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

p.1

Unique reference number EY100173 Inspection date 31/03/2009 Inspector Susan Marriott

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

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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and one child aged 13 years in a house in the village of Lower Boddington, in Northamptonshire, close to the Oxfordshire border. There are country walks nearby and the school, pre-school and toddler group are a short car journey away. The childminder uses most of the ground floor for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children in the early years age group. The childminder has 12 children on roll altogether as she also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group when

p.3

Description of the childminding

appropriate and takes the children to the local park. The family has a pet dog. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The provision is outstanding. The vocational commitment and dedication demonstrated by this childminder enables her to offer an excellent standard of care and education to the children. Children clearly thrive and make rapid progress in a setting that genuinely recognises their uniqueness and individuality. The childminder meets the diverse needs of children and ensures that children participate in all activities in a fully inclusive way. Through informal methods of reflective practice, the childminder identifies and promptly acts upon any areas for improvement, demonstrating an outstanding capacity to improve.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 develop an effective and regularly conducted quality improvement process as the basis for continuous self-evaluation.

p.3

provision

Children enjoy an exemplary quality of care in this setting, supported by exceptionally well-organised policies, procedures and records. All parents and carers sign to confirm that they have read, accept and understand these. A very clear complaints procedure is in place and robust risk assessment is carefully recorded. The childminder regularly attends training courses to extend her knowledge, enabling her to offer a high quality of inclusive care and education to the children. She is acutely aware of the diverse needs of children and provides exceptionally conscientious support for children with medical needs. Extremely This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effective links with the parents and carers, together with other professionals involved in the care and education of the children, enables the childminder to tailor activities to the individual children in her care. For example, parents commend her

p.3

provision

positive assistance with children's dog phobia. Exceedingly well-documented observations, illustrated with photographs and very closely linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage, are maintained on all children prior to starting school. Regular discussion with parents keep them very well informed of their child's development and the childminder works closely with them when addressing the next steps for learning. As a result children progress extremely well with very high levels of achievement in relation to their age and stage of development.

p.4

provision

The childminder successfully develops the activities, and offers a broad, stimulating range that offer challenge to children of all ages. This has a very positive impact as the children have learnt to work together and respect each other, thereby effectively improving overall the early years provision and outcomes for children. She fully exploits local resources, taking the children for nature walks. Informative daily diaries, photographs and regular discussions ensure the parents are kept extremely well informed about the care their child receives. They have expressed their confidence and pleasure in the provision through many letters of compliment and personal testimonials. The childminder demonstrates an extremely good understanding of the procedures regarding the safeguarding of children and a very high level of commitment to promoting children's safety. Clear records of accidents, incidents and medication, shared with the parents ensure the needs of

p.4

provision

the children are fully met. All equipment and toys are checked regularly for safety. Very effective procedures ensure children's health and well-being are promoted throughout the day. The childminder has attended a training course on the subject of becoming a reflective practitioner and makes improvements whenever possible. For example, she has recently created a pleasant new playroom in her home which has improved the play opportunities for children, increasing access to toys and more space in which to play. However, she has not yet developed a regular quality improvement process as the basis for securing continuous self-evaluation.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder gives outstanding support to learning because she sustains a high quality of interaction throughout the day. Children show interest in some shuttlecocks and rackets and the childminder explains that one shuttlecock will bounce better than the other because the rubber end is missing. She involves the children in a game of throw and catch, showing them how to hold their hands together without gaps in order to be successful and involving the younger children in naming the colours of the balls, copiously praising their efforts and achievements. The childminder expertly draws the learning from child-led play by skilled questioning and explanation. For example, when the children offer to make her an imaginary cup of coffee, she asks whether it might be white or black coffee and provides the information that it is milk which changes the colour of the drink. The education programme is extremely well organised with planned activities

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

tailored to the interests and abilities of the children in attendance. These cover all aspects of the early learning goals, ensuring children enjoy a broad, stimulating variety of activities and are designed to meet each child's developmental needs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are active learners and are encouraged to analyse and think critically. For example, the children work out how to move the soil from the bottom of the garden to fill the new flower bed, using toy tractors, trailers, buckets, spades and other improvised containers.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The indoor and outdoor environment, together with the equipment and toys, is extremely well maintained to provide a very safe and welcoming environment for the children. Exceptionally good use is made of indoor space with a dedicated playroom, enabling the children to focus on activities suitable for their age and stage of development in a very conducive environment. Children enjoy regular daily exercise in the extremely well-equipped garden and benefit from daily fresh air and local outings to extend their experiences appropriately. They go to toddler groups where they mix with other children from the community and learn about the wider world through joining in with activities there. For example, the children's scrapbooks show that they enjoy colouring in Rangoli patterns and take part in discussions about life in India. Children are kept very busy as their childminder takes them on nature walks, to feed the horses and to collect wild fruit. They visit

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

local churches and go to different parks and play centres.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is very effectively promoted through the clear procedures and guidelines used by the childminder. Children discuss safety with the childminder on a regular basis. Children learn how to cross the road safely; they learn which berries they can eat and to identify the berries and plants that can harm them. The childminder teaches children to respect themselves and each other, implementing her policy of 'sharing is definitely caring'. Children learn not to exceed their limits and how to develop their skills without the danger of serious injury to themselves or others. Children effectively learn good behaviour through the timely and sensitive intervention of the childminder in conflict situations. For example, a dispute over a doll's buggy is resolved quickly with appropriate apologies being elicited from both parties involved. Parents report that the childminder never raises her voice

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

unnecessarily and uses humour and her keen understanding of each child's particular needs to get the best possible outcomes. She speaks appropriately to the children taking account of their age and stage of development, giving children clear boundaries for what she expects and why and what consequences there may be for not doing what she asks. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

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

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action.

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