Parkhill Infants' School

Inspection report for early years provision

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133938 Unique Reference Number 12 July 2007 Inspection date Gillian Little 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 was registered in 1993. She lives in Bicester with her 15 year old son and her grown-up daughter, who works with her as a co-childminder. The childminder has overall responsibility for the childminding practice. Her co-childminder works in a supporting role.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, together with a first-floor bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding eight children all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She holds the Extending Childminding Practice qualification.

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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 receive a healthy diet as the childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating, providing snacks such as fruit or breadsticks, and meals such as chicken and pasta. The childminder ensures that parents provide healthy and sufficient food and she is aware of children's dietary preferences. Drinks are freely available for children throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy and benefit from physical activity as they have frequent opportunities to play in the garden and have outings every day. For example, they have visits to toddler groups, the park or to see the canal. There is plenty of space available indoors for children to move around safely. Young children are able to rest or sleep according to their own routine as the childminder is familiar with these and has a very flexible approach.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to play in a healthy environment as the premises are clean, hygienic procedures are in place for nappy changing and the childminder stores food safely. Children learn how to wash their hands as the childminder supervises them carefully showing them how to wash their hands thoroughly. Children use hand towels, which the childminder changes daily, although they usually share these, which increases the risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Suitable procedures are in place to ensure that children receive appropriate care in the event of illness or accident. For example, all mandatory records are in place and the childminder shares a clear sickness policy with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to play comfortably in a welcoming environment as the childminder maintains the home well and provides appropriate facilities and space. For example, the spacious living room and playroom are available for general play and the ground floor cloakroom is easily accessible. Children are able to play with a range of suitable and safe toys and resources which the childminder ensures are easily accessible and which she regularly checks for damage.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's risk of injury is minimal because the childminder assesses risks well and takes effective precautions to prevent accidents. For example, stair gates prevent unsupervised access to the stairs and hallway, and the front door is secure. The childminder supervises children well, effectively deploying her co-childminder to ensure that children are always within sight or hearing. Young children can sleep safely as they are always within hearing of the childminder and she visually checks them regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play safely outdoors as the childminder supervises them closely and has a clear understanding of safety issues when taking children away from the setting. For example, she completes risk assessments and helps children to learn about road safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Suitable fire prevention and evacuation procedures help to keep children safe in the event of an emergency. For example, smoke alarms and a fire blanket are in place as well as clear evacuation procedures which the childminder practices with children.

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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 Children's risk of harm from others is minimised as the childminder has a sound understanding of her role in child protection. For example, a clear