Childminder in Oxfordshire

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Good

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The provision is good

Children are happy and settled in this warm and homely environment. They develop close bonds with the childminder, who provides cuddles and affection to ensure that children feel safe and secure. Children are gaining in confidence and are polite. They display good behaviour to one another and the childminder. Children learn how to be caring and courteous as they develop good social skills. Older children are kind and considerate of younger children's needs. For instance, older toddlers gently stroke babies' hands as they soothe them.

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The provision is good

All children benefit from having access to a wide range of activities. For instance, children enjoy taking on roles as they play shops. Children show friendly behaviour, such as making ice creams for the childminder and their friends. The childminder joins in with children's games, which supports children to develop their imaginative skills. For example, children are on their pretend train and are going to London to visit the crocodiles. The childminder ensures that early mathematical concepts are developed in her setting. Children are encouraged to use their counting skills as they count the number of screws and bolts while using the construction resources. Children are also beginning to identify, name and match colours. This supports them to develop a basic mathematical knowledge before they leave for school. Older children are developing a range of mark-making skills, in readiness for school. For example, they hold paintbrushes adeptly to make patterns with their

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The provision is good

paints and are able to hold a stylus competently, as they use pens to trace patterns and letters.

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need to do better?

n Children benefit from many opportunities to support their communication and language skills. For example, throughout activities, the childminder provides a commentary, models good conversational skills and introduces new vocabulary. Children repeat familiar words and phrases in response to the childminder's warm interactions. Good arrangements are in place to support children who are learning English as an additional language. n The childminder has a clear curriculum. She knows children well and plans activities to follow children's interests and what they need to learn next. She places a strong emphasis on developing children's language skills and personal, social and emotional development. The childminder interacts well during planned activities. However, she does not always interact with children effectively in their self-chosen play to extend on their learning and skills further. Nonetheless, children make good progress in relation to their capabilities.

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need to do better?

n Partnerships with parents are highly successful. The childminder gains a wealth of information from them about their children and uses this effectively to help children settle seamlessly from their homes to her home. She works closely with

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need to do better?

7 May 2024 parents and provides ideas about how children's learning can be supported at home. Parents speak highly of the childminder and the good progress their children have made since being in her care. n The childminder attends mandatory training, such as safeguarding and paediatric first aid, to help her refresh her knowledge of how to keep children safe. However, she does not fully engage with other professional development opportunities to further strengthen her teaching practice and build and develop her knowledge over time. n The childminder has effective systems in place to help her to get to know the children well before they start with her. This includes meetings with parents to gather information about the child and arranging settling-in visits. This helps the children to build strong bonds with her to enable them to feel secure in her care. n Children benefit from good opportunities to build on their independence. The

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need to do better?

childminder encourages children to develop self-care needs, such as toileting independently and self-selecting the food they want to eat. Children behave well. The childminder is quick to remind children calmly on the rare occasion they have forgotten that they must share the toys. She encourages and praises children as they take great pride in their growing independence. n The childminder understands that outdoor learning and fresh air and exercise are important for children's health. She understands not all children have access to a garden at home. The childminder plans opportunities for children to be outdoors during the day and takes them into the local community. For example, children take trips to local parks and the local library. In addition, children have access to the childminder's secure garden. n Children visit the local community and learn about the wider world around them. They build on their awareness of others and learn about respecting individuals.

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need to do better?

For example, a recent planned trip to the library had the community dentist in attendance and taught the children the importance of good oral health.

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n strengthen teaching, particularly during spontaneous activities, to build more effectively on children's interests and extend their thinking and learning n make better use of professional development opportunities to further enhance knowledge and develop teaching skills.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 133681 Local authority Oxfordshire Inspection number 10345994 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6 Date of previous inspection 9 August 2018

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 1992. She lives in Wantage, Oxfordshire. The childminder operates all year round, from 8am to 5pm, Tuesday to Friday. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Inspection activities

n This was the first routine inspection the childminder received since the COVID- 19 pandemic began. The inspector discussed the impact of the pandemic with the childminder and has taken that into account in their evaluation of the childminder. n The inspector completed a learning walk with the childminder through all areas of the premises used by the children. n Parents shared their views through written feedback. The inspector took account of these views. n The inspector talked to the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n The childminder and the inspector discussed an activity and talked about how it supports children's learning.

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Inspection activities

7 May 2024 We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

7 May 2024 regulates and inspects 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 and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, 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.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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

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