Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10/07/2013 09/03/2009

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early years provision

This inspection: 1 Previous inspection: 2 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 1 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 1

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This provision is outstanding

 The childminder is committed to continually enhancing the service she provides. Through her own self-reflection and through gaining the views and opinions of parents, she is able to effectively identify areas for development and any training that will further enhance this already exceptional service.  Excellent relationships have been formed with parents, which effectively contributes to consistently meeting their child's individual needs at a very high level.  Children make excellent progress through the childminder's extensive knowledge of how children learn and the exceptional learning opportunities she provides. Their confidence and self-esteem is continually nurtured through the praise and encouragement they receive.  Children are highly valued as individuals by the childminder, who welcomes them into a safe, caring, interesting environment where they explore and enhance 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

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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 spoke to the childminder and the child present and engaged in the activities taking place.  The inspector looked around the premises and discussed aspects of safety.  The inspector looked at documentation, policies and children's learning journals.  The inspector took account of the written feedback received from parents.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2008 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and one child aged eight years in Kings Sutton, Banbury. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and the back bedroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family have a dog and rabbit. The childminder attends a toddler group and activities and she visits the shops and park on a regular basis. There is currently five children on roll, three of whom are in the early years age group and attend on both a full and part-time basis. The childminder operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday and 7.30am until 9am and 3.20pm until 6pm, except for family holidays. The childminder is a member of Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

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

 develop the use of planning to further enhance the already excellent play experiences, using the information to extend learning opportunities for individual children.

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who attend

Children's learning and development is promoted excellently as the childminder uses her comprehensive knowledge of child development to help children confidently learn and flourish in her care. As a result, their progress in all areas of learning is promoted exceptionally well. Comprehensive assessments of children involved in a wide variety of activities complement the extensive information gained from parents reflecting their child's development at the start of their child's placement and on an ongoing basis. The childminder uses this to plan innovatively for the next steps in their learning and consistently enhance their progress. Photographs reflect the fun and enjoyment they experience when involved in these exciting activities and effectively support the written observations. Children's progress is continually shared with parents. Learning journals reflect the interesting, stimulating activities children enjoy throughout the day which

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who attend

enhances their learning.The childminder completes a progress check at age two, identifying the child's strengths and any areas where progress is less than expected. This check is shared with parents and, if necessary, any other relevant professionals. Children's independence and confidence is continually nurtured as they make informed choices with regard to their play. Toys, books and equipment are stored at low-level enabling children of all ages to make informed choices. Resources successfully complement the ages and abilities of the children encouraging their creativity and imagination. Children thoroughly enjoy being active and developing their physical skills using a wide variety of equipment and apparatus in the garden and at the park. They climb; learn control and coordination and develop confidence to explore in a safe environment. Children are continually supported in gaining their understanding of safety

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who attend

within the home and when out. For example, working with the childminder and park rangers to roast marshmallows over the fire pit, understanding the risks and taking effective steps to safeguard themselves. They understand the importance of wearing sun hats when outdoors and that sun cream is essential to protect their skin from harm. Children understand the benefits of exercise and fresh air on their bodies and how walking is good for them. Children's feeling of safety and security is consistently enhanced through the delightful relationships they have formed with the childminder. This has an exceptionally positive impact on their learning as they are supported and praised for their progress and achievements. As a result, they become confident, competent learners and their self-esteem continually flourishes.

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who attend

Children thoroughly enjoy lots of time outdoors benefiting from plenty of fresh air. They actively engage in watching the birds in the garden, using binoculars to observe the young babies in the nest and listening to their chirps as they wait for their parents to feed them. Children are highly active in the garden preparing the soil for new seeds and plants and have successfully grown many foods, such as potatoes and strawberries. These are then used for snacks and when cooking, children learn about the food chain. Through monitoring, care and attention they learn how the plants grow, what they need to grow successfully and relate this to their own needs with regard to food, drink and fresh air to grow big and strong.

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who attend

Children explore colour and creativity using a wide variety of materials such as paint, glitter and collage. The childminder enthusiastically encourages their language and thought processes as she skilfully asks questions that encourage them to recall past event and experiences. For example, talking about forthcoming events, such as the birth of a brother or sister, or about their friends at pre-school and activities they enjoy there. Through discussions, the childminder confidently extends their understanding of the wider world around them and diversity. For example, when painting pictures of special people in children's lives, acknowledging the similarities and differences of people they may meet or know. This effectively enhances their understanding of their community and the lifestyles of people around the world and extends their language within this highly stimulating environment.

