Mayfair Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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105382 Unique Reference Number 26 June 2007 Inspection date Lorna Lorraine Hall 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 been registered since 1998. She lives with her husband and school age child in a three bedroom house in the Britwell area of Slough. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five. The childminder attends the local parents and toddler group.

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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 good. Children have an excellent understanding of healthy eating because the childminder talks to them about the benefits of a healthy diet. The childminder has a good knowledge of nutrition and plans a varied menu for the children, which is both healthy and appetising. To ensure all the children eat the required amount of fruit and vegetables each day. The childminder has a chart she completes to indicate when the children have had their five pieces of fruit and vegetables.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in planting activities, for example, they plant vegetables such as carrots and use as ingredients for cooking. Their understanding of healthy eating is further reinforced because the childminder sits and eats the same foods as the children. During lunch the children make connections, for example, they ask if the sweet pepper was grown in the garden. Cooking activities are used well to successfully promote the children's learning in a meaningful way. For example, they make butterfly cakes in line with the theme on butterflies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children generally receive a very high standard of care and are kept comfortable when they are taken ill or have an accident as the childminder follows current guidelines for first aid and administering medication. She holds a first aid certificate and has well written policies and procedures which she effectively puts into practice.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides a very clean environment and children begin to understand simple good health and hygiene practices such as when to wash their hands and why. There are individual towels in the kitchen and bathroom for children to use to minimise the spread of germs. However, the arrangement to feed the cat is not consistent with the normally high standard of hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their physical skills because the childminder provides plenty of different types of activity. For example, skipping and riding bicycles and propelling themselves in large cars. Children have exercise and fresh air every day when they walk to and from the local school to collect older children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are effectively safeguarded through the childminder’s paramount concern and good practice. For example, parents are asked to provide car seats for very young babies. Children’s welfare is additionally promoted because good systems are in place with regard to their safety. For example, the childminder carries the children's details and a first aid kit with her on outings. As an extra safety measure children wear a wrist band with the childminder's mobile number. Also she identifies places that the children must wait for her when they are in a large open space, such as the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about their own and others safety through following the excellent practice of the childminder who is an exceptional role model. For example, within the home she ensures good safety devices are fitted. During discussion, the childminder demonstrated a good understanding of the emergency escape procedure.

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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 The excellent organisation of indoor and outdoor space enables all the children to successfully access an excellent range of high quality learning experiences. Children enjoy the different play experiences and make good use of space to play imaginatively with large equipment indoors. For example, they push child size buggy. They make excellent progress in their development because learning resources are easily accessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The good systems that are in place are supported by excellent written polices and procedures that works in practice to promote the children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm because the childminder clearly understands her role in child protection and is fully aware of the procedures to follow should a concern arise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are extremely happy and contented in the childminder's home. They build good relationships with each other. Their enjoyment and achievements are promoted through the successful provision of well planned play activities which, sustains their interest for a long time. Their self esteem is successfully promoted because the childminder adds favourite play items to ensure all the children are involved.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are cared for in a rich learning environment because the childminder’ is enthusiastic and passionate to enable learning through play. Through observations and interaction the childminder ensure activities are geared towards the interest of the children. Beautiful displays and photographs stored on the computer enable the children to revisit past experiences. The children's language development is prompted well through books and conversations with the childminder. Everything the childminder does is clearly explained to the children and she waits for them to respond.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder makes good use of the Birth to three matters framework to ensure activities cover all the different areas of learning. She also uses it as a guide to chart the children's learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Regular visits to the local play groups and sure start centres provide good opportunities for children to socialise with other children and to enjoy play on a wide scale. The children play enthusiastically with books and small world equipment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued as individuals. Their understanding of other cultures is promoted in a meaningful way through books and discussions. An activity based on the map of the world provided good opportunities for the children to learn about other countries. For example, they use craft materials to make pyramids to represent the country Egypt. They learn about their local community through planned activities such as a bus ride to Runnymede.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive attitude with regard to caring for children and families who have learning difficulties.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved because the childminder's good understanding of behaviour management ensures effective methods are in place to promote acceptable behaviour. Children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 work harmoniously with the childminder and know the boundaries in place. The children are motivated to learn and as such are engrossed in interesting play experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s care is successfully promoted through the childminder's good relationship with the parents. For example, parents complete detailed written agreement. This information is used to provide a service suitable to meet individual care and learning needs. High priority is given to communicating with parents to ensure consistency of care, strategies in place include, notice board, photographs and written care diaries. There are both formal and informal ways to communicate with parents; they are invited to social events at the childminder's home. There are also planned times to meet with them to discuss their children's progress and update information.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive information about Ofsted complaint procedures

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder’s comprehensive portfolio evidences her commitment to providing good quality care for children. Well written policies and procedures, clearly demonstrates her good understanding of the fourteen National Standards and related guidance. She is a member of an approved childminding network.

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Organisation

Regular meeting with other childminders and reading childcare periodicals are some of the ways the childminder keeps up to date with changes in her field of work.

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Organisation

The good organisation of space and resources effectively meet the children’s requirements. Through interaction the childminder ensures all the children spend their time purposefully. Individual needs are extensively met because the childminder organises her day around the needs of the children.

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Organisation

The children enjoy free and structured play several times throughout the session.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to address two recommendations, the recommendation related to safety. Good progress has been made in addressing these recommendations to secure good outcomes for the children.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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 arrangement to feed the cat is consistent with the normally high standard of hygiene

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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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