Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 03/10/2014 01/05/2012

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early years provision

This inspection: 4 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 4 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 4

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This provision is inadequate

 The childminder's assistant, who is occasionally left in sole charge of the children, has never obtained a paediatric first-aid training. This compromises children's well-being and is a breach of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.  The childminder has not kept a written record of medicine administered to children. This compromises children's well-being and the effective management of the provision and is a breach of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.  The quality of teaching is variable and ongoing assessments of children's learning and development are not always consistently linked to the planning of activities. As a result, children are occasionally not provided with challenging activities that are fully matched to their learning needs.

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It has the following strengths

 Children form secure attachments with the childminder and her assistant. Relationships are warm and nurturing, which effectively supports their emotional security.  The childminder effectively minimises risks to children within her home. This supports children's safety.

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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 conducted a tour of the premises during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed children's activities and routines in the indoor and outdoor areas.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to the childminder and her assistant at appropriate times throughout the observations and spent time interacting with the children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's learning journey records, planning systems, a selection of policies and procedures and children's records.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of suitability of the childminder and discussed self- evaluation.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2009 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She occasionally works with an assistant. The childminder lives with her husband and three children aged 15, 13 and 10 years in a house in the town of Kettering, Northamptonshire. The whole of the ground floor and the two first floor bedrooms are used for childminding. Toilet facilities are provided on the ground floor and a rear garden is available for outdoor play. The childminder attends activities at the local children's centre. She visits the shops and park on a regular basis and collects children from the local schools. There are currently seven children on roll, three of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder operates all year round, from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. She is registered to provide overnight care.

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must:

 ensure any assistant, who might be in sole charge of children for any period of time, completes a training course to obtain a current paediatric first-aid certificate

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must:

 ensure a written record is maintained of all medicines administered to children

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must:

 improve the quality of teaching and ensure assessment is consistently used to inform the planning of challenging activities that are fully matched to the children's learning needs and therefore, helps them to make the best possible progress.

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who attend

The childminder routinely makes observations of the children as they play and takes photographs of them participating in the activities provided. She subsequently evaluates this information, in order to identify children's next steps in their development. However, identified priorities are not always routinely used to inform the planning. As a result, children are not always provided with challenging activities that are fully matched to their individual learning needs to enable them to make good progress. Additionally, the quality of the childminder's teaching is variable. For example, the childminder does not always effectively adjust her teaching methods according to the children's differing ages and stages of development. Furthermore, the childminder does not always allow sufficient time for the children to fully explore and develop their own ideas as they play. This is because the childminder immediately tidies away the toys once she thinks the children are losing

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who attend

interest. As a result, children are unable to return to the activities and their natural curiosity and enjoyment are not always fully optimised.

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who attend

The childminder appropriately broadens children's range of experiences and interactions with other children during their attendance at the local children's centre activity sessions. For example, children participate in creative messy play activities, such as painting alongside their friends. The childminder and her assistant suitably support children's developing language skills, including those, who speak English as an additional language. They generally maintain a dialogue with the children and introduce new vocabulary during the context of their play. For example, the childminder clearly pronounces and encourages young children to repeat words, such as 'crocodile' and 'elephant' as they play with the wild animals. Additionally, the childminder encourages younger children to use sounds in their play, such as 'choo, choo' for a toy train. Younger children's developing physical skills are encouraged by the childminder because she provides appropriate aids, such as

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who attend

walkers to develop their walking skills. Furthermore, older children have opportunities to manoeuvre wheeled toys and learn to throw and kick balls in the childminder's garden. The childminder appropriately shows younger children how to push and pull levers on the activity centres, which encourages them to copy and have a go themselves. As a result, younger children rock their bodies when they hear the sound of the music.

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who attend

During each child's induction, parents are asked to complete 'all about me' forms, including information about the child's character, temperament and their favourite activities. This information is then used to aid the settling-in and initial assessment process. Through a combination of informal conversations and access to development records, parents are kept adequately informed about their child's progress and attainment. Additionally, the childminder understands the requirement to complete the progress check for children between the age of two and three years, so that she is aware of their progress at this stage. However, at the time of the inspection, the childminder had not been required to implement this in practice.

