Childminder in Oxfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY416587 Inspection date 05/07/2011 Inspector Gill Little

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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 was registered in 2011. She works with her mother, who is also a registered childminder, in her mother's home in Oxford. Her father is registered as an assistant to help care for children during emergencies. A large wooden cabin in the garden is used for childminding. The garden is fully enclosed and is available for outdoor play. Access to the provision is through the main house which includes a small step into the house and out into the garden.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder offers care on a daily basis, before and after school and during school holidays. She walks to a local school to collect children. When working on her own she is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. When working with her co-childminder or assistant she is registered to care for a maximum of 10 children under eight at any one time, of whom no more than five may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding eight children in the early years age range on a part-time basis. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for children over five years. She currently has one child on roll in this age range. She supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She holds a Certificate in Childcare and Education.

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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 enjoy their time in this safe and friendly environment where they are able to make good progress towards most of the early learning goals. The childminder works closely with parents and her co-childminder to support children's individual needs. Her self-evaluation procedures identify some strengths in the setting and she has ideas for further development which are likely to contribute to continuous improvement. Not all weaknesses are identified, however, including some gaps in regulatory documentation, and children do not yet have routine opportunities to learn about the importance of hygiene.

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further?

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

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further?

 include in the record of risk assessment particular aspects of the environment that need to be checked 19/07/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on a regular basis (Premises, Environment and Equipment).

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further?

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

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further?

 provide children with opportunities to help with hygiene routines with particular regard to hand washing before meal times  develop a culture of self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will further improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of safeguarding children procedures, such as possible symptoms of abuse and procedures for reporting concerns. She has recently attended relevant training to support her understanding in this area. The childminder ensures that all household members have appropriate background checks and that suitable procedures are followed to promote children's safety on outings. Daily tick lists show that safety checks are carried out on the premises; however, risk assessments do not identify particular aspects of the environment that need to be checked, which is a breach of regulation. The childminder maintains other regulatory documentation to a satisfactory standard and has a range of written policies in place which she shares with parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively supports her co-childminder in providing a welcoming environment with a good range of activities both indoors and outdoors. Resources are easily accessible so that children can choose from them freely. The childminder works closely with her co-childminder to ensure that routines run smoothly and to support children effectively.

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the early years provision

The childminder actively promotes equality and diversity. She demonstrates a good knowledge of children's individual needs and effectively supports children who speak English as an additional language. For example, she focuses on simple words, includes all children in activities and takes steps to find out about their different cultural backgrounds. She works closely with parents welcoming them warmly into the setting at any time. She keeps them up to date with their children's progress and welfare through daily discussions and daily diaries. Parents are very complimentary about the setting stating that their children are happy and have a 'genuine and deep affection' for the childminder. There are currently no children on roll who attend other settings or who receive support from external agencies. However, the childminder is aware to share relevant information with other professionals as appropriate.

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the early years provision

The childminder is implementing some effective practice, although not identifying weaknesses in other areas as she does not have rigorous self-evaluation procedures in place. However, she is motivated to seek further improvement, such This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 as offering emergency care in collaboration with her local childminding network.

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and outcomes for children

Children display a strong sense of belonging and are building secure relationships with the childminder and with other children. They receive close attention from the childminder who helps them to foster a positive approach to learning. They are beginning to learn about people who are different from themselves as the childminder researches different cultures on the internet and brings aspects of these into art and craft activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to make good progress towards most of the early learning goals. They enjoy long periods of outdoor play in the garden where they are able to explore a variety of resources. They enjoy exploring modelling dough with a variety of accessories and develop their creative skills as the childminder encourages them to make different types of food, such as fish fingers, sweetcorn and peas. They benefit from the childminder's close attention and enthusiasm which effectively supports their communication skills and understanding. Children with English as an additional language receive additional support as the childminder responds positively to their attempts to communicate and encourages them to count and to join in with nursery rhymes. Children enjoy a variety of mark making activities, such as drawing with felt tip pens and using chalks on the garden path. This helps them to develop early writing skills and the childminder

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and outcomes for children

extends this activity by encouraging them to draw different shapes and to try to remember the names of these.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a variety of regular outings, such as trips to the local river, shops, recreation field and children's drop-in centres; together with daily outdoor play in the garden these provide good opportunities for exercise and fresh air. Children enjoy food brought from home and are able to sleep according to their individual routines. They are beginning to learn about safety, for example, the childminder reminds them not to climb on chairs. However, they are not learning about the importance of hygiene as the childminder does not provide opportunities for hand washing before eating.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder continually assesses children's progress on an informal basis and keeps some written records about their development. She uses this information to plan activities suitable for each child's needs. 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 3 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 2

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Stage

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

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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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