Noadswood School

Inspection report for early years provision

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116415 Unique Reference Number 14 November 2006 Inspection date Susan Elizabeth Tovey 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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and two years in Widmer End, High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with rest facilities available upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five. The family have rabbits as pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are happy in the warm, friendly and clean home. The childminder has very good hygiene procedures in place that enable children to be cared for in an environment that reduces the

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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 risk of infection. For instance, she washes her hands at appropriate times, and ensures that toys used by younger children who are at the mouthing stage are regularly cleaned. Children begin to learn the importance of personal hygiene as the childminder guides them, for example, about when they should wash their hands and the need to wipe their noses. Children are protected from unnecessary illness and do not attend if they are contagious.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to spend time outside in the fresh air, to be active and develop their physical skills. The childminder regularly takes children out for walks and includes outings to local parks as part of the childminding day. Children can also play in the garden and explore the varied range of outdoor play equipment available. This caters for children of different ages and stages of development. Indoors, children move around freely and toddlers have the space to attempt first steps in safety. Children rest in warm, comfortable surroundings. They settle well because the childminder seeks relevant information from parents about their individual sleep routines and abides by these.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy home-cooked meals provided by the childminder. Their dietary needs are met because the childminder liaises closely with parents to ensure she is aware of children's likes and dislikes and younger children's feeding routines. Children are regularly offered drinks and toddlers begin to develop independence as they are encouraged to help hold their beakers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is friendly and welcoming for children. Children use all available space well; they access the toys and equipment with ease. There is a range of suitable and well maintained furniture readily available to meet the children's needs. The childminder gives high priority to checking the toys to ensure they remain safe for the children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well supervised and cannot leave the premises unattended. The childminder gives high priority to making sure children will be safe in an emergency. She has devised a detailed plan. This helps to ensure that children are escorted to safety quickly. Older children learn the rules for their own safety and that of others through the setting of clear boundaries and the input of the childminder. For example, she talks to children about the need to pick up toys that they have finished playing with and explains why it is unacceptable for children to open the front door themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibilities in child protection. She is very clear about the necessary procedures to take if she has concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have lots of fun and they play enthusiastically with a good range of toys and resources which fully promote their learning. They are curious and excited by the wide range of activities offered, for example, as they paint, build the train track and dance on the musical play mat. Children develop their vocabulary skills as the childminder asks children questions and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 encourages them to chat. This also helps them to make sense of the world. Children are developing good hand eye co-ordination as they manipulate play dough, complete inset puzzles and carefully place small world people in trains and planes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children involve the childminder in their play and they receive lots of warm, individual attention, which enables them to successfully extend their learning and experiences. Children very much enjoy story times when they read books of their choice with the childminder. They look at pictures and talk about what they see as they snuggle up together on the sofa. Children are making good progress in all areas of their development as the childminder has a very good understanding of how children learn and develop in a supportive and stimulating environment, as she spends much of her time sitting on the floor, playing and talking with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are settled and confident because the childminder values and respects their individuality. Children are good at taking turns and sharing. They are very well behaved as the childminder provides consistent boundaries and offers a lot of praise and encouragement. Children enjoy close relationships with the childminder and they learn to respect and be caring and considerate towards each other. Children make themselves at home, they select toys independently and help themselves to drinks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides a meaningful range of resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increases children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, books and a range of small world people. Children are able to feel good about themselves and develop their self-image as the childminder has a positive attitude towards inclusion.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are happy and content because the childminder has a very good relationship with the parents. They work together to meet the child's individual care and developmental needs. Children's routines and activities are shared with parents daily. Although, all issues are discussed with parents, the childminder has not gained written permission for outings, for children to be transported in a vehicle, to apply sun cream or to allow her to take photographs of the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel comfortable within the childminder's home environment. She organises the day to include a good variety of indoor and outdoor play activities. This helps to ensure the progress of children's individual development and learning. They receive lots of warm, individual attention to promote their emotional wellbeing.

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Organisation

The childminder's written policies and procedures underpin the good practice carried out. Children really enjoy their day as they are highly involved in exciting activities and have lots of fun. Documentation, to ensure the welfare and care of the children, is stored securely and made available for inspection. However, not all relevant details are kept. The children's actual times of arrival and departure are not recorded in the attendance register.

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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 Children receive continuity of care as their routines and achievements are shared between parents and the childminder. 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 was asked to develop knowledge and understanding of the Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) procedures. The childminder has obtained and read the relevant guidelines and now has sufficient understanding of her responsibilities to safeguard children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also requested to ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are accessible on the premises and available for inspection at all times. Most documentation is now in place and accessible, however, some need updating as they lack sufficient detail. Children benefit from the improvements made.

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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 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 parent's written agreement is gained for routine outings, travelling in a vehicle, photographs and the application of sun cream • ensure that children's times of arrival and departure are recorded in the daily attendance register.

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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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