Dudley House School

Inspection report for early years provision

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120728 Unique Reference Number 20 October 2006 Inspection date Lorraine Sparey 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 was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and two years. They live in the village of Hordle on the edge of the New Forest. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A maximum of four children may attend at any one time, there are currently five children on roll who attend on a part time basis. The family have two cats that have some contact with the children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association

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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. Children's health and well-being is effectively promoted. They follow good hand hygiene practices, using resources to support their independence in their personal care. Each child has their own towel, liquid soap and a small step to enable them to reach the sink. The childminder promotes their understanding with lots of discussion about the importance of maintaining hygiene practices. Effective nappy changing procedures limit the spread of cross infection and ensures that children are comfortable at all times. The childminder is well organised with documentation to support her in her good practice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from healthy snacks and meals. They enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder provides nutritious meals such as baked cod with savoury rice and vegetables and roast chicken. Children's individual dietary needs are taken into account when preparing meals. Children are encouraged to grow vegetables to increase their awareness of maintaining healthy lifestyles. They have grown several large pumpkins which the childminder is using to make pumpkin soup with the children. Children have access to water and drinks throughout the day to ensure their fluid levels are maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's opportunities to develop physical skills and exercise are good. They regularly walk to and from school. They benefit from a wide range of well maintained outdoor resources to increase their physical skills such as trampoline, bicycles and balls. Their small muscle control is developing well, the childminder encourages children to complete simple puzzles and use a range of tools during creative development. Children's home routines with regard to feeding and sleeping are respected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an extremely welcoming and child friendly environment. A designated play room ensures that children can safely choose from the low level units. There is a broad range of quality toys and equipment which are set out invitingly. Comprehensive and detailed risk assessments ensure that all the areas used by the children are safe and secure. However, a minor hazard on the window blinds does not fully promote children's safety. The childminder gives good explanations to support children's understanding of safety. For example, throughout the day the childminder suggests putting some toys away to create a safer area to play. Children's safety is well promoted on outings. The childminder discusses prior to them going out the importance of looking for cars and uses stories to reinforce their understanding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm and neglect. The childminder has completed extensive training in child protection and is very clear on signs and symptoms of abuse. In the event of a concern she has comprehensive procedures to ensure that concerns are followed through appropriately. Parents receive information when they initially register their child to ensure that they are clear on the childminder's role in this area.

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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 confident and very relaxed in the childminder's care. They enjoy a wide range of interesting and stimulating activities such as pebble painting, treasure baskets and clay modelling. One child makes a dinosaur, another child makes a self-portrait. Children benefit from the childminder planning activities using the Birth to three matters framework. They make good progress because the childminder completes comprehensive child record sheets and uses these to inform the plans. She completes regular observations to ensure that she is fully aware of the children's progress. The childminder's effective questioning encourages children's thinking. They benefit from the excellent interaction, the childminder shows genuine interest in their play. During role-play she extends their play by suggesting that she could be the shopkeeper. Children excitedly bring objects for her to buy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children choose from a broad range of quality toys and equipment. They are age appropriate and set out invitingly to encourage children's choices in their play. Children benefit from attending a variety of structured groups, such as the local toddler group, music and movement group and a soft play area. The childminder plans outings in the community on a daily basis. They enjoy visiting local parks, beach and going to feed the ducks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's individual needs are respected and well met by the childminder. They develop a strong sense of belonging. The childminder values their families and encourages the children to make cards and gifts for family members. Children enjoy looking at their photograph albums and see themselves involved in a variety of activities. One child is particularly excited about making pumpkin soup from the pumpkins they have grown which are very large. Children's understanding of the wider world is increased through activities and themes. They celebrate festivals such as Diwali making candle holders. The childminder uses the good range of resources to promote their awareness.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is very good. They show consideration to their peers and play cooperatively. They benefit from the childminder being a positive role model and her consistent use of praise. She gives clear explanations regarding the expectations and boundaries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the effective relationships between their parents and the childminder. She provides comprehensive information on all aspects of her provision. A detailed parents' folder contains information on her policies and procedures, activities and themes and a list of the resources available. Each child has a diary where the childminder provides in great detail an account of their child's day

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's good organisational skills. She plans her routines in advance and has extensive documentation to support her good practice. All records are well

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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 organised and stored appropriately to maintain confidentiality. However, the comprehensive risk assessments do not always identify minor hazards, therefore children's safety is not always fully promoted. The childminder is very committed to training to increase her knowledge and understanding of up to date childcare practices. The space and resources are used well to support children's choices in their play. For example, the childminder uses the carport to enable children to play outside under cover when the weather does not allow them to use the garden.

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Organisation

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 received two recommendations relating to the premises. Since the last inspection she has relocated and these premises are safe and secure.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1st 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 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): • ensure that the risk assessments are reviewed on a regular basis to identify any potential hazards

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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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