Childminder in Oxfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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133462 Unique Reference Number 25 March 2008 Inspection date Tracy Bartholomew 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 was registered in 1988. She lives with her husband and two grown up children in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. She works with her daughter, also a registered childminder. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends toddler group, goes for walks, visits to the park and school pick-ups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for six children at any one time and is currently minding 12 children who attend on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children develop independence in their personal care. They easily visit the downstairs toilet and wash their hands using a step to reach the sink. The childminder offers gentle reminders and engages in conversation on the importance of good health which in turn reinforces children's

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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 growing awareness of germs and the importance of following procedures. However the childminder does not maintain this standard for all the children, which poses a risk to the children's health. The childminder has an up-to-date first aid qualification and implements her health and hygiene policy effectively well, which minimises the spreading of germs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has completed Basic Food Hygiene training and demonstrates good awareness of healthy foods. She discusses and makes available her healthy eating policy to encourage a balanced and nutritious lunch box and discusses with children foods they like to eat, discussing on how they are good for you, and how drinking milk helps their bones to grow. Parents provide all snacks and meals, which are in line with their child's specific dietary needs. The childminder stores all food appropriately in the fridge and heats food thoroughly before serving if required, to maintain the children's health and welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise. For example, they walk to and from school and enjoy active play in the garden, playing with balls, riding on the trikes and bikes. They enjoy regular walks to the fields and parks where they use apparatus to develop their motor skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have a good amount of space available to move freely and play in comfort. They freely play within the conservatory and sitting room with their toys and use the kitchen table to join in creative activities. They enjoy free flow of play equipment, which they can readily choose from. There is a good range of well maintained play materials available for children of all different ages and stage of development. Children can safely and securely self select toys that they want to play with, from low level shelves and storage areas. Other resources are obtained with help from the childminder. The childminder sets out a wide selection of preferred toys of the children to create a welcoming environment for them, to ease with the departing of parents. Ongoing checking and assessments of the resources ensures play materials are safe for the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is vigilant and maintains high levels of safety to give maximum protection to the children in her care. For example, all gas and electrical appliances are checked yearly, the fire blanket is secured to the wall, there are safety gates across the entrance to the stairs and smoke alarms are tested monthly. This ensures that the children are well protected during their time with her. Children are well protected from abuse and neglect because the childminder has a very secure knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. She is proactive in regularly updating her knowledge and understanding and attended a 'Safeguarding Children' refresher course in the last year.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children readily make decisions about their play and chose their resources and activities each day. They are happy and communicate freely with the childminder, and co-childminder including other adults at the home. The children are clearly valued in the setting, and confidently feel at home within the setting, as they freely move from room to room. Children recall with excitement how they made the caterpillars, they spoke about the glue they used, and how they would not stick together. One other child explained how she had made them look special as she put wiggly lines over their bodies, which would help them to be stripy butterfly. The children

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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 enjoy a broad range of stimulating activities that engage their interests. For example, they talk about the different play opportunities that they have at the setting, which includes playing with cornflakes and weetabix, experimenting with fluids whilst playing with these. They explore paint and use different materials for printing and enjoy cooking cakes and biscuits.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are very confident and readily express their thoughts and ideas as they take on roles when playing with the cars and trains. The children play cooperatively together and use play materials, including small world resources, to extend their imagination. They develop their problem solving skills and awareness of letters and letter sounds through effective questioning from the childminder and all enjoy time together signing and reading stories.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are well met because the childminder works closely with parents and carers and has sound knowledge of their interests and care needs. Children become aware of the wider society and benefit from well-planned activities and a broad range of resources that help them value diversity. These include, play people, dressing up clothes, puzzles and a wide selection of books. They experience food from other cultures and talk about their own and others' holidays to learn about the wider world. They celebrate Chinese New Year, learning how to use chop sticks when eating noodles. The childminder is aware some children may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities, she is confident in promoting the welfare and the development of the children, through her dedication to training and meeting the individual care needs of all the children in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and understand responsible behaviour because the childminder offers clear explanations. They are encouraged to use good manners, which most of them do when asking for their snack and for additional juice. The children are confident and respond positively to the childminder's calm approach and frequent praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from a very positive and supportive partnership between their parents and the childminder. Detailed written agreement, contracts and permissions from parents ensure children are cared for according to parents' wishes. Parents praise the childminder's dedication and value the homely and loving environment. The childminder ensures that new parents are fully informed of the service she provides through the sharing of information within the parental folder. Parents receive a good amount of information regarding their children through daily informal discussions about general care issues.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is committed to developing her childminding practice. She makes good use of her knowledge and skills to provide appropriately for the children in her care. The childminder understands her responsibilities for protecting children from persons who have not been police-checked. The childminder organises her home and time well for childminding purposes. Space is used effectively. She manages her time so that all children receive individual attention. Ratios are met, and well maintained when working with her daughter who is also a registered childminder at the home.

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Organisation

All legally required records, permissions and registers are in place and comply with the latest legislation. A full range of appropriate policies and procedures underpin her childminding

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 practice effectively. Children’s records are updated regularly, which ensures they continue to receive appropriate individual care. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection recommended the provider obtained parents' signature following all accidents that happen at the setting. The childminder ensures she informs all parents of any accidents at the setting, and requests parents read and sign the record on collection to ensure they are well informed to safeguard their children's health care needs.

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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 complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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 that good hygiene procedures are maintained for all children

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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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