Fixed Exclusion Unit

Inspection report for early years provision

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134287 Unique Reference Number 23 February 2007 Inspection date Susan Victoria May 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 1994. She lives with her husband and son aged 15 years. They live in the small town of Thame in Oxfordshire. The ground floor of the premises is used for minding. There is a secure garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for six children and is currently minding eight children on a full and part time basis. The childminder is prepared to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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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 enjoy a clean and well-maintained home. Children are beginning to become independent in their personal hygiene. For example, children learn they need to wash their hands before handling food after outdoor play, thus helping prevent the spread of germs. The childminder holds all of the required documentation to accurately record all accidents and administer prescribed medication; however, procedures to administer non-prescribed medication are less effective. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate in place to ensure she can deal with minor accidents. This promotes children’s well-being at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s dietary needs are met because the childminder works closely with parents. The childminder records and discusses the parent’s preferences regarding food and individual children’s needs. This ensures the needs of the children in her care are met. To promote healthy eating the childminder offers nutritious meals and snacks, for example, for a mid morning snack she offers fresh fruit and drinks are readily available. This helps young children to begin to learn about what foods are good for them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children explore and develop physical control in stimulating daily indoor and outdoor experiences. They have access to a broad, interesting and challenging variety of activities, which they enjoy and promote their good health. Children develop fine motor control and co-ordination through activities such as puzzles, games and using age appropriate construction toys. The childminder considers the individual routines of the children when planning activities and children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs. The childminder has regard for the Birth to three matters framework and uses aspects of it to guide her practice. This good understanding of each child's stage of development means the children are confident to try out new skills, request help if needed and achieve in a safe environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Risks of accidental injury are minimised because the childminder is vigilant and has procedures in place to ensure children can play in a safe and secure environment. This ensures the on-going safety and well-being of the children. The childminder gives high priority to helping young children to begin to understand how to keep themselves and others safe. For example, she reminds a child playing on the tractor to be careful not to go so fast he falls off, or bumps into other children. To keep children safe on outings the childminder carries emergency details with her, for example, written contact numbers and a mobile phone.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from having a warm and inviting environment, where their work is valued and displayed, this helps promote children’s self-esteem. Children have independent access to a range of equipment and resources from which to choose. The childminder monitors and supervises children’s choices of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder carries out regular checks on all toys, resources

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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 and equipment and implements effective procedures to clean and maintain them. This ensures they remain safe for the children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards the children's safety and welfare using relevant documentation and procedures. She has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what action to take if she has concerns about a child in her care. This ensures she is able to quickly recognise when a child is in danger and act in the child’s best interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children clearly enjoy their time at the childminder's home and are very happy, enthusiastic and eager to participate in a range of activities. Children have access to a varied selection of toys throughout the home from which they enthusiastically select the toys and resources they wish to play with. The childminder provides an extensive range of appealing toys, which the children clearly enjoy and show considerable interest in, which promotes their development and learning in all areas. For example, encouraging children to guess and name what is hiding behind the doors in one of the many story and reference books available to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s care, learning and play are enhanced through the childminder’s understanding of child development. She has regard to the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses aspects of the framework when planning activities for the children. Interaction between the childminder and children is lovely, she is consistently nearby offering guidance and help to extend their play and learning when required. The childminder is skilful in extending language and thinking through open-ended questions, dialogue and activities. For example, she asks children to name colours and types of the vehicles they are playing with. Children's creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as art and craft, cooking, music and pretend play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder knows each child extremely well, she treats them with respect and values the children as individuals. This ensures the children are very happy, settled and comfortable within the home. She plans activities to suit the individual children's preferences and the ages and stages of development. Children benefit from the extensive communication and strong relationships in place between the childminder and parents. The childminder provides a strong role model and helps the children feel good about themselves. The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of learning difficulties and/or disabilities and offers support to ensure all children reach their potential and participate fully in the setting. The childminder has a positive understanding of all equal opportunities issues, and this helps children develop an awareness of their own and other cultures. Children develop a sense of place and learn about

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Helping children make a positive contribution

where they live through regular outings within the local community. For example, visiting the park and walks along the Phoenix Trail.

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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 Children's are lively and curious. The high expectations of the childminder and the consistent boundaries help develop children's sense of right and wrong, which helps them to begin to take responsibility for their own behaviour. Children respond positively to requests from the childminder and are eager to help and please. Praise and encouragement from the childminder builds children's self-esteem. Children develop a strong sense of self through this positive attitude.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are excellent; this contributes greatly to the children's wellbeing. Parents are welcome in the home and receive detailed information about the childminders practices and the outcome for their child. The childminder shares information with parents about how their children are progressing through regular verbal communication. This sharing of information supports and enhances children's learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the well thought out and planned environment. Indoor space is used very well, allowing children room to play comfortably and freely in defined areas. Children’s overall welfare and development is promoted as the childminder pays attention to all areas when organising her childminding day. This ensures that children are offered a wide range of stimulating activities, inside and outside the home.

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Organisation

The childminder has clear written policies and procedures in place that help to safeguard the children in her care. The childminder understands the importance of maintaining documentation and records accurately; she gives regard to issues surrounding confidentiality of children’s details, but less so when recording accident and medication information. Children benefit from an environment where they receive good adult support to help them feel secure and confident. This helps provide continuity of care. 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 extend children's access to resources reflecting positive images of culture and disability. To improve children's access the childminder has purchased play materials, books and puzzles which reflect diversity and show positive images of boys and girls from a variety of cultural backgrounds and with varying needs.

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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 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 there are clear procedures for obtaining prior written parental consent to administer non prescribed medication • ensure confidentiality is observed when recording accident and medication information

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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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