Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 09/10/2012 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: Not Applicable How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 Children are happy and settled. They show good levels of independence, curiosity and imagination and they demonstrate positive behaviour.  The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how young children learn and she makes the most of opportunities to promote each child's learning through play, reading books and group activities.  Effective use is made of the available space and resources to promote children's own choices and interest to explore.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The involvement of children's parents in their learning journey files has not yet been fully embraced.  The childminder's systems for self-evaluation have not yet been fully applied to enhance sustained and continuous improvement.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are scheduled:  at least once in every inspection cycle. The current cycle ends on 31 July 2016  more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged as inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage; or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised for inspection where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the kitchen, hallway, living room and in the garden.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the observations.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's learning journey files, a selection of policies, children's records and other documentation.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through reference letters.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2012 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her parents and her adult sister in the Abington area of Northampton. She works with her mother who is also a registered childminder. They use most of the ground floor and one bedroom upstairs for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder has completed basic training including first aid and child protection. She attends local groups with the children, and visits the local park and the shops on a regular basis. She is available to take children to, and collect them from, the local school and pre- school.

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Information about the setting

The childminder currently has five children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age group and they attend for a variety of sessions The childminder works all year round from 7.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday except for holidays that are agreed in advance. She holds an National Vocational Qualification at level two.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 extend the partnerships with parents to clearly identify their contributions to their child's progress in the learning journey file

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 expand the systems for self-evaluation to enhance continuous improvement.

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who attend

The childminder has a good knowledge of the seven areas of learning and she, along with her co-minder, provides a good range of activities that capture children's interests and hold their attention. Children's language development is supported through regular conversations throughout the session including during free play, when reading stories and during meal times. The childminder introduces descriptive words, such as 'squeeze' and 'wiggly' during a play dough activity. She repeats phrases back to the children to help them consolidate their vocabulary such as 'that's right, it's a wiggly worm'. Younger children are supported to explore the play dough and to use the tools including the rolling pins and cutters.

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who attend

Babies respond very well to the childminder's voice and facial expressions. For example, they beam at her when she greets them warmly when they arrive at the setting. Babies are provided with a range of appropriate resources, such as musical toys and teething toys that they reach out for when lying on their front on the floor. They show their excitement through smiling and kicking their legs. Older children begin to show care and concern for their younger friends. For example, they alert the childminder when they put crayons in their mouth and when they leave the room to play with toys in the hallway they go to check they are okay.

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who attend

The childminder has systems in place to monitor each child's progress in their learning and development. She uses lots of photographs that show the children engaged in a good variety of activities covering the seven areas of learning and she records monthly progress records. She uses the Development Matters document to help her in identifying individual next steps for each child. Parents have access to their children's records and there are displays of photographs in the entrance hall showing the activities the children have recently enjoyed. However, although the parents' comments about their child's progress at home are discussed with the childminder, these are not clearly identified in the child's learning journey file.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children feel very secure with the childminder who takes care to ensure she obtains information from parents about their children's preferences and routines. She is able to spend special time with each child during the day which helps children to feel a sense of belonging and that they are valued. Babies maintain eye contact with her during play activities and while the childminder is feeding them. Behaviour is very good. The children are provided with a good range of activities from which they can choose freely and that keep them interested. The childminder talks to them about being kind and encourages them to think of others.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The children are developing good self-care and independence skills. They sit at a low-level table for mealtimes and are supported to use a spoon or to feed themselves with their fingers. The childminder talks to them about the food they eat. Children are encouraged to develop healthy lifestyles through daily outdoor play opportunities in the garden or walks and outings. The childminder maintains close supervision to keep children safe and regularly checks sleeping children yet she is aware of the benefits of allowing them to be independent, such as when toddlers are negotiating the step down into the garden.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children have regular opportunities to develop confidence in situations away from their main care setting. The childminder takes them for outings to local groups where they meet other children. The children clearly demonstrate that they enjoy their time with the childminder and that they are confident in her home. They move freely between their chosen activities and they ask her or indicate for items they want.

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provision

The childminder has a good commitment to improve her service through accessing training. She has recently completed a safeguarding course and is booked to attend a refresher first aid course. She has managed to implement good quality childcare and learning experiences for the children in the short time she has been working as a childminder. However, she does not as yet have rigorous systems for self-evaluation in place to enhance continuous improvement.

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provision

Her knowledge of the safeguarding and welfare requirements is strong and children's safety is promoted well. She also demonstrates a good understanding of the learning and development requirements to ensure that she meets each child's individual needs effectively. She has a very good range of resources and play materials that are rotated regularly and that cover all seven areas of learning. These are displayed attractively which promotes children's free choice.

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provision

The childminder is developing positive relationships with the children's parents and she provides them with daily feedback about their child's routines and about the activities they have enjoyed. Through references and testimonials, parents report positive comments about the service she and her co-minder provide for their children. The childminder understands the importance of developing partnership working with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to the children in her care in order to ensure a consistent approach and a smooth transition for the children.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

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Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY440446 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 790035 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 10 Number of children on roll 5

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply: Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises that are usually their own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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