Michael House School

Inspection report for early years provision

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113014 Unique Reference Number 30 January 2007 Inspection date Jennifer Pearce 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 1994. She lives with her two children and they live in a residential area of Whiteley.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and 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 years and five children of school age on a part time basis. The childminder also provides care for children over eight years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to the local pre school and schools to take and collect children. The childminder takes the children to the local park.

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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 cared for in a home with a good standard of cleanliness and comfort. The childminder ensures that good hygiene procedures are followed throughout the daily routine. Particular attention is given when caring for babies to prevent cross infection through the use of individual wipes for hands before and after food and the use of anti bacterial spray following nappy changing routines. Older children are encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet and before they eat their food.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are served with plenty of drinks, nutritious meals and snacks to meet their individual needs. The childminder provides a variety of home cooked meals. These can either be hot or cold depending on the choice and preference of the children and their parents. The childminder takes account of the wishes of the parents, the children's dietary needs and their likes and dislikes. This seeks to ensure that everyone's needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children and babies enjoy a variety of activities that promote their general good health and physical development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have plenty of opportunities to enjoy regular exercise and fresh air. Each day the children walk to and from school and they regularly visit the park. Children and babies have opportunities to use different parts of their bodies. For example, babies have freedom to move around and they crawl and pull themselves up to reach equipment and toys they can see. They begin to handle and explore different resources by pressing buttons and opening and closing containers. They smile with delight at their own achievements and when they make their needs known. All children have opportunities to develop control; for example, when they use cutters to make biscuits, hold crayons and pencils to draw and use scissors for cutting. Children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills when they visit the park and use large play equipment such as the slide, swing and see-saw.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is promoted through the childminder's attention to minimising risks and her close supervision of the children. Babies and children are able to access toys and resources safely and independently as the childminder ensures that any small parts of equipment are kept out of the reach of babies and young children. All resources are checked on a regular basis to ensure they are safe and hygienic for all the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from a good range of safety measures as the childminder takes positive steps to ensure that safety gates are fitted around the house, smoke detectors are in position and fire evacuation procedures are practised. Babies sleep comfortably and are frequently monitored and babies and young children are securely positioned in appropriate seats when eating their meals. Children begin to learn to follow instructions on how to stay safe when walking to school.

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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 learn to stay close and cross at the crossing points and they are taught about 'stranger danger' when coming out of school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted as the childminder has all the required policies and procedures in place for the children in her care. The childminder has a written statement about child protection that is shared with parents and she knows who to contact should she have any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young children are settled in the childminder's home and they show a clear sense of belonging as they move confidently around the play area. The childminder knows the needs of the children in her care as she works closely with parents to meet their needs. Children clearly enjoy being in the childminder's care as she interacts with them, joining in with their play activities. The childminder adapts activities such as mark making to meet the needs of the younger children. Children's language skills are developed as the childminder involves the children in conversation; talking to babies about getting their bottle and food, what they are going to have to eat and talking to them during all activities. Babies and young children smile with delight when they press the buttons on the keyboard and activity games to make sounds. They respond well to the childminder as she praises them for their achievements. Children are prepared for events

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

as the childminder talks to them about when their mummy is coming and when they are going to have their nappy changed. Older children are able to make choices in their play activities as resources are available and accessible to them. They have opportunities to draw and explore different textures as they participate in craft activities and cooking. Children socialise with other children when the childminder meets with other childminders in the park. Children are able to enjoy their own art work when they take it home to show their families or see it displayed for everyone to appreciate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder discusses each child's needs with parents and shares daily diaries for the babies and younger children. Babies and young children make their needs known when they lead the childminder by the hand or point to their drinking cup or bottle when they want a drink. The childminder knows the children and their families well and seeks to meet their needs throughout the daily routine. She works closely with the children's parents and the local school to gather information which promotes the continuity of care for the children. Children have opportunities to share in celebrating a variety of different cultural events; for example, American Thanksgiving and Three Kings Day. Children develop an awareness of the local area as they visit local places of interest. The childminder has experience in caring for children who have additional needs and welcomes them into her home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are taught to be gentle with each other and are taught good manners. For example, children are taught to share their toys and they take turns to choose activities after school.

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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 They gain an understanding of appropriate behaviour by the use of house rules and the good role model of the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good relationship with parents. They speak with her on a regular basis about their child's development and the childminder offers advice and support. All policies and procedures are shared with parents and they are welcome to telephone or visit at any time during the day. This seeks to keep parents well informed about their child's development, welfare and care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is currently attending training to develop her skills and child care practice. The childminder seeks to ensure that all areas both in and out of doors are planned to provide the children with freedom and choice in all of the activities available to them. Children's individual health and any dietary needs are discussed with parents before their child starts. The childminder keeps a satisfactory standard of records for the children in her care. This includes permissions to transport children in a vehicle and permissions to seek emergency medical advice or treatment so that children can be treated in the event of an emergency. Whilst comprehensive medicine records are kept, these are given to parents and the children's full names are not included in the daily register. All policies and procedures are shared with parents along with daily routines and outings. This all helps to keep the parents fully informed about the practice of the

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Organisation

childminder and encourages the welfare, care and learning of the children.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the ranges of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to ensure all low-level glass is made safe and that the children's full names and their times of arrival and departure are recorded in the daily attendance register.

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Improvements since the last inspection

All low level glass is now made safe and the vast majority of the information is included in the daily register of children's attendance. This seeks to ensure that the children's welfare and care are promoted.

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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. 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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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 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): • retain all written information when giving children medication. • complete the full names of all children in the daily register of attendance.

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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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