Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12 March 2015 8 December 2008

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Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Requires improvement The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Requires improvement The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Requires improvement The setting does not meet legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision requires improvement. It is not yet good because:

 The childminder does not always use the information obtained from observations to plan meaningful and challenging learning experiences for individual children. Consequently, children are not consistently motivated to engage in purposeful play and they are not effectively supported to make as much progress as possible.  Partnerships with parents and other providers are not sufficient to fully promote the two-way sharing of information about children's learning, or to ensure consistency when a child attends another setting.  Children's health is not consistently promoted well due to them not being adequately supported to follow good hygiene practices when preparing for mealtimes.  Children's physical development is not always maximised because the childminder does not always use her knowledge of child development to support and guide parents effectively.

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It has the following strengths

 The childminder uses daily routines to provide opportunities for children to practise their numeracy skills. For example, children recognise numbers on front doors and count how many cars pass by during their walks to school.  Children are safeguarded as the childminder has an adequate understanding of how to keep them safe and uses a varied range of policies and procedures to support her practice.  The childminder knows the children well and fully understands their care needs, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities who attend. As a result, children settle quickly, are confident and generally enjoy their time with the childminder.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

To meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage the provider must:

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 improve the quality of teaching by making better use of observations to plan purposeful and challenging activities that are fully matched to the children's individual learning needs, so that they make good progress  establish an effective two-way flow of information between parents and carers, including precise details about what children know and can do, to promote continuity of learning between home and the childminder.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 support children's growing awareness of good hygiene practices with specific regard to ensuring all children wash their hands before they sit down to eat  provide parents with relevant information about how to support their children to develop good physical skills, specifically relating to how to move their children on in their use of bottles to feeder cups, giving them a clear message about why this is important for healthy growth and development.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the lounge, kitchen-diner and during a walk in the local community.  The inspector spoke to the childminder, the children and their parents during the inspection.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder.  The inspector reviewed evidence of the suitability of the childminder and other adults living within her home.  The inspector reviewed children's records, planning documentation and a range of other documentation, including policies and procedures.

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who attend. This requires improvement

Teaching is variable because the childminder's general understanding of the learning and development requirements, does not enable her to consistently plan purposeful activities. Consequently, children spend a lot of time finding toys and resources to occupy themselves. However, the childminder supports children's communication skills adequately by encouraging them to talk about what they see during walks in the local community. The childminder holds conversations with children about their chosen topics, such as waste collections and recycling, and introduces new language, for example, 'compacting' and 'refuge'. The childminder speaks with parents on a daily basis and shares general information with other providers. However, these conversations focus too heavily on the children's care routines and not on their learning and development. In addition, the childminder lacks confidence to guide parents or give examples of how they can support

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who attend. This requires improvement

their children's progress and development. As a result, not all children are motivated in their learning or challenged in their development. For example, children who are more able, drink from baby's bottles instead of open-topped cups. Consequently, children make satisfactory progress, based on their starting points.

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requires improvement

The childminder seeks information from parents prior to starting, such as what children like and can do at home. She offers children encouragement and praises their efforts. Children learn to dress themselves independently when accessing the outdoors. However, the childminder does not always provide opportunities for children to learn healthy practices and to develop their self-care skills. For example, although, children use gel sanitiser while playing outside, they are not encouraged to wash their hands before they sit down to eat. Children to learn about road safety as the childminder discusses ways to keep themselves safe during walks. They regularly visit schools and talk with teachers at the local nursery. Consequently, they build self-confidence and become emotionally prepared for their next stage in learning.

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provision requires improvement

The childminder holds a qualification at level 3. However, her knowledge of the learning and development requirements, is not robust and she lacks confidence to share her knowledge of child development with parents. This has an impact on children's ongoing progress. However, she has very recently attended training to develop her knowledge, which supports children's welfare. The childminder adequately monitors children's learning and development. However, she does not always use her knowledge of child development to plan activities based on individual children's needs. The childminder has very recently completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form and sent out surveys to parents. She is beginning to use the information provided to formulate an action plan, in order to improve her practice. The childminder fully understands the need to work with other professionals when required.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY374098 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 858223 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 8 December 2008

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2008 and lives in Duston, Northampton. She operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year- old children and holds an early years qualification at level 3.

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Telephone number

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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Telephone number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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, safeguarding and child protection.

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Telephone number

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Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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