The Woodroffe School

Inspection report for early years provision

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113901 Unique Reference Number 05 March 2007 Inspection date Felicity Gaff 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 outstanding. 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 1994. She lives with her husband and three children in Crawley, West Sussex. She uses the ground floor of the house for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a cat. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding six children, all of whom attend part-time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She regularly attends a carer and toddler group, gym and music groups. She takes children to the library and to play in the nearby park. She holds a Level Three qualification in Childminding Practice and is undertaking a Foundation Degree to further develop her knowledge and understanding.

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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 outstanding. Children's health and welfare is promoted to a very high standard. They have excellent opportunities for active physical play indoors and out throughout the year. The garden is very well arranged to provide safety-surfaced play areas. The childminder provides effective shading for outdoor areas, and carefully positions play resources such as the sand pit in order to protect children from the sun. There is excellent provision for rest and naps; the childminder provides individual sleep mats or cots with colour-coded bedding to reduce the risk of cross infection. Children begin to learn how to care for their own health by following very good personal hygiene routines. There are pictorial reminders to wash their hands and the hand basin in the downstairs cloakroom has been expressly positioned at a low level to promote their independence. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to manage and record any minor accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

She has particularly clear systems for ensuring children only receive medication appropriate for their age and in accordance with their parents' instructions. She acts promptly to renew her first-aid certificate in time to ensure continuous cover. The childminder seeks out information on healthy eating and planning lunch boxes, which she shares with parents to promote healthy eating. This supports parents in providing nourishing meals, which the childminder augments with snacks of fresh fruit. She ensures that children's individual dietary requirements are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are very well-protected from risks of accidental injury because the childminder arranges the available space imaginatively to reduce potential hazards on the premises. For example, gates and barriers restrict access to unused or hazardous areas, and provide flexible, well-designed play spaces. Younger children are able to develop their independence by safely selecting age-appropriate toys and activities, while being protected from those designed for older children. There are excellent arrangements for supervising babies sleeping in the front room through baby monitors and a video link. This is carefully positioned to allow the childminder to see it from either of the play areas. The garden is particularly carefully planned to provide both grassed and safety-surfaced areas for outdoor play. The childminder takes very effective steps to keep children safe on outings, such as ensuring car seats conform to the current safety

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

standards. She uses tags and wrist bands to clearly identify the children in her care. Her thorough understanding of child protection issues enhances her ability to protect children from harm or neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children flourish in the inclusive, nurturing environment created by the childminder. The childminder plans her practice carefully, which enable her to provide exceptionally high quality care to all the children. She conscientiously considers all aspects of children's welfare before childminding arrangements commence, and shares details with parents to ensure they are fully

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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 informed. Children are very confident and at ease in the childminder's home. They receive excellent individual care and attention and thoroughly enjoy each other's company. The childminder plans interesting activities, such as baking and icing cakes, and organises them to ensure children of different ages are appropriately included. Early communication skills are particularly well supported as the childminder supports and extends children's developing speech. She engages children in conversation about incidents such as a helicopter hovering overhead. She uses everyday routines, such as mealtimes, to chat with children about the morning's activities, providing opportunities for them to reflect on and describe their experiences. As a result, children develop very good language skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are welcomed individually; the childminder recognises their uniqueness and respects their family background. Her organisation demonstrates to children that they have a valued position in her home. Children's pegs and bags are labelled with their names and their photographs are displayed. The childminder prepares a pictorial timetable to help children see what is planned for the day, and displays pictures of the children who are to attend. She provides very good support to children who are learning English as an additional language. For example, she asks parents to transcribe phonetically key words and phrases in their home language to help her communicate with children. She liaises closely with parents through daily diaries to ensure she provides appropriate care for children, and has a positive attitude to including children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The childminder provides an excellent role

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Helping children make a positive contribution

model for the children, who reflect in their dealings with each other the courtesy she shows to them. Parents receive full copies of the childminder's comprehensive written policies and procedures, including details of how to make a complaint. As a result, they are very well informed about the high quality childminding service provided. The childminder creates strong relationships with children and their families, regularly being asked to care for younger siblings.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from the childminder's outstanding commitment to developing her skills as a provider of professional childcare. In addition to short courses, she has completed a Level Three qualification in Childminding Practice and is following a Foundation Degree course. She organises her home exceptionally effectively to provide high quality play opportunities for the children in a safe and secure environment. She requests variations to her conditions of registration well in advance to ensure she can continue to meet the changing needs of the families for whose children she cares. All the documentation required to support children's welfare is in place and maintained to a high standard. In addition, the childminder has developed comprehensive written policies and procedures to support her practice. She regularly reflects, monitors and improves the quality of the service she offers through participation in an approved quality

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Organisation

assurance scheme, which she has successfully completed to Level Three. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to have a fire blanket available. A suitable fire blanket is now fitted in the kitchen, enhancing the childminder's ability to protect children in an emergency.

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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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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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