Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 09/01/2015 29/03/2011

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 1 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 accurately assesses where children are at in their learning and where they need support. She plans a varied range of activities that provide suitable challenge to help children to move forward in their learning. As a result, children make good progress towards the early learning goals.  The childminder builds warm, close attachments and relationships with children and this gives them a strong sense of security. This is because she spends good quality time supporting them in their activities and praises them frequently during the day.  Partnerships with parents are very good. As a result, information about children's care and learning is shared frequently, supporting their development at the childminder's provision and at home.  The childminder ensures that children are safe within her home and on outings through the use of effective risk assessments and a secure knowledge of how to safeguard

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Children do not readily have independent access to a wider range of resources to fully support their self-chosen play and facilitate them to make individual choices.

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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 talked to the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection and observed a variety of activities both indoors and outdoors.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the childminder and her assistants as well as a selection of policies and procedures, including safeguarding and discussed risk assessments and the childminder's self- evaluation process.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder, she discussed children's learning and development and sampled their records and looked at the planning documentation.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents by talking to them on the day and by reading a number of comments on questionnaires and letters given to the childminder.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2004 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband, who occasionally works as her assistant and two children in a house in Kettering. The whole of the ground floor, one bedroom upstairs and the rear garden are used for childminding. The family has a pet cat and some fish. The childminder also occasionally works with another assistant. She attends local stay and play groups, visits local shops and parks on a regular basis. She takes children to and collects them from the local schools. There are currently 14 children on roll, of whom five are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. She operates all year round, from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder receives funding for three- and four-year-old children. She holds a relevant qualification at level 3. She is a member of the

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Information about the setting

Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years and the Northamptonshire Childminding Association.

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

 enhance the range of resources and activities readily available at any one time to enable children to make more individual choices about what they would like to do.

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who attend

The childminder is a knowledgeable and enthusiastic practitioner. She demonstrates a good understanding of the learning and development requirements and of how children learn. As a result, children are engaged and motivated in their play. Children make good progress in their learning because of effective procedures for monitoring their development towards the early learning goals and effective teaching. The quality of teaching is good as the childminder follows and extends the children's interests, which supports their future learning. Through timely and accurate observations, the childminder continues to assess what children are able to do and uses this information to plan effectively for the next steps in their learning.

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who attend

The childminder places a strong focus on helping children to develop their communication and language skills. She talks to children while they play and engages them very positively in conversations and asks questions. This good practice provides opportunities for them to express themselves and to share their interests. She provides a running commentary during activities and routines. This gives meaning to what the children are doing and helps to support their early communication and language skills well. The childminder regularly reads stories and leads a daily singing activity to further promote children's learning in communication and language, while also sparking their literacy and expressive arts skills. Consequently, children are acquiring the skills to prepare them for their next stage of learning.

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who attend

The childminder gathers suitable information from parents and carers about children's starting points as they enter the setting. She then observes the children to confirm where they are at in each of the areas of learning. The childminder completes the progress check between the ages of two and three years and shares these with parents. As a result, any gaps in children's learning and development are quickly identified and addressed through early intervention and appropriate support. The childminder regularly has discussions with parents and carers about their child's progress and shares their comprehensive developmental journals. This effectively supports development at the childminder's provision and at home.

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

The childminder works closely with parents to support children's transitions into her care. Settling-in visits are offered, which means that children gradually become familiar with their new surroundings. A wide range of information is obtained from parents about children's routines, interests and individual needs. This enables the childminder to offer a consistent approach, which supports children's emotional well-being very well. The ongoing sharing of information ensures children's needs continue to be met. The childminder ensures that she speaks with parents daily, on arrival and collection, about children's individual needs. Also, she shares information about each child's day on daily diary sheets. Strong, warm and caring relationships between the childminder and children are evident. The childminder knows each child well and she is very attentive towards their needs. She responds attentively to children's attempts to express themselves, which has a

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

positive impact on their confidence and self-esteem. This helps them to feel good about themselves and children are observed to be happy, content and secure.

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

The childminder supports children's personal, social and emotional development well. She takes children to the local primary schools when they collect older children. This helps the younger children become familiar with the school setting and supports their move onto school life. The childminder understands the importance of integrating children into the community. She plans daily visits to local 'stay and play' groups where they socialise with other children. As a result, children learn good social skills and manners that prepare them well for the next stage in their learning. The childminder is a good role model of behaviour and children enjoy high levels of attention. She acknowledges their achievements with lots of praise and encouragement. Also, gentle reminders about being kind and sharing help children to begin to understand the rules about playing together and developing positive relationships with others.

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

The childminder successfully promotes children's good health and physical development. She makes sure that she knows how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and fully meets children's individual care, health and dietary needs and routines. Children's independence is encouraged and they are helped to learn good hygiene routines. They know to wash their hands before snack time and even the younger children show a good understanding of the need to do so. The childminder plans frequent visits to the local parks where children enjoy fresh air and exercise on a regular basis, which helps support their overall physical well-being and development. Children use the garden for physical play and have access to a variety of equipment and role-play resources. The indoor environment contains interesting resources that are appropriate, well maintained and cover many areas of learning. However, younger children do not readily have access to additional resources to

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

support their self-chosen play and facilitate them to readily make independent choices.

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provision

The childminder has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This is supported by an effective range of written policies and procedures. The childminder has attended relevant training, including safeguarding, food hygiene and first aid. She has also ensured that her assistants undertake regular relevant training in line with statutory requirements. As a result, children are kept safe. Continuous risk assessments are conducted to ensure that the indoor and outdoor environments are safe and secure for the children. Documentation, such as the accident and medication records, is well maintained and available for inspection. As a result, children's welfare and safety are promoted well.

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provision

The childminder is a qualified and experienced practitioner. She effectively monitors and supervises the practice of both of her assistants. The childminder reflects on her provision and seeks the views of parents to evaluate the effectiveness of her practice. She regularly meets with other childminders and childminding development workers to share information about changes to childcare practice. This results in children continually benefitting from good standards of care and learning. The childminder has successfully addressed the recommendations raised at the last inspection. For instance, she has effectively implemented a more efficient means of sharing children's progress with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This ensures continuity and coherence of progress towards the early learning goals.

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provision

The childminder is committed to partnership working to help her meet children's individual needs and to support them in reaching their full potential. The childminder regularly communicates with parents. She listens to and takes on board the ideas and requests of parents and adapts her practice to meet the needs of children. This means that parents remain informed about how children spend their day and of their progress. The childminder has a close relationship with parents and they comment that their child is very fond of the childminder. Parents report that the childminder supports children's learning and development very well. Some written comments include reference to their children's development having come on 'in leaps and bounds'.

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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 EY279308 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 848646 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 14

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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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