Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 24/01/2013 13/01/2009

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 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 2

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This provision is good

 Children develop good independence and skills for their future learning because the childminder plans and organises an accessible, safe and stimulating environment.  Children make good progress because of the effective way the childminder assesses where they are at and plans for their individual progress towards the early learning goals.  Children form warm and close bonds with the childminder. They demonstrate their confidence in the setting by expressing their needs and choices freely.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder does not share information with other settings regarding children's progress towards the early learning goals, across the areas of learning. This is to support joint planning to enable children to make the most of their learning.

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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 children's activities in the indoor play areas downstairs.

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Inspection activities

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

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Inspection activities

 The inspector conducted a tour of the premises during the inspection, and viewed the outdoor play area.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's learning journeys, a selection of policies and procedures and children's records.  The inspector viewed the childminder's self-evaluation.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2008. She lives with her two sons ages 15 and 13 years in Desborough, Northamptonshire. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The setting is open from Monday to Friday, all day including before and after school, all year round. The whole of the downstairs of the childminder's home is mainly used for childminding. There is a secure garden used for outdoor play. There are currently ten children on roll, of whom, five are within the early age group and attend with various part- time arrangements. The childminder is a member of the local childminding quality assurance network and receives support from the local authority.

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

 improve information shared with other settings that children attend to include children's progress towards the early learning goals.

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who attend

The childminder has a good understanding of how to promote the seven areas of children's learning and development and of how children learn through play. Consequently, children enjoy their learning and make good progress. Children enjoy a wide variety of purposefully planned learning opportunities that promote all areas of their development in many fun and interesting ways. They choose freely from a good variety of toys and activities in the childminder's home that promote all aspects of their development and stimulate a range of different interests. This encourages children's natural curiosity to learn and develops key skills in their future learning. Children make good progress because of the effective way the childminder observes and assesses their progress and plans constructively for their next steps. The childminder skilfully plans activities to include and challenge all children. Her thorough systems of assessing children's progress mean

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who attend

she is able to effectively complete the statutory assessment at age two. Overall, her assessments mean any difficulties in children's learning and development are identified at any early stage in order to any additional support to be instigated.

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who attend

The childminder works closely with parents and shares ongoing information regarding children's progress and achievements by using verbal communications and a daily diary system. This effectively involves parents as they can see what their children are learning and how they are progressing, which enables them to further support and continue with children's learning at home. The childminder takes care to use encouraging and meaningful language when interacting with the children in order to encourage their language for communication and their self-esteem. Children's progress within the prime areas is successfully promoted because their learning is very much child-initiated. Their learning is further encouraged by the childminder's organisation of the environment and her positive interactions. As a result children are well prepared for school.

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who attend

Children choose from a good variety of role play activities. This enables them to use their imagination and to learn about the world as they act out real life situations. Children enjoy a full range of creative and messy play opportunities. This enables them to explore with a range of textures and use different equipment and techniques in order to express themselves in different ways. Children concentrate well as they are challenged by activities they enjoy. For example, they enjoy completing challenging puzzles and show pride in their achievements. This develops good skills in concentration to support their future learning.

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

Children form close bonds with the childminder and are comfortable and at home in her care. They settle well because of the information shared with parents regarding their routines and home-life. This also enables the childminder to value and include the children within the setting and they form a strong sense of belonging as a result. Even the quieter children express their needs and choices, demonstrating confidence in their environment. Children behave well because they are well occupied and supported by the childminder. The childminder's good role-modelling and meaningful discussions help children to be responsible and to consider the needs of others. For example, children learn to help and encourage each other and use good manners.

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

The childminder's purposeful discussions also help children to stay safe and to protect themselves. For example, the childminder teaches them how to stay safe when out in the community and to be aware of potential hazards and not to put themselves at risk. Children develop good healthy habits throughout daily routines as they enjoy regular opportunities for outdoor play and make healthy choices at snack time. The childminder agrees arrangements for meals with parents in order to ensure all dietary needs are met. Children develop their physical skills, strength and control as they use a variety of large play equipment at the local parks and childminding groups that they regularly visit. This also gives children important opportunities to develop relationships and to socialise with others within their local community.

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

Children learn good self-care skills from a young age because the childminder encourages them to complete tasks for themselves. For example, children learn to put on their own coats and shoes. Children feel welcomed into the setting because the childminder makes sure that their favourite toys and activities are available as they arrive. Children's well- being is well promoted because of the way the childminder successfully prioritises the prime areas of their learning and development within her planning.

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provision

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the welfare and the learning and development requirements of the Statutory Early Years Foundation Stage. She is well aware of her responsibilities and accountability to meet the requirements. She has clear aims to offer children a quality provision. The childminder works closely with other professionals in order to share good practice ideas and to keep abreast of any changes in legislation. She forms secure links within the community in order to gain an additional support for children that she may need in order to meet their individual needs. The childminder effectively evaluates the provision for children and plans well for continuous improvement.

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provision

The childminder works well with parents and develops friendly working relationships that enable ongoing communications to take place to promote good continuity of children's care and their learning and development. A good range of health and safety policies and procedures underpin the effective running of the provision and successfully support children's health and safety. A good range of policy information is shared with parents in order to promote professional working relationships and to further promote continuity of children's care.

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provision

The childminder works in partnership with other settings that children attend in order to ensure that general information regarding their well-being is shared. However, this work has not been fully extended to include the two-way sharing of information regarding children's progress towards the early learning goals. This means there is scope to improve further upon planning for children's individual progress through joint working with others involved in their learning and development.

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provision

Children enjoy a full programme of activities that help them to progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder thoroughly risk assesses her home to ensure children are kept safe and secure. She provides very good quality toys and equipment to promote children's independent learning and their safety. Thorough safeguarding policies and procedures protect the children from abuse and neglect. The childminder readily shares information with parents as to how to raise concerns, including details of how to contact Ofsted as the regulator. This promotes a safe and transparent provision for parents and 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 EY375597 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 821381 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10

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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.

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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

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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