Childminder in OxfordshireOfsted inspection, 20 May 2009

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 134231 Inspection date 20/05/2009 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 1993. She lives in a village near Wallingford with her husband and daughter. Her daughter is registered as an assistant. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, together with two first floor bedrooms for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. Access to the provision includes a slope up to the house and a step into the house. The family has a cat.

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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 whether working on her own or with her assistant. Of these, three may be in the early years age range at any one time and the childminder is currently minding three children on the Early Years Register on both a full-time and 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. She supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She works closely with a preschool and nursery which minded children attend.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. All children are able to make good progress in their learning and development as the childminder knows them well and focuses on their individual needs. Careful attention to health and safety issues ensures that the childminder effectively promotes children's welfare. Good partnerships with parents and other settings which children attend help to promote continuity in children's care and learning. The childminder evaluates her practice objectively and successfully identifies areas for further development which are likely to have a significant impact on children.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop monitoring systems of children's progress by tracking their development consistently across each area of learning.

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provision

The childminder has a positive approach to inclusion ensuring that all children are able to make good progress. She plans and adapts activities for children of different ages and abilities, and effectively supports children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Each child is able to join in with activities and experiences at their own level and the childminder effectively helps them to work This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 towards their next steps in learning through spontaneous and planned activities. The childminder gains good information about children’s starting points from parents and talks to them on a daily basis to ensure an effective two-way flow of information. She creates attractive photo books of each child illustrating their involvement in a wide range of activities and she maintains observation files of their progress which parents can see at any time. Parents receive information

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provision

about the Early Years Foundation Stage and suggestions from the childminder about activities to try at home, such as making ‘gloop,’ to help children experience messy play activities and develop coordination skills. The childminder gains a wide range of information regarding the care of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, working closely with other settings which children attend, to ensure she is clear about their next steps in learning and is able to support them in a consistent and effective way. She has taken the time to learn sign language by working closely with parents in order to fully support children during their time with her.

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provision

The childminder provides a safe and secure home. Since the last inspection she has thoroughly reviewed risk assessments resulting in an increased awareness for both herself and her family of potential hazards to children. She supervises children carefully and ensures that she is always within hearing when children are sleeping upstairs. She always accompanies children when they play in the garden and she is planning some maintenance work to increase the potential of the garden for children’s learning and development. She has a sound understanding of safeguarding children procedures, ensures that all household members have appropriate background checks, and has improved her recording of incidents and existing injuries since the last inspection. Her policies, procedures and record- keeping work well in practice and are easily accessible, where appropriate, for parents and for inspection. She evaluates her practice by working closely with

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provision

another childminder and keeping up to date with developments in childcare and education. She identifies her observation and assessment processes as an area for further development so that she can more securely track children's progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enter the setting happily and show that they are relaxed and comfortable with the childminder. They keenly explore a good range of resources and effectively develop social skills, such as sharing toys and helping to tidy away. Older children are very compassionate towards younger children when they become upset and they develop good levels of behaviour. Children develop at their own pace under the careful supervision and guidance of the childminder. For example, they explore cloth animal shapes which have zips and buttons to attach pieces together; the childminder's previous observations of this activity help her to identify the children's next steps and she effectively supports older children in matching the correct pieces, using their manipulative skills to attach the zips and buttons, and encouraging them to talk about their play and make links to their home lives. Younger children indicate an interest in musical instruments and the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

childminder facilitates this effectively, ensuring that the resources are easily accessible and helping the children to explore how to use the instruments to make different sounds. Children develop further skills through spontaneous This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 opportunities, such as talking about colour, number, shape and size while tidying away toys. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are welcome to join in with activities as much as they want to and the childminder is very familiar with their favourite activities and their capabilities. For example, they enjoy watching a children's television programme which uses sign language and the childminder effectively supports them in developing skills to overcome particular dislikes. Children become very excited exploring a ball pool and tunnel indoors and they have regular opportunities to play outdoors and engage in a range of outings, such

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

as feeding the ducks or watching the local RAF parade. They learn how to stay safe as they regularly practise evacuation procedures and pictures of a fire drill are clearly displayed in the living room to help the children easily identify what to do. They learn the importance of tidying up toys so that they do not fall over them, and that scissors are sharp and need to be handled carefully. They remember to wash their hands as pictures of this are clearly displayed in the cloakroom and they use a clean flannel each time ensuring good levels of hygiene. They enjoy food brought from home and drinks are easily accessible to them at all times.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's friendly approach as she frequently involves herself in their play and discussions, rewarding them with lots of praise and recognition for their efforts. She makes accurate observations of their progress in some areas of learning but lacks confidence in monitoring their development consistently across the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, she identifies this as an area for further development which is likely to have a significant impact on outcomes for children. 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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