Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 04/07/2014 07/11/2011

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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 effective teaching skills and a good understanding of the children's starting points, their likes and dislikes and how to progress their learning to ensure they make good progress.  The childminder has strong partnerships with parents and positive relationships with children so they feel safe and secure in the environment enabling them to learn.  The childminder is well-organised and has a professional approach. She reflects on her practice and makes positive changes, which bring about improvements for children.  Children are safeguarded well because the childminder demonstrates she has a good awareness and understanding of child protection procedures.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is scope for the childminder to widen the opportunities of learning outdoors by using her knowledge of the children and their identified areas of development.

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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 the childminder and children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning and next steps documentation.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of childminder and all people living on premises.  The inspector had a tour of the areas used.

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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 children aged eight and four-years-old in East Hunsbury, Northampton. The ground floor is used for childminding. Sleeping facilities are provided on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The family has a dog and a rabbit. The childminder takes and collects children from the local schools. There are currently six children on roll, of these; two are in the early years age range. They attend a variety of sessions. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five to 11 years. The childminder operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder is a member of the Northamptonshire Childminding Association.

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

 extend the outdoor learning opportunities for children, for example, by making better use of the existing indoor resources in the outdoor environment.

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who attend

The childminder has a sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the teaching is good. She uses her knowledge of the children's likes and dislikes to plan and extend individually for them. A wide and varied programme of activities is provided for the children with sufficient challenge depending on their age and stage of development. A well-embedded system to collect information from parents regarding the children's starting points is in place and this is used by the childminder to track the children's progress. Planning is effective and children's next steps are clear. The childminder uses these to challenge their learning and ensure they make steady progress. A computerised system is used by the childminder and is accessible by the parents to record information, upload children's observations, photographs and next steps. Parental contributions to the children's learning journeys are encouraged.

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who attend

Activities are set up on tables and the floor. All children can access them, which helps to promote their independence and decision making through choice. The children have free flow access to the garden and spend a great deal of time outdoors. Consequently, the indoor resources are not fully utilised and there is scope to increase the continuity of learning for the children by making better use of these in the outdoor environment. Equipment includes a water tray with different-sized funnels and pipes and a sand tray with a variety of buckets and spades. These items are used in activities which help to promote children's mathematical development and coordination skills. A selection of bikes, scooters and ride-on cars and different-sized balls are used to help to extend children's physical development and their large muscle skills. Children enjoy playing with a variety of coloured play-dough and cutting tools as they extend their knowledge of mathematics and

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who attend

strengthen the small muscles in their hands and fingers. The children are actively engaged with an activity in the water tray and use the outside tap to add more water. They are able to recall a water fight they previously had and want to continue this. The childminder listens to the children's stories and promotes the rules of conversation with her body language, eye contact and by responding appropriately. The children move around the garden with ease and confidence and are happy to play with each other. They ask the childminder to join in with their games when they want. For instance, a child selects a compact disc player and asks the childminder to dance with him. They talk while dancing and the childminder encourages the child to move his whole body. The child thrives on this encouragement and this is shown through laughter and smiles.

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who attend

The childminder attends different groups in the local area. The children enjoy these and like to socialise with other children developing skills for later learning, such as school. The childminder uses these groups as a support network and to reflect on her practice. The progress check for children between the ages of two and three years is carried out by the childminder and shared with parents.

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

The childminder provides a warm and welcoming homely setting. She has a calm and positive attitude enabling the children to feel comfortable and ready to learn. She prides herself on the relationships she has with parents and children. The childminder fully understands the children's likes, dislikes and is aware of any signs that show unsettled or tired children. The childminder has a good settling-in process which starts with the parents visiting to observe the practice. If they are happy, then visits will take place by the child and parents. If a parent does not continue with the process the childminder asks for feedback, to help improve her practice. If a child needs extra settling-in visits then these are offered. The childminder understands the importance of a child being fully settled in an environment and the impact this can have on their learning if they are not. Daily communication is given to the parents regarding their child's day this includes, activities

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

the child has been engaged in, sleep times, nappy changes and any food and drink they have consumed. The childminder actively encourages the older children to do this independently and uses it as an opportunity for them to initiate conversations with their parents.

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

The childminder encourages healthy lifestyles for the children as use of the large enclosed garden is available at all times. Visits to the local park and community groups are frequently used. Good hygiene practices are promoted, such as children washing their hands before lunch or after they have touched the animals. The children do this independently while the childminder explains the reasons. During lunch times the childminder sits with the children at a table and they are encouraged to discuss what they have been doing during the morning. The childminder promotes good table manners and healthy eating by discussing what the children have in their lunchboxes. The children have their own named cups and drinks are available at all times. Good hygiene practice is promoted when the children visit the toilet. The childminder gives a narrative commentary of what the children need to do when using the toilet. A variety of toilet training aids are

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

available to help promote the children's independence.

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

Behaviour is good. The childminder has high expectations and the children know how to behave. House rules have been drawn up and are displayed on the wall with words and pictures. Children are aware of these and follow them effectively. The children are able to inform the childminder when someone is breaking the rules. The childminder keeps children safe and encourages them to learn about and take age appropriate risk inside and outdoors. There are safety gates on both entrances to the kitchen so the children cannot get in. She applies sun cream to the children, explaining why she is applying it and encourages them to wear sun hats. Sun shades are also put up in the garden to provide shaded play space for the children so they stay safe in the sun.

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provision

The childminder is fully committed to providing a safe and secure environment for the children. The childminder demonstrates she has a good awareness and understanding of safeguarding procedures. The childminder is currently refreshing her safeguarding training to update her knowledge of local procedures and policies. Suitability checks have been carried out on people living and working at the premises. The childminder carries out daily safety checks of the registered areas to ensure that they are fit for purpose. Risk assessments are completed for the premises and for outings, such as the park and local groups. A daily attendance register is held for the children and uploaded onto the computerised system.

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provision

The childminder provides a safe, welcoming and attractive setting. The children that she cares for are relaxed and happy within the environment. She has a good knowledge of how to progress the children's learning. She has the drive and passion to constantly reflect on her practice to ensure that it is the best for the children she cares for. The childminder has identified improvements she wants to make and these include using guttering and different-sized funnels and pipes for activities to promote mathematical development. She also plans to provide the children with name cards to sign in with, a birthday bus and personalised table mats to support children's developing personal, social and emotional skills.

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provision

The childminder has strong positive relationships with both children and parents. She has a sound understanding of why positive relationships are important and how they can enhance a child's learning. Feedback from the parents is vital, evaluations and questionnaires are sent out regularly. The childminder has good partnerships with other childminders who form her own support network.

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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 EY425374 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 870231 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6

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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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