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 EY379529 Inspection date 02/06/2009 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 2008. She lives in Oxford with her husband and three children aged nine and three year old twins. The living room, dining room and first floor bathroom are used for childminding. The garden is not currently available for outdoor play. Access to the provision includes a small step into the front door. The family has some goldfish and a rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder offers care on a daily basis during school term time and walks to a local school and pre-schools to take and collect children. She is registered to care for a maximum of two children under eight at any one time, of whom no more than one may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child on the Early Years Register on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She works closely with a local pre-school.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children are included equally in the setting and have good opportunities to develop respect for others. They make sound progress towards the early learning goals although activities tend to be quite general rather than planned specifically for individual needs. The childminder develops appropriate partnerships with parents and other settings which children attend to ensure consistency in their care and learning. There is a strong focus on health and safety and children quickly learn about good practice in these areas. The childminder is aware of her strengths and weaknesses and accurately identifies areas for further improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 identify children's starting points in their learning and use observations of their individual progress to systematically plan for their next steps.

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provision

The childminder has a high regard for health and safety and ensures that procedures work effectively in practice. She provides children with healthy and nutritious meals and is well organised. For example, she ensures that a prepared sandwich and salad lunch is ready for children on their arrival from preschool at lunchtime. She has good procedures in place to ensure children's safety on outings, such as ensuring children have wrist bands with her mobile number and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 that they wear rucksacks with attached reins which she can hold. She demonstrates a sound understanding of safeguarding children procedures and ensures that all household members have appropriate background checks.

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provision

The childminder has a good range of resources to reflect diversity, such as dressing up clothes, puzzles, books and small world play, which helps children to learn about different backgrounds. She includes children equally in all activities and experiences so that they all feel valued and respected. She has a good understanding of children's individual welfare needs but gathers little information about their progress in learning which limits her ability to plan for individual needs and share observations with parents. She does however talk to parents on a daily basis about their children's time with her and she encourages parents to continue activities at home which children have enjoyed. She frequently talks to staff in other settings which minded children attend to find out about activities they have taken part in and if they need any extra support.

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provision

The childminder evaluates her practice by asking for feedback from parents and she has improved her resources since registration by obtaining toys which reflect diversity. She is aware that more focused observations and assessments of children's progress will help her to more effectively identify and plan for the next steps in their learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have good opportunities to develop an understanding of a healthy lifestyle and how to keep themselves safe. They are very keen to make their own fruit kebabs using strawberries, oranges and apples, and they know that fruit is good for them. They are aware of sun safety, such as wearing sun cream and putting their hats on in hot weather. Frequent fire evacuation practice ensures that children can demonstrate a good understanding of such procedures, explaining that they have to stop playing with their toys, get out of the house and phone ‘Fireman Sam’.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are relaxed and settled and develop good relationships with the childminder who has a very kind and caring approach. They are keen to join in with all activities and are able to make free choices about what they do. They have good social opportunities to mix with other children at a variety of activity groups in the local community. These include music sessions, art and craft activities, ‘baby ballet’ and toddler groups, allowing children to experience a range of activities both indoors and outside. They do not currently have access to the childminder's garden but they do have daily opportunities to play outdoors, such as having picnics, playing in the park or visiting local farm parks. They enjoy exploring the home environment and the childminder helps them to develop their skills and understanding through spontaneous play. For example, children count and find the initial letter of their names while exploring a number and a letter train on the wall

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and they enjoy talking about a poster which shows people who do different jobs. They find out about the different parts of cars and trucks while they play with toys, as the childminder talks to them about the ‘lights’ and ‘ladders’. They learn to describe different textures while they close their eyes and feel different shapes and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 objects. Such activities allow children to develop a variety of skills and the childminder identifies some aims for individual children. However, there is no systematic approach to identifying children’s starting points in learning or analysing their progress, which limits opportunities to plan specifically for individual needs or focus on particular skills. 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? 3 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? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 make available to parents copies of the written statements of safeguarding procedures and complaints procedures. 16/06/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 make available to parents copies of the written statements of safeguarding procedures and complaints procedures. 16/06/2009

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