsistent and secure systems are not in place to track children's progress as they move towards the early learning goals. As a consequence, the quality of teaching lacks sufficient focus, target setting lacks depth and the childminder cannot effectively demonstrate how children are progressing in relation to their starting points. The childminder borrows additional resources from the toy library to supplement her limited range of resources. However, she does not effectively use the available resources to good effect, for example, to enhance the quality of teaching. Consequently, children's learning and development is compromised.

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the early years provision

The childminder has recently begun to self-evaluate the quality of the provision. However, self-evaluation is superficial and does not accurately reflect the quality of the provision. Consequently, well-targeted plans to further improve the quality of the provision and the outcomes for children have not been effectively formulated.

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the early years provision

The childminder is developing positive relationships with parents. Parents' views This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about their child's care needs are sought and the required permissions are obtained at the start of the placement. However, the childminder does not acquire starting points in the children's learning and development. Consequently, opportunities for parental involvement from the start of the placement are hindered and the childminder is unable to effectively track and monitor children's progress as they move towards the early learning goals. The childminder is not aware of the necessity to work in partnership with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. Consequently, effective working relationships between providers have not been established, in order to ensure continuity and coherence by sharing information with each other and with the parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children are not making sufficient progress in their learning and development in relation to their capabilities and starting points. This is because the childminder does not have a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements. This consequently inhibits children's progress because they do not have sufficient opportunities to engage in a wide range of experiences across the six areas of learning. For example, children have insufficient opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world around them, in order to help them make sense of the world and to problem solve and develop their numeracy skills in a broad and meaningful range of contexts.

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and outcomes for children

Children appear secure and settled in the childminder's care. They are beginning to develop their independence, for example, they select some resources for themselves. Children are developing their understanding of how to stay safe, for example, they learn how to evaluate the building in the event of a fire and how to cross the road safely. They learn simple rules and boundaries and receive appropriate praise for their achievements.

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and outcomes for children

Children have opportunities to socialise with other children and adults during visits to toddler groups. They are beginning to communicate with growing confidence and are able to express their needs in words, such as asking to go to the toilet. Children enjoy singing rhymes and look at books for enjoyment. They are beginning to use their imaginations during make-believe play, for example, they pretend to feed the dolls and drive the car.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to develop an understanding of healthy lifestyles and learn to follow appropriate personal hygiene routines. For example, children are encouraged to wash their hands after using the bathroom and before meals. This helps to prevent the spread of infection. Children enjoy daily fresh air and have opportunities to be physically active. They play on the rocking horse, manoeuvre wheeled toys, swing on the swing, bounce on the trampoline and visit the local park to access more challenging equipment. Children's individual dietary needs are acknowledged and met because the childminder takes account of the wishes of parents as she discusses dietary requirements with them. Meals and snacks are currently provided by the parents. The childminder encourages the children to sit This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 at the table to eat their snack and meals, which effectively promotes appropriate

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and outcomes for children

social skills. 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 4 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 4 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 4

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 4 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 4 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 4

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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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