Childminder, Out-of school day care 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

p.1

Unique reference number 133966 Inspection date 26/03/2009 Inspector Jan Leo

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

Introduction

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 1992. She lives with her two children, aged 17 and 19 years, and two cats in a cul-de-sac on a residential estate in Bicester, Oxfordshire. The property is within walking distance of local shops and schools. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She can care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years at any one time and currently looks after seven children on a full and part time basis. Two of these are in the early years age range.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder operates an exceptionally well organised and effective service, putting children's needs at the forefront of everything she does. She tirelessly interacts and joins in play to increase challenges at a level to suit all children, basing the activities around particular interests to ensure learning is effortless. Her skill at evaluating her service and her pro-active approach to continuous improvement results in very high standards across the board. The childminder's openness and friendly personality helps her build strong bonds with children and their families and, as a result, parents value her service highly and the children feel extremely secure in her presence.

p.3

further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

p.3

further?

 continue to develop children's progress folders by linking records to the areas and stages of learning to highlight the value of the activities.

p.3

provision

The childminder has very well thought through policies and procedures to support the efficient operation of her service. She has well organised, clear, and fairly detailed documentation, a stimulating and child friendly environment where children thrive, and consistent health and safety procedures to protect children from harm. The childminder has a very secure knowledge of child protection, having completed training to develop her confidence in this area. She holds both national and local reference material on file to remind her of the safeguarding process and avoid delay if concerns arise and a referral becomes necessary. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The parents really appreciate the childminder's dedication and reliability. They feel the childminder's home is like a second family to their children because of the caring and genuinely affectionate bonds that exist. The links built with parents and

p.3

provision

carers help the childminder to plan each day around children's interests and enhance what they do elsewhere. She provides valuable photographic evidence of what children do and supplements this with discussions and monthly reports on their achievements and changing interests. This helps to keep parents involved in their children's development and to continue learning at home if they wish.

p.4

provision

The childminder constantly evaluates what she does to ensure it continues to meet children's needs fully. She regularly reviews risk assessments as children grow and develop, to minimise hazards, but helps children learn about safety throughout the day to develop good habits for later life. The childminder joins with other childminders to share good practice and together they work on ways to raise standards. For example, on finding an imbalance in the coverage of each area of learning, the childminder created a simple chart to monitor the activities and resources used by the children during a specific period of time. This now allows the childminder to promptly identify and address any gaps in learning. The childminder values training as a means of increasing her own skills and is pro-active in seeking out relevant courses to continue her development.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children arrive happily and eagerly begin play at their favourite activities prepared before they arrive. They concentrate fully, engrossed in their game with some driving cars up and down the slopes of a garage and watching the wheels go round after revving them on the carpet. The childminder sits on the floor, casually making suggestions, asking questions and talking about what they do. She skilfully promotes thinking and encourages communication, despite some having only very few recognisable words. Young children confidently make their feelings known by, for example, protesting when the childminder puts a drink in the 'wrong' place and leading her over to where it was wanted.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder successfully brings in all areas of learning at a level to suit the children who attend. She suggests they look for four wheels, counts the three they find and reminds the child they need one more for the set. Together they look at the red Mini and find a blue car, casually reinforcing colours and number work without any difficulty. The children routinely receive appropriate explanations and increased challenges to help them reach their full potential. The childminder fully appreciates that children's level of comprehension is far greater than they can communicate and her natural ability to develop activities at an appropriate level results in children remaining focussed, achieving without frustration, and progressing well.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Background music of nursery rhymes and children's songs creates a relaxed and homely feel while effortlessly building children's appreciation of music. Toddlers sing as they play, without appearing to notice the music, and they show their disappointment by saying 'Ohhhh' when it stops. The children show an enthusiasm for learning and have opportunities to choose resources for themselves to develop This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their independence. The childminder makes good use of all learning opportunities and develops ideas within children's games in order to make sure learning is relevant. She successfully identifies their next steps and sometimes records these in children's progress folders. These useful records ensure planning is effective but there are currently few links to children's stage of development in each area of learning to help parents appreciate the value of the activities.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

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

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 1 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.6

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? 1

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

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

p.8

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.

p.8