Midland Oak School

Inspection report for early years provision

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131003 Unique Reference Number 13 December 2006 Inspection date Chris Mackinnon 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 satisfactory. 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 1989. She lives with her husband, adult daughter and three children, the two youngest aged five and ten years, plus one teenager. The family live in Brighton close to local schools and children's play areas. The lounge, dining room and kitchen are used for childminding. Children also have access to an enclosed back garden for outdoor activities. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for up to six minded children aged from under one year to eight years.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health and cleanliness is supported by the childminder's sound hygiene practice and awareness. Children learn to keep clean, wash their hands and use the toilet independently.

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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 has organised hygiene arrangements for working with babies and younger children. Children have fresh fruit every day and suitable drinks are provided. The childminder gives consideration to children's healthy eating and works with parents to ensure children's food is suitable. Children's physical development is appropriately supported with a range of active indoor games, music and movement. Children enjoy ball games and messy play outdoors. Children also make regular visits to local parks and play centres for organised activities and expressive play. The childminder has experience of food allergies and is secure in her support of individual children's healthy development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a well organised and well prepared play and learning environment. The childminder has prepared her home well for child care, with the play areas arranged for a variety of activities, including a soft play area for younger children. Older children have access to a book area for stories and table-top activities are well organised in the kitchen. The childminder's back garden is used for outdoor play, with a wide range of resources including a play-house. All the play resources are well stored and presented for easy access by children and a wide range of art-craft and role-play materials supports their imaginative and creative ideas. The childminder's home is safely organised with many safety features in place to reduce risk of harm to children. Clear fire safety procedures are also in place and the childminder's home and garden are secure. The childminder is an experienced child carer and has an effective awareness of the need to safeguard

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good range of absorbing and stimulating activities. The childminder has clear daily routines and well planned activities. Children enjoy making and sticking projects and learn about the weather and seasons. During challenging art-craft activities, children learn about shapes, colours and sizes. Children explore language and learn new words while involved in role-play. Children use counting and learn numbers during many activities and the childminder successfully supports children's writing and literacy. Children's interests are effectively encouraged by the childminder's close attention, particularly with the use of books and musical activities. Many physical activities are organised both indoors and outdoors to keep children active. The range of activities and resources are well organised each day to support children's individual needs and development. The childminder works confidently with children and has a

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

fund of ideas and experience to support their enjoying and achieving.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are made welcome and the childminder gives consideration to children feeling comfortable and relaxed in her home. Children are encouraged to share and learn to play together cooperatively. Children are well behaved and respond appropriately to the childminder's

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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 guidance. The childminder is calm and clear when reminding children to be careful with resources and their surroundings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has experience of working with children with special needs. The play environment shows some awareness of how equality of opportunity relates to child care, but there is a need to further develop the range of resources and activities to encourage children's understanding of other cultures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has sound and friendly working relationships with parents. Information on children's activities is provided daily for parents and the childminder can organise specific times to speak to parents about their children's progress. The childminder has a range of written agreements with parents and provides parents with a welcome letter and clear details of her child care service.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminders home is suitably arranged for child care, with organised areas for all ages of children attending. Children can access and explore resources easily and use the play-space for an appropriate range of play and learning activities. The childminder regularly takes children on visits to local play centres for organised activities. The childminder has attended a range of training courses to support her practice, including recent first aid training.

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Organisation

All required record keeping is acceptable and in place, but the record of accidents is not clearly organised or accessible. The childminder keeps clear contact details of all children attending and provides information for parents on individual children's development. Written material is also provided for parents on the childminder's activities. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children attending.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has introduced written agreements with parents to give medicines, supporting children's welfare and development in the outcome, making a Positive Contribution.

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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 be seen on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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 satisfactory. 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): • develop the range of resources and activities to encourage children's awareness of other cultures. • ensure the written record of children's accidents is organised and accessible

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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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