Crofts, Donna Michelle

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18 June 2015 1 February 2011

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 The childminder is confident in her ability to teach children and support them in their learning and development. The children receive skilful care and attention, meaning that overall they make good progress in their learning.  Parents are kept up to date with the progress their children make because the childminder shares information with them in a range of ways. This means that the childminder develops strong partnerships with parents and this has a positive impact on children's learning and development.  Children receive individual attention from the childminder, and this helps them feel settled and safe. In addition, the childminder actively encourages children's good social and communication skills as they play.  The childminder has a robust knowledge of child protection procedures and knows what must be done to keep children safe and to report any concerns she may have for their welfare. She keeps her knowledge up to date by attending regular training.

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This provision is good

 The childminder, at times, works with an assistant who supports her practice. The childminder shares skills and training with him regularly to ensure he knows how to meet children's needs and make contributions to their well-being.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not consistently extend children's understanding of other cultures or people from different backgrounds, to increase their awareness of diversity.

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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

 increase the range of resources and learning opportunities available to help children develop a greater understanding of different communities and cultures.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the childminder's home and in the garden.  The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector looked at children's records, planning, and a range of other documentation, including policies and procedures.  The inspector took account of the written views of parents.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder.

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who attend. This is good

The childminder has a secure knowledge of how children learn, and shows a clear grasp of the needs of the children in her care. She carefully plans activities that are exciting as well as challenging for them. This means the children are highly motivated to join in any activity she offers. The childminder is aware of what she needs to do to involve parents in their children's learning, and has made efforts to support the learning that happens in the home. For example, the childminder displays a homemade book of activities in her entrance corridor to provide information for the parents. The childminder regularly observes what children do and assesses their development. Overall, children make good progress in their learning. However, the childminder does not always make the most of opportunities to teach children about people of different cultures. As a result, children's understanding of the world is not as well planned as other areas.

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good

The childminder makes child protection her highest priority, and makes sure that she and her assistant understand how to keep children safe from harm. Children receive sensitive care from the childminder, who is an excellent role model to them. Children develop strong social skills, as well as become effective communicators, because the childminder has high expectations of them. The childminder provides them with plenty of space and fresh air. For example, children enjoy outings to the park or using the well-resourced garden. Children receive the help they need to learn good hygiene habits, such as hand washing, and the childminder makes sure they are supervised closely while they try doing it by themselves. The childminder has a good understanding of how to prepare children, through activities and discussions, for their next stage of learning and move onto school.

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provision is good

The childminder understands her responsibility to provide a secure, safe environment, and of her responsibility to ensure that the knowledge and practices of her assistant are secure. She teaches children the skills they need to protect themselves from harm; for example, they regularly practise fire drills and discuss how to safely play in water. The childminder strives to improve her service and looks to other professionals for support and guidance. Her effective partnerships with others allow her to evaluate her service objectively. She seeks the opinions of children and parents when reflecting on the quality of her practice. This helps her identify areas to improve and make changes that directly benefit children's learning. The childminder understands who to go to for support and sets herself achievable targets. This means improvements she makes have a positive impact on children's lives.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 141509 Local authority Northamptonshire Inspection number 846571 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 1 February 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2000 and holds a relevant qualification in childcare. She lives in Cosgrove, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. She works with an assistant. She offers care to children all day, every day of the week, all year round.

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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

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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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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