Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 21/03/2013 04/11/2011

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early years provision

This inspection: 4 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 4 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 4

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This provision is inadequate

 The childminder does not have a sufficient understanding of the welfare requirements and does not inform Ofsted when additional family members are living at the premises. This means Ofsted is not able to conduct the appropriate suitability checks and this puts children at risk.  Children are not always provided with challenging activities, and planning is not fully matched to their individual needs. This is because the childminder does not routinely use ongoing observations and assessments of children's achievements, interests and learning styles when planning activities.

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It has the following strengths

 Children build secure attachments with the childminder, who plans a welcoming environment where they can easily choose from a variety of toys and activities.

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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

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged 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 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  scheduled 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 and routines in the indoor and outdoor areas.  The inspector conducted a tour of the area of the premises used for childminding.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had discussions with the childminder at appropriate times during the observations.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at a child's learning journey and a selection of policies and procedures and children's records.  The inspector looked at and took into account the childminder's self-evaluation.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 1991 on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her two foster children aged eight and ten years in Corby, Northamptonshire. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet parrot and a cat.

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Information about the setting

The childminder is currently caring for three children, of whom one is within the early years age range and attends on a part-time basis. The childminder provides flexible care all year round from Monday to Friday. She has support from the local authority. The childminder holds a relevant childcare qualification at level 3.

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must:

 improve the use of assessment to plan purposeful activities, in order to consistently provide all children with challenging activities that are fully matched to their learning needs.

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who attend

The childminder has a relevant understanding of the seven areas of learning and of how children learn through play. Consequently, she provides a range of activities for children to choose from that cover all areas of learning. Children develop skills relevant to their future independent learning because they freely and easily choose activities that interest them. The childminder shows a sound understanding of the characteristics of effective learning as she encourages children to follow their own ideas and make choices. The childminder encourages children's language, communication and thinking appropriately, throughout her friendly discussions and interactions as children take part in activities and go about familiar routines.

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who attend

Children make satisfactory progress because activities are relevant to their learning. They concentrate upon tasks they enjoy. For example, they use their imagination and develop strength in their finer physical control as they use different tools to play with dough and to pretend to make cakes. Children also count and compare shape and size as they play. They develop a relevant understanding of mathematical concepts through practical experiences, as a result. Children play in an environment that includes labels and pictures to show them that print has meaning and to encourage their skills in reading and literacy. The childminder observes and assesses children to understand where they are at. However, she does not routinely use her assessments to plan activities. This means that children are more likely to learn spontaneously rather than through purposeful planning to meet their individual needs. As a result, activities do not always challenge children.

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who attend

Parents contribute their comments and observations from home in order to help the childminder to take into account observations from home within her assessments. This gives a broad picture of children's progress. However, the childminder does not use her assessments effectively to inform planning to enable children to reach their full potential. The childminder has met the requirement to complete the Early Years Foundation Stage progress check at aged two years to share with parents and other relevant professionals. The childminder has relevant experience of caring for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and monitors any potential difficulties with children's progress appropriately and in cooperation with parents.

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

The childminder has potentially placed children at risk by not informing Ofsted of additional adults living at the premises for a period of time. This means children are not safeguarded as Ofsted could not complete relevant suitability checks. However, the childminder ensured that these people, who were known to her, were never left alone with the children in her care, minimising the risk to them. This is a breach of a welfare requirement and means the provision for children's welfare is inadequate. Otherwise, policies and procedures appropriately support children's well-being.

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

Children form close bonds with the childminder, who interacts with them in a warm and friendly manner in order to develop secure attachments. The childminder shares appropriate information with parents regarding children's home life and routines. This helps children to settle and to feel valued within the setting. Children show confidence in their environment as they express themselves freely and make suitable choices within their care and activities.

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

The childminder provides safe surroundings in which children have the freedom to move while being kept safe. Children develop suitable health and self-care skills throughout routines that encourage their independence. For example, they learn to feed themselves and are in familiar hand-washing routines before eating. Children use a variety of large physical equipment at the childminder's home and as they visit local parks. This means they gain relevant opportunities to develop their physical skills, strength and control and helps them to develop suitable healthy habits. Children develop a healthy attitude towards outdoor learning because they are encouraged to play out-of-doors. For example, they choose toys from inside and then take them out in the garden to play. Children make appropriate healthy choices at snack time and dietary needs are met by working with and agreeing arrangements with parents. The childminder shares information with other

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

settings that children attend in order for all those involved in children's learning to plan with appropriate continuity and to support children's transitions.

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

Children explore the community and develop relationships outside the setting as they visit different pre-school and toddler groups. They learn how to be responsible and consider the needs of others through play. For example, they show concern that their 'babies' will be cold when they take their dolls outside to play. The childminder warmly praises and encourages children and talks about how nice it is to share. This encourages children's understanding of appropriate behaviour and promotes their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder discusses potential risks and consequences with the children to help them to make appropriate and safe decisions.

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provision

The childminder has an inadequate knowledge of the welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has a satisfactory knowledge of the possible indicators of child abuse and she has appropriate referral policies and procedures in place to follow to protect children if necessary. However, she has not informed Ofsted of changes of people over the age of 16 living at the premises, and as a result, she has not ensured that Ofsted can carry out the appropriate checks. This is a breach of the safeguarding and welfare requirements. She did, however, ensure that children were not left alone with unchecked people, minimising the risk to the well-being.

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provision

The childminder is very experienced and has cared for many children with varying needs. She reflects upon the provision and plans appropriately for improvement. She works with other professionals and shares good practice ideas in order to improve the provision for children. She enjoys her work and aims to do her best for the children. She is also aware of areas for development within assessments and shows a suitable ability to reflect and to plan to improve. The childminder has secure professional links within the community, established over her many years of practice. This means she can easily access any additional support for children with additional needs within the setting if required.

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provision

The childminder works closely with parents and shares a range of policy information to promote professional working relationships and continuity of children's care. She also shares relevant information with parents as to how children learn in order for them to support children at home. Overall, the childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of the learning and development requirements. There is scope to improve upon her use of assessments to plan for children's individual progress towards the early learning goals.

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provision

The childminder readily shares information with parents as to how to make a complaint in order to promote an open and safe provision for parents and children. She organises her home so that is it safe, welcoming and accessible to children. Comments available from parents show they value the care that the childminder provides and that they are appropriately involved in the childminder's reflections and plans for improvement.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are

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actions)

The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are

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To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

 inform Ofsted of the name, date of birth, address and telephone number of any person aged 16 or over working or living on the premises (Compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  inform Ofsted of the name, date of birth, address and telephone number of any person aged 16 or over working or living on the premises (Voluntary part of the Childcare Register)

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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 action. 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 220829 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 818182 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 1 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: 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, which are usually the childminder’s 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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