Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY442273 Inspection date 07/08/2012 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 2012. She lives with her partner and two children aged 10 and nine years in the town of Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire. The childminder's home is close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childcare purposes. Toilet facilities are provided on the first floor and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is able to take and collect children to and from the local school and attends toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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 five children attending, who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage whose times vary. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 warmly welcomed into this friendly environment. The childminder has a good knowledge of each child's individual needs and ensures that she promotes all aspects of children's welfare and learning with success. The safeguarding of children is given a high priority and assessment arrangements are continuing to be developed. The available resources are generally good. Partnerships with parents are good and the childminder understands the importance of developing relationships with other providers and services to promote integrated care and education for children. Self-evaluation is used to evaluate practice and to identify areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further and fully implement assessment procedures, in order to clearly identify learning priorities and to track children's progress towards the early learning goals  develop the range of resources to enable children to learn positive attitudes and behaviour towards people, who are different from themselves. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Arrangements for safeguarding children are robust. This is because the childminder has a good understanding of the signs of abuse and is conversant with the procedures to follow to report concerns. A written policy and all relevant guidance documents are in place to support the childminder's practice. The childminder ensures that children's well-being is sustained through the recording and monitoring of any accidents, for the safe administration of medication and if children are unwell. She has up-to-date first aid knowledge. The childminder conducts effective risk assessments and supervises the children well. She is very aware of children's developing abilities and ensures that appropriate safety measures are in place to avoid dangerous situations. For example, the premises are secure and safe barriers prevent children from accessing the kitchen and hall wall unsupervised. Consequently, dangers are minimised and children move

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards her childminding and is eager to develop her practice further. She has begun to use self-evaluation to monitor the quality of the provision; identifying strengths and areas for development. The childminder has developed a range of policies and procedures, which effectively support the safe and effective management of the provision. She treats children with respect and ensures that all of them feel included and valued. She mainly provides a good range of resources and play materials, which are appropriate to the children's age and stage of development. However, resources to develop children's understanding of differences are limited. As a consequence, children have insufficient opportunities to note similarities and differences as they play. The childminder recognises the importance of developing relationships with other providers and services to promote integrated care and education for children.

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the early years provision

She has recently implemented systems to share relevant information with other providers.

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the early years provision

The childminder enhances children's well-being because she develops positive partnership with parents and carers. Parents comment positively on how children are made to feel welcome, that their needs are well catered for and they are always happy to attend. The childminder obtains a good range of information at the start of the placement, in order to ensure continuous and consistent care for the children. For example, the childminder obtains starting points in children's learning and development and information is exchanged to ensure that specific dietary needs and preferences are catered for and any medical needs are known and accurately met. The childminder verbally exchanges information on a daily basis and parents have regular opportunities to review their child's development record folder. She has recently implemented systems to summarise children's developmental progress and to provide opportunities for parents to add their

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the early years provision

comments and to share information about their child's ongoing learning and development at home. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children feel at home, interact well and enjoy their time in the childminder's care. They have opportunities to engage in activities led by the childminder and to initiate and pursue their own play. The childminder makes observations of the children as they play, including taking photographs of them participating in activities. She has recently begun to refine assessment procedures, in order to more clearly identify learning priorities and to track children's progress towards the early learning goals. However, to date, these are not fully embedded into the childminder's practice. Consequently, the childminder is less able to clearly identify potential gaps in the children's learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children form warm relationships with the childminder and as a consequence, they feel secure and develop a strong sense of belonging. They learn to play harmoniously alongside each other and receive positive support, praise and encouragement, which effectively increases their confidence and self-esteem. Children are developing an understanding of dangers and how to stay safe without being fearful. For example, children learn how to use large play equipment safely, why it is dangerous to touch a hot oven and how to cross the road safely. Children's developing communication skills are actively encouraged by the childminder. They look at books for enjoyment and enjoy listening to stories. Younger children are encouraged to use mark-making materials, for example, they make marks as they draw, chalk and paint. Children are beginning to develop their problem solving, reasoning and numeracy skills. They complete puzzles and post

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and outcomes for children

shapes into the shape sorter. Also the childminder successfully introduces mathematical language as the children play.

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and outcomes for children

Children's experiences are broadened and their social skills encouraged as they go on outings. They attend various toddler groups and visit places of interest. Children enjoy celebrations, such as the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics and celebrate religious festivals, such as Easter. Children enjoy exploring a variety of media and materials. They have opportunities to explore by putting their hands in porridge, water, lentils, sand and pasta and enjoy art activities, such as sticking and painting. Children create sounds by banging and shaking musical instruments and enthusiastically move their whole bodies to the sounds they enjoy. They listen to and join in with familiar nursery rhymes and songs and especially enjoy those with actions, such as 'The wheels on the bus' and 'Head, shoulders, knees and toes'. Children enjoy role play activities, such as bathing the dolls in water and washing up at the pretend sink.

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and outcomes for children

Children have regular access to the outdoors for fresh air and exercise and are able to relax and rest according to their needs. Children crawl through tunnels, rock their bodies on rockers, use climbing apparatus and chase and catch the floating bubbles. Consequently, children are developing skills in coordination, control and movement. Children engage in activities that develop hand-to-eye co- ordination. For example, mealtimes provide opportunities for children to use implements, such as a spoon to feed themselves and during activities they learn to handle tools, such as paint brushes. Children are learning to keep themselves This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 healthy by adapting personal hygiene routines, for example, they are encouraged by the childminder to wash their hands at appropriate times of the day, in order to reduce the risk of cross-infection. Their individual dietary needs are acknowledged

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and outcomes for children

and met because the childminder takes account of the wishes of parents as she discusses dietary requirements with them. The childminder has successfully obtained the food hygiene 5 star rating award. 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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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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