Childminder in North NorthamptonshireOfsted inspection, 28 Jan 2014

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28/01/2014 06/04/2011

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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

 The childminder has a good understanding of her role in children's development and learning. She provides relevant and interesting activities for the children that they enjoy and, with her support, benefit from.  The childminder knows the children and their families very well. She provides a safe, caring, supportive environment.  The childminder is an experienced, qualified childcarer who is well organised and fully understands her role and responsibilities with regard to keeping children safe and secure.  Children make good progress in their development and learning taking into account their starting points and capabilities. Where gaps in development are noticed, action is taken to support the children and their families as they seek further advice.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is scope to better support children's growing understanding of how to manage their emotions and feelings of frustration as they begin to learn the concepts of playing with other children, sharing and taking turns.  There is scope to further strengthen the communication links with other settings children attend to better support the continuity of children's 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 observed children taking part in activities and discussed these with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's assessment records and the planning documentation.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the childminder, her assistant and her household. The latest self-evaluation and improvement plan was also seen.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents and carers from the childminder's parent survey and from written comments in the children's assessment records.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2007 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and six years in a house in Rushden in East Northamptonshire. The childminder works with a part-time assistant. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house and the rear garden are used for childminding.

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Information about the setting

The childminder has 11 children on roll, including four in the early years age group. They attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder attends several toddler groups and activities at the local children's centre. She visits the parks and other nearby attractions on a regular basis. The childminder collects children from the local schools, nursery and pre- schools. The childminder operates all year round from approximately 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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

 implement strategies to further support children's personal, social and emotional development, in particular, their ability to manage feelings and behaviour

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

 strengthen further the communication links with other providers of children's early years education to better support continuity of learning.

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who attend

The childminder has a good understanding of her role in children's development and learning. She teaches children the basic skills they will need to support their future learning. She provides relevant and interesting activities for them that they enjoy and so are keen to become involved in. For example, children engage in an activity putting animals into the ark two by two. When a child asks for more sheep, the childminder searches the box to provide them. Children make good progress in their development and learning, taking into account their starting points and capabilities.

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who attend

The childminder observes children as they play and tracks their learning in line with expected developmental milestones. Where gaps in development are noticed, action is taken to support the children and their families as they seek further advice. There is, however, scope to better support. Occasionally, children are not sufficiently well supported in understanding and managing their emotions. This results in them becoming frustrated and venting their feelings inappropriately. Children benefit from playing in an environment that provides opportunities for conversation, discussion and singing. The childminder has a good understanding of how to develop children's communication and language skills. Books are readily accessible and feature prominently in the children's day. One in particular that includes favourite songs is popular and children laugh as the childminder talks about the antics of 'Incy, wincy spider'.

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who attend

Children visit local groups with the childminder that enable them to socialise with other children of a similar age and to play with different toys. The childminder, with the help of her assistant, takes children on adventures to local parks and attractions. These visits develop children's understanding of the world. They get to know the local environment and observe animals in their natural habitat as well as experiencing an exciting and enjoyable day out. The childminder talks with parents each day and takes photographs of the children as they play to share with parents so they know what their children have been doing.

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

Children settle well with the childminder because she understands the importance of supporting the transition from home to her setting. Parents and children are invited to visit to ensure both parties are happy with the arrangements and the environment. There are caring relationships evident between the children and the childminder that make the children feel valued and secure. Children are treated respectfully by the childminder and thrive on encouragement and praise. As a result, children's behaviour is mostly managed consistently well.

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

Children are cared for in a clean and safe environment. Although children are taught to consider their own safety as they play, the childminder makes sure that everything children may come into contact with is risk assessed and made as safe as possible. Where this is out of the childminder's control, she informs parents and seeks their support to help to teach their children to avoid the problem area. Children's personal care skills develop as they learn about the importance of washing their hands at certain times. Children enjoy exploring on the equipment at the park and learn about the importance of fresh air and exercise when they are out and about with the childminder.

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

The childminder takes into account children's dietary needs and parental preferences when planning and preparing healthy snacks for the children. Parents provide a packed lunch for the children which the childminder serves. Children sit together at snack and meal times to make the time a social occasion so children learn how to behave at such times. Children's health and medical needs are known to the childminder and her assistant. They both hold a current paediatric first-aid certificate enabling them to deal with minor accidents and illnesses. The childminder is fully aware of the requirements for administering medication to children and for keeping accurate records.

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provision

The childminder is an experienced, qualified childcarer who is well organised and fully understands her role and responsibilities with regard to keeping children safe and secure. She is fully aware of all issues relating to child protection and of her Local Safeguarding Children Board recording and referral requirements. The childminder's safeguarding policy includes procedures for the use of cameras and mobile phones in her home during childminding hours and what to do in the event of an allegation being made about herself, her assistant or another member of her household. There is also a procedure for the safe collection of children. The childminder makes parents aware that she, her husband and her assistant have undergone suitability checks with Ofsted so they are reassured about their children's safety. The childminder has all the documentation required for the safe and efficient management of her setting. Policies and procedures are shared with parents

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provision

so they understand how the provision operates.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements and uses her experience of working in day nurseries to provide activities to support children's progress in all areas of learning. Progress is tracked and monitored regularly to make sure any gaps in learning receive additional attention. The childminder constantly reflects on her practice and along with her assistant, attends local training. She works closely with her assistant to ensure that practice is consistently good. In addition, she also seeks support from her local authority and other childminders to enable her to provide the best possible care and learning for the children placed with her. The childminder takes into account any comments from children, parents and others when reviewing and evaluating her practice.

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provision

The childminder has a good relationship with parents and keeps them informed about what activities children take part in during the day. The childminder understands the benefits and importance of working in partnership with others to promote continuity of care and learning, but these links are not always successfully maintained. This means that she does not always have a comprehensive understanding of children's experiences and achievements when they attend other settings.

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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 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection. 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

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Grade Judgement Description

the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. 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 EY348500 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 820835 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 11 Number of children on roll 11

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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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