Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY339693 Unique Reference Number 21 February 2008 Inspection date Carol Readman 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?

This childminder was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband, who is an approved assistant, and two children in Langford Village, Bicester, Oxfordshire. The family has a pet dog. The whole of the house is available for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder employs three further assistants at the setting.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder, when working alone, is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. When working with an assistant, she may care for a maximum of eight children. The childminder lives within walking distance of local schools, a nursery, shops and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children thrive at the setting because the childminder follows highly effective procedures and practices which meet the children’s physical, nutritional and health needs. Children receive

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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 constant adult support and guidance to help them gain a very good understanding of hygiene. They have a real desire to become increasingly independent in their personal care, as appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children learn they need to wash their hands after using the toilet to remove germs. However, the childminder does not obtain written parental permission to administer specific non-prescription medicines. This puts children at risk of not receiving appropriate, timely medical treatment. The setting is clean and there are effective routines in place to prevent infection and cross infection during nappy changing and food preparation. Children have regular opportunities for exercise as the childminder takes them for walks and to local parks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of how to protect children from illness and infection. She has a written policy which she shares with parents and maintains appropriately completed accident and medication documentation. She respects parents' wishes with regard to their children's dietary requirements and provides tasty and nutritious meals for the children in her care. Children can access their own named water bottles or beakers then they are thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time playing in a warm and friendly environment where all are welcome. They have ample space for play and the childminder ensures activities and resources are safe and suitable for children's age and stage of development. Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys which meet safety standards. They play, for example, with a wide range of soft toys or a dolls house. Children's artwork is displayed in the living room. This makes children feel valued at the setting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder identifies and minimizes risks for children in the home and is very alert to the safety precautions required for differing age children. For example, she uses safety gates on the stairs and locks the upstairs bathroom to keep very young children safe as they enjoy supervised play upstairs. There is an emergency evacuation plan. However, the children have not practised this. This puts the safety of all at the setting at risk in the event of an emergency. The children take part in activities that help them learn about keeping themselves safe. They are completing a road safety activity. Each child has a poster displayed in the kitchen and sticks photographs to it to show them being safe as they go on walks with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare well and has all the required procedures and documents in place. She shares written safety procedures and local area child protection information with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have a really happy and fulfilling time with their childminder. There are extremely good relationships between the childminder and the children she cares for. She supports their play and learning very well. As a result, children are flourishing at the setting. They sit with the childminder and assistants as they complete albums showing how they spend their time at the setting. The adults know the children very well and support them extremely well to help them achieve and have fun. Children receive excellent attention from caring adults who praise and encourage children constantly. This helps children be very proud of their achievements and eager to share them with others. They enjoy talking about the trips and outings they have been on as they stick photographs into a scrapbook. Meticulous planning of the daily routines 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 specific activities ensure that children gain the maximum benefit in terms of their development and enjoyment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become independent as they choose between a variety of toys, books and favourite activities. Skilful support means that the children are progressing extremely well. They are very happy, confident and relaxed. The childminder has excellent interactive skills and an extremely warm and caring manner, which ensures children develop confidence and a good sense of belonging. They are extremely happy and secure as they play in the well-organised environment where they make good progress in all areas. The childminder provides and manages a wide range of enjoyable activities and experiences to keep the children happy. They join in with enthusiasm and interest. For example, the children enjoy energetic play in the garden. They become absorbed in making and designing activities and using the computer to print out pictures. The childminder and her assistants use excellent teaching strategies with lots of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

conversation to develop children's skills, thinking and learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The setting meets the children’s individual needs well. They follow planned daily routines as discussed with their parents. Children help to decide the daily plan, deciding what to play. The childminder and her assistants help them to complete activities. All children are included in activities at the setting, as appropriate for their ages and stage of development. Children are learning about the world around them and the diversity of its people in practical ways. For example, they celebrate festivals, learning about the customs and traditions of others. This helps children view other cultures in positive ways.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children at the setting are well behaved and learn to be kind to each other and share toys. The childminder makes skilful use of positive behaviour strategies to distract children in possible conflict situations and redirect them. She praises appropriate behaviour consistently to encourage children to behave well. As a result, children behave very well and feel important and valued. Children benefit from having a childminder who gets to know them completely and meets their individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents and childminder work together to provide continuity of care. The childminder tells parents of her plans and about the children’s achievements on a daily basis. Parents receive a comprehensive information pack about the setting and its polices. Children benefit from the good partnerships with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children receive high quality care as the childminder has a good knowledge of the National Standards for childminding. She maintains the required ratios and closely supervises the children both in and outside the home. This ensures they are well supported at all times. The childminder is committed to developing her own professional practice. She and her assistants attend courses and keep their practice updated. This helps them to effectively promote the welfare, care and learning of the children.

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Organisation

The childminder organises the environment very well. Children have good access to the toys and other resources they need. Children feel completely at home as the areas used for rest and play are safe, welcoming and child friendly. They receive extremely good care as the childminder

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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 has a gentle, warm, caring and attentive manner. She provides a fun and stimulating environment in which the children play and learn. Children are able to play safely and select resources freely to develop their confidence and independence skills. The childminder uses her assistants very well to support children's play. They have an intuitive understanding of how children learn so they receive exceptional support and make good progress in all areas of development.

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Organisation

The childminder has very good relationships with parents and keeps them well informed of their children's development and progress. She maintains a comprehensive range of documentation to underpin her good practice. She shares her polices and procedures with parents to keep them well informed. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the registration 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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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): • obtain prior written parental consent to administer named non-prescription medicines • practice emergency evacuation with adults and children at the setting.

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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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