Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY338771 Unique Reference Number 11 January 2007 Inspection date Sheila Collins 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 was registered in 2006. She lives with her partner and child aged five years in a house in Didcot. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of five children at any one time. Currently she cares for eight children on a part time basis. Of these children only one is aged under five years, the rest are all of school age. The childminder works with an assistant who at times agreed and confirmed in writing by the parents can be in sole charge. The childminder takes children to and collects from local schools and pre-schools. The family has two cats and some fish in a tank.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder follows the children’s own routines ensuring continuity of care for the children. She has a good understanding of each child's individual needs, which promotes their wellbeing. The children are learning personal hygiene skills, as the childminder follows good hygiene practices.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents' requests with regard to their children's dietary needs are adhered to and these are fully discussed when a new minding agreement begins. The childminder knows the children’s health needs and all relevant documentation is in place, to ensure each child's individual needs are met. The childminder has procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection and holds a current first aid certificate, which also contributes to keeping the children healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities for physical play both indoors and outdoors which help them develop their skills. The childminder takes them to places such as the local park, as the garden is undergoing re-organisation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children move around the designated play rooms safely and freely. They use both the dining room and the playroom. The children access resources easily for themselves as most are stored at a low level. The childminder rotates resources for the younger children to ensure that they get a variety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of potential risks for the children and is vigilant to ensure that there is little risk of accidental injury. For example, she has safety barriers across the kitchen and dining room doors. She ensures that the children know the areas they can and cannot use and supervises the children in the garden to keep them safe from hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards the children's welfare through a working knowledge of child protection issues and procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children are confident and happy and have good relationships with the childminder. They decide which activities they would like to do and direct their own play, supported by the childminder. The older children select toys and resources independently. The childminder helps the youngest children choose from a selection that includes new toys and favourites, to give variety. They enjoy outings to the park and visits to toddler clubs which helps them to develop their physical and social 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 Children are encouraged and their efforts praised by the childminder, which promotes their self-esteem and allows them to develop their self-confidence. The childminder is developing her knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to enhance her practice with children under the age of three years.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder knows each child and their individual needs well and discusses issues with the parents to ensure their consistency of care. The childminder knows the routes of referral if she has concerns about a child in her care. The children access a range of age and stage appropriate resources, which allow for their individual development and abilities. However the resources that promote positive images of different cultures and abilities are limited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

By working in partnership with the parents, the childminder ensures that she is meeting the children's individual needs. All the required written permissions and appropriate documentation is in place. The children tell their parents what they have done during their time with the childminder and the childminder also talks with the parents on a daily basis.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is meeting the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The childminder has thought through the available space and has organised the areas well, with the children able to access their own toys easily. She has all the relevant documentation in place to ensure she is able to meet the individual needs of the children in her care.

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Organisation

Parents receive comprehensive policies and procedures and the registration certificate is displayed so that they are aware of the conditions of registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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): • develop knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to further enhance the good practice offered to children under the age of three years • extend the range of resources that promote positive images of different cultures and abilities.

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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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