Featherstone Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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141278 Unique Reference Number 20 September 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 good. 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 1990. She lives with her partner and their three children who are all aged over eight years. They live on a well established estate in the north flank of Milton Keynes close to local shops, pre-school, and schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder uses all downstairs for childminding with rest and toilet facilities upstairs. There is a garden available for children's outside play. The childminder takes children to the local pre-school and attends a toddler group on a regular basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have one dog and one rabbit as family pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children. She currently has one child 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 because the childminder follows current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures. They understand simple hygiene practices, such as washing their hands before eating or 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. Most records are in place to ensure the childminder meets children's individual health needs, although she does not have written permission to give or seek emergency aid.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of activities, which contribute towards their good health. They improve their physical skills by playing outdoors in the garden, at the local park and going for walks. Consequently, children build their strength and stay fit and healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder considers children's individual dietary needs through discussions with parents. Children's lunchbox food is stored appropriately and the childminder supports children to eat well and have good manners at the table. They enjoy a social occasion while eating together and the childminder supports younger children to eat independently. Children have access to drinking water throughout the day so they have sufficient fluids.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a well-organised environment, which enables them to move around freely and feel confident. They are able to select activities independently from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment that are safe and in a good condition. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe and secure in their surroundings. The childminder keeps children under close supervision at all times, reducing risks and hazards and minimising dangers inside and outside the home. For example, using stair gates and having locks on the outside gates. The childminder gives high priority to keeping children secure and helping them to understand how to be safe, for example, she ensures children are aware of road safety from an early age and keeps toys tidy to reduce tripping hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The protection of children is good through the knowledge and understanding of child protection issues by the childminder. She makes parents aware of her roles and responsibilities to protect children’s welfare through her written policy.

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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 are content, confident and settle well into the childminder’s home. She ensures that she finds out what children know and can do when they first attend by talking to parents and observing children when they are playing. This enables her to meet children's individual needs. Through play, the childminder encourages children to develop as individuals, to be independent and have confidence. This contributes to children's sense of belonging.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder knows children well and they have a warm relationship with her. She encourages children's communication skills very well through good quality adult to child interaction. For example, matching pictures in a sticker book. The childminder listens to children, shows interest in what they are doing and answers children's questions honestly and openly. This helps children extend their language and develop their self-esteem. The childminder has a good understanding of child development; this enables her to promote children's learning and their development through everyday activities and experiences such as trips to the shop and the park. In the school holidays the children enjoy planned trips, for example, to Lego Land and Wicksteed Park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected and the childminder is able to meet each child's individual needs. She follows their own routine after careful discussion with the child's parents. The childminder helps children to learn about their local community and the wider world as they visit friends, go to the shops and go for walks. She has a range of resources that enable children to understand diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has appropriate strategies in place to develop children's understanding of right from wrong and she encourages them to have good manners. Children are encouraged to play and co-operate with each other and to treat others with respect and kindness. The childminder promotes good behaviour through the use of praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder makes good relationships with parents. She works in partnership with them to get the best outcomes for children. As well as speaking with parents, she gives them written information at the end of each day so that they are kept well informed about their children’s progress. Parents use the same record book to give the childminder information that will help her to care well for their children. The childminder ensures that parents are aware of her policies and procedures both verbally and in written form. This ensures that children receive consistent care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home and at ease in the welcoming environment where their art work is prominently displayed. Consequently, children feel their work is valued. They play confidently in the available space and they have sufficient adult support to help them feel secure and settled within the setting.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the National Standards. However, she does not have an up to date first aid qualification. The childminder maintains the necessary documentation and most of the parental permissions for childminding and these are well organised into a file. She effectively uses the policies and procedures to promote the consistent care of children by sharing them with parents. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to complete a first aid course, obtain details of agencies to contact if she has concerns about a child and to provide written information about her childminding service.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has completed a first aid course with Red Cross, however, the first aid certificate has recently expired. The childminder is planning to renew it. She maintains full details of local agencies to contact if she has concerns about a child in her care. The childminder now uses a book to detail in writing what the child has been doing while in her care, including nappy changing and sleep patterns, the parent also writes in the book about what the child does at home. This supports continuity of care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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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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 good. 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): • update training in first aid for infants and young children • ensure that children have separate towels to prevent cross infection and written consent is obtained from parents to seek or give emergency medical advice or treatment.

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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 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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