Childminder in OxfordshireOfsted inspection, 20 Oct 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 153035 Inspection date 20/10/2011 Inspector Jan Leo

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and four children in Bicester, Oxfordshire. The whole of the home is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to accept a maximum of six children under the age of eight years when working alone, of whom three may be in the early years age group. The childminder is also registered to work with an assistant and together they can accept a maximum of six children under the age of eight years and all may be in the early years age group. There are currently eight children on roll and of these, three are in the early years age group. The children attend on a full and part-time basis. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks, children's groups and the library. The family has a dog, a rabbit and two guinea

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is dedicated to providing a high quality service in practice where all children are safeguarded and valued for their individualism. Resources are very well deployed and supervision is good to keep children safe and help them feel secure. Overall, the childminder meets most of the welfare and learning requirements to promote children's wellbeing. However, some of the legal requirements relating to children's health are not currently being met. Well established relationships exist with parents and other carers, with most of the information they receive accurate and informative. There are some reflective systems in place to evaluate daily practice and keep most standards high, although these do not clearly identify strengths and priorities for development that will continuously improve the quality of the provision for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 make sure that at least one person who has a current, local authority approved, paediatric first aid certificate is with each group of children at all times (Promoting good health) 21/10/2011

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further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before medication is given (Promoting good health). 21/10/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve the two-way flow of information with parents,making sure all information they receive is up to date  develop the use of reflective practice and self-evaluation further to clearly identify strengths and priorities for development that will continuously improve the quality of the provision for all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very secure understanding of child protection issues and the procedure to follow if concerns arise. She has a clear policy to inform parents of the referral process and useful contact details are easily available. Risk assessments are thorough and effective and children receive a high level of supervision to keep them safe. The children form very close bonds with both the childminder and her assistant in the inclusive environment, fitting in like part of the family and feeling equally safe in either childminder's care. Children routinely learn about health and safety to equip them for the future and follow good practice to preserve their well-being. However, the childminder has let her first aid certificate laps and occasionally is alone without an adult who has a paediatric first aid certificate, breaching welfare requirements. The childminder has attended several first aid training courses in the past providing suitable knowledge to act

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the early years provision

appropriately if accidents occur. In addition, the childminder has a place booked on a first aid training course in the near future. Therefore, this breach of requirements has little impact on the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder gets to know families very well in order to plan activities around children's individual interests. This enables her to plan increasing challenges and support children as necessary in recognition of their stage of development. The childminder shares information about the day and seeks parental permission for some aspects of care to secure their partnership. However, the childminder has not obtained permission for each different medicine administered to children, as required by regulation. The childminder routinely discusses health issues with parents before giving any treatment. This limits the impact on children's good health; however, there is no written record to confirm the parent's approval. The childminder offers parents access to a range of written policies to clarify her service and most are up to date and clear. Regular verbal feedback supplements documentation to help build good two-way communication.

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the early years provision

Parents are encouraged to suggest areas for development to help the childminder maintain continuous improvement. However, the childminder has yet to fully develop the use of effective self-evaluation. She has not clearly identified strengths and priorities for development to continuously improve the quality of the provision for all children. The childminder routinely links with other childcare workers when care is shared to enhance what children do elsewhere. She provides communication books to aid the flow of information and build a consistent approach to children's care. The childminder attends relevant training to continue This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 her own development and she monitors the success of what she does to ensure her service continues to meet the needs of those who attend overall.

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the early years provision

The childminder and her assistant dedicate their time to the children, serving them well by organising a varied and balanced day and using resources very effectively to keep children stimulated. As a result, the children are very happy to attend and make good progress.

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and outcomes for children

The children play happily and engross themselves in a wide range of activities to develop their skills. For example, children collect leaves and acorns for collage, developing their knowledge of the natural world. Children practice control over their movements while spreading glue to make their collage. They discuss colours and textures of the natural media and learn new words such as 'crispy' to describe how things feel. The childminder and her assistant both speak to children fluently to encourage children's developing language skills and they routinely repeat things to reinforce children's understanding.

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and outcomes for children

The children are offered choices to encourage them to try new things and the childminder successfully steers play to help children develop. She routinely links learning to make it relevant and fun, joining in children's play. For example, the childminder counts 'one, two' when pulling sleeves up ready for messy play to help children become familiar with numbers from an early age. The childminder discusses health and safety issues during the activities, reminding one child not to put more than one grape in their mouth at a time to avoid choking. The childminder also discusses the need for hand washing before children eat to enable their understanding of simple hygiene routines.

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and outcomes for children

The children go on outings regularly and generally eat picnics outside to help develop a love of outdoor life. They learn to dress appropriately for the weather and visit parks and children's groups to use the large equipment for physical development. All children are encouraged to be mobile and active to develop a healthy lifestyle and some children relish their time outdoors.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder sets up activities to inspire children's play, rotating equipment to retain their interest. She makes very good use of planning ideas from the internet and relevant training courses to broaden children's learning opportunities. The childminder encourages children of all ages to play together to help them understand the needs of others. She uses her 'pet's corner ' in the garden to help children develop a caring attitude towards animals. The childminder encourages children to help care for the rabbit and guinea pigs from an early age so they are gentle and considerate. The children have opportunities to organise their own games and young ones learn from their older peers, such as how to be measured to be included on a homemade height chart.

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and outcomes for children

All children get on well together and enjoy the childminder's company. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder photographs them at play as a record of their progress. She has clear aims to work towards to help continue children's development, sharing relevant quality information with parents to keep them involved in their children's day. 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 2 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 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: 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

 obtain an appropriate first aid qualification (Welfare of children being cared for) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 20/11/2011

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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

 take action as specified in the compulsory requirements of the Childcare Register (Welfare of children being cared for). 20/11/2011

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