Childminder in Oxfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY439901 Inspection date 27/06/2012 Inspector Beverley Blackburn

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and baby son in Carterton, Oxfordshire. The whole of the house may be used for childminding, although care mostly takes place on the ground floor. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play and they regularly visit several nearby parks. The house is within walking distance of local shops, parks and other local amenities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for four children under eight years at any one time. Currently, she cares for two children who attend on a part-time basis, both of whom are in the early years age group.

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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

Children make good progress in their learning and development as they enjoy being in the company of the childminder. They are cared for in a safe and caring environment, where their individual needs are well met. The childminder implements policies and procedures that safeguard children's welfare effectively and her practice successfully ensures positive outcomes for the children overall. Good partnerships with parents further support children's welfare and learning. The childminder has a positive approach to making improvements to her provision and continuously evaluates her practice to maintain good quality care.

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further?

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

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further?

 create opportunities and experiences to help older children to be better at taking turns and sharing fairly; to work harmoniously together and to be sensitive to the needs of others  establish robust systems for self-evaluation which leads to the clear identification of targets for further development in order to continue make improvements to the provision.

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the early years provision

Children are well protected because of the childminder's good grasp of safeguarding children issues. She has considered the action she would take should she have any concerns about a child's welfare. The appropriate procedures are in place for liaising with the children agencies. Risk assessments, including for outings This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and other visits, are thorough. The childminder also carries out daily checks of her home to ensure an environment which is safe for children to play in. The childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities. She has a reasonably good knowledge of how to meet the individual needs of all the children. The childminder is aware of the children's starting points, established through discussion with the parents and her own observations; this helps her to plan for children according to their stage of development. There is a good range of

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the early years provision

resources for both boys and girls. There are also resources available to promote diversity, which helps children to embrace and understand the similarities and differences between people. Children benefit from the well-planned space, enabling them to move around freely in their play. The childminder does not have a self-evaluation system in place, but she has identified her strengths and areas for improvement successfully and is consistently improving the outcomes for children by taking steps to close any identified achievement gaps. The very positive and well-established relationships between the childminder and parents support children's needs well. Parents are informed about their children's learning and well-being. The childminder has started to share the observations and the learning journals with them, involving them in their child's progression. Parents are very happy with the care and education their

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the early years provision

children are receiving. Partnerships with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage are developing.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a safe, secure home. They feel at ease in the homely environment. They settle well with the childminder and are confident and relaxed in her company. The childminder's home is organised to give children suitable freedom to choose and develop different activities. They follow a flexible routine of informally planned activities around their interests and ideas. Children have access to a good range of activities, which support their learning. Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals in most areas of learning. Children are able to say number names in familiar context, as they talk to the childminder about the number of their houses and of other relatives. Children's progress in communicating, literacy and skills relating to information and communication technology is developing well; they have access to electronic programmable toys. Children are able to speak well to adults, confidently ask questions, listen to

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and outcomes for children

stories, and sustain attentive listening for a period. Children are becoming equipped for skills they need in order to secure future learning. Children are active, inquisitive and independent learners and show interest in learning. The childminder uses her experience and good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage to make observations on the children in her care. She keeps well-presented learning logs on each child, with photographs of the children participating in a variety of activities. Children enjoy activities such as messy play, painting and mixing and creating new colours and planting fruits, such as strawberries, in the garden. Children respond positively to praise and encouragement from the childminder, which increases their self-esteem and confidence. However, some children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 finding it difficult at times to share, take turns, to play harmoniously together, and

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and outcomes for children

to be sensitive to the needs of others. Children are encouraged to use good manners, to say please and thank you and to respect others. The childminder has good strategies in place to manage children's behaviour, such as reinforcing their positive behaviour with lots of praise and encouragement. Children know about listening and looking when they are crossing the road and are familiar with emergency evacuation procedures. Well-established routines ensure that children follow good personal hygiene practices. Children take part in daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They enjoy regular walks, visiting the park and playing in the garden. Children benefit from the childminder's competent care if they become ill or have an accident. Children enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks and have access to fresh drinking water. Children are learning the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle. 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 2 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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