Childminder in Oxfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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133376 Unique Reference Number 30 November 2006 Inspection date Sheila Collins 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 satisfactory. 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 1995. She lives with her husband and three children aged three, eight and 13 years in Marcham, near Abingdon in Oxfordshire. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder takes children to and collects from local schools and pre-schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently minding eight children, all of whom attend on a part time basis. Of these children, four are under five years and four are school aged. The childminder takes children to and collects from local schools and pre-schools. The family has a dog, three cats and some fish in a tank, as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of an approved childminder 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 good. Children know about good hygiene practices. They wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating meals. Upstairs in the bathroom they use paper towels and downstairs they use wipes, which helps to protect them from cross-infection. The older children independently access the upstairs bathroom.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a valid first aid certificate and a good understanding of the way to prevent accidents, which contributes to keeping the children healthy. The children's health needs are known to the childminder and she has all the relevant paperwork in place to support this.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides healthy snacks for the children, for example fruit. They each have their own individual water bottles which they can easily access for themselves. The children's parents provide their lunches and the childminder ensures that meal times are social occasions, talking with the children at this time.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children's own routines are followed by the childminder, which ensures continuity for the children. They enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their physical development, such as daily walks and visits to the local park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move around the rooms safely. They use the space available appropriately for example, taking part in quiet activities in the lounge, messy play in the kitchen and free play in the conservatory and play room. The children are safe because the childminder is proactive in spotting any potential hazards both indoors and in the garden. They take part in regular evacuation drills

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access toys easily from boxes and storage within the playroom. They choose from the wide range of resources. These are checked regularly by the childminder to ensure that they are safe and appropriate for the age and stage of development of the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good working knowledge of child protection issues and procedures, which also contributes to the children's safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well, are confident and relate well to each other and adults present. They select what they would like to do from the good range of appropriate toys, which they can easily access for themselves or with assistance from the childminder. Children are happy and settled in the childminder’s care. The childminder makes good use of daily routines and plans activities to promote the children’s development and enjoyment. She encourages conversation enabling

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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 children to develop their language skills. Children enjoy the company of the childminder’s own children and form good relationships.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children direct their own play, supported by the childminder. They respond well to suggestions from the childminder to extend their play, for example in role play, taking the dolls shopping and discussing what they are going to buy. They enjoy first hand learning experiences by going on outings in the local area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a good understanding of the individual needs of children in her care. Information from parents is regularly updated which enables the childminder to give each child appropriate care. Children access a range of toys and resources that reflect the diversity of society, however these are limited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children know right from wrong as the childminder uses appropriate age and stage strategies for managing their behaviour. They know the rules for acceptable behaviour and the childminder talks with them so that they are aware of why any unwanted behaviour is unacceptable. Their efforts and achievements are praised well by the childminder, which promotes their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good relationships with parents. They work together to meet the child’s individual care and developmental needs. Children’s routines and activities for the day are shared with parents verbally when they collect their child, ensuring good home links.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The childminder makes good use of the available space and organises the children's routine well by planning activities, outings, rest and quiet times within her daily programme. Because of this children feel secure and confident.

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Organisation

Continuity of care for the children is assured through the effective use of contracts, policies and procedures.

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Organisation

All the required documentation needed to support the running of the childminder's business is in place. However, the childminder has a written complaints policy which is limited and parents do not sign the attendance register. The detailed information that the childminder and parents share about their individual child ensures consistency for the children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was given two recommendations. These were to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and to

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Improvements 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 ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has obtained written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment, which further safeguards the children's welfare. She has also obtained some extra resources and encouraged the children to take part in some activities which promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. However, limited progress has been made in this area and it is an ongoing recommendation.

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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 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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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 satisfactory. 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): • continue to review the range of resources and activities available for the children to increase their awareness of equality of opportunity and anti - discriminatory practice • review the documentation in place for example, extending the complaints policy and the information recorded in the attendance register.

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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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