Childminder in OxfordshireOfsted inspection, 18 Apr 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY315114 Inspection date 18 April 2006 Inspector Jan Leo

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 11, 8,and 4 years in a village approximately 12 miles north of Oxford. She is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children under the age of eight years and currently looks after 4 children, all on a part time basis. The children play on the ground floor of the property and rest or sleep in a bedroom on the first floor. There is a secure rear garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because they play in a clean home and follow good practice to promote a healthy lifestyle. For example, children learn to wash their hands frequently to avoid the spread of germs, and they have individual hand drying facilities. Children play outdoors whenever possible, and they benefit from fresh air and exercise each day while participating in the school run. The childminder administers medication in line with parent’s instructions and she keeps very clear records to ensure there are no mistakes. Injured children receive appropriate treatment because the childminder has undertaken first aid training, and she shares accident records with parents and carers, to keep them up to date about their children's health issues. All children eat varied and healthy meals and snacks, which older children help to prepare. A choice of drinks is always available, and the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder offer drinks at regular intervals, to babies who cannot express their needs. Babies receive close attention to ensure they feel included, and the childminder builds strong bonds with them to help them settle quickly and feel emotionally secure within the setting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe because the childminder is diligent about supervision, and uses some physical measures to remove hazards. For example, cupboard locks prevent access to chemicals, and the childminder keeps children with her at all times, joining in activities to help them learn to play safely. Children play on the ground floor of the property and in the secure, compact rear garden. The furniture in the lounge is around the edge of the room with space for some toy boxes at floor level, which children can access easily. This provides children with ample space for a range of activities, and they move about safely. All toys and resources are in good condition and the childminder checks them regularly to avoid injury to children. The childminder has effective plans to cover emergencies and she completes risk assessments to protect children from harm. She has a sound understanding of the child protection

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

procedure and she ensures parents and carers understand her duty to preserve children's welfare. The childminder keeps reference material close to hand to enable a prompt referral if she has concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children participate in a varied range of activities designed to interest and challenge them according to their age and ability. The childminder joins in play to extend games by, for example, making stories out of jigsaw pieces, and developing treasure huts using pictures, words or clues depending on who is playing. Children show interest in

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 what others are doing, and the childminder ensures all feel part of the group. She does this by positioning babies near older children and providing them with a running commentary of what is happening. Children enjoy outdoor experiences regularly because the childminder extends the school run to make it different each day. She includes trips to the park, collecting leaves for collage work and painting, and other activities to help develop children's knowledge of their local environment. Children learn while they have fun and they receive encouragement to try things for themselves in order to develop their independence. Some children are hungry for knowledge and ask a constant flow of questions. The childminder answers or acknowledges all these questions to encourage children's enthusiasm.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children learn that life changes can affect how people feel and, as a result, they become tolerant of others and accept diversity. They mix well, receive the attention they need to meet their individual needs, and all have opportunities to develop through play. The childminder has little experience of special needs but works closely with parents and carers to manage successfully children's health difficulties. She is prepared to work with parents and access training to help in the care of children with specific problems. Children behave well because the childminder acts as a good role model, keeps them productively occupied, and gives clear explanations to ensure children know how to behave. The childminder builds strong relationships with parents and carers in order to develop two-way communication to improve children's care. Families enter the premises when they collect their children, and the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder tells them about the day. The adults share strategies for handing difficult situations to develop a consistent approach, which works for the child. A comprehensive folder of information about how the service operates is available for all to see. Those parents who have used the provision since before the childminder compiled the folder, have not seen the information and do not know how to contact Ofsted.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She enthusiastically undertakes training to extend her knowledge and improve the standard of care she offers. She organises her day around school journeys, making the most of opportunities to vary children's experiences. Children benefit from a clean and tidy home where they play safely, and feel welcome and valued. The childminder has well thought out policies in place to inform parents and carers about all aspects of her service. She holds sufficient information about each child to enable her to meet its needs effectively, and she keeps all this essential information confidential. The childminder keeps her paperwork in well-organised folders where information is easy to find. She has a firm understanding of the National Standards and has all the required documentation in place to comply with Regulation.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure all parents and carers know how to contact Ofsted and see relevant information relating to the provision.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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