The School of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Inspection report for early years provision

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133385 Unique Reference Number 21 July 2006 Inspection date Sheila Collins 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 was registered in 1993. She lives with her husband and two children aged 18 and 11 in Sutton Courtenay, near Abingdon in Oxfordshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five and three children over five on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools and preschools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local Sure Start group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the Trio childminding Network.

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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 good. The childminder has a good awareness of health and hygiene issues. Children understand simple good health and hygiene practices through their daily routine. They wash their hands after playing outside, before meals and after using the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes the good health of the children and responds appropriately when they are ill. She has accident and medication records, and written permission for first aid or emergency advice. She has a current paediatric first aid certificate. The childminder has knowledge of the children's medical and dietary needs. The children have healthy options for snacks, such as breadsticks and fruit, which they select for themselves. They access drinks easily when they are thirsty as the childminder keeps their water bottles on the side where they can reach. The baby has regular drinks offered, especially in the hot weather.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular exercise and this helps them keep fit and healthy. They benefit, for example, from playing in the garden and outings to the park, as well as walking to and from school daily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has a high regard for safety, ensuring that the children are safe both within and outside the home. She is aware of potential hazards and minimises these so that the children are in a safe environment. Children learn to keep themselves and others safe. The childminder reminds them of the consequences of their actions, for example, putting the magnetic darts in their mouths and running indoors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has equipment suitable for the age and stage of the children attending, which includes safety barriers across the kitchen access and the bottom of the stairs. The childminder checks the equipment and toys frequently to ensure that they are safe for the children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good range of toys and equipment for the children to use, which covers all areas of their development. The children independently access and choose from the toys that are available within the dining room and outside play area. The childminder supports the children with their selection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder promotes the children's welfare through a working knowledge of child protection issues. She has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child.

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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. The children have good relationships with the childminder. She is aware of individual children's developmental needs and ensures they receive appropriate support. The children get on well together and are learning to share and take turns. They enjoy playing alongside each other and plying games such as Dominoes and magnetic darts. They enjoy imaginative play, for example, playing with the dolls and pushchairs and taking them shopping. They enjoy put door play and can move freely between the living, dining rooms and the outside area. The children make choices about what they would like to do and direct their own play, with support from the childminder. They confidently select items to play with from the range available in the dining room and the outside play area. They receive lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder, which promotes their self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children take part in a variety of activities, both indoors and out. The childminder plans each day according to the needs of the children attending and their individual routines. She also plans in outings to the Sure Start centre, where the children take part in the healthy eating programme and have opportunities for singing, mini gym and creative activities. The children also go to the park and walks around the locality with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework which is beginning to use to extend her knowledge of caring and planning for under three's, which will benefit the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good knowledge of the individual needs of each child through discussions with parents. When planning, she considers the children in her care, their stage of development and ability. The children are using a range of resources to learn about the diversity of society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages the children’s behaviour appropriately for the age and stage of development of the children. She encourages good standards of behaviour, using praise and encouragement, which builds the children's confidence and self-esteem. The childminder allows children to sort out minor difficulties themselves and knows when to step in and intervene. She deals quickly with any unwanted behaviour, giving the children clear explanations as to why it is unacceptable.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good partnership with parents and works closely with them to ensure continuity of care for the children. Contracts are in place so that both parents and childminder are clear about the arrangements. The childminder discusses daily with parents to keep them informed about their children's progress.

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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. The childminder organises the space available very well, to give the children a good range of play and learning experiences. All areas of the house used for childminding are laid out so that the children can easily alternate between the living room, dining room and the outside play area.

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Organisation

The childminder has all the required documentation in place to make sure that she is able to meet the individual needs of the children in her care. She has a copy of her certificate of registration but this is not displayed where parents can easily see it.

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Organisation

The provider 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, four recommendations were made regarding documentation and another to extend the range of resources which reflect diversity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder is using appropriate paperwork which includes children's detailed record forms. She also has in place an incident form, comprehensive accident records and forms to be completed by the parents prior to any medication being given. This additional information benefits the children as the childminder has more details to support their welfare.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has extended the range of resources which reflect diversity to include more dolls, books and puzzles which help the children to appreciate the wider society. She continues to build on these resources.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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 complaints 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 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):

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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 • develop knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters ' framework, to further enhance the good practice offered to children under the age of three years • ensure that the certificate of registration is displayed during childminding hours

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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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