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

The childminder and her assistant are kind and caring towards the children, which supports their well-being and sense of security. For example, children approach the childminder and her assistant for reassurance if they are feeling upset and naturally include them in their play. However, while the children demonstrate that they feel safe their ongoing welfare is compromised because the childminder's assistant has never completed the required paediatric first-aid training and occasionally, has sole charge of the children. New children settle well because the childminder takes time to find out about each child's backgrounds, their preferences and usual routines. This helps to ensure continuous and consistent care for the children and effectively aids transitions from their home into the childminder's care. The childminder appropriately prepares and supports older children as they move into the reception class at school. For example, children are

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

encouraged to develop their confidence and independence skills, such as putting on their outdoor clothing by themselves. The childminder's home is clean and welcoming to children and their families and a suitable range of age-appropriate resources are provided. She holds a current first-aid certificate, which means that she is able to provide children with appropriate treatment in the event of accidents. The childminder supports children to develop their awareness of how to maintain their personal safety. For example, the childminder teaches older children to cross the road and how to use play equipment in the park safely and sensibly. Additionally, the childminder ensures young children are safely strapped in their high chair at mealtimes and during outings in their buggy. From a young age, children learn simple rules and boundaries and why they need to share, be kind and develop empathy towards others. The childminder and her assistant are consistent in their approach and use positive

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

reinforcement, which promotes children's confidence and self-esteem. As a result, children smile because they are proud of their achievements. Additionally, the childminder's 'house rules' are displayed for the older children. For example, children are reminded to be polite to each other.

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

Children are encouraged to be physically active, which aids their continuing well-being. For example, children access challenging apparatus at the park and enthusiastically bounce on the trampoline in the childminder's garden. Additionally, younger children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs, which appropriately supports their continuing well- being. Although, children have meals, which are provided by their parents, the childminder tries to ensure that they learn about healthy eating. Furthermore, the childminder uses mealtimes to encourage younger children to develop their self-care and independence skills. For example, the childminder encourages younger children to hold their own cup and feed themselves.

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provision

The childminder does not have a secure understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This is because the childminder has not ensured that her assistant, who occasionally has sole charge of the children for short periods of time, has completed paediatric first-aid training. Additionally, the childminder has not kept a written record of medication administered to a child. These are breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Childcare Register. Consequently, children's ongoing safety and well-being are compromised. The childminder understands her role and duty to protect children from harm. She recognises the indicator signs of abuse and is familiar with the procedures to follow to report concerns. Appropriate checks are carried out on all adults to safeguard children. For example, Disclosure and Barring Service checks have been completed. The childminder and her

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provision

assistant supervise the children well. She effectively identifies aspects of her home that need to be checked on a regular basis, which ensures hazards to children are kept to a minimum. For example, the childminder ensures the premises, including the garden gate are secure and that dangerous items in her kitchen are made inaccessible to the children. Consequently, children move around safely. The childminder is aware of her responsibilities to meet the learning and development requirements. For example, the childminder's assessments of the children's learning and development provide her with a general overview of the children's achievements and progress. However, the quality of teaching is variable and assessments of the children are not always effectively used to plan challenging and interesting activities that support them to make consistently good progress. The childminder adequately supervises the work of

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provision

her assistant. As a result, the assistant appropriately supports the children as they play and demonstrates that he understands the general routines and organisation of the provision. The childminder demonstrates a willingness to continue to develop her practice. She has recently taken steps to self-evaluate her provision, identifying her strengths and some areas for development. For example, the childminder plans to develop her garden by providing a broader range of learning experiences to support the children's development, such as planting and growing vegetables. Additionally, recommendations raised at the last inspection have been met and the childminder seeks guidance and support from the local authority advisory team to improve her practice.

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provision

The childminder and her assistant develop appropriate relationships with parents. Communication is friendly and the childminder shares her policies and procedures. This provides parents with an appropriate range of information about the service provided. The childminder understands the role of other professionals, in order to support appropriate interventions, so that all children receive the support they need. However, to date, she has not been required to implement this in practice. Furthermore, the childminder develops suitable relationships with other early years provisions. This supports continuity and coherence in the children's ongoing care and development.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are

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actions)

The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are

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To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

 ensure a record is maintained of any medicine administered to any child, who is cared for on the premises (compulsory part of the childcare register)  ensure a record is maintained of any medicine administered to any child, who is cared for on the premises (voluntary part of the childcare register).

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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 EY399072 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 959720 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 7

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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

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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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