Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY285735 Unique Reference Number 05 March 2008 Inspection date Marie Thompson 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 outstanding. 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 2004. She lives with her husband and three children aged three, six and nine years old in Bicester, Oxfordshire. The whole of the downstairs of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently eight children on roll. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health is extremely well promoted as they enjoy the wide range of activities provided to develop their physical skills. These include visits to the park, garden play with rocker, play house, climbing frame and rope ladder. The children get regular fresh air and exercise because

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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 they walk to feed the ducks or to school. When they are on their walks the childminder encourages the children to look at the things around them, for example, they walk collecting sticks and leaves, looking at flowers, singing songs such as 'Five little ducks' and 'One, two, three, four, five'. The children count the ducks, swans and seagulls, they share the bread between them and between the ducks and enjoy the fresh air. There are many parks nearby where the children can expand their physical development and increase their balancing skills by climbing on larger apparatus. The childminder builds very strong relationships with the children, making them feel secure. The childminder knows the children very well and is responsive to their individual needs, which allows them to learn and develop a variety of skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a varied selection of very healthy meals and snacks which are very well prepared. The childminder has a detailed menu which offers the children some tasty and varied meals at tea time. This includes homemade meat balls or pizza, chicken rice and vegetables. The childminder demonstrated that she clearly has a brilliant understanding of the need for children have a balanced, healthy and nutritious diet. At snack time the children have fruit. For lunch the parents provide the children's packed lunches and the childminder makes sure the food is stored appropriately. She has made each child their own place mat with pictures of their favourite things on and the first initial of their name. This gives the children a sense of belonging and helps them to know where to sit at meal times. The childminder has also photographed the children's hands and put the picture in the bathroom to help them to remember to wash their

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Helping children to be healthy

hands after going to the toilet and before eating. The children are offered lots of drinks throughout the day and the childminder is aware that they may need extra drinks if the weather is hot or they have been running around.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a first aid certificate, which means that the children are treated appropriately when they are ill or hurt themselves. All information about accidents and medication is recorded and countersigned by parents. Children are only administered medicine that has been authorised by parents. The childminder has a very good policy in place, therefore sick children are sensitively cared for by her and appropriate procedures followed, which reassures and comforts children. She also has some very useful and relevant information, such as communicable diseases and diarrhoea and vomiting notification information. These serve as a good reference and are shared with the parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder provides a warm, friendly home, where children feel safe and secure. Children benefit from this organised environment where risks have been identified and minimised so that children can play safely. The childminder has an outstanding fire evacuation procedure in place which has been practised with the children and recorded in her fire exercise plan. The children took part in a fire awareness activity to help them learn about the dangers of fire and the importance of fire safety. They read 'Frances the fire fly', talked about fires and asked questions. Space within the home is ample, allowing children to move around safely and freely with independence. Children can easily access toys and resources, which are regularly checked for broken parts that could cause harm to a child. The childminder has devised and implemented 'House Rules' which the children understand and adhere to, which reinforces safety in the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

home. This gives children the opportunity to take responsibility to manage and learn about their own safety and to be aware of possible danger.

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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 The childminder makes sure children are safe when going on outings. Children and the childminder walk together and the children are encouraged to hold hands. Children learn about the Green Cross Code and using pedestrian crossings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an excellent understanding of her role and responsibilities regarding child protection. Children are protected and safeguarded from harm as the childminder has attended child protection training and has a very good knowledge of procedures to follow. She has a child protection policy in place which is shared with parents and relevant reference materials, such as the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board contact details and numbers, the Oxfordshire children's rights checklist and the HM Government leaflet 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children experience an excellent range of activities which contribute to their development, inside and outside the house. Children enjoy regular outings to feed the ducks and to the park, which help to develop an understanding of the world around them and offer a range of different opportunities. They also regularly attend the parent and toddler groups with the childminder, which provides them with different toys to play with and gives them the opportunity to mix with other children of a similar age. The children go with the childminder to the shops, the library and indoors soft play centres. Sometimes the children go with the childminder on the bus into Oxford, where they will look around the museum and go for lunch in a café. During the summer months, the children enjoy having a picnic in the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a very good relationship with the children who are clearly very happy to be in her care and enjoy her company. She talks to children constantly, plays with them and is very warm and affectionate towards them, which means children are effectively supported in their play and making very good progress in all areas of their development. The childminder offers lots of support, praise and encouragement, which enable children to play with the toys of their choice and participate in activities at their own pace. Children move freely around the room, initiating their own play from the excellent selection of toys and resources which are easily accessible. Children are learning important lessons through play in fairness, caring for each other, sharing, taking turns and showing respect for one another as they form good relationships with each other and have lots of fun.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take part in some super painting and music activities which nurture their creative development and allow them to express themselves through a different medium. For example, they have made robots and Jack in the boxes using junk modelling materials. Children's drawings and paintings are pleasantly displayed in the kitchen and play room which gives them a sense of pride and achievement in their work and encourages their conversation and memory of the things they have done. Children's sensory development is enhanced through taking part in cooking, which allows them to investigate different textures and smells and have great fun consuming their efforts. This usually takes place on Tuesday and the children can make pizza with different toppings, or ginger bread biscuits in lots of different shapes. This prompts the children's language, literacy and speaking skills, as well as their maths concepts, through

