Edge Hill University

Inspection report for early years provision

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133828 Unique Reference Number 25 July 2006 Inspection date Jan Leo 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 1993 and can currently care for up to five children under the age of eight years. At present, the childminder looks after three children under five years and three children aged five to under eight years. All attend on a part time basis. Children over the age of eight years are also accepted.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and three children aged 21, 18, and three and a half years. They reside in the Garden City area of Kidlington, Oxfordshire which is approximately six miles from Oxford city centre. The property is within walking distance of the canal and a children's play park, as well as local amenities. West Kidlington Primary School and Skips Pre-school are also close to her home.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and a bedroom upstairs is designated for resting. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 The childminder attends several local carer and toddler groups for minded children on a regular basis. She receives support from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because they benefit from regular fresh air and exercise and the childminder follows good health and hygiene routines. For example, she promotes hand washing to avoid the spread of germs, keeps her home and equipment very clean, and encourages children to participate in outdoor play at least once every day. Children have free access to drinks in hot weather and have opportunities to play with water to keep cool. The parents provide most of the food for their children and the childminder monitors what children consume to prevent them over eating. She supplements meals with nutritious snacks such as frozen smoothies or yoghurt, and she provides ice cubes for children to suck when heat is excessive. The childminder has completed first aid training in the past and knows what to do if children are hurt. She has not kept her first aid training up to date. Children receive appropriate treatment

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Helping children to be healthy

if they are injured, but details of treatment are not included in accident records to give parents and carers full information about the severity of the injury.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play safely both indoors and out and the childminder consistently reminds them to be careful if play appears dangerous. The environment is in very good condition but the childminder does not restrict play by preventing mess. For example, children thoroughly enjoy water play in hot weather and they participate in painting and sticking activities regularly. The childminder supervises diligently, frequently reminding children to keep water off the decking because it gets slippery when wet. These reminders reinforce the house rules and help children learn to keep themselves safe. The childminder organises her home well to enable a variety of activities to operate alongside each other without children getting hurt. Resource boxes are at low level to enable children to find toys independently without risk of injury. The childminder constantly monitors which resources are out to ensure they are suitable for the age and stage

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

of development of those present, moving small items out of reach of young children to remove choking hazards. Children help wash the resources to keep them clean and they learn to tidy away between activities to keep toys in good condition and remove trip hazards. Children understand the house rules and know where they can play. Some test the boundaries at times but the childminder reinforces policy to keep children within view at all times. The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and the confidence to seek advice 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 are sociable, vocal and interested in the activities provided. They play well together regardless of age or gender, developing their own game of pirates and creating a den under the patio table. The childminder provides a varied range of activities including cooking, construction, painting and active play. Children freely ask the childminder for help when donning dressing up clothes, and she chats to them about their game, introducing new words and ideas to extend their knowledge. For example, she talks about tying their bandana and describes what pirates' boots are like with turned down cuffs and large buckles. Children show interest and respond appropriately asking questions to find out more. Children go on outings to local places of interest such as family centres, music and activity groups. They visit museums further afield and look forward to outings with enthusiasm. The children keep themselves well occupied

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children feel welcome because the childminder treats them as if they are her own. She thoroughly enjoys her work and gives the children her undivided attention to ensure they feel special. The childminder is sensitive to children's individual needs and ensures care arrangements are appropriate for each child. Children generally behave very well because the childminder sets clear boundaries and acts as a good role model. She adopts appropriate strategies for promoting good behaviour, varying her action to suit the age of the child. Children develop a good understanding of right and wrong because the childminder routinely explains why behaviour is, or is not acceptable. As a result, the children play harmoniously; they share resources fairly and help with routine tasks. The childminder builds strong relationships with parents and carers and provides a useful folder of information about the setting. She welcomes

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Helping children make a positive contribution

adults who collect and invites them in to discuss the day. The certificate of registration and Ofsted contact details are not always in view during minding hours for parents and carers to see.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She offers a varied programme to suit children of all ages and interests, and provides children with a welcoming and safe environment in which to play. The children get on well together and build close relationships with the childminder, who joins in games to extend children's knowledge and understanding. The childminder displays a sound knowledge of the national standards and all the documentation, required by regulation, is in place. However, some records lack detail, and essential information is not routinely displayed during child minding hours. The childminder does not fully comply with confidentiality rules.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Four recommendations were made at the last inspection. These were to provide parents and carers with information about activities, consider undertaking further training to keep up to date, make window keys more accessible, and obtain prior consent to obtain emergency medical treatment for children if necessary.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has produced a written routine for parents and carers to see in the information folder made available to them. This helps them feel more involved in what their children do. The childminder has looked into further training but finds most courses are during the day when she is working and unable to attend. Window keys are now kept on high hooks at the side of the windows to help adults with speedy evacuation in an emergency. They are out of reach of children to ensure keys do not get lost and to prevent children from opening the windows. Parents and carers currently provide prior consent for emergency advice or treatment as standard on the children's information form when they agree to accept a place at the setting. This ensures children do not have to wait for treatment if parents and carers are uncontactable.

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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 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 first aid training and record any treatment administered to children following an accident • improve documentation by ensuring children's personal information and accident records remain confidential, and the certificate of registration and parents poster are always displayed while working as a childminder.

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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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