Childminder in Oxfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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403270 Unique Reference Number 08 September 2006 Inspection date Stella Grace Dykes 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 outstanding. 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two school aged children in Bicester, Oxfordshire. Most of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 three children under five one of whom is full-time, and three children over five before and after school, as well as some children aged over eight years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends a local music group and occasional parent and toddler groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of an approved childminding network.

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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 benefit from the childminder’s excellent health and hygiene regimes which contribute to their good health. The very high standards throughout her home help to protect children from the risk of infection. Babies who are new to her setting play with toys that the childminder buys specifically for them, so that all items are scrupulously clean. Children begin to learn about protecting their own health, for example when they use liquid soap and paper towels to wash their hands before meals or after playing outside. The childminder shares her very good policy in relation to sick children with parents, which ensures that children who are ill receive the best care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a very wide range of activities that support their good health, including regular opportunities for energetic outdoor play. Older children benefit from the exercise that they receive when walking home from school with the childminder. All children routinely play at nearby parks. In the garden, younger children develop their physical skills and control of their own bodies as they crawl through the play tunnel, and kick balls. They enhance their fine motor skills as they link toy tractors and trailers together, and post shapes into a shape sorter.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder’s excellent practice with regard to storage and preparation of food and drink provides children with a positive role model. For example she monitors the temperature in the fridge in which children’s food is stored to make sure that it is appropriate. She makes sure that children have constant access to drinks, and reminds younger children to drink regularly so that their fluid intake is always sufficient. Children learn about the importance of healthy eating through discussion, activities and games that the childminder plays with them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children move freely and confidently around the childminders extremely attractive and welcoming family home. They benefit from the very high standards of maintenance and decoration throughout the house. This includes the conservatory which is set up specifically for their play. It is made especially child friendly by the displays of pictures and posters, and examples of children’s creative work. Children enjoy the extremely good facilities for play that the garden provides. For example there are paved areas to house outdoor play equipment, and to provide all weather surfaces for wheeled toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children foster their independence skills as they choose for themselves from the excellent range of toys, play materials and equipment. Items are of extremely high quality, and immaculately maintained, so that children are encouraged to use them. The stock includes items to promote children’s play and learning in all areas. The range is extended even further by items that the childminder hires specifically for their use, for example a pirate galleon for small world play to reflect a seafaring theme.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children are interested and excited by what is on offer. The ample range allows small groups of children to play together, for example sitting together undressing and dressing a number of dolls, and sending them on imaginary journeys. Younger children begin to learn about playing together as they each have a toy car in the garden, waving goodbye to each other before starting their trip.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children stay safe because the childminder supervises them closely, and is very vigilant. She takes exceptional steps to safeguard children, both at home and when outside. For example she has fluorescent wrist bands for them to wear when going out, and makes sure that car safety seats comply with the most recent legislation. Children begin to learn about maintaining their own safety as the childminder carries out regular fire drills with them. She arranges for a fellow childminder to telephone her to notify her of a drill so that she is not aware of when it will take place. This allows the practice to be a true reflection of the safety systems that she has in place. Older children learn about road safety, as they follow the steps of a specially designed programme with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder makes children’s welfare her first concern. She has an excellent knowledge of child protection issues, supported by comprehensive information from local agencies. She shares her role fully with parents, so that they can work together to get the best outcomes for children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Established children are very settled and happy in the childminder’s care. They have close and loving relationships with her. Younger children come to her readily for cuddles, and greatly enjoy the time and attention that she gives them. The childminder is highly skilled at identifying and meeting children’s needs. For example, she shows excellent sensitivity to the needs of children who are new to her care, so that they quickly become comfortable and at home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder’s undivided attention while they are with her. She is adept at supporting children’s play so that they get the most from it, and they play with enthusiasm and gusto. Children take part in a very wide range of interesting and exciting activities and experiences that help them to learn and make progress. They use musical instruments to explore sounds and rhythms. They discover the texture and properties of different materials, for example how jelly changes from a liquid to a solid, and what it feels likes. The childminder regularly takes younger children to music and other groups, so that they socialise with others in a safe and familiar environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children receive an excellent standard of care because the childminder knows them extremely well, and so is able to meet their individual needs. She treats children with equal care and concern. She helps them to learn about the wider world. She knows that some children may need additional support to achieve their potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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 understands that children thrive on praise and encouragement, which she gives them in abundance. They learn that good behaviour is valued, as the childminder praises them for their efforts as well as their achievements, and children are extremely well behaved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder makes excellent professional relationships with parents, and they are very happy with her service. She recognises the prime role that parents have in their children’s upbringing, and she works in partnership with them to get the best outcomes for children. The childminder gives parents detailed information about her service. She keeps them fully informed of their children’s progress by informal discussion at the beginning and end of each day, and by keeping a daily diary for babies and younger children.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from the childminder’s excellent understanding of her role and responsibilities. She attends regular training to keep herself up to date with developments in child care, for example in relation to child development, and to keeping children safe and healthy.

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Organisation

Children’s care is significantly enhanced by the childminder’s admirable organisation. She has a comprehensive range of detailed documents to support her outstanding childminding practice. All polices and procedures are individual to the childminder. They are clear and concise, so that they are easily accessible to parents. She keeps documents securely to maintain children’s and families confidentiality.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to make sure that the attendance register was kept up to date and was accurate, and to ask parents to sign the record of medicines given. She has addressed both these issues in full, so that children's care and welfare is further enhanced.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints 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 complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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