Childminder in Oxfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY279377 Inspection date 07/07/2011 Inspector Jill Milton

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 2004. She lives with her husband and school aged daughter in Witney, Oxfordshire. The home is within easy travelling distance of local schools and amenities. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding, with access upstairs to the family bathroom one bedroom for daytime rest. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play and the family have a pet cat. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder may care for up to five children under eight years at any one time; of these, not more than three may be in the early years age range. The childminder currently cares for five children in the early years age range, and one older child.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are making steady progress with their early learning and development whilst in the care of the childminder. She offers them a welcoming environment and builds successful relationships with children and their parents. The childminder has an appropriate understanding of many aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and provides acceptable levels of support to children's care and well-being. She takes into account the individual needs of each child and demonstrates an enthusiastic approach to inclusion. The childminder works at a steady pace to implement some new ideas into her working practices.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain the latest safeguarding information to aid speedy referral should the need arise  make more effective use of observations of children's achievements to support their next steps in learning through play  promote children's understanding of early number concepts more frequently during their play.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an acceptable understanding of the area of safeguarding. She is aware of some of the indicators that would cause her to have concern for the welfare of a child, and although she does have reference materials accessible, they are rather old versions of the information. The childminder monitors the safety of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 her home adequately and keeps a record of the risk assessments she undertakes. She tries to reduce the potential for accidents by using helpful aids, such as finger guards on doors and colourful pictures, to alert children to the glass in the patio doors. Children enjoy play in the downstairs rooms of the home and the childminder provides them with a wide range of resources suited to their ages. She introduces items that reflect diversity in a positive way, such as a domino set of children and animals around the world. A book with greetings in different

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the early years provision

languages is a favourite one for sharing. The home provides clean and comfortable surroundings for children to rest and play.

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the early years provision

The childminder builds successful partnerships with parents, and some families remain with her over many years. Parents speak and write in positive ways about her levels of care; one comment, in particular, refers to the support the childminder provided when a child made the transition to school. The childminder makes links with pre-school or school staff, and she uses stories and discussions to help children prepare well for change. A helpful parent pack ensures that all know the childminder's daily procedures. The childminder includes thoughtful and reassuring notes to new families about the emotions they may feel when leaving their child. The childminder is willing to try new ways of working, such as using planning sheets to record the day's activities. At times, she is finding some aspects of her work challenging, but she is open to ideas for improvement. She addressed the recommendations from the last inspection by attending an update to her first

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the early years provision

aid qualification, and requesting parental permission for children to use a trampoline.

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and outcomes for children

Children quickly settle to play when their parents leave and they enjoy a friendly rapport with the childminder. They share short conversations and there is lots of laughter whilst they play. The childminder intervenes well to help younger children learn about taking turns and sharing toys. Sociable snack times at a small table also promote positive behaviour. The children are developing an awareness of cultures and backgrounds different to their own as they celebrate festivals such as Chinese New Year. Children take part in regular outings into the fresh air, either in the garden or into the wider community. Photographs illustrate pleasant activities using climbing equipment at the local park to aid children's physical development. Children are gaining control and co-ordination as they play with some toys that need careful movements to operate switches. They are starting to learn about technology as they play with a small keyboard or talk to the childminder about a

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and outcomes for children

battery running low when the toy stops working. The childminder collects a wide range of information to help her care for the children's individual health requirements. Children eat a healthy selection of foods and are aware of hygiene routines, using separate flannels and towels to minimise the risk of cross infection.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing an appropriate awareness of safety and they talk about incidents such as the smoke detector ringing. Some children need reminders from the childminder about playing safely so friends are not hurt. A daily selection of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 resources is accessible to the children and includes items like books or drawing materials, and the childminder suggests new options when children's involvement wanes. Some children show an interest in making marks and folding paper to make pretend letters, although this is rather limited when the childminder suggests enough paper has been used. The childminder is beginning to make observations of the children's achievements, although she is not yet making full use of the information to support progress. She plans an appropriate range of activities based mainly on creative activities, and children are experiencing using different

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and outcomes for children

materials or taking part in baking. Some mornings have little emphasis on developing early understanding of number concepts as the children play, for example by counting or sorting objects. Children enjoy their imaginative play when selecting items from a well-stocked playhouse indoors, or dancing as they use musical instruments. They are also learning that some resources can be used again as they have fun with a large amount of shredded paper. The childminder captures such activities with photographs so that she can share fun moments with parents. Overall, children are able to make steady progress with their learning. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

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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