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 134540 Inspection date 19/08/2009 Inspector Jill Milton

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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 registered in 1999 and she lives with her partner and their two sons in a Victorian house a short distance from the centre of the town of Bicester, Oxfordshire. The home is within walking distance of a local park, shops and schools. The whole of the house is available to children with the exception of the loft bedroom, and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The family have two cats. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Her registration permits her to care for up to six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She currently cares for three children in the early years age range on a part time basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder is very well organised and professional in her attitude to her work and her desire to be continually improving. She helps children to flourish in her comfortable family home and she has a comprehensive understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder has an excellent awareness of each child in her care and she promotes an inclusive environment that celebrates equality and diversity. Successful partnerships are in place with parents and the childminder offers flexible care arrangements that support the families needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 consistently dating children's developmental records so progress can be tracked over time

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provision

The childminder organises the space and resources in her home effectively to meet the children's needs. She is very understanding about their individual requirements and she works well with parents to collect information to help in her work. The childminder has a clear set of written policies and procedures and she shares these with parents so everyone is well informed. As soon as parents enter the home, they can access helpful displays and the childminder ensures they know about the daily progress of their children. Parents write delightful references for the childminder, referring, for example, to her reliability and support to children's development. The childminder is committed to safeguarding children and she keeps a comprehensive set of reference materials in her documents to enable her to act if she has concerns in the area of child protection. Children play safely since the childminder conducts thorough risk assessments of the home and each type of

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provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outing. The childminder is proactive in improving her practice and this is reflected in the way she embraces the changes brought about with the introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She uses reference materials and advice from training courses to improve her practice. The childminder maintains high standards of hygiene in the home with clear policies promoting health, such as a policy to reduce the risk of infection when children play with sand. She explores the use of natural substances for cleaning, such as lemon and bicarbonate of soda to reduce an overuse of synthetic chemicals around the children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children receive a warm welcome from the childminder who is knowledgeable about their stages of development. The childminder plans interesting topics around activities that catch the children's interest. Some excellent links in learning across different areas helps to reinforce ideas and follow through on concepts. For example, a recent topic on healthy eating brings together books, outings to shops and exploration of different fruits using the senses. The childminder makes excellent use of photographs and notes to record and share these experiences with parents. She demonstrates in captions to accompany pictures her very good understanding of how to promote children's learning through enjoyable play. Whilst records are fresh in the childminder's mind, she is aware of when they take place, though some lack dates to track children's progress. Children enjoy time in the garden where they not only progress with their physical skills but learn about

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

nature too. They take part in looking after vegetables and they check to see if any tomatoes are ready for eating. This compliments the cooking activities that are a regular feature of the week. Children go on outings outside the home to help them develop an awareness of their local community and they sometimes travel on buses into Oxford to see exciting museum exhibits, such as dinosaurs. The childminder encourages parental sharing in learning by sending them photographs by email and by inviting the children to bring objects from home to add to displays.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is sensitive to children's needs for rest and nourishment. She offers them regular drinks and helps them settle for daytime naps. Children demonstrate how secure they are in the home by quickly falling asleep in the comfortable surroundings. The childminder interacts well with children, speaking in her calm voice offering them praise for doing well and guidance on how to behave appropriately. The childminder speaks with parents regarding behaviour management to check her strategies are consistent with the family. The children make choices about what to play from the accessible and good quality resources. The childminder involves herself in the games so that the children retain their interest in what is happening. She is also fostering language development extremely well by echoing words and by clearly voicing new words to children learning to speak. Books are a prominent feature of the home where children play

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and the childminder uses them to promote diversity with titles about different beliefs and an introduction to disability for younger readers. Children see different styles of writing on display and they all have a welcome sign and photograph near the front door to greet them on arrival. This helps to make everyone feel at home and included. The childminder promotes all areas of learning effectively including This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 an introduction to number and technology to help children with skills that may be useful in later life. 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? 1 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? 1

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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?

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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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