Innisfree House School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 117025 Inspection date 26 July 2005 Inspector Lynne Elizabeth Lewington

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 was registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and 2 children in a 3 bedroom house in Reading. It is situated on a quiet road within walking distance of Reading town centre. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a small fully enclosed garden for outside play. The house is close to local shops, schools and parks. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time and currently has 4 children on roll. She is prepared to take and collect children from Katesgrove Primary and Nursery Schools and local pre-schools.

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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 have well organised opportunities to develop a healthy life style, due to good hygiene practices, healthy food and drink and a broad range of physical activities. Weekly discussion with parents about the following weeks menu enables parents and the childminder to work together to ensure the child receives a balanced and varied diet. Children are encouraged to drink frequently; drinks are easily accessed promoting independence and preventing dehydration. A broad range of well organised activities encourages children's physical development. With parents permission children go swimming, visit the park, feed the ducks and meet with other childminders and their children for picnics. This provides children with opportunities to develop physical skills in a variety of settings and in the company of other children. The thoughtful arrangement of furniture in the home enables young babies to safely pull themselves upright and move around the

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Helping children to be healthy

furniture developing their physical abilities. Children are encouraged to develop their senses by opportunities for activities in the fresh air and natural light everyday. Clean, light, well maintained premises provide a pleasant environment for children's care. Children learn simple sensible health and hygiene routines which promotes their understanding of hygiene, for example washing hands before food, after toileting and outside activity. Very clear procedures for sick or injured children, clear up to date accident and medication records, and a well-stocked first aid box promotes children’s well being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised well by the childminder's careful planning and close supervision at all times. They play in an area organised efficiently to provide safe space for floor or table top play and with access to good quality toys and equipment suitable for their age and stage of development Effective safety measures ensure the children are safe in the childminders care for example, stair gates are in place on the stairway and kitchen doorway, and doors are locked. Smoke alarms and a fire blanket are in place and a clear evacuation procedure is available. The childminder encourages children to think about safety, on outings they look and listen for traffic, toddlers wear reins and older children hold the pushchair to cross the road. Children have the opportunity to learn to swim with the childminder, which promotes their personal safety. The childminders understanding of child protection issues, and the information

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

shared with parents concerning child protection safeguards children whilst in her care.

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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. The experienced childminder has a clear understanding of the needs of individual children consequently children are happy, interested and content in the environment. Easy access to suitable toys and equipment enables the children to make choices and increases independence. The childminder encourages the children's play by sitting with them, talking, listening and responding appropriately. They talk about inside, outside, on top of, up and down as they play enabling the child to develop early mathematical concepts, and communication skills. She organises the day effectively to ensure the children have opportunities for both indoor, and outdoor play, suitable rest and relaxation times and adequate food and drink. Babies are nurtured and included in the activities where possible. For example sitting the baby with appropriate toys safely where they can watch what is happening, hear the conversations and be a part of the activity. This enables all of the children to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

feel included. Whilst the childminder has a good understanding of the needs of the young children in her care and meets them well she is not currently using the Birth to three framework to inform her practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder is a positive and influential role model to the children. She has good manners, is pleasant and remains calm when problems arise. She provides sensible clear information about how she deals with behaviour and welcomes parental involvement to ensure that the child experiences a consistent approach to behaviour management. Good quality relationships are developed with parents, by sharing information about the child, and discussing all aspects of the child's care prior to commencement of the placement. The childminder is sensitive to the needs of the child, their parents and the other children in her care. Parents are encouraged to stay initially ensuring a positive experience for all involved. The childminders attention to promoting a partnership with parents helps her to understand their needs more clearly enabling the children to experience continuity of care. Discussion regarding special needs

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Helping children make a positive contribution

ensures understanding and are appropriate to care for the child. Resources reflect a multi cultural society ensuring the children are able to identify with toys and books they use. All children have access to all the toys providing they are suitable for their age and stage of development. Children learn to take turns, share, be kind and respectful to each other through games, books and the childminders example.

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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 The organisation is good. The childminder provides a caring child centred service which she operates in an efficient and businesslike manner. She has attended courses to update her first aid knowledge and is interested in extending her knowledge further. This will continue to improve the service she provides to children and their families. She has a sound awareness of the requirements of her registration and keeps up to date documentation, and clear easy to read policies. Suitable checks and clearances are in place and child adult ratios are maintained.This safeguards children's interests and keeps parents informed of her practice. 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 childminder was recommended to improve her awareness of child protection and ensure children's arrival and departure times were recorded accurately. The childminder has significantly improved both issues. Increased knowledge of child protection and the procedures to follow safeguards the children's well being whilst in the childminders care and the accurate recording in the register provides a clear record of contact with the children.

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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): • continue to build knowledge and understanding of the need's of children under three, for example through the use of the Birth to three framework

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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 procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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