Oakfield Community Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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111190 Unique Reference Number 28 February 2007 Inspection date Lynn Reeves 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 a registered since 1997. She lives with her husband, their adult and school aged sons in a residential area of Gosport in Hampshire. The childminder is registered to provide care for six children aged under eight years and is currently minding three children aged under eight years on a part and full time basis. The childminder also cares for children aged over eight years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The property is within close proximity to schools, parks and shops and the minded children have access to the whole house, however, the normal practice is to use the downstairs for easy observation. There is an enclosed garden which is available for the children's use. The family have a pet cat and the childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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's health is protected by the good standards of hygiene and cleanliness within the home; for example, the childminder ensures that worktops, toilet areas and rooms used by the minded children are cleaned before they arrive. The childminder has effective procedures in place to keep children healthy, for example, she wears disposable gloves for nappy changing and implements a sickness exclusion procedure to ensure others do not become infected. Children learn to keep themselves healthy as they are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times, and the toys and play equipment are regularly cleaned to prevent the spread of germs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has an up to date first aid qualification and has effective procedures in place for recording accidents. All medications administered and the accidents recorded are signed appropriately by the parents, however, written parental permission is not in place for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment for the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a healthy lifestyle and develop their large muscle control when playing on the slide, ride on toys and rockers in the garden. They get gentle exercise as they go on walks and take part in movement to music when visiting with other childminders and their children. Children have opportunities to bend, stretch, climb and balance when they visit "Play Zone" an indoor soft play centre. They develop their small muscle control during messy play and creative activities indoors, where they use a range of equipment, for example, rolling pins, cutters, paint brushes, glue sticks and utensils when baking.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes healthy eating and provides the children with fresh fruit and healthy options for their snacks in addition to the meals sent in from home. Lunch boxes provided by parents have their contents checked and stored appropriately. Drinks are always made available for the children throughout the day to keep them hydrated. Parents' wishes are respected regarding children's dietary needs, which are then recorded on children's records.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are made to feel at home in a comfortable environment where music is placed in the background creating a relaxed atmosphere. They are able to play and move about freely and safely around the allotted areas and access toys and play provisions from low level storage areas. The childminder has a very good range of age appropriate colourful, vibrant and stimulating toys and resources, which help to develop children's play and learning. These are rotated on a regular basis to allow children to experience new things and to keep them stimulated. The childminder regularly checks the toys and equipment for damage and cleanliness to ensure children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is vigilant about children's safety and keeps them under very close supervision both indoors and outdoors. She has minimised risks within the home, for example, hazardous

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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 materials are stored up high or kept behind cupboard locks and a stair gate is in place to prevent the youngest children from climbing the stairs. Children are made aware of dangers through general conversation, for example, they discuss road safety issues when walking and they learn why they should not climb on the furniture in case they fall or hurt themselves. The childminder responds immediately to dangers, for example, as young children were playing with the duplo bricks, one started to throw them, she intervened and reminded them this was not acceptable as someone may get hurt. Older children have discussed what they should do in the event of a fire, children have visited the local fire station and a written fire plan is in place. However, evacuations are not practised with the children to help keep them safe in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a very good understanding of the child protection procedures and she has a system in place to record any injury a child attends with. She is fully aware of the correct reporting procedures and shares information with parents so they are aware of her responsibilities. Through discussion she was able to demonstrate that she would recognise the possible signs and symptoms of abuse to help protect children from further harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are fully supported in a caring, relaxed environment, where they are provided with many opportunities to develop a range of skills. Children benefit from the warm relationship they have with the childminder and turn to her for cuddles when getting tired. The childminder is happy to assist children with their play; getting down at their level to interact, and knowing when to stand back to let their play develop. For example, as they pretend to call daddy on the telephone and build with the bricks. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of child care knowledge; she plans activities that are suitable for the children's age and stage of development. Activities are organised around children's sleep patterns to ensure they all benefit from a range of experiences. The childminder has introduced the Birth to three matters framework and adapts activities to ensure all children can participate. She is aware that some

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children need more interaction as their attention span may be more limited, therefore, she plans and adapts activities that help keep them stimulated and interested. Photographic evidence show that children take part in cooking activities, role-play, dressing up, construction play, free-play and art and craft activities. Times are incorporated in the day for visiting the library for story telling, visiting other childminders and their children, and attending various activity groups. All of which help develop children's social skills and interaction.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play very well together and enjoy each others company, they sing along to nursery rhymes, such as "Twinkle Twinkle little star" where they use their fingers to act out the actions. Children are developing their independence as they choose what they want to play with, for example, the bricks, the play phone and some small world figures. The childminder extends children's learning and communication skills by asking them to point to the eyes, ears, and nose, and to make the noises of various animals. They laugh and giggle as they make animal noises for the pig, cow and ducks. The childminder knows the children well and fully supports them, which ensure they thrive and enjoy themselves during their time at the setting.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's individual needs are met because the childminder takes the time to get to know each child and their families well; this develops a real sense of belonging for the children. Children play with a vast range of resources that reflect diversity, for example, books, puzzles and ethnic figures, which they access on a daily basis. Photographs show children celebrating Chinese New Year, making masks, dragons and using chop sticks; this helps them to develop an understanding of the wider world. Children develop their understanding of the community and environment as they visit the library and places of interest. For example, Hundred Acre Wood, where children build dens, Nicolson Gardens where they go on picnics and Long dale Dairy Farm where they stroke the different animals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates a very positive attitude towards inclusion and is happy to work with parents and to liaise with other agencies to support the children who attend. Children behave very well, because they are kept stimulated and are provided with many activities to keep them busy. Children help to tidy things away and are praised for their efforts, which support their self-esteem. Any un-wanted behaviour is dealt with in a calm manner by the childminder by using distraction. Clear explanations are aimed at children's individual level of understanding, for example, gentle reminders for why it is important to share and take turns, and not to throw things. Methods used are then discussed with parents to ensure a consistent approach.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the strong relationships the childminder has developed with the parents. The open lines of communication enable the childminder to provide each child with its own care package. The childminder shares information with the parents via her portfolio; which display her training certificates and written policies. The daily diaries and verbal communication at handover and collection time ensure children's needs are met, as they talk about how and where the children have been and what they have been doing. Photograph albums of children's activities are made available for parents to view. The childminder is fully aware of maintaining confidentiality, if collection time is not an appropriate time to discuss specific issues then she telephones the parents in the evening or sends them a text message via her mobile phone.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is suitably qualified for her role and keeps herself up to date with child care knowledge through additional training, reading literature sent from child care organisations, seeking information in the internet and liaising with other childminders. The childminder organises her home and the daily routines very well, taking into account the needs of the children who attend.

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Organisation

The childminder has implemented the Birth to three matters framework, which enables her to adapt activities and support the needs of young children. Children are confident in their environment and consequently are able to initiate play and make their own choices. They remain occupied and engaged with many play opportunities during their time at the setting where they are able to move freely and safely between the allotted areas and play comfortably.

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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 A good range of clearly written policies and procedures ensure the health, safety and well-being of the children. Most required documentation relating to the care of minded children is in place and stored securely to maintain confidentiality. 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 last inspection the provider was asked to ensure medication administered is recorded with the required details. The childminder has purchased a new medication book and maintains this with the required details, ensuring children's welfare.

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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 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): • ensure written parental permission is in place for seeking emergency advice and/or treatment • practise the procedure in place for evacuating the premises in the event of a fire with young children to ensure they can exit safely.

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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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