Oxenford Susan

Inspection report for early years provision

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222602 Unique Reference Number 30 May 2006 Inspection date Susan Parker Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 was registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and five children all aged over eight years, in the village of Steeple Morden. The house is within walking distance of the local shop and parks. The whole of the ground floor area of the house is used for childminding. There is also a fully enclosed garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding six children on a flexible part time basis. The family has three dogs, a rabbit, two guinea pigs and three gold fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has an early years qualification. She uses local resources and attends a childminders group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminders Association.

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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 outstanding. Children are cared for in a warm, clean inviting home. Their health is highly promoted as there are effective, routinely practiced hygiene procedures, such as washing hands before meals and after touching animals. Children learn good habits through these regular routines. Each child has their own face flannels which effectively prevent the spread of infection. The children's dietary needs are met as the childminder discusses individual requirements with parents and keeps a record of these, ensuring that any special diets or needs are observed. Children are offered an imaginative range of healthy meals and snacks which help to promote their growth and development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about being healthy because the childminder has an excellent understanding of healthy options and encourages children to eat appropriate snacks and meals. Children are given opportunities to enjoy physical play and exercise because the childminder encourages them to fully develop and explore a wide range of physical movements through regular outside play, activities and games. Children are very well supported by the childminder, promoting their confidence to try out new skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is fully promoted as the childminder has an effective awareness of risks and takes effective steps to minimise these. For example, risk assessments are regularly carried out in the home ensuring that children can play with the toys and resources in a safe environment. However, at the time of the inspection, stinging nettles were seen under the trampoline, these will be removed by the childminder. Children are beginning to learn about keeping themselves safe as the childminder talks with them about safe boundaries and behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has clear written evacuation procedures in place which are regularly shared and practised with children. Children are able to independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment. The childminder supervises this choice ensuring that they are safe and appropriate for the children's ages and stages of development. Children's welfare is skilfully safeguarded as the childminder has a comprehensive understanding of child protection and is able to protect children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy and settled within the childminder's home, confidently choosing suitable and challenging toys and activities. They communicate well with the childminder, discussing the equipment they use and asking her for help when needed. Children are offered a wide variety of exciting and imaginative activities which help to promote their development. Children are able to independently self-select from a range of age and stage appropriate resources in the dedicated play room, offering children different options for play and learning experiences.

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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 The childminder is able to use her extensive knowledge and understanding of child development to adapt activities to suit individual children. When participating in craft activities, older children are encouraged to do as much for themselves as possible, whilst younger children are offered more support from the childminder. She thoughtfully plans activities and shows genuine enthusiasm for these and all areas of play. For example, the children enjoy regular visits to groups, where they can mix with other children and experience assorted messy play activities. Children spend their time purposefully, their self-esteem and confidence is promoted through the childminder's highly professional role in supporting their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are able to feel valued and respected because the childminder makes sure that she is aware of their individual needs and beliefs and is able to meet these consistently. Children are always treated as individuals and are encouraged to respect each other and work together. They benefit from the way in which the childminder works in partnership with parents, ensuring that they are informed of their children's progress and activities, and talking with them and keeping them up to date with daily feedback. Parents are aware of the policies and procedures through concise written information and verbal feedback. However, the complaints procedure address needs to be up dated.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play well together and are learning about sharing and turn-taking. Their behaviour is good and they have a clear understanding of the ground rules, developed by the children, and respecting the boundaries which are consistently applied by the childminder. Children are encouraged to respect and appreciate other cultures and ways of life through planned activities. They have access to an exciting range of resources such as books, dressing up clothes and dolls to help increase their understanding of this area. Children also regularly mix with other adults and children who are from different age groups, cultures and backgrounds.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are secure within the surroundings where they develop a sense of trust in the childminder. They feel at ease in this organised environment leading them to confidently initiate play, explore their surroundings and lead conversations, both with the childminder and visitors. Children and parents are welcomed into the setting with clear information shared and agreed in a professional manner.

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Organisation

Procedures are both written and informal and are shared with parents on a daily basis, this promotes children's welfare and all-round development through clear information. The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of the Children Act and associated regulations, ensuring that she addresses her responsibilities. She has developed her professionalism through attending advanced training that will enhance and develop her care. She does, however, need to ensure that all written information is up to date.

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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 Organisation within the home allows access to all play activities both indoors and outside, children have independent access to personal care facilities and develop good awareness of their personal space and care through example and routines. These include personal hygiene, care for surroundings to ensure cleanliness, and responsibility for play materials and personal belongings.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to extend her knowledge and understanding of special needs. This has been addressed through extended childminding courses which deal with special needs in depth. This will ensure that any child with special needs attending the provision, will receive high quality individual care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain certain 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 that any hazardous plants are made inaccessible to children. • ensure that the information containing Ofsted's address and telephone number in the complaints procedure is correct

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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