Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY332995 Unique Reference Number 16 November 2006 Inspection date Patricia Joan Latham 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 has been registered since 2006 and lives with her husband and two children, three years, and seven years old, in Bicester, Oxfordshire. The rooms used for childminding include a lounge/ diner on the ground floor, with toilet and sleeping facilities upstairs. There is an enclosed rear garden with grass and patio areas for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently minding two children on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s health is maintained because the childminder follows hygienic practice. To minimise cross infection she keeps all areas that children use clean and encourages children to wipe their

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 hands regularly. However, she does not have a policy of excluding contagious illnesses, which poses a risk to children's health. The childminder has appropriate training to deal with medical emergencies. She maintains all necessary recordings but does not obtain written permission from parents to seek emergency aid.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder stores, appropriately, the food and drinks that parents provide. The childminder is also willing to provide any meals that parents require. She obtains information regarding any allergies children may have, and is able to meet individual catering needs. Any snacks that are provided are nutritious to ensure children remain healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have the opportunity for regular outdoor exercise and play. They walk to and from local schools each day and pay visits to local play areas. The childminder has a garden available for their use when weather is suitable.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe and welcoming environment. The premises are kept secure and all areas are well maintained. The childminder supervisors children closely and has all required safety equipment available. Children are encouraged to follow safe practice both indoors and out. They learn not to climb on furniture and to keep close by when out walking. However the procedure she would follow, if a child was lost, is not formalised nor made known to parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a suitable range of resources for children to use. These include baby toys and lots of imaginary playthings. The toys are stored readily accessible to children and are cleaned and checked regularly to ensure they remain safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and children are never left in the sole charge of unvetted adults. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to record and refer any concerns she may have regarding children's care. However parents are not made aware of this. Nor of the procedure she would follow if they failed to collect their child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are offered a good level of care. The childminder provides a range of stimulating, and interesting, activities. She arranges for children to visit social groups, such as parent and toddler groups, and she allows time for children to have 1-1 play at home. She provides some structured activities such as cake making, and pumpkin carving at Halloween, but mainly activities are child led. Children's personal routines are followed as closely as possible. The childminder involves herself in children’s play and children are happy and relaxed in her care. They receive lots of cuddles and good support as they learn new skills.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are developing an understanding of other peoples needs and are learning to include each other in their play. The childminder encourages their independence and promotes their self esteem. She offers lots of praise as they accomplish tasks and teaches them to respect others. The childminder has clear, consistent strategies for managing children’s behaviour and children are given clear guidelines to follow. The childminder understands children’s developmental stages and is able to meet children’s individual needs. She forms a good relationship with parents and is able to work with them to provide consistent care. Parents are able to settle children in and are able to discuss issues with the childminder. However, the childminder does not make parents aware of the procedure they should follow if they wish to make a formal complaint. Nor has she established a complaints log.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her service well to ensure children remain safe and healthy. She has completed all relevant training and has extended this with a teaching assistant course. This knowledge she uses to organise stimulating activities for the children. Although she has an understanding of the policies and procedures she needs to follow when minding, she has yet to formalise them in order to inform parents regarding her service. The childminder does not display her certificate during childminding hours.

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Organisation

All documentation is organised into files and kept readily to hand. The childminder maintains attendance and medical recordings accurately, and keeps full information regarding the children minded. There are other records that are not maintained and some written permissions not obtained from parents. Paperwork is stored securely to maintain children’s confidentiality.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 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): • formulate policies and procedures and make them known to parents; to include complaints, lost child, uncollected child, exclusion of infectious illnesses and procedures for safeguarding children’s welfare • establish a complaints log • display registration certificate during childminding hours • ensure pre-existing injuries are recorded • obtain written permission to seek, and administer, emergency aid.

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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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