Wolverdene Special School

Inspection report for early years provision

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116635 Unique Reference Number 28 February 2007 Inspection date Susan Mary Deadman 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 has been registered since September 1992. She lives with her husband and their three children who are 17, 14 and seven years of age. The family live in Marlow, Buckinghamshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with toilet and rest facilities available upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for seven children who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder takes children to and collects them from Burford school.

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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. The childminder cares for children in a warm, clean home with good procedures in place, which protect them from the potential spread of infection. For example, the exclusion policy ensures that illness does not spread to others. The childminder promotes children's welfare as she is organised to deal effectively with minor accidents. She records all issues in full detail and parents receive a carbon copy. The childminder further supports children's welfare as she has easy access to a wide range of written information relating to healthcare issues. This allows quick identification of a significant illness and promotes prompt action.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder follows effective hygiene procedures. For example, she uses a changing mat when dealing with nappies and places soiled items outside. She wipes toys that have been kept in the loft to ensure they are clean and suitable for the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contribute to their good health. They participate in a variety of outings, which enhance their physical development. Children use the large equipment in the park and indoor play areas. The childminder provides healthy food options for children and ensures drinks are readily available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides children with a warm and welcoming environment. Children benefit from easy access to a good range of play items, which are safe, suitable and appropriate to the various age groups. Overall, the childminder promotes children's safety as she closely supervises them at all times. There are effective safety procedures in place within the house. For example, the front door is locked, children cannot gain access to hazardous items and smoke alarms are maintained in working condition. The childminder has written fire evacuation procedures, which she discusses with children. The garden is generally safe; however, the bolt on the rear gate is accessible to children and compromises their safety in this area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. Equipment is in place to meet their individual needs. For example, a stepping stool enables toddlers to reach the sink, a toilet seat is available and children sleep in a travel cot.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's clear understanding of her responsibilities in relation to child protection promotes children's welfare. She undertakes additional training in this area, which ensures she has a secure knowledge of the general indicators and referral systems. Parents are aware of the childminder's responsibilities to report any concerns. The childminder supports children's welfare as she records injuries children arrive with. She discusses details with parents who sign the record statement.

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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 have fun and play enthusiastically with a good range of toys, which promote their learning. The childminder describes how older children play well together as they cooperate, share and take turns. Children benefit from easy access to a good range of interesting play items, some of which are in low-level storage boxes. Older children are aware of the items which are upstairs and independently access these.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder supports and enhances children's play and development. She interacts well with children as they enjoy role-play with dolls and buggies. They have fun with the musical instruments and are keen for all adults to join in. Children show pleasure when participating in action rhymes. They sit on the childminder's lap and copy the actions to songs such as 'wind the bobbin up'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Photographs provide much evidence of children enjoying themselves during a wide variety of outings. Children have fun using indoor play centres and enjoy outings to Odds Farm, Lego Land and walks by the river. The childminder refers to a list of written ideas, which extend and enhance children's enjoyment during activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder meets children’s individual needs as she provides them with a high amount of quality time and attention. She promotes their emotional security very well. Children are beginning to learn about others in the community during planned activities such as making a dragon for Chinese New Year.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and the childminder follows positive behaviour management strategies. She is a good role model and consequently children know right from wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a very good partnership with parents. Effective, two way communication ensures that both parties are fully informed about each child. Daily diaries provide a strong link between parents and the childminder which promotes the care to children. Records contain detailed information relating to children's play activities, sleep and meals. Parents have access to a complaint procedure which provides them with details of Ofsted as the regulators. However, the childminder does not have a clear understanding of the requirements relating to confidential recording of any future complaints.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her day to enable children to benefit from the quality time she spends with them. She cares for children according to parent’s wishes. The policy statement describes how the childminder is committed to provide a safe environment, offers children new experiences and promotes a high level of communication.

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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 There are good procedures in place to induct new children into the home. The childminder offers a suitable settling in period to support children's first few days at the setting. Effective organisation ensures that the childminder gains the required permission forms. She shows parents the policies and procedures and displays other information. For example, her registration certificate, daily routines and daily attendance register are in clear view. This assures parents that the childminder adheres to her conditions of registration. 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 previous inspection, the childminder was asked to devise a system for planning suitable activities. The childminder displays the daily routine for parents. This takes into account children's after school activities such as swimming. The childminder has devised a comprehensive list of ideas to support and extend activities and outings. This gives children a focus and learning aim to the event. For example, during a visit to the woods children look for different trees, collect leaves, discuss how many different colours there are and complete leaf rubbings at home. Children look for wildlife and discuss where the animals and insects live. The childminder makes effective use of activity planning ideas, which enhances the learning outcomes for children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 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): • improve children's safety and ensure they cannot open the rear garden gate • ensure there are procedures in place that enable complaints to be recorded appropriately and retains confidentiality.

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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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