Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16/10/2013 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 3 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 3 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 3

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This provision is satisfactory

 Children's emotional security is addressed effectively, beginning with a well-planned settling-in procedure, so that children are settled and happy and are able to form warm relationships with caring adults.  There is a well-resourced and welcoming environment both indoors and outdoors to support children's development and emotional well-being.  Children are working well within the typical range of development expected for their age, taking into account their starting points.

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It is not yet good because

 All necessary steps to keep children safe when playing outdoors are not fully implemented.  Children's understanding of why it is important to have a healthy diet and the need for personal hygiene is not actively promoted because the childminder does not consistently provide clear guidance.  Planning for helping young children develop skills in communication and language concentrates too much on acquisition of skills through care practices instead of precise teaching.

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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 carried out a tour of the home areas accessible to children and observed a variety of activities in children's play room and garden.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of children spoken to on the day and the views of parents, as provided in their written feedback of children's observations.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's assessment records, development records and the 'progress checks at age two'.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed the childminder's certificates for training courses recently attended.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2013 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. He lives with his wife, who is also a registered childminder. The childminder's home is in Northamptonshire and is close to open countryside, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childcare purposes, as well as one bedroom and bathroom with toilet facilities upstairs. There is an enclosed paved garden for outdoor play.

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Information about the setting

The childminder is currently minding four children in the early years age group, whose attendance times vary. He takes children to the local school and attends a childminding support group on a regular basis.

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must:

 ensure the premises are secure, with particular reference to the garden gates.

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

 give clear messages to children to ensure they are developing a good understanding of why it is important to have a healthy diet and gain an understanding of personal hygiene. For example, encourage young children to wash their hands before eating their lunch

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

 support children's communication and language development, so that they are able to express themselves effectively by limiting questions and waiting to allow children time to start the conversation.

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who attend

The childminder knows children in his care well. He has good knowledge of children's home lives and has built positive relationships with children's parents. For example, he collects a child from the child's own home early in the morning to support parents when they are required to be at work early. Parents are encouraged to share some information with the childminder about their children's home background and family situation when their children first attend. Other information provided by parents is used by the childminder to assess their care needs, for example, food preferences and sleep routines. In addition, the childminder shares daily communication with parents and they are encouraged to be involved in their children's learning. For example, the childminder shares children's learning journeys and verbally discusses children's progress on a regular basis. As a result, positive relationships are formed and parents read and sign off their children's

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who attend

observations. The childminder involves parents in the 'progress check at age two', and works collaboratively with family health visitors to coincide progress checks with health checks.

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who attend

The childminder has a clear understanding of how children learn and provides them with a range of freely chosen play experiences. Children are able to make choices over their play as the childminder presents a range of resources at their height and that are age and stage appropriate for children currently minded. While the childminder has planning in place, it is very flexible, enabling him to follow children's individual interests and suggestions. For example, young children request play dough and tools to make marks with. When children lose interest they ask whether they can paint, thus materials are made available. However, the childminder does not always give thinking time for children to decide what they want to say and how they will say it to better support their communication and language development.

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who attend

Children enjoy playing giant dominoes. For example, young children are encouraged to build and knock down towers while more able children are supported to match the dominoes correctly. The childminder enhances children's confidence and self-esteem by praising them and complimenting them on how good they are. The childminder has positive interactions with children, for example, he is actively involved in children's play and is responsive to their needs. Sharing is encouraged by the childminder and consequently, children play well together and take turns to use the resources.

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who attend

Children enjoy learning about the natural world and the local environment when they go for walks in the open countryside which directly backs on to the childminders garden. Children also walk to and from school. The childminder recognises that children enjoy the outdoors and that outdoor learning brings new meaning. He extends their thinking by introducing new experiences, such as, visiting local museums, farms and garden centres. Children are occasionally taken to swimming pools to help build their confidence in water. Overall, children are satisfactorily gaining the necessary skills to support their future learning.

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

The childminder's home is clean, warm and welcoming. Clear house rules and boundaries are implemented and accepted by children as part of daily routines. The childminder has good procedures for helping children to settle and form secure attachments. For example, parents are welcomed to spend time in the home prior to children attending regular days. Consequently, children separate from main carer with support and encouragement. Information shared initially on 'All about me' sheets provides the childminder with children's likes, dislikes and preferences, which means he understands their needs. Children are well-prepared for the next stage in their development because the childminder provides appropriate support to prepare them for their transitions, both within the home environment and to other settings and school.

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

Children are encouraged by the childminder to develop good manners and be polite and they appear to be relaxed and happy. They are learning to manage their behaviour because the childminder sets and maintains clear and consistent boundaries. For example, young children are taught not to kick down a tower of dominoes, but to push the tower down gently. They are also supported with managing their personal needs. Children's next steps have been identified to encourage children with independent dressing, using a variety of fasteners, such as zips and press-studs. They are encouraged, therefore, to manage their own footware and clothing as part of their daily routine. Children are developing their understanding of how to stay safe. For example, the childminder teaches children how to cross roads safely when walking to and from school. Young children are reminded of the dangers and look for a safe space to cross roads. Weekly visits to a

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

childminders' support group enable children to mix with others, which helps develop their social skills. Other regular visits out include country parks and large play centres to practise their physical skills.

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

Children are provided with drinks throughout the day and offered milk with meals. Parents have the option to provide children with packed lunches or for lunch to be provided by the childminder, who is clear about children's allergies and ensures children's food preferences are respected. The bathroom area is situated upstairs and is bright and clean. Toileting is supported when children are ready to come out of nappies and children can reach soap and paper hand towels by using a 'step stool'. However, the extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles is not consistently supported because children are not actively encouraged to wash their hands before lunch.

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provision

The childminder understands his responsibility to ensure his provision meets the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, the garden gate is not fully secure because the latch to open it is within children's reach. The risk is minimised because the childminder supervises children at all times. Risks of accidental injury are minimised as the childminder supervises children extremely well and carries out regular risk assessments of his home. For example, he uses safe barriers to prevent children from accessing the kitchen and stairs. Daily safety checks are carried out before children arrive and regular emergency evacuation drills are practised, so that children and family members know what to do in the case of a fire or other emergency. The childminder holds a current paediatric first aid certificate, which means children's welfare is assured in the event of an accident while in his care.

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provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and implements safeguarding policies and procedures so they are kept safe. Children's personal details are kept securely and emergency contact numbers are regularly updated. Accidents are confidentially recorded and signed by parents and secure procedures are in place for the safe administration of medicines. Information on the Early Years Foundation Stage and copies of the childminder's policies and procedures are readily made available to parents, including the complaints procedure. Partnerships with others, for example, health professionals, are promoted when the childminder carries out the 'progress check at age two', in order to ensure children's needs are met.

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provision

The childminder has built positive relationships with parents. He has a good knowledge of each child's background and needs. This is because parents are encouraged to share what they know about their child when they start to attend. Information shared is ongoing, which helps to ensure continuous and consistent care for children. A daily diary is used to record what activities children have enjoyed, what foods they have eaten, nappy change times and sleep times. The childminder recognises that this method does not suit all parents and therefore, adapts feedback according to parents' preferred wishes. Some parents have requested support and feedback through open discussion.

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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:

 ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the childcare are safe (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the childcare are safe (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 EY453575 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 916559 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection not applicable

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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

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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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