Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11/08/2014 20/12/2010

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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 teaches young children the basic skills they will need to support their future learning well. She understands how each child learns best and what their interests are. This enables her to provide purposeful learning opportunities so they make good progress.  The childminder is well organised. She knows how to manage her business and ensures that documents and records are kept up to date and accurate. She maintains the security of her setting and the safety of children by being vigilant.  The childminder reflects on her practice constantly so that she continually provides the best possible care and learning for the children placed with her.  Children are looked after in a very safe environment. The childminder has a thorough understanding of child protection issues and makes sure that everything the children may come into contact with is risk assessed and made as safe as possible.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Children's independence and confidence in their own abilities is not fully promoted by the childminder. They are not always given the opportunity to challenge themselves or develop their skills fully as they use the climbing and bouncing equipment outdoors.

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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 engage in free choice play and take part in planned activities and discussed these observations with the childminder.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records and planning documentation.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of the childminder and her household and talked with the childminder about her self-evaluation and improvement plans.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents and carers from information included in the childminder's documentation.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2008 on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and three children aged six, four and two years in the village of Bozeat, Northamptonshire. The childminder's home is close to the centre of the village. Ground floor rooms are used for childminding purposes. There is garden for outdoor play. The childminder is currently minding two children in the early years age group. The childminder attends a toddler group in the village on a regular basis. The childminder operates from 8am to 6pm each weekday, throughout the year, except for family holidays. She has experience of being a nanny and working in a day nursery setting. The childminder holds a relevant childcare qualification at level 3.

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

 focus more precisely on building children's confidence as they learn to use the outdoor play climbing and bouncing equipment.

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who attend

The childminder teaches young children the key skills they will need to support their future learning well. She thoroughly understands how children learn best and what their interests are, enabling her to provide suitable opportunities for them to make good progress. The childminder gives children time to think about what she has asked them and then follows up their responses with supportive language or actions. For example, the childminder asks children what they would like to have out of their food box for snack, mentioning two options. Children think about it for a moment and then express their choice.

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who attend

The childminder observes children as they play and makes sure they are making progress across all areas by tracking their learning in line with expected developmental milestones. She does this to make sure children gain the skills they need to be ready for the next stage in their learning whether it will be pre-school or reception class. The childminder completes a full review of children's development and learning on a regular basis. Parents and other carers are very good at keeping the childminder up to date about care and well- being issues and share information about children's experiences at home or with other family carers, so that she is aware of new interests or milestones achieved and can plan their day accordingly.

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who attend

Children benefit from playing in an environment that is rich in opportunities for conversation and discussion. They are well supported in developing their communication and language skills by talking about what they are doing and by sharing storybooks together. The childminder talks with parents when there are any potential concerns about development and they work together to support the child. Children visit local groups with the childminder, which enables them to socialise with children of a similar age and to play with different toys. They go on outings to local parks, talk about what they can see and then enjoy coming home to re-enact these experiences.

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

The childminder works in partnership with parents and other family carers to settle children into her home because she understands how important it is to support the transition from home to her setting. Parents and children visit to ensure both parties are happy with the arrangements. There are warm and caring relationships evident between the childminder and the minded children that make them feel valued and secure. Children's behaviour is managed consistently well. They learn to share and take turns and to be considerate to their friends. For example, there are two ride-on cars in the garden, but when both children want to use the same car, they learn that one must wait until the other has finished.

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

Children are looked after in a very safe environment. Although children are encouraged to consider own and their friend's safety as they play, the childminder makes sure that everything they come into contact with is risk assessed and made as safe as possible. For example, the doorstop to the wooden playhouse is misplaced so until it is found, the childminder places a heavy rock against the door, so that it does not bang shut on children. Children have many opportunities to practice climbing and bouncing skills on the excellent range of outdoor apparatus. However, younger children's enjoyment and progress could be further enhanced by them being encouraged to use the equipment independently. Children's personal care skills develop as they learn about the importance of hand washing at certain times. They learn to put on outdoor shoes before playing in the garden and are beginning to recognise when shoes are on the wrong foot by how they

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

The childminder knows all about children's dietary needs and although parents currently provide their children's food, the childminder encourages children to try different fruits and vegetables, letting those who are able, help her to prepare them. Children's medical needs are known to the childminder. She holds a current paediatric first-aid certificate and is confident to deal with minor accidents or illnesses. She is fully aware of the requirements for administering medicines and maintains a log signed by parents.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her roles and responsibilities in relation to the safeguarding and welfare requirements. She has a thorough understanding of child protection issues and her procedures include use of social media, mobile telephones and cameras in her home during childminding hours, as well as the safe and timely collection of children. The childminder makes parents aware that she works alone and that she has undergone suitability checks with Ofsted so they can be assured of their children's safety.

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provision

The childminder is well organised. She has a good understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and provides activities to support children's development in all areas of learning, making regular assessments such as the progress check for children between the ages of two and three years when appropriate. She knows how to manage the business side of her provision to ensure that documents and records are kept up to date and that the security of her setting and of children is maintained. Policies and procedures are reviewed and updated regularly and shared with parents so they can understand how her provision operates.

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provision

The childminder is constantly reflecting on her practice to enable her to provide the best possible care and learning for the children placed with her. She takes into account any comments from children and parents and uses these when reviewing her practice. All actions and recommendations from the last inspection report have been completed to further support good practice. For example, daily registers are maintained. The childminder has several years experience of caring for children in their own homes and in a nursery setting and holds a National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in early years education. Consequently, she is confident and capable, providing good quality care and learning.

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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. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of 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

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Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. 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 EY386531 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 821695 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 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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