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

cooking, which includes weighing, matching, estimating and counting. The children have an extensive range of toys and activities to keep them busy and occupied, these include construction, Lego, dinosaurs, dolls and prams, lots of dressing up, vast amounts of books, puzzles, sand and water play. The childminder's commitment and dedication to the children in her care is evident through the happy, contented children. These exciting, challenging and

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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 stimulating activities allow children to have lots of fun and enjoy some fantastic adventures, which give them some lovely memories of their time with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are valued and treated with respect, helping them to feel good about themselves. The childminder has an excellent understanding of equal opportunities issues. The childminder has a positive attitude towards diversity and increases children's understanding of diversity through resources and activities that enhance their awareness of their own and other cultures. The childminder has planned activities to cover a fantastic range of festivals when they occur. For example, in February, the children enjoy pancakes on Shrove Tuesday. They have learned about Australia; where it is in the world, the kind of animals that live there and the country's flag. A lovely display of these activities is on the wall in the play room. The children took a similar approach when they looked at China and celebrated Chinese New Year. They had great fun making rice and noodles. The extensive trips and outings provided for children means they

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Helping children make a positive contribution

have a varied and positive view of the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is not currently caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities but she talks knowledgably about the requirements and adaptations of activities that would enable her to meet children's individual needs. She is proactive in ensuring that children with learning difficulties or disabilities receive the appropriate care and assistance they need when in her care. The childminder understands appropriate steps that need to be taken to meet the children’s needs fully through liaison with parents and associated professionals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children help tidy up with the gentle guidance and encouragement from the childminder, are well behaved and enthusiastically participate in activities. They are made aware of the house rules and abide by them. The childminder effectively supports children and the management of their behaviour. She uses effective strategies, such as distraction and explanation, which are appropriate for their age and stage of development. This helps them to learn the difference between right and wrong. The childminder frequently praises the children which raises their self-esteem and ensures children feel secure and cared for.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a strong, long-standing relationship with the parents of the children, which is friendly and supportive. Parents are fully informed of her practice through the use of the childminder's exceptional policies and procedures, verbal feedback and care diaries which provide continual communication. The childminder has diligently gathered information regarding the children. This is maintained to a high standard and ensures the children's continued support and welfare. Parents feel welcome and value the childminder's energetic and enthusiastic approach to caring for their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children make excellent progress as the childminder has a high regard for their well-being. She has a clear understanding of child development and provides a vast range of interesting activities. She uses effective skills to support children in all areas of their development. The home and daily routines are organised with the needs of the children in mind and they enjoy being able to choose activities and toys of most interest to them. As a result, they feel confident, secure and able to exercise their independence. The childminder is motivated and keeps up to date with current changes, which relate to childminding, through discussion with other childminders

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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 and from Ofsted publications. She is dedicated to maintaining a high standard and implements changes as they occur. This means that children benefit from the care provided by a skilled and committed childminder. She attends relevant courses, such as Introduction to Childminding Practice, NVQ Level two and three in childcare and education, messy play workshops and first aid. The childminder has a strong commitment to developing her knowledge and skills and is going to attend training courses on the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and an Open University course which focuses on working with children in the early years.

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Organisation

Children are very well settled and benefit from a well-organised environment. They can access toys and resources independently. They are valued, supported and encouraged to gain independence and make choices. They receive very good support from the childminder and the organisation of the minding week allows for lots of individual attention.

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Organisation

All records and documents are up to date, comprehensive and stored in a confidential manner. The childminder has some exemplary policies and procedures which are shared with parents. This includes a very comprehensive complaints procedure. The childminder has a long standing and friendly relationship with the parents. Parents are involved and informed of their child's achievements through daily diaries, discussions and photographs of their children participating in activities. Parents receive information regularly, which keeps them extremely well informed about the service and their child's activities. Children's needs are very effectively met as the childminder organises the environment, resources and documentation exceptionally well. The childminder's certificate of registration is clearly displayed in the hall for the parents and visitors to see. She has an excellent information folder which is meticulously kept and contains her

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Organisation

certificates, policies and procedures, detailed supporting information about a range of childcare subjects and information for parents.

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Organisation

The childminder understands the regulations to protect children, to promote their well-being and support their development. The childminder's knowledge and involvement contributes to children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to take active part in activities and outings offered. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve fire safety precautions by ensuring that the fire blanket, which conforms to BS EN standards, is fitted and accessible in the kitchen and to obtain and update her knowledge of the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The fire safety precautions have been addressed and a fire blanket, which conforms to BS EN standards, is fitted and accessible in the kitchen. The childminder has obtained current literature and up dated her knowledge of the current child protection procedures and has in place relevant documentation such as the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board contact details and numbers, the Oxfordshire children's rights checklist and the HM Government leaflet 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused'.

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Improvements since the last inspection

These measures contribute to ensuring children's continued health, safety and well-being.

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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

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 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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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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