Childminder in Oxfordshire

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY246264 Inspection date 23/01/2009 Inspector Tracy Bartholomew

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder registered childminder in 2002. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives alone in Wantage, Oxfordshire, within walking distance of the local shops, parks, and schools. The downstairs of the home is the main area used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The home is accessed by a drive; the home as amenable facilities. The childminder is permitted to care for six children, three of these are within the early years age range. She currently minds 14 children, aged from six months to over eight years who attend on a part-time basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

All children receive a warm welcome from this childminder and are included in all activities. They enjoy a variety of experiences which enable the children to progress well in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She offers an inclusive setting, meeting the individual needs of children well. The childminder takes a professional approach to the welfare and learning developments of all children. She shows good capacity to improve her provision further, which is well supported by her reflection in the self-evaluation form.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 further develop assessment records to consider children's next steps of learning  further develop the record of risk assessment in line with the requirements of the EYFS

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provision

The childminder is dedicated and professional within her role. She ensures that she seeks up to date training and advice, to improve outcomes for children, whilst meeting their individual needs. For example, she undertakes daily observations of children's play and links these firmly with the EYFS. The childminder evaluates her practice well, however she does not identify all weaknesses, in relation to children's next steps of learning. Regardless of this, she is enthusiastic to improve her provision and her eagerness to improve children’s welfare and development will enable her to do so.

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provision

The childminder organises her home and time effectively for childminding purposes. She ensures that the children are her focus which allows for her to meet the individual needs of all children attending. Inclusive practice is a particular This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 strength of this childminder; she ensures that the children are included in all activities which are adaptive to meet their individual levels of attainment and development stage.

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provision

The childminder safeguards children well. Her daily practices reflect her policies, such as promoting children's personal hygiene. All necessary documentation is in place and is confidential; this includes parental permissions, records and an accurate register of attendance. However the childminder does not have a full risk assessment of all areas of the home, which is a requirement of the EYFS. All the same, her procedures and professionalism keep children safe, within the home and when on outings.

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provision

The childminder has friendly and effective relationships with parents. She uses a questionnaire to ensure that the parents are happy with the service she provides and maintains daily communication to encourage a smooth changeover.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very confident in the company of the childminder. They choose resources and initiate their own play and activities from the wealth of resources available in the sitting room. The childminder rotates the toys and resources so that children have variety taking into consideration their favourite play items such as art and craft and musical instruments such as a guitar. She plans the day with flexibility depending on the weather, which takes account of the six areas of learning, the children's wishes and their individual care needs. As a result, children are confident to select and choose what they want to do and include the childminder in their play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic and supports children's learning well, through use of conversation and questioning to suit children's individual levels of development. Children's play involves imaginative discussions, where children pretend and take on roles of people in books and favourite television programmes. The children's creativity is promoted and children's fine motor skills are developed when they are painting, cooking and exploring dough. In addition they enjoy visiting the parks and local nature walks which help them to develop new physical skills such as balancing and coordination skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's good health is maintained well as they play in a very clean and homely environment. The risk of infection is minimised as the childminder encourages the children to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. Children's individual routine care needs such as rest, sleep and feed times are acknowledged and met in conjunction with working in partnership with parents. Meal times are relaxed occasions where the children are encouraged to develop their social skills due to the positive messages they receive from the childminder to promote good manners and healthy eating. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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

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Detail of the complaint/s

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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