Woodlands Children's Development Centre

Inspection report for early years provision

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401983 Unique Reference Number 12 June 2007 Inspection date Julie Mary Preston 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 was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 and six years in Cheslyn Hay. The whole of the ground floor, with the exception of the conservatory, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for four children on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends a story session and a baby bounce and rhyme session at the local library. The family has a guinea pig and two rabbits.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 satisfactory. Children stay healthy as the childminder promotes their good health by taking positive steps to stop the spread of infection, implementing effective measures when children are ill. For example, she provides a written sick children policy and encourages children to develop good personal hygiene routines. However, children's health is potentially compromised as the childminder has not received up-to-date training on first aid to be implemented in the event of an accident or emergency. The childminders home, toys and equipment are maintained to a high standard of cleanliness. Enabling her to provide a warm and welcoming environment for children who attend. Appropriate records for accidents, medication and emergency treatment are in place and a first aid box is available.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents currently provide all meals for children who attend and the childminder ensures these are hygienically stored, prepared and served to children who attend. She supplements these with regular drinks and snacks in liaison with parents to meet individual children's dietary needs. A healthy balanced diet is encouraged that ensures children are not hungry or thirsty. Children have regular opportunities to be active, for example, children enjoy using the facilities provided within the rear garden such as the swing, slide, trampoline and tunnel. They also enjoy visits to the local park and participating in baby bounce and rhyme sessions. Opportunities for rest and sleep are provided according to individual children's needs. For example, children sleep in a travel cot, a bouncy chair or fall asleep walking back from playgroup in the pushchair. This means that children have opportunities to be active and to have time for rest within normal

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and child friendly environment with adequate space available. Risk assessments have been completed and some safety precautions implemented. Safety procedures identified aim to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted, for example, by having nominated persons identified for collection of children, undertaking monthly fire drills and by maintaining security of the premises. However, potential hazards are present within the kitchen and this compromises children's safety. Premises are well lit, adequately heated and ventilated, with adequate storage and toileting facilities. Provision is provided for hygienic storage, preparation, cooking and serving of food within the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a wide range of age appropriate toys and equipment that meets relevant safety standards and promotes development. The childminder ensures these are well maintained, with toys and equipment provided at child level. She takes positive steps to promote safety within her home and whilst on outings; and ensures appropriate precautions are taken to prevent accidents. For example, she has undertaken a fire safety risk assessment and discusses road safety with children as they walk to and from school. Procedures for outings enable children to extend their knowledge and understanding. For example, children enjoy visits to the local library and soft play areas. The childminder has an understanding of child protection issues and is confident to report any concerns.

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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 enjoy their time in the childminder's care, they are happy and settled within her homely environment. For example, children enjoy listening to stories, playing with cars and playing with a rain maker. Children are interested in what they do and their natural curiosity as learners is developed well by the childminder who develops their skills in language, maths, imagination and social skills. For example, children are encouraged to share experiences with the childminder who asks them questions to extend understanding and encourages them to ask her questions to develop and extend their own play and learning. Children acquire new knowledge and skills as they respond to challenges set by the childminder. She takes time to listen and value what they have to say extending their enjoyment and experiences of play through discussion and questioning. For example, children enjoy sharing news with the childminder about what they

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

have done at home with their mom and dad. Children have positive relationships with the childminder and each other. For example, children give each other a cuddle when they arrive and play nicely together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have their needs well met by the childminder who spends time with each child extending them and meeting their individual needs through the range of activities and experiences she provides. All children spend their time purposefully within the range of adult and child-led activities available, with the childminder ably supporting and extending learning through her in-depth knowledge of their capabilities. She has an understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and is currently implementing it within her practice. For example, she is beginning to undertake observations of children to monitor progress and provides activities to extend children that relate to the specific aspects contained within the framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities and reflects this within her practice. For example, positive images of diversity are reflected within resources and children enjoy celebrating festivals for different cultures and religions. The childminder is aware that some children may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities and is proactive in ensuring that appropriate action would be taken and care provided if a child is identified or if she begins to offer care for a child with specific needs. She is able to manage a range of children’s behaviour in a way that promotes their welfare and development in partnership with the child’s parents. For example, she provides a written behaviour management policy statement and a written behaviour policy that she adheres to and shares with parents, implementing positive discipline to manage children's behaviour well within her home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in partnership with parents, providing a written policy on working with parents. She shares information on her practice, her policies and procedures with parents during initial meetings. Settling in arrangements are identified and children are gradually introduced to their new environment. Daily discussions are then undertaken with parents about individual children's care and achievements to keep parents well informed.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has relevant experience and her household remain suitable. However, she does not meet required training levels as a current first aid certificate is not maintained. This

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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 compromises children's safety as she has not received training on up-to-date first aid practices. Children are comfortable and make themselves at home within the setting where the childminder has a high regard for the well being of children who attend, positively supporting their care, learning and play. Adult: child ratios positively support children enabling them to feel happy and secure within the childminder's care. A wide range of written and verbal policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. Information is shared with parents daily when children are dropped off and collected to ensure parents are well informed about their child's individual activities, achievements and well-being. All required documentation is in place and accurately maintained. Overall the provision meets the needs of

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Organisation

the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to carry out fire drills, ensuring children are familiar with the process and to keep appropriate signed consent forms. In order to address these issues the childminder carries out monthly fire evacuation drills and children are familiar with the process. She also maintains appropriate signed consent forms for children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection 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 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 that children are not exposed to potential hazards within the kitchen • ensure a current first aid certificate is maintained at all times.

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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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