Woodthorpe CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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112857 Unique Reference Number 24 July 2006 Inspection date Lisa Ellis 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 has been registered since 1994. She lives with her husband and two teenage children in a house in the village of Greatham to the north of Petersfield, Hampshire. The whole of the house is suitable for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The house is within walking distance to a local shop, school and park. The childminder is registered to care for six children and is currently caring for three young children on a part time basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's dietary needs are met as the childminder provides them with fresh and nutritious food, some of which they have helped to grow and pick from the garden. As the children eat,

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Helping children to be healthy

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 talks to them about healthy food, developing their understanding of healthy eating. Children are kept hydrated as the childminder provides and encourages them to drink plenty of fluids, particularly in hot weather.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well protected from the spread of infection as the childminder excludes those that have contagious ailments or illnesses. She minimises the spread of germs by encouraging children to practise good hygiene procedures such as hand washing after toileting and before eating. Each child has their own face cloth to promote personal cleanliness. Children are protected from the risk of cross contamination as the childminder wears disposable gloves when changing nappies and cleans the mat between each use.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to be dealt with appropriately following accidents as the childminder stores her first aid kit accessibly and has a current first aid qualification. Accident and medication records are shared with parents and are well recorded to promote children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical skills are developing by making good use of the garden and local park to practise their gross motor movements and to get plenty of fresh air to promote a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from good safety procedures both in and out of the house. The childminder has a written health and safety policy in place as well as a comprehensive risk assessment which is regularly checked to ensure the home and garden remain safe for children's use. All potential hazards have been identified to ensure children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. There is a written fire safety procedure and maintenance records are kept to show the smoke detectors are regularly checked for effectiveness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is given a high regard when out of the house. The childminder fits all children with wrist bands when on outings detailing her mobile telephone number in case they get lost. She also carries around individual cards should there be an emergency. These cards specify that she is a childminder and gives children's names, dates of birth and their parents contact details.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from unvetted persons as they are never left unattended with them. Parents sign release forms for named individuals to collect their children so they cannot be collected by anyone unauthorised by the parents. The childminder has a very good understanding of her duties regarding child protection and helps to protect the children in her care by asking parents to sign their acknowledgement of her child protection statement detailing how she promotes the welfare of the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from the harmful effects of the sun as the childminder ensures sun cream is applied and hats are worn when playing outside. Children are encouraged to play in the shade as much as possible to prevent them from getting too hot or burnt.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a good range of toys and equipment that are suitable for the age range and promote learning in all areas of development.

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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 benefit from a wide range of learning opportunities. They are able to self-select their own resources from low-level storage which promotes their independence and provides them with choices in what they do. The individual needs of all children are met as the childminder is flexible in her planning of activities depending on their abilities. Children are spoken to throughout the activities to develop their understanding of what they are doing. Interaction is very good with the childminder offering cuddles and reassurance to children as well as encouraging them in their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is responsive to the children's requests, for example a young child with limited language wanted to do 'round and round the garden'; the childminder was aware of this as the child began doing it on her and was delighted when the childminder then did it back. Children are educated through their play as the childminder relates what they are doing to personal experiences, such as doing activities about the sea and boats as one of the children's fathers is in the Navy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to mix with their peers when they are taken to meet up with other childminders. They are learning about their local environment as they are taken on outings to areas of interest such as park land and duck ponds.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are learning about the community and wider world through a selection of resources that promote diversity. Their individual needs are met in consultation with parents where the childminder finds out as much detail as possible to enable her to provide consistency of care for the children and to follow the parents' wishes. Parents have access to written policies relating to equality and special needs which include how children are valued and respected; treated as individuals; taught to develop positive attitudes and encouraged to develop their own identity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are asked to provide detailed written information on their children including details of ability; what they are expected to do at home; their friends and preferences for activities, songs and stories. This helps the childminder to understand the children as individuals and to meet their needs accordingly. New children are able to visit with their parents before they are left in the childminder's care to enable her to get to know them and for them to settle into her care. Parents receive written daily feedback sheets from the childminder which provides them with details of sleeps, bottles, nappies, drinks and meals. They also receive information such as how the children have been and what activities they have been involved in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are well informed of the childminder's policies and procedures as she has devised a comprehensive parents pack which includes all of her training certificates, insurance details and information about how children learn through play. The childminder has undertaken training in behavioural management and has written goals and boundaries in place reflecting this. This enables her to work consistently when managing behavioural problems so children can learn

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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 what is and is not acceptable behaviour. Children benefit from a good deal of praise and encouragement throughout their play which promotes positive behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care. Good use is made of the available space to provide all the required facilities for children to sleep, play and eat. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to training; as well as undertaking a NVQ3 in childcare and education she has undertaken numerous workshops to increase her childcare knowledge to promote positive outcomes for children. All of the required documentation is in place although the record of children's attendance and the complaints procedure are not fully up to date. Paperwork is stored confidentially and accessibly and is shared with parents as necessary. Children's safety is promoted as ratios are maintained at all times.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two recommendations were raised. They were to devise a written child protection policy and to extend knowledge and understanding of the Code of Practice. The childminder has completed both of these recommendations as she has now finished her NVQ3 where she received training on both of these issues. She has since devised a written child protection policy and a statement regarding special needs which are both shared with parents and used to help promote positive outcomes for children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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 those 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): • ensure the complaints procedure is up to date

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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 • ensure the register of attendance shows actual times of children's attendance

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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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