Childminder in Oxfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY100173 Inspection date 16 November 2005 Inspector Jill Hunn

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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 was registered in August 2002. She lives with her husband, her child aged 10 and her 2 adult children. They live in a house in the village of Lower Boddington in the south of Northamptonshire, close to the Oxfordshire border. Most of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, which includes toilet and sleeping facilities. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time. She is currently minding 6 children under the age of 5 and 4 school age children under the age of 8 on a part-time basis and at varying times. The childminder walks

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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 or drives to the local school to take and collect children. She takes children to the local park. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from a wholesome and nutritious diet. Meals are prepared using fresh ingredients and snacks include fresh fruits and vegetables each day. Children know that certain foods are better for you than others through discussions with the childminder. For example, they learn that fresh fruit helps to keep you healthy whereas foods with a high sugar content do not. Children begin to understand the importance of regular fluids as they are encouraged to help themselves to their drinks throughout the session. Children enjoy daily exercise in the fresh air that promotes their growth and development. They walk back from school, go for walks in the village and to see the horses at the local farm. Children develop their physical skills as they climb and balance on the equipment in the park and in the childminder's garden. Children are cared for in a warm and clean home where they learn the importance of

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Helping children to be healthy

good hygiene during daily routines. They wash their hands before eating, after using the toilet and after stroking the childminder's dog. Secure procedures, such as for food handling and nappy changing, help prevent cross contamination. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has updated her first aid knowledge and suitable procedures are in place if children are unwell. However, the system in place to record and retain parent's written consent for the administration of medication to children is not always clear.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a secure and well maintained home. The premises are attractively decorated with a variety of colourful displays and examples of the children's work to create a welcoming environment. Children are helped to keep safe because the childminder is vigilant and takes active steps to identify and minimise potential hazards during indoor and outdoor activities. Children learn the importance of safety as they respond to the childminder's clear guidelines and routines. For example, children know how to evacuate the premises in an emergency because they take part in regular fire drills. They develop good roadside practices as they stop, look and listen when preparing to cross roads. They know that they should not touch some berries and plants that they see on walks because they may be harmful. Children use an extensive range of good quality toys and equipment that capture

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

their interests well. The childminder monitors the resources to ensure they remain safe and suitable for the children's needs and stages of development. Children's

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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 welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has suitable knowledge of child protection procedures and understands her responsibility for the protection of the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are relaxed and happy in the calm and stimulating environment. The childminder develops very warm and caring relationships with the children and involves herself in their play. Children make good progress because the childminder provides a range of worthwhile and interesting activities and outings that engage the children well. Very young children develop control of their bodies as they are encouraged to manipulate a variety of colourful activity toys and happily move to the rhythm of the background music. They increase their communication skills, learn colours and new words by the childminder responding to their gestures and developing speech. Older children are encouraged to recognise words from cards and share books. Children develop their mathematical skills because the childminder regularly helps them count during activities, such as, the number of teddy bears they see in the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

book. They are encouraged to recognise shapes and match objects during their play. Children make connections in their learning as they involve themselves in a variety of role play. For example, playing 'cooking' with the play kitchen and 'mums and dads'. Children investigate the world around them by growing plants, going on nature walks and hunting for mini-beasts. They observe changes in ingredients as they take part in cooking activities, such as when chocolate melts. The activities are adapted to meet the children's individual abilities and interests. The childminder uses some of the principles of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to promote the development of very young children although it is not routinely used to plan and assess the next stage in their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop their confidence and self-esteem because they are regularly encouraged and valued as individuals. Babies and toddlers receive frequent praise and cuddles from the childminder. Older children learn to take responsibility as they help with tasks, such as preparing vegetables and setting the table at meal times. Children behave well and older children begin to understand the effect of their behaviour on others. Children respond well to the childminder's appropriate behaviour management strategies that take into account their age and stage of development. Children's individual needs are successfully met because the childminder works in close partnership with parents. Clear procedures ensure that information is established, exchanged and reviewed with parents. A series of well planned visits

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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 new children settle readily in the childminder's home. A display of written information is available to advise parents about the childminding service. These practices ensure that children's care, welfare and development are effectively promoted. Children begin to develop a positive view of society and the wider world as they take part in activities and play with toys that reflect diversity. For example, they look at books and play with dolls that include positive images of people with disabilities and from other cultures. They take part in craft activities that help them appreciate their own and other cultures. For example, Diwali, Chinese New Year, Christmas and Easter.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and at home in the childminder's care. The childminder organises her time, space and resources effectively to provide for a range of activities and to meet the needs of varying age groups. Children are able to make choices in their play from attractive and accessible resources. They are given good levels of adult support to engage them in activities and promote their development. Children's well-being is safeguarded because all required documentation is in place with most maintained to a high standard. Records are shared with parents to ensure continuity of the children's care. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to continually improve the quality of their care and learning. She attends ongoing training and reflects on her practice. She makes effective use of childcare periodicals and publications to further enhance her childminding knowledge and skills. Overall the range of children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to improve aspects of her child protection knowledge. She has addressed this by further reading the guidelines so that she is now more aware of whom to contact should she have any concerns. This further promotes children's welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The childminder 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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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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): • clarify the system used to obtain parent's prior written permission for the administration of medication to children • further develop the use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to plan activities for children from birth to three.

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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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