Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 01/05/2014 26/02/2009

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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 enjoy their time in the childminder's care and have formed secure attachments. She values children highly as individuals and warmly welcomes them into her home.  The childminder has a good understanding of how to promote the health and safety of the children in her care. She has assessed the risks to her premises well and has minimised these so children can use all areas of the downstairs and the garden safely.  Children are progressing well because the childminder provides constant interaction and extends their play both inside and outdoors.  The childminder promotes effective partnerships with parents and other providers which enables her to meet all children's needs well.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Freely accessible real-life resources, which are familiar to children, are not always provided to fully extend their rich and imaginative play.

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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 compulsory part 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 had a tour of the childminder's home.  The inspector observed practice with a child.  The inspector held a joint observation with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at policies, procedures and documentation relating to children's development.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 1997 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She lives with her partner, who is registered to work as her assistant, and two children aged 16 and 19. The ground floor of the house plus the upstairs bathroom is used for childminding. The family has three cats, some fish and two hamsters. The childminder collects children from the local schools and visits local parks. There are currently four children on roll; one of whom is in the early years age range and attends for a variety of sessions. The childminding provision operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays.

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

 enhance children's learning experiences further by providing them with a variety of familiar open-ended and natural resources to extend their imaginative and creative play.

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who attend

The childminder has a very good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements. She demonstrates that she knows children well. She is able to talk confidently about children's starting points in learning and the progress they have made with her. She assesses children's progress on an ongoing basis, carefully identifying their levels of development and skilfully considering their next steps in learning. The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility to carry out the required progress check at age two in partnership with a local playgroup. She keeps parents up to date with children's ongoing development and discusses their interests and progress on a daily basis. Parents are encouraged to regularly contribute towards their children's learning journal.

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who attend

The childminder provides opportunities that cover all seven areas of learning and development through playful experiences. Children play happily with building bricks and concentrate well. There is a good balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities. The childminder supports children's communication and language by effectively modelling and extending their vocabulary, for example, a child playing with play dough is encouraged to use mathematical language, to describe 'big worms' and 'little worms'. The childminder uses open-ended questions and allows children sufficient time to think and answer. As a result, children engage in meaningful conversation and are developing their confidence in communication skills. The childminder observes children during their play and she exploits teaching opportunities to capture children's interests, or steps back to allow them to follow their immediate interests and be independent. The childminder places a strong emphasis

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who attend

on children developing their personal, social and emotional skills to support the next stage in their learning. They are encouraged to understand when they may need a drink and are provided with their own towel in the bathroom for drying their hands.

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who attend

The resources are plentiful and organised in order that children can choose what they play with. However, freely accessible real-life and open-ended resources, which are familiar to children, are not always provided to fully extend their creative and imaginative play. The walls in the playroom display children's work and a good range of print to promote children's early literacy skills. Children enjoy lots of outings to local parks. They are able to run around in the fresh air and practise their physical skills using an extended range of play equipment and explore the world around them.

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

Children are happy and settle quickly because the childminder has very effective settling-in procedures that enable children to feel safe and secure. They show that they are forming close bonds and attachments to the childminder as they interact and play confidently. The childminder gets to know children's individual needs well through her ongoing liaison with their parents, which enables her to follow children's routines. This means that they sleep and eat according to their individual needs, which supports the smooth move between home and the childminder's home and promotes their emotional well-being. The childminder manages behaviour effectively, giving clear guidance so that children are aware of the rules of the house. She is a good role model, demonstrating how to be kind to animals and to respect each other's differences. She praises children's efforts and achievements regularly, which helps boost their self-esteem and confidence. Children are

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

given sufficient time to allow them to carry out tasks independently, for example, when putting on shoes or boots. Wherever possible, the childminder ignores inappropriate behaviour. As a result, the childminder provides good support to help children prepare for the next stage in their learning and development.

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

Children learn about personal safety by using scissors and cutting equipment inside and exploring the local environment, including local parks, outside. They are able to explore the climbing equipment to develop their independence and learn how to safely take risks. The childminder encourages children to learn how to cross the road safely and to hold her hand when walking to playgroup or school. Children choose their own toys to direct their play. The childminder teaches them to take age-appropriate responsibility for their own personal care, such as using the toilet. The childminder helps children to understand about the importance of washing their hands to 'wash away the germs'. Children's good health is further promoted as they have individually labelled towels for drying their hands.

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

Children have access to regular drinks and competently help themselves when they are thirsty. Healthy snacks are provided and offer children the opportunity to make an informed choice each day. The childminder asks parents to provide healthy packed lunches and ensures that perishable food is place in the fridge. The childminder helps children to settle at playgroup by sharing information when dropping off or collecting children. This ensures children have continuity of teaching and continue to enjoy their learning.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her roles and responsibilities which is evident in her organisation and documentation. Policies and procedures are thorough and cover all requirements. Her knowledge of how to keep children safe from harm and abuse is good and she is aware of the signs and symptoms to look out for. Accident and medication forms are detailed and signed by parents. Risk assessments are detailed and show the childminder has considered potential risks for children and minimised them. As a result, children are kept safe from harm.

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provision

Relationships with parents and grandparents are strong. The childminder works well in partnership with other providers to ensure children's learning needs are well met. She has built a strong working relationship with a playgroup that children attend and they are now able to share learning opportunities for children to ensure consistency. The childminder displays children's work and photographs and has a scrapbook of evidence, which shows how much the children enjoy their time in her care. These photographs are linked to areas of learning and development and are shared with parents.

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provision

Self-evaluation is good. The childminder has completed an on-line self-evaluation which effectively reflects on her practice and identifies any areas for development. She has included views of parents and children. She does not work with any other professionals as she has not needed to, however, she is knowledgeable about the support available and who to contact to ensure children's individual learning needs are met. She has a good relationship with a local playgroup and three primary schools and uses this to help children move smoothly to their next stage of learning.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory 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 220540 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 876342 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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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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