Childminder in Oxfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY298646 Inspection date 04 August 2005 Inspector Gillian Little

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2005. She lives in a village north of Oxford with her parents, two sisters and nephew. She works with her mother, also a registered childminder. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family has some goldfish. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the local library and to the local park.

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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 The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years when working alone or ten children under eight when working with her co-childminder. She is currently minding six children all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder also cares for children over eight years. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She holds a Diploma in Nursery Nursing.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children receive a healthy diet as the childminder serves regular meals, snacks and drinks brought from the child’s home. The childminder offers water and sugar free juice to any children who need extra drinks. The childminder helps children to stay healthy by providing a good level of cleanliness, storing food safely, keeping pets safe and having a no-smoking policy. Children learn about appropriate health and hygiene practices, such as washing hands after using the toilet, but risk cross-infection, as they do not have individual hand-towels. Children have many opportunities to enjoy physical activity, such as playing in the inviting and spacious garden or taking part in regular outings. Older children learn about why healthy eating and exercise is good for them. The childminder helps them to understand that it is healthier to walk than to take the car, allowing them to benefit

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Helping children to be healthy

from fresh air and exercise. The childminder has a First Aid certificate in place and keeps full records regarding children’s medical needs. This helps to ensure that she is able to care for children appropriately when they become ill.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised by the safe and secure environment both indoors and outdoors. The childminder ensures that children stay safe by checking the premises each day before they arrive and supervising them closely. She minimises the risk of fire by having appropriate equipment and an emergency evacuation plan in place. The garden is safe and enclosed although the bolt on the side gate is low enough for older children to reach it. Children stay safe on outings as the childminder follows appropriate procedures such as using suitable car restraints and taking a mobile phone and first aid kit. Older children learn how to stay safe as the childminder teaches them about road safety and what to do if they become lost.

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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 of different ages are able to develop a variety of skills using appropriate equipment and toys, which are safe and clean. Children stay safe as all adults living in the household have suitable checks and the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a broad range of activities, which help them to develop skills in all areas of learning. The childminder plans activities on a weekly basis and rotates toys and activities regularly to maintain children’s interest. Children benefit from the childminder’s positive and consistent support through activities such as sharing books together or talking about recent outings. Children have plentiful opportunities to play in the inviting garden, which has areas to explore, tables and chairs to sit at and a gazebo to provide shade from the sun. Children become engrossed in their activities such as making sandcastles, making tea in the playhouse and writing secret messages at the table. Children develop confidence and self-esteem as they engage in suitable and achievable tasks. The childminder adapts activities so that all age groups are able to take part. Children develop positive relationships with the childminder and with each

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

other, playing well together and learning to take turns and to share. They benefit from the very calm and settled environment where they are able to play and learn peacefully. The childminder knows children well and is able to give them extra attention when they need it. She liaises closely with parents to ensure that she is able to meet children’s individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have access to resources that reflect the multicultural nature of society. The childminder provides play people, books and jigsaw puzzles that reflect different backgrounds and cultures and this helps children to learn about the wider world. All children have equal access to appropriate toys and activities and the childminder treats them all with equal concern. This helps them to feel valued and to respect each other. The childminder is not currently caring for children with special needs but has some experience in this area. Children benefit from the childminder’s positive approach to behaviour management. If children misbehave, she explains to them why it is not acceptable or distracts them if they are too young to understand. She keeps children occupied, which helps to prevent unwanted behaviour from occurring. Older children enjoy the opportunity to

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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 care for younger children, such as sharing books together, and this gives them a sense of responsibility. Children benefit from the childminder’s positive relationships with parents. The childminder talks to parents each day about their children so that they can exchange appropriate information and develop consistency between the home and care environments. The childminder has written agreements in place with parents to ensure that she is aware of and is able to meet children’s individual needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder works with a co-childminder but provides only adequate indoor space for all the children in their care. The conservatory, which should form part of the children’s play space, is used mainly for storage. It is unwelcoming and provides little usable space for the children. The childminder has appropriate experience of working with children. She holds a Level 3 qualification and updates her childcare knowledge through regular short courses. This benefits the children directly, such as the childminder attending a positive behaviour course. The childminder ensures that adult: child ratios are maintained at all times so that children are given appropriate attention and support. She ensures that most documentation is in place, although she does not currently have written permission from parents to seek emergency treatment or advice for their children. This could

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Organisation

delay any necessary treatment for a child. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • provide individual hand drying for children • improve security of the garden gate • ensure that there is sufficient space at all times for all children attending the setting • obtain written parental consent to seek emergency medical advice and treatment

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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