Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29/04/2014 10/05/2012

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early years provision

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

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This provision is good

 Teaching is good because the childminder knows each of the children well and she responds to their individual interests. She plans activities that promote their curiosity and learning. As a result, children make good progress given their starting points and capabilities.  The childminder is organised in her approach and has recently made a full review of her policies and procedures to ensure they are concise and meaningful. Therefore, clear evidence is in place for the safeguarding and welfare and the learning and development of the children.  The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to safeguard children. She maintains close supervision and carries out ongoing, thorough risk assessments and is aware of the requirement to follow the correct procedures in the event of any child protection concerns.  The childminder has developed effective partnerships with children's parents, which

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This provision is good

means that through effective communication children's individual needs are met.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The partnership working with other providers has not been fully strengthened to ensure that all relevant information is shared to provide a consistent approach for the children.

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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 activities in the living room.  The inspector was shown around the premises by the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector spoke to the children at times during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of the suitability of the adults living in the household.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's assessment records and a sample of the childminder's policies and procedures.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2011 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and three children aged 14 years, 11 years and four months in a house in Northampton. The whole of the childminder's house and the front and rear gardens are used for childminding. The family has a dog. Overnight care is offered for one child. The childminder attends local groups. She visits the shops and park on a regular basis. She is available to collect children from the local schools and pre-schools. There are currently two children on roll, both of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder cares for children who speak English as an additional language. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 9.10pm, 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:

 strengthen the partnership working with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage who are involved with the children to ensure that information is shared about their interests and progress on a regular basis.

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who attend

Children attending this provision are provided with a good range of resources and activities that cover the seven areas of learning. The childminder knows each child well and plans activities that are linked to their interests. She is aware of where each child is at in their learning and she uses the guidance documents to help her identify their starting points and their next steps. The children show that they are interested in what the childminder provides for them. She actively promotes children's confidence in their developing communication and language skills. For example, she talks to toddlers about what they are doing and names the familiar animals they point at when looking at a book showing pictures of farm animals. The childminder encourages these youngest children to babble and they respond to her when she speaks to them. She extends this interest in the farm through providing a range of toy animals and interactive toys. The children are

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who attend

curious about these resources. They pick up the animals, turning them over in their hands and looking at them intently. They know how to press the buttons to make the interactive resource make animal noises and when this happens, they look at the childminder smiling. The childminder is very supportive of the children because she smiles at them to reassure and develop their growing confidence.

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who attend

Pre-school children who show an interest in lining up toy vehicles are encouraged to build tracks for them. They initially make a straight line, the childminder supports them to think about how they can prevent the vehicles from going off the end of the track. The children have time to think about what they are doing and find the curved pieces of track. They join this together and talk with the childminder about the vehicles going round and round. This time the childminder provides for the children to think about what they are doing and her gentle involvement supports children to consider what they want to do next. The positive interaction promotes children's growing confidence and self-esteem, which enables them to make good progress. The childminder is effective in helping children to be prepared for their eventual move onto school. For example, she enables them to be independent in making choices of their play materials and supports them to put their coats

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who attend

and shoes on and to manage their zips and buttons. They are encouraged to work together to share and to think of others. Children have access to displays and activities that promote their interest across the seven areas of learning throughout their time in the childminder's care. All children are treated as individuals and with respect. The childminder works closely with the parents of children who speak English as an additional language to ensure their needs can be met. The play provision and books show positive images of diversity. Children enjoy getting involved in a range of seasonal activities, such as making Easter hats and taking part in an Easter egg hunt.

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who attend

The childminder has developed strong partnerships with parents in order to promote their child's learning. She seeks information from home when children start attending about their interests and achievements. She uses this alongside her own observations to identify their starting points and completes ongoing planning, which leads to the identification of their next steps in learning. Parents are kept fully informed of their child's progress through daily feedback. The childminder talks to them each day when they arrive to drop off and collect their children and she records an electronic diary that each parent has access to. Parents are encouraged to look at their child's observation records electronically either in their own home or with the childminder and she welcomes their comments about their child's progress that she uses to inform the planning of activities for each child.

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

Children clearly demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the childminder's home. For example, young toddlers settle to sleep when it is time for a rest and they wake happily, smiling and snuggling into the childminder for a cuddle and a drink. Children are confident to move around between the play materials and they are able to help themselves to boxes of toys from the low shelves of the unit in the living room. Young children enjoy rummaging around in the boxes to select their own items to explore. The childminder ensures children feel a sense of belonging because she provides them with a running commentary of the day, which means they know what is coming next in the flexible routine. For example, the children know to sit on their stools at the table when it is snack time. The childminder provides comfort and reassurance for the children and uses her gentle manner and sensitive interactions to promote children's feelings of well-being. This

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

helps them to feel settled as they make the move from home to the childminder's home.

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

Children's dietary needs are met well because the childminder seeks information from their parents about any allergies or specific requirements. She informs parents of the types of meals she provides that are freshly prepared, varied and nutritious. The childminder keeps parents informed each day about how well their children have eaten. Children are offered regular drinks so they do not become thirsty. The childminder works closely with parents of children who are weaning to ensure they are provided with suitable food for their needs.

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

Children behave well. The childminder demonstrates through discussion entirely appropriate strategies to manage any behaviour issues for children of different ages. She has a consistent approach and uses lots of praise and encouragement to support children to develop personally, socially and emotionally. For example, talking with them about taking turns, sharing and considering the impact of their actions on others. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe. The childminder has clear expectations in place for behaviour and for the children to help with tidying the toys away when they have finished playing. She maintains close supervision of the children and discusses with older children the possible risks involved in their play and how to make their game safe.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the requirements to safeguard children. She understands about notifying Ofsted and she has carried out a full review of her policies and procedures for ensuring she has evidence in place of her practice relating to safeguarding and welfare and learning and development for each child in her care. The adults in the household have the required clearances in place. The childminder is aware of the importance of following the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures in the event of any child protection concerns and she is vigilant in the risk assessment of her premises. The childminder's policies and procedures are reflected in her activity with the children and a record of complaints is in place.

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provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She understands where each child is in their learning and she is able to teach them through her positive and encouraging interactions with them. The childminder plans activities that are interesting to the children because they are linked to their interests. She organises her care so she is able to spend good amounts of time with each child and this promotes their learning. Children enjoy having access to the good range of books, play materials and resources that are rotated regularly to always offer new experiences.

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provision

Children benefit from the effective partnerships the childminder has built with their parents. She persists in her encouragement for them to be fully involved in their child's learning through accessing the electronic system she uses for her observation, assessments and monitoring of the progress each child is making. The childminder is aware of the importance of developing partnerships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage who are involved with the children. There is scope to extend this partnership further to ensure that children receive a consistent approach. For example, through providers sharing information about their topics, the children's interests and the progress they are making. The childminder demonstrates that she is keen to reflect on her practice and to ensure she continues to respond to the children's and families' needs. She has made significant changes to her childminding procedures and her recording of

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provision

evidence since the allegation that was made. She has taken suitable action to address the recommendation made at the previous inspection. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledgeable and positive interactions with them and this promotes their sense of well- being and belonging in her home.

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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 EY437284 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 966865 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 2

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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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