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

Children settle gradually into the childminder's care as time is spent with each child and their parents developing a relationship which enables them to become familiar with the environment and supports them extremely well in the transition from home. Comprehensive information gained from parents enables the childminder to provide care that meets their individual needs and takes account of the parent's wishes and preferences. Time spent becoming familiar with children's all round needs, likes and dislikes enables the childminder to plan effectively to meet their individual needs.

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

The childminder uses her excellent understanding of how children learn and develop to continually challenge, stimulate and encourage children's natural curiosity to learn. Interaction is excellent and relationships are warm, caring and incredibly strong. The childminder listens intently to what children have to say and skilfully extends their language and understanding through the questions she asks encouraging them to recall known and familiar events in their lives. Behaviour is excellent as children understand the boundaries that are in place. Gentle reminders and the excellent role modelling shown by the childminder reinforce acceptable behaviour. Children's confidence and self-esteem is continually nurtured through the praise and encouragement they receive. Effective communication each day with parents ensures their child's progress and achievements are shared and celebrated which further adds to children's self-assurance.

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

Resources are plentiful and children enhance their independence skills as they confidently select the activities they wish to play with which are stored in low-level labelled boxes. This encourages their understanding that print has a meaning and enhances letter recognition. Activities are adapted to ensure all are involved, engaged and interested. Children's safety is paramount and comprehensive risk assessments identify potential risks in the home, garden and when out enabling the childminder to take effective steps to minimise them. Robust routines within the home for testing smoke alarms and practising the emergency evacuation procedure are established. The childminder notes questions asked by the children, enabling her to identify any issues they may have and enabling her to provide honest, accurate answers. As a result, children understand the importance of keeping themselves safe.

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

Children benefit from a gradual settling-in process enabling them to settle at their own pace whilst familiarising themselves with their new environment. This effectively supports the transition from home to the childminder's making it as smooth as possible. The childminder gains comprehensive information about children's individual needs and routines. Excellent communication between the childminder, parents and other early years providers ensures continuity of care, enabling care and support to be targeted, therefore, effectively meeting their specific needs. Children feel safe and secure in the childminder's care. They are happy, relaxed and enthusiastic and have formed excellent bonds of attachment.

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provision

The childminder is proactive in her approach to enhancing her knowledge and skills. She uses her knowledge of how children learn and develop to provide an excellent service which has a very positive impact on the children. The safety of the children is paramount and the childminder is proactive in ensuring children they play in a safe, stimulating and interesting environment that encourages their natural curiosity to learn. The childminder has an excellent understanding of her role and responsibility in protecting children in her care from abuse and neglect. Detailed written documentation is in place to support any safeguarding issues and all contact details for the relevant agencies are accessible at all times. Time is used effectively with parents to enable them to understand policies and procedures which truly reflect the ethos of care. The childminder is proactive in ensuring that policies are updated to include current practice and legislation and parents are up-to-

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provision

date with any changes to the care provided.

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provision

The childminder uses her excellent knowledge of the children and their development to provide challenging, stimulating play opportunities and experiences. Observations, assessments and tracking their progress enable the childminder to effectively identify the next steps in each child's learning. Planning is currently being reviewed by the childminder and changes made to further enhance the children's learning. Children's progress and development is supported excellently by the childminder, parents and other providers of early years as successful relationships and effective means of communication have been established. Excellent partnerships with parents' ensure they are fully informed and involved in their child's learning and their views, ideas and comments are actively sought and their comments included in their child's learning journals. This enables all to see the progress made at home and at the childminder's.

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provision

The childminder continually strives to enhance the already outstanding service she provides. Through discussion and the use of questionnaires she actively seeks the views and opinions of parents about the service she provides. Parents are overjoyed with the care provided and comments include 'the childminder provides a fantastic environment for the children', 'she is caring and not only cares for children but loves them and any child fortunate to spend time in her care is an extremely lucky one'. The childminder values their comments, evaluating them and using them alongside her own reflection of the service she provides, is able to identify ways enhancing it further.

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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 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 EY381967 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 873872 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 5

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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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