Rowan Tree Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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131295 Unique Reference Number 26 March 2007 Inspection date Clare Moore 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 1997. She lives with her husband, one pre-school aged child and three school aged children in the St Denys area of Southampton. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of four children under eight years of age and is currently minding for two pre-school children and two school-aged children. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and regularly attends local parent and toddler and activity groups.

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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 are well-nourished as they are provided with healthy snacks of fresh and dried fruit and fresh vegetables. The childminder offers home cooked food and works with the parents regarding the provision of meals. Children have frequent opportunities to drink water to keep themselves hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has good systems in place to ensure children are not exposed to infection. Tables are wiped down with anti-bacterial wipes before meals, toys are clean and good personal hygiene is observed by children and the childminder. Children who are sick do not attend. The childminder is qualified in first aid and has a very comprehensive first aid kit in the home with another kept in the car so that children can be treated in the event of an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have frequent opportunities to take part in physical activities. They have fun doing exercise routines such as bending down to touch their toes. They enjoy being outside in the fresh air playing throwing and catching games, using the slide in the park and tricycles in the garden. This helps them to develop skills and to keep fit and active.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children find out about how to keep safe when out and about as the childminder encourages them to take responsibility. They take turns to operate the buttons on the pelican crossing and hold hands when walking along the road. They find out about not talking to strangers or touching animals such as dogs as the childminder warns them of the dangers. Their safety is further promoted when out in more crowded places as they wear wrist bands that have the childminder's name and telephone number.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from hazards in the home because items that may be dangerous are stored out of reach and the front door is locked preventing unauthorised access. Evacuation procedures are regularly practised. There is a carbon monoxide detector together with five smoke detectors in the home, however there is not yet a clear system in place to regularly check the smoke detectors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has basic knowledge regarding child protection issues and also reference materials she can use as a reminder. There are currently however some areas within the procedures where she is less confident.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy attending. They are able to select their own toys and are offered a good selection of activities that they are absorbed in, which provides them with challenge and enjoyment. The activities provide frequent opportunities to develop language and maths skills. For example,

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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 they thread cereal hoops on to strawberry laces to make necklaces, explore shapes with the laces and remark on a defect in a piece of cereal that is a semi-circle. The childminder supports the activity well talking the children through it, demonstrating how to make different shapes with the laces and offering lots of encouragement and praise which enhances their level of enjoyment. They manipulate play-doh, squeezing and prodding it then extruding it through a shape to make 'hair'. They enjoy books and stories as the childminder reads to them and draws them in by asking them to help her find the people in the pictures which helps them to be involved. They have fun exploring imaginative play with the childminder when they all take on roles in a café, then they move on to the dolls house using the figures and the furniture. They

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

go on to play a game very skilfully using elephant masks with trunks to pick up coloured hoops.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They also have opportunities to dress up, construct and make music. They enjoy frequent outings where they meet other children as they are regularly taken to parent and toddler and other activity groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop a positive attitude to difference as the childminder shares books with them and talks to them about people of different sizes, different colour hair and skin and different families. She also shares with them that some people wear glasses, uses a doll to demonstrate this and emphasises how glasses look good. This helps children who are new to wearing glasses to be re-assured. Children develop emotional confidence as the childminder shares books and discusses feelings of being happy, sad, embarrassed and that there are times when it is fine to say no. The childminder has valuable experience in caring for children who have a variety of learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well as the childminder sets a good example. She has a positive and jolly approach and is attentive to children's needs responding to their comments and requests. Children show they understand the conventions of using the words 'please' and 'thank you' as they use them spontaneously in their imaginative play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good relationship with the parents. She encourages open communication, respects confidentiality and keeps parents well-informed about the children's day. There is a clear complaints procedure in place and parents are aware of her responsibilities regarding child protection. She uses an indexed ring binder where she keeps all her records and additional information about the service she provides. She asks new parents to look through it, then goes through it with them to make sure she has covered all the elements of the provision.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She makes organising her work and records a priority. Documentation is very well set out in ring binders and all elements such as certificates from training, insurances, identification, contracts and personal information are included.

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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 She plans her time creatively spending much of it playing with the children. Routines are flexible and fit around children's arrival and departure, meal times and school runs. Space is used well with the kitchen for table-top activities and another room for floor games, imaginative play, books, stories and music. The outdoor area is paved which is good for practising riding tricycles and also sand and water play using equipment for the purpose.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure the hall was safe, attend a first aid course and make a complaints system available to parents. She has now removed the hall mirror, obtained a first aid certificate and the complaints procedure is displayed in a prominent position.

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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): • continue to develop knowledge and skills regarding child protection • develop system to ensure smoke detectors are tested according to current recommendations from the fire officer.

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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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