Purple Oaks Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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144759 Unique Reference Number 11 June 2007 Inspection date Susan Mann 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 satisfactory. 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 is registered to provide care for six children under eight years. At present, nine children attend, many coming on a part time basis. She lives with her husband and three children in a three bedroom house in Durrington. She uses the lounge and dining room areas for childminding, as well as the upstairs bathroom. Children are able to use the garden which contains a flat paved area as well as a grassed area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to and from local schools and pre-schools. They attend local parent and toddler groups. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is maintained by a range of suitable procedures. Children wipe or wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet to limit the spread of germs. Nappy changing procedures are hygienic and suitable. Children are protected from the spread of infection. This

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 is because the childminder has devised a sickness policy which provides useful information for parents on when a child should not attend the setting due to illness. Most medication records are in place. However, not all parents provide prior written consent for the childminder to administer medicine which is a regulatory requirement. Furthermore, parents do not sign to acknowledge that medicine has been given, nor is the time and dose recorded. This means that children could be subjected to accidental overdose at home if parents are not made aware of medicines already given.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are nourished through a range of snacks such as plain biscuits, toast and fruit. The childminder liaises with parents to ensure that individual dietary requirements are fully met. Children bring packed lunches from home. The childminder is careful to store perishable items in the fridge to ensure they stay fresh.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to play outside and go for walks. This enables them to benefit from fresh air and exercise. They often walk to and from school or pre-school, and they participate in the 'walking bus' that is organised by the local school. In addition, they play in the childminder's garden. Here they can balance on the see saw and climb up the steps of the slide, as well as enjoying a range of other outdoor toys. These opportunities help to develop their level of co-ordination and fitness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are safe because the childminder carefully supervises them. The childminder's home is organised to provide children with sufficient space to play. Children can play with a suitable range of toys and resources that are clean and well maintained. Children are safe from the hazards of fire because the childminder has a range of suitable procedures in place. Smoke alarms are checked weekly to ensure they are in working order. Children are able to quickly evacuate the home in the event of an emergency. This is because the childminder has devised a plan which the children practise regularly so that they become familiar with it.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When children walk to and from school, they are supervised appropriately to ensure their safety. The childminder uses these opportunities to explain the importance of road safety to the children. Children wear high visibility florescent vests when the light is poor, to allow traffic to see them easily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm and neglect because the childminder has a sound understanding of how to safeguard children's welfare. This provision is underpinned by a child protection policy which she shares with parents. This clearly explains the childminder's responsibility with regard to safeguarding children, although it has not been updated to refer to the Local Safeguarding Children's Board. Parents tell the childminder if a child has any existing injuries when they arrive at her home. However, these are not recorded which could lead to uncertainty about how an injury occurred.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide variety of activities which are suitable for their age and stage of development. Resources and toys are stored at low level in clear, labelled boxes to enable children to choose what they would like to play with. This encourages children to become independent and helps them to become self assured. Children create colourful displays which

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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 hang on the walls of the childminder's home. This shows that their work is valued and appreciated. They develop their imaginations through role play. They can pretend to cook and shop with a wide range of inviting resources. For example, a young child collects up a pile of plastic vegetables, and carries them to the kitchen where she places them in the vegetable rack.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from participating in ongoing projects over several weeks. For example, children have planted sunflower seeds which are growing in containers in the garden. This helps them learn about living things and how to care for them. The childminder is attentive to their needs and interacts well to support them in their play and development. For example, she talks clearly to a young child, helping her to count items as they play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's development is enhanced through going on outings with the childminder. They visit local parks and shops in their local environment. In addition, younger children regularly attend local parent and toddler groups, where they can play with a range of different toys and socialise with other children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They have a good understanding of how to behave because they have been involved in the process of developing the house rules. Children discussed behaviours they consider to be acceptable and unacceptable. They then formulated a list of rules to follow. The childminder discusses any concerns or issues with parents each day, to provide a consistent approach to behaviour management between home and childminder. This practice is underpinned by a clear behaviour management policy which is shared with all parents when a child starts. Parents are given a great deal of useful information about the provision when their child is about to start. Children benefit from a good settling in process which enables the child and parents to meet the childminder and become familiar with the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures children develop an inclusive attitude through use of well selected resources and activities. For example, they learn about people with physical disabilities by drawing on and colouring a range of pictures. These depict scenarios such as a man with visual impairment using a guide dog, and two people signing to one another to communicate. Activities like these help stimulate discussion and so help develop children's awareness and understanding. In addition, they use a wide range of books and resources that reflect the diversity of our society.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has devised a range of policies and procedures that provide a useful framework for her provision. These are clearly written. Most required documentation is in place. Attendance registers accurately record the times of arrival and departure of each child. All documentation is securely stored to ensure confidentiality. The childminder is suitably trained, and holds a current first aid certificate. This means that children would receive appropriate care in the event of them becoming unwell or having an accident whilst in her care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it 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 provider was asked to address several recommendations. These have all been satisfactorily dealt with. Children are kept safe because all toiletries are stored out of their reach. Furthermore, plug sockets are covered and the kettle does not have a trailing flex that could pose a hazard to children. The home is kept clean and hygienic to ensure the well-being of the children. Children are encouraged to wash their hands as necessary, and the childminder provides anti bacterial soap and disposable towels to prevent cross infection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004, Ofsted received one complaint relating to National Standards 1: Suitable Person; National Standard 2: Organisation; and National Standard 14: Documentation. These involved allegations concerning the supervision of children and the accurate recording of attendance for every minded child. The provider was required to take action in response to these allegations.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The childminder has reviewed procedures to ensure that minded children are not left solely with an unregistered adult, and adheres to the adult: child ratios required by the National Standards. Attendance registers accurately record the arrival and departure times of each minded child. Ofsted was satisfied that by taking these steps the provider met the National Standards and remains qualified for registration.

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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 satisfactory. 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 parents provide prior written permission for the administering of medicines • ensure that written records are kept of medicines administered to children and the parents signs the record book to acknowledge the entry • update the existing child protection policy to make reference to Local Safeguarding Children's Boards • develop a system to record pre-existing injuries when a child arrives at the setting.

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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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