Childminder in Oxfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY292268 Inspection date 17 August 2005 Inspector Joanne Graham

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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 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 2004. She lives with her two children, who are both over school age, in a house in Didcot. This is close to local amenities, schools and parks. The whole of the ground floor is used for minding purposes with sleeping facilities provided upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder may care for four children at any one time and is currently minding three children, who all attend on a part time basis. The family have no pets. The childminder holds a level three childcare qualification.

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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 develop their physical skills, both inside and outdoors. They move freely indoors and negotiate the furniture skilfully. They propel scooters, ride tricycles, bounce on the trampoline, climb the slide and rock and swing on the seesaw and swings in the garden. They become increasingly aware of their bodily needs. For example, children sit down to catch their breath after bouncing on the trampoline, sit for a quiet time in the shade when they become hot and access their drinks when they are thirsty. The childminder provides activities, which further develop the children’s existing skills and some to increase and expand new ones. She supports these effectively to include all the children. She has a good knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of hygiene procedures, ensuring children have a safe and clean place to play and eat. She cleans the toys,

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Helping children to be healthy

equipment and furniture regularly. Children wash their hands before and after they eat and after using the toilet, developing their understanding of good hygiene practices. Children have regular healthy snacks and meals. They all sit down to eat their food and this becomes a lovely social occasion with the children exchanging their news to one another. Children independently access their drinks and meet their own personal needs. The childminder sensitively offers support to the younger children to increase their independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder identifies potential hazards and reduces risks for the children both inside and outdoors. This means they can move around safely, comfortably, independently and at their own desires. The children are beginning to develop an understanding of staying safe. The trampoline has a safety net cage and they stop bouncing when the other children are getting on and off, they hold tightly when using the swing and see-saw, they wear seatbelts in the car and they put their shoes on to ride the tricycles and scooters. The childminder constantly supervises the children. This ensures she protects them from persons not vetted and to maintain their safety whilst in her care. She has a good understanding of child protection ensuring she safeguards the children’s welfare. However, the contact numbers are not easily accessible and there are no details of the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. The childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

maintains and promotes children’s wellbeing. She holds a current first aid certificate and she takes a first aid kit, contact details and her mobile phone on outings. She maintains documentation well, which includes sufficient details and parental signatures. Children use suitable age appropriate, interesting and sturdy toys and

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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 equipment. The childminder cleans and checks these regularly, ensuring they are safe for the children to use.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well and feel comfortable and happy. They are beginning to form relationships within the family and with other children. They engage in activities well, practice and achieve new skills and talents and reinforce existing skills. They enjoy the variety of toys and equipment available and self-select confidently. They especially enjoy bouncing on the trampoline, rolling and moulding the dough and feeding and taking their ‘babies’ for walks. The childminder supports and develops learning effectively, introducing songs to accompany the children’s play. For example, See-saw Margery Daw when two of the children use the see-saw. She is aware of children’s preferences and ensures there are sufficient selections available to increase the children's skills and development. She uses the Birth to three matters framework to adapt activities, consequently she meets children’s needs. Children eagerly participate with the stimulating and exciting

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

toys and activities which are available. Children’s learning moves forward and they engage with interest in activities through effective questioning and attention given by the childminder. They often invite her into their play and welcome her contributions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals and treated with equal concern by the childminder. They have sufficient time to engage in active play and for rest periods. The childminder establishes good relationships with parents; she ensures she exchanges information daily to inform parents about their child’s progress and activities. This contributes well to ensuring the childminder follows the children’s own routines. The children feel at home and at ease in the environment. They are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning and to build up relationships with the childminder and other minded children. The children are aware of boundaries and are beginning to understand right from wrong. They know the house rules and respond positively to the childminder’s requests and instructions. They are developing the skills to share and take turns well. The childminder introduces resources and toys to the children, which begin to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

promote positive images of diversity, increasing a positive attitude towards others. They visit places in the wider community regularly, to increase this image of others further.

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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 Children are well protected and cared for by the childminder who has a considerable knowledge and understanding of child development. They receive good care and attention from the childminder, contributing to them feeling settled and secure. The childminder attends training to keep her knowledge updated and has high regard for children’s welfare. She provides a calm, welcoming and spacious environment for children to explore freely and she does not leave children unsupervised with persons not vetted. This contributes to children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to take an active part in the setting. All legally required documentation that contributes to children’s health, safety and well-being are in place, although some lacks necessary details. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of

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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): • devise and implement a system to accurately record children's arrival and departure times • improve knowledge of the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures and ensure contact numbers are accessible

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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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