Childminder in Oxfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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134182 Unique Reference Number 03 October 2006 Inspection date Jill Milton 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 registered in 1985. She lives with her husband in a terraced house in a residential area close to the centre of Oxford. The childminder lives within easy travelling distance of local schools, pre-schools, parks and shops.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the house is used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed back garden for outdoor play. The childminder may care for up to five children at any one time and is currently minding two children. The childminder sometimes works with her daughter, who takes on the role of her assistant in the school holidays. The childminder's daughter is a qualified nursery nurse.

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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. The children rest and sleep according to their own routines. Younger ones settle quickly in clean and comfortable surroundings that the childminder prepares for them. Children sleep safely since the childminder makes use of a baby monitor so that she can quickly respond when they awake. The children enjoy exercise in the enclosed rear garden where they can use a selection of equipment to meet their growing physical needs. The childminder recognises the importance of offering children other opportunities for energetic play and she organises outings for younger and older ones to parks and local attractions.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children play in a clean home where the childminder pays attention to ensuring the good hygiene of areas like the kitchen and bathroom. The childminder is confident of her routines for nappy changing to keep children healthy and she helps toddlers through the different stages of toilet training. The childminder records information from parents to help her effectively safeguard the children's health. She is aware, for example, if they have conditions like asthma or eczema so that she can attend effectively to their needs. The childminder ensures her first aid training is up to date, though some items in the first aid box are quite old.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have nourishing meals and regular drinks during the day and the childminder is aware of their likes and dislikes, restricting sweets to a once a week treat. Children receive encouragement to eat fresh fruit and they enjoy hot cooked meals served at the family dining table. The childminder takes the needs of babies into account well and she feeds them in line with their individual routines.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a welcoming family home where they have plenty of space to move freely around. They can choose from a number of rooms to play in and there is a wide range of toys to keep them busy and amused. Many items of equipment are easily accessible to young children so that they can be independent. The childminder uses her home effectively to meet children's needs for rest or active play. The childminder regularly monitors the resources to ensure that games are safe and ready for children to use, recognising the fact for example that missing jigsaw pieces can cause frustration in young children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play safely since this experienced childminder is familiar with the use of safety equipment around the home. Children cannot access open stairs or kitchen cupboards for example, and the childminder talks to them about safety issues. The childminder has a good understanding of the area of child protection. Her recent attendance at a training workshop helps her to feel more confident about her role in safeguarding children.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children play happily and busily at the childminder's home. Their weekly routine includes time for play at home and outings into the community. Attendance with the childminder at the local mother and toddler group helps to develop the children's social skills and presents them with different resources too. The children interact very well with the childminder and they go to her for cuddles and comfort. When young ones are asleep the childminder focuses on the needs of older children, ensuring they have time for a favourite story book.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy choosing from the wide variety of toys on offer. They particularly like those toys which reflect their growing understanding of family life and caring for babies. The childminder helps children to hold a baby carefully and offers them praise for being kind when caring for each other. When children do have squabbles over toys the childminder quickly steps in and explains that it is better to share, helping the children to develop sociable attitudes. The childminder motivates the children to try creative activities like painting and she picks up ideas that she thinks will interest the children whilst they are in her care. The childminder has, as yet, little awareness of the Birth to three matters which is the framework to support children in their earliest years.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children play in a homely atmosphere where the childminder welcomes and cares for them well. The children play with resources that reflect diversity in a positive way, helping them to develop an open attitude to others. The childminder recognises that some children have learning difficulties or disabilities and she attends training to find out more about children's special needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages children's behaviour effectively. They are learning about how to get along with others, even when young ones find it quite difficult to share. The childminder is adept at stepping in to defuse situations and help the children to find a solution. She speaks calmly and offers the children praise for good behaviour, for example when they remember to say 'please' for something. The childminder speaks frequently to parents to ensure they are aware of how the day is spent and to share information to ensure good continuity of care. Parents and the childminder work together successfully to meet the children's needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her paperwork neatly and ensures confidential information is stored securely. She is enthusiastic about her work and regularly attends training workshops to develop her knowledge and skills. She has many years of experience of caring for a wide age range of children and some of those she cared for as a young baby are still keen to come to her in the school holidays. The childminder plays an active role in the local community to support families

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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 with young children and she has good contacts with other childminders so that she can share best practice.

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Organisation

The childminder understands her responsibilities regarding children's welfare. She supervises the children in her care closely and provides them with a homely environment for play. Her organisation of space and time contributes to children's good health, safety and well-being. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to address four recommendations. The childminder's positive attitude to her work is demonstrated by her response to these issues. She has attended training in child protection and fire safety to increase her background knowledge of these important areas. She now ensures parents have contact details for Ofsted and that daily attendance records accurately record the times of arrival and departure of the children. The impact on the children of these improvements is to ensure that the childminder looking after them is better informed about key areas and that paperwork supporting their care is more thorough. The quality of care the childminder now offers is good.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 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. 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 the contents of the first aid box are checked frequently and replaced as necessary • develop awareness and understanding of Birth to three matters in the planning and provision of activities for children under three years old

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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 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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