Fieldstone School

Inspection report for early years provision

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141515 Unique Reference Number 23 May 2006 Inspection date Sylvia June Crawford Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 1998. She lives with her husband and their child aged nine years. They live in New Bradwell in the north of Milton Keynes, close to local shops, preschool and schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder uses all downstairs for childminding which includes toilet facilities. There is a garden available for children's outside play. The childminder takes children to the local nursery.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and currently has six children on roll. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy as the childminder follows environmental health and hygiene guidelines, ensuring children play in appropriate surroundings. Children understand simple good health and hygiene practices, such as washing their hands before handling food and after using the toilet. However, after washing their hands children share a towel, this means there is the possibility of cross infection. The childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare through her knowledge, experience and her sick child procedures, which she shares with parents verbally. Most records are in place to meet children's individual health needs. However, the childminder does not gain prior parental consent to give medication on all occasions, which is a breach of regulations.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from indoor and outdoor play and enjoy regular physical activities. The childminder encourages children's exercise by going for walks in the local area, making visits to parks and walking to the school each day. Children rest and sleep according to their needs and parents' wishes.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder takes into consideration children's likes and dislikes and all meals are discussed with parents to ensure any special dietary requirements are met and children remain healthy. The children are able to make choices from a variety of snacks after school. This promotes their independence and the childminder encourages children to have an understanding about what foods are healthy and good for them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a family environment where they can move around safely and freely. They learn independence through being able to select from the suitable range of toys, resources and equipment available. The childminder carefully supervises children to ensure they make appropriate choices for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised wherever possible through the childminder having a variety of safety measures in place, such as the use of a fire guard and an alarm on the kitchen cupboard. The childminder helps children to understand about road safety and safe behaviour while on trips and outings. Children are beginning to recognise potential dangers, for example, they know what to do if the smoke detector sounds. Children's welfare benefits from the childminder's up to date first aid qualification, which enables her to feel confident about dealing with emergencies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a developing understanding of child protection issues, taking steps towards protecting children’s welfare. She informs parents of her role and responsibilities through her recording practices. However, the childminder does not have a secure knowledge of the procedures to follow if there are any concerns with a child, or if any allegation is made against her.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well in the childminder’s home, enjoying each other’s company with all aspects of their care, learning and play benefiting from the good level of interaction from the childminder. They are developing as individuals and have a warm relationship with the childminder, which contributes to children's sense of belonging. The childminder finds out what children know and can do when they first attend by talking to parents and observing children when they are playing. She is therefore able to provide resources and experiences that meet children's individual needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to choose from a variety of toys, books and activities, which appeal to all ages. Children spend their time purposefully; they join in activities enthusiastically and are eager to use their imagination, for example, playing with a set of figures and talking about their differences, drawing and sounding out letters. The childminder supports children's early communication skills very well through good quality adult-child interaction; this helps children to extend their language.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive good support from the childminder in their personal, social and emotional development because she extends children's knowledge through discussion. They talk openly together and the children respond well to the childminder's encouragement. Children have the opportunity to contribute to the planning of activities and outings, which develops their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are relaxed, confident and occupied in their surroundings and they learn to behave well through the childminder's clear boundaries and house rules. She has appropriate strategies in place to develop children's understanding of right from wrong and promotes good behaviour through praise and encouragement. Consequently, children understand what is expected of them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Through discussion and activities, the childminder is raising children's awareness of the wider world and involving children in community activities, for example, visiting the local library. However, the childminder has a limited range of resources that promote positive images of culture, gender and disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the two-way communication system between parents and the childminder, which helps to maintain their continuity of care. The childminder provides a flexible service to parents, following their wishes and children's preferences, with daily information exchanges taking place through discussion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home and at ease within the family environment and play happily in the childminder's care. They know routines well and are settled in the warm and welcoming atmosphere. The childminder's understanding of children's developmental needs benefit children's individual care. She organises time well and provides a good balance of indoor and outdoor play, which extends children's learning and development.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains the required documentation for childminding and informs parents of her policies and procedures verbally. However, the childminder has not obtained all required written permissions from parents.

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Organisation

Documentation is organised into files and stored securely with confidentiality maintained. The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of the National Standards and an interest in updating her knowledge. This helps maintain children's welfare, care and learning. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to address some safety issues. The childminder has now secured the dangerous substances in the kitchen, made the garden safe and secure, obtained appropriate car insurance and has written permission to take children in a vehicle.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also required to complete a first aid course and a child protection course. The childminder now has a current first aid certificate and has attended a child protection course, but still does not have a secure knowledge of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • improve knowledge and understanding of the child protection procedures to follow if there are any concerns about a child, or if any allegation is made against the childminder • ensure prior written permission from parents is in place to administer medication and provide children with separate towels to prevent cross infection • ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and help them understand the wider world

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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