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 EY315114 Inspection date 15/05/2009 Inspector Gillian Little

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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 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 was registered in 2005. She lives in a village to the north of Oxford with her three children aged 14, 11 and seven. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house, together with a first floor bedroom and bathroom, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. Access to the provision includes a step into the house and a step from the house into the back garden.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder offers care on a daily basis and walks to a local school to take and collect children. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding six children in the early years age range on a part- time basis. She is also registered on both the compulsory part and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register to care for older children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She holds a level 3 qualification in Extending Childminding Practice. She works closely with the local school to support children.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children flourish in this caring and stimulating setting where they are able to make good progress towards the early learning goals. An inclusive approach ensures that children of all ages are able to take part equally in activities and the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of their individual needs. Partnerships with parents and other settings which children attend are positive and contribute to maintaining consistency in their care and learning. Most regulatory requirements are in place and the childminder evaluates her practice effectively to identify further areas for development.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to track individual children's progress towards the early learning goals and to identify and provide for their next steps in learning.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 maintain a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 15/06/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has a positive approach to inclusion. Children of all age groups are able to join in with all activities and the childminder supports them where necessary to enable this. They have opportunities to learn about different cultures by extending topics they are covering at school and to learn about living with illnesses. This helps them to develop respect for others. Good partnerships with parents ensure that the childminder is familiar with children's individual needs and enable her to gather useful information when children first attend her setting. Parents are welcome to stay to chat with the childminder and interact with the children to enable them to observe the setting in practice. The childminder talks to parents regularly about their children's progress and provides them with useful information about her policies and the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is considering ways to track individual children's progress towards the early learning

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provision

goals so that she can share these observations with parents.

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provision

The childminder provides a welcoming home which is mostly child friendly and she is aware of any risks. Where these exist she increases supervision and helps children to learn about safety rules, such as climbing the stairs carefully. She is aware to maintain a record of the risk assessment although this is not yet in place. The home is clean and hygienic and the childminder has effective procedures in place for nappy changing, such as using antibacterial hand gel to reduce the risk of infection. Older children learn to wash their hands and clean towels are available every day, although these are not individual to each child. The garden is safe and fully enclosed and the communal courtyard to the front of the house is closely supervised by the childminder when children choose to play here.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of safeguarding children procedures and ensures that all household members have appropriate background checks. Her well-organised records and policies support the efficient management of the setting. Self-evaluation processes help her to meet most requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and she is fully aware of areas for further development, including keeping a record of the risk assessment and tracking individual children's progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy their time in the setting and are able to easily access a suitable range of attractive toys. Very young children show that they are relaxed and settled with the childminder, enjoying cuddles and physical contact. They keenly explore a drawing mat and pens with close support from the childminder who shows children how to make marks and encourages them to copy her. They eagerly explore a box of Duplo and the childminder supports them in fitting the pieces together. They listen carefully to music on the radio or on the childminder's iPod and respond by bouncing up and down to the rhythm. Older children enjoy creative activities, such as making sandwiches to set out on a china tea set and the childminder supports them in their social skills, problem solving and imagination. Children of all ages have many opportunities to play outdoors. They enjoy team This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

games, such as swing ball or cricket, and the childminder encourages them to develop their play and the rules themselves while also offering support. They enjoy building camps in the garden and collecting natural materials, such as leaves, sticks and stones. They often visit a local nature reserve to collect fossils and to watch the boats on the canal. As well as developing physical skills children learn about healthy eating and have opportunities to get really involved in food preparation. They plan menus so that they can include their favourite foods and they help to prepare snacks and do the shopping. Children also have good opportunities to learn about safety in the kitchen as well as general household rules, fire evacuation and road safety.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is very enthusiastic helping children to access the toys and focusing their interests. She uses spontaneous opportunities to develop children's play and responds well to their needs, sitting back to allow children to play independently or joining in and supporting them when necessary. She is familiar with children's individual needs through her close partnerships with parents and observations of children at play. She is aware to focus more on tracking children's individual progress towards the early learning goals as she is not doing this presently which limits opportunities to plan methodically for their next steps. 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

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