Woodley School and College

Inspection report for early years provision

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107797 Unique Reference Number 21 November 2006 Inspection date Helen Ann Woods 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 outstanding. 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 October 1999. She lives with her three children two of whom are aged over eight years and one aged under eight. They live in a house in the village of Prestwood close to the local park, shops, schools and pre-school. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have two guinea pigs, two dogs, two gerbils and a cat. The childminder runs the local childminders' support group and is a mentor for new childminders. Children regularly visit a music club for children under five years and currently there are eleven children on roll, attending term time, school holidays and at weekends.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is able to take children in receipt of nursery funding although there are none on roll at present. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and has a level four Certificate in Early Childhood Education. She holds a current paediatric first aid certificate and is currently

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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 studying for a BA Hons in Childhood Youth Practice. She is an accredited childminder on the Bucks approved 'Children Come First' network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children receive a very high standard of care as their health and well-being is positively promoted through well written policies and procedures. Children enjoy an excellent range of activities and experiences indoors, outdoors and away from the childminding setting which actively contribute to their very good health and well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

All meals are innovative, healthy and appealing to all the children who are very involved in deciding what they would like to eat each day. Outings also include healthy meals to eat out and the children experience unusual restaurants such as an Italian pizza restaurant that enable them to participate in the making of their own pizzas under the direction of the chef.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides a very clean environment where children learn about simple good hygiene practices such as how to wash their hands and why this is a necessary part of the daily routine.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their physical skills through a wide variety of exciting outdoor activities that provides them with the opportunity to climb, balance run and play games at a variety of venues as well as in her well organised garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to minimise risks for children and so keep them safe. Children arrive to a well ordered, welcoming and secure environment. They are able to play with a wide range of safe, clean, robust toys and equipment that are suitable for their age and stage of development. Children can easily access equipment, are constantly occupied and well supervised so they do not suffer many accidents in this environment. Regular risk assessments are made and any problems are addressed immediately. She liaises closely with parents and carers discussing children's individual needs in terms of their safety, allowing them optimal challenge to develop new skills. The use of suitable safety equipment, such as safety gates to prevent accidents ensures children's safety and well-being is promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder dedicates the whole of the ground floor and garden as well as another ground floor room that provides space for older children after school and a rest area for the younger children during the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are happy to observe house rules, clearly understanding that it is for their safety. For example, fire safety and reinforcing road safety through books and games.

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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 Children are very well protected because the childminder has an excellent understanding of child protection policies and procedures; this actively contributes to children's safety and well-being. Access to information, training in this area and a written policy which she shares with parents and carers ensures children's welfare is given a high priority. Parents and carers are made aware that the childminder's ultimate responsibility is the safety and welfare of the children she cares for.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are relaxed and very happy in this child friendly environment. Children are learning very well as they are given excellent opportunities to develop an extensive range of skills through access to good equipment and opportunities offered by the childminder. The childminder plans exciting learning activities and the children are excited and enthusiastic as they make choices about their play. They are animated as they take the animals out of the bag whilst singing 'Old MacDonald had a farm' and pull 'Incy Wincy Spider' up the spout. The childminder confidently supervises all the children and balances her involvement in their play without taking over. Children learn effectively through their play because the childminder listens to what they say so she can extend their knowledge and understanding.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They have fun listening to stories that play on words, for example 'Slinkey Malinkey', find 'Thumbalina' and playing instruments to accompany their songs. The childminder plans exciting and unusual activities such as a visit to a local restaurant where they can make their own pizzas under the animated direction of the Italian chef who tells them what is in the different toppings and what makes the dough rise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's social skills are being well developed through other visits away from the setting such as drop in groups, libraries and a music club for children under five. They visit the Wellington Country Park where they follow nature trails and enjoy physical play on robust climbing equipment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder knows the learning outcomes for children well, knowing when to support and when to encourage their own imagination to discover new skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children access an extensive range of resources that reflect multicultural and disability issues. Children's understanding of others is encouraged through well planned themes and spontaneous activities. Their natural curiosity and questions are dealt with in a sensitive and considerate manner. The childminder's written equal opportunities policy and practice ensures children's equality of opportunity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are welcomed and have equal access to stimulating, age appropriate activities and experiences. Children play cooperatively together sharing and taking turns with activities and equipment.

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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 The childminder's experience as a respite carer for children with disabilities enables her to offer a trusting supportive partnership to parents. She ensures that all children's individual needs are known, enabling the planning and adapting of care accordingly to meet individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's self-confidence and calm behaviour is evident and well promoted as they receive lots of positive praise and encouragement from the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder's excellent understanding of the Birth to three matters framework enables her to plan activities that are flexible and appropriate. Children are given good opportunities to develop their confidence and sense of belonging through very good encouragement, support and interaction.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit greatly from the excellent partnership with parents and carers. Children's individual needs and requirements are discussed carefully and in detail with parents and carers prior and during the placement. Successful relationships with parents and carers support the children's development very well. Letters of support from parents and carers comment about how their children 'flourish in an environment that enables their children to interact with challenge'. Feedback on children's development and general well-being is given on a regular basis in an informal, verbal way on a daily basis and in written form by means of a daily diary sheet. Parents and carers have access to information on what the childminder has to offer, information about Ofsted and records. They also have access to the childminder's folders containing the childminder's certificates, polices and procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The exceptional organisation ensures that children are extremely well cared for. Children are cared for according to their needs with consistent, flexible routines that enable the children to feel confident and secure. Information held on the children is used effectively to promote their well-being and records are kept up to date and shared regularly with parents.

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Organisation

All legally required documentation and records relating to the minded children are retained ensuring that the childminder is able to care for children in a safe and confident manner. The childminder holds a current first aid qualification helping to ensure that children are cared for safely and that any incidents or accidents are dealt with in an efficient and prompt manner. Children's individual needs and requirements are well known and discussed with parents and carers prior to their child starting ensuring their individual needs are well addressed and provided for. Children's safety and enjoyment is given a high priority as the childminder obtains parental consent for several aspects of her care.

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Organisation

Observations relating to the child's minded day, development and general well-being are fed back to parents and carers informally as they collect their children at the end of their minded day. The childminder also completes a daily diary and observations for babies and the very young children which she gives to parents. Children benefit from the excellent communication between the childminder, parents and carers.

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Organisation

The provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that the area around the stairway remains clear and does not pose a risk to children. The childminder has extended her hall way to include a downstairs toilet/washroom and now has got space for the children to place their shoes and outdoor clothing. This has greatly reduced any risk posed to children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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