Childminder in Oxfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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134282 Unique Reference Number 12 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 1987. She lives with her husband and two adult children. They live in Thame a small town in Oxfordshire. The whole of 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 seven children on a part time basis. The childminder makes use of local facilities, helps to run a local mother and toddler group each week and 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 learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care in a warm home where the childminder is a good role model. Children are developing a growing awareness of what is good practice, their understanding increased and reinforced through routine and explanation. For example, they can independently use the bathroom and to prevent cross infection the childminder provides separate hand towels for each child. The childminder holds all of the required documentation to accurately record all accidents and administration of medication. She has a valid first aid certificate in place to ensure she can deal with minor accidents effectively. This promotes children’s well-being at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to drinks throughout the day. The childminder records and discusses parent’s preferences regarding food and individual children’s needs, taking into account healthy options, to meet the needs of the children in her care. When providing children with meals she ensures they have a variety of freshly prepared choices, for example, the menu includes pasta, fresh vegetables and fish dishes. This helps the children to begin to learn about healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children explore and develop physical control daily through indoor and outdoor experiences. They have access to a broad, interesting and challenging variety of activities, which they enjoy and promotes their good health. 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 is knowledgeable of the Birth to three matters framework and shares her knowledge with parents. 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. Children develop fine motor control and co-ordination through activities such as cooking and using age appropriate construction toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in an environment where they can move around safely and independently. Toys are set out around the home and older children can self select from an extensive range of equipment and resources. Toys for younger children are set out, monitored and rotated throughout the day to provide them with stimulating and interesting experiences. The childminder ensures they are safe and appropriate for the age and stage of development of the children she minds. The childminder carries out regular checks on all toys, resources and equipment and has 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 completes regular visual risk assessments indoors and out to reduce potential hazards and help protect children, for example, she checks the garden for safety before use. The childminder helps the older children begin to understand about keeping themselves safe when off the premises, for example, by ensuring they are walking with her and begin to learn about road safety through the ‘Footsteps’ scheme that helps them understand about road

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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 safety. The childminder has fire safety procedures to protect children in place such as a comprehensive written evacuation plan and smoke alarms throughout the premises.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder promotes the children's safety and welfare using relevant documentation and procedures. For example, she protects children's welfare by keeping an accurate record of children's times and dates of attendance; however, no record of visitors to the premises is maintained. Children are protected and safeguarded by the clear understanding of the childminder of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children cannot fail to thrive in an environment that provides learning opportunities appropriate to children's age and stage of development. Resources are both enjoyable and exciting and help children increase knowledge, understanding and skills in all areas. The children are secure and very confident in the childminder's home, they settle well and are totally at ease in the setting. Children relate well to each other, show each other care and consideration, play together and meet other children at local groups and pre-schools to socialise. The childminder provides an extensive range of appealing toys, which the children clearly enjoy, show considerable interest in, and which cannot fail to promote their development and learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder recognises the uniqueness of children and is sensitive to their individual needs; children make excellent progress because of the superb support they receive from the childminder. She spends time playing appropriately with the children and listening to them in order to further their progress. Children are eager to invite her to take part in their play. For example, the childminder encourages children's problem solving skills through questions such as, 'what shapes are needed to fit?' and 'how can we make both sides the same?' when they are playing with construction toys. The children respond with interest and complete their projects skilfully and with a sense of achievement. The childminder has regard to the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses this successfully when planning activities for the children. Children's creative and imaginative development is encouraged through carefully planned

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities such as art and craft, music and pretend play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder treats the children with respect, meets their needs and values their individuality, this helps them to feel good about themselves, confidently face new challenges and enjoy new experiences. The childminder has a clear understanding of all equal opportunities issues and has resources in place to promote positive images and help children develop an awareness of their own and other cultures. Children develop a sense of place and learn about where they live through regular outings. For example, to the local toddler group and park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good; they are lively and curious, polite and need little encouragement to say 'please' and 'thank you' spontaneously. Clear expectations and consistent boundaries

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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 help develop children's sense of right and wrong, helping them to take responsibility for their own behaviour. Children respond positively to requests from the childminder and are eager to help and please. Good use is made of praise and encouragement through play and everyday activities to promote children’s self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop a strong sense of self through this positive attitude. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of working with parents and professionals to care for children with special needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are friendly and professional; this contributes greatly to the children's well being. The childminder shares with parent’s information about daily events and children’s progress through verbal and written communication. The good relationship between parents and the childminder help provide the children with continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from an environment where they receive good adult support to help them feel secure and confident. The childminder uses her time well and her flexible approach allows children the opportunity to organise and pursue their own games. She updates her knowledge by attending relevant childcare courses. This commitment to improvement helps ensure she has ongoing knowledge of current childcare practices.

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Organisation

The childminder has clear written policies and procedures, which promote the welfare and development of the children in her care. The childminder understands the importance of maintaining documentation and confidentiality. All documentation which is legally required, is in place, however, the complaints procedure does not contain the latest contact details of the regulator. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

To reflect positive images of culture and disability the childminder has a good selection of resources available to the children such as books and role play materials. To increase children's understanding of the wider world the childminder has accumulated information about other cultures and festivals, and celebrates and discusses them with the children appropriately.

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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): • improve good practice by introducing procedures to record dates and times of visitors to the premises • update the complaints procedure to include latest address for the regulator

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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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