Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15/11/2012 15/10/2009

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early years provision

This inspection: 3 Previous inspection: 3 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 3

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This provision is satisfactory

 Children participate in a fitting balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities which reflect their interests.  Children have a good awareness of right and wrong and respond positively to the childminder's gentle guidance.  Children are cared for in a safe, secure environment.

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It is not yet good because

 The childminder is not evaluating the observations she makes of children at play to plan for their next steps in learning which means that children do not always have sufficient challenge to effectively support their progress.  The childminder is not taking into account parents and children's views when evaluating her provision to ensure children's learning needs are fully met.  Partnerships with other providers sharing the children's care are concerned primarily with their welfare needs and so continutiy for children's learning is not effectively supported.

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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 playroom and looked at the other areas of the ground floor used for childminding.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had discussions with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's learning journals and records and a selection of policies and procedures and other relevant documentation including the risk assessment.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband, adult child and five- year-old grandson in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. The property is close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. Ground floor rooms are used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog and a hamster as pets. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently minding seven children, including two in the early years age group. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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must:

 make use of the ongoing observations of each child's progress, against the seven areas of learning, to identify the next steps in their learning and to always provide sufficient challenge.

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

 improve partnership working with other settings children attend to ensure children benefit from continuity, get the help and support they need and that there is a shared understanding between all those involved with individual children

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

 build on self-evaluation by extending how the views of parents and children are incorporated to further assist in identifying areas for further improvement.

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who attend

The range of adult-led and child-initiated activities that children participate in enable them to experience all seven areas of learning. The childminder makes observations of the children as they play and activities accurately reflect children's interests. However, their next steps in learning are not regularly assessed and therefore, activities do not necessarily provide sufficient challenge for individual children. Parents are invited to review their child's learning journal at regular intervals and contribute to it, helping to promote consistency for children.

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who attend

Children join in with the songs they know and dance to the music when the childminder plays the songs they request. Their communication and language skills are developing appropriately. For example, they have favourite books and relay the story to the childminder by looking at the pictures in sequence. Children chat with the childminder about the things they do together and tell her what they have been doing since they last saw her, such as receiving medical treatment which has prevented them from attending pre-school.

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who attend

The childminder takes children to the park, which they thoroughly enjoy. They learn that the leaves they see and feel beneath their feet were once on the tree above them. They sometimes collect the leaves and make pictures when they return to the childminder's home. When painting, the childminder encourages children to feel the paint on their hands. They talk about how it feels and what is happening as they mix the colours. Children draw pictures of objects they have remembered from a story read to them by the childminder and are able to explain what the picture is about. For example, a pre-school child had learnt that chameleons change colour and had drawn a picture to reflect that.

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

Children feel very secure with the childminder because they have been with her since they were small babies and so she has a very good understanding of their welfare needs. She ensures that each child feels valued by talking to them about the things she knows they care about, including their families. Road safety is a recurring discussion on the walks to and from school, particularly when it is getting dark after school and they all must be more careful to see and be seen. This makes children aware of keeping themselves safe. The childminder provides children with healthy snacks and lunches and is aware of their likes and dislikes and any other dietary requirements they have. She knows about their medical needs and supports children with additional learning needs well because she and parents have good working relationships. For example, details of visits to other professionals are reported back to her so she can better support the child.

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

Children behave well because the childminder has clear house rules and the children know their boundaries. The childminder encourages and praises children throughout the day which supports their confidence and self-esteem. Any minor behaviour issues are dealt with consistently, taking into account children's level of understanding. Ongoing problems, although they rarely occur, are discussed with parents and an agreement is reached to work together to resolve them.

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provision

The childminder reflects on her practice and is able to identify areas which require development, such as sourcing information from other providers working with the children and is trying to find a solution, which will better support continuity of learning. She is not, however, seeking parents' views as part of the evaluation and this impacts on what the childminder knows about, for example, children's learning needs. Although the childminder has contact with other settings that children attend, presently the information shared is primarily in relation to children's welfare. Therefore, their learning is not always consistently supported. In the meantime, the childminder has developed good working relationships with children's parents and they are sharing information from the other setting with her to contribute to continuity of learning.

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provision

The childminder's knowledge and understanding of how to keep children safe including what to do if she has child protection concerns, are secure. She is able to demonstrate her understanding of local Safeguarding Children Board advice for the recording and referral of potential concerns. Her own procedures for dealing with all aspects of safeguarding reflect these and are shared with parents for the better protection of children. Therefore, children's safety is appropriately maintained. The childminder carries out a visual safety check before children arrive each day to ensure that children stay safe in the home environment. She checks her garden before children go outside to play to ensure it is clean, therefore protecting their health. The formal risk assessment is reviewed at least annually and when anything changes, such as the re-decoration of the living room, actions are taken to ensure children remain safe. External doors and gates are kept secure to

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provision

ensure no one can enter or leave without the childminder's knowledge. The childminder and the children practice the emergency evacuation plan regularly to refresh their minds about what they need to do in an emergency situation.

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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 EY216804 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 819530 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 7

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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:

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Type of provision

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. 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

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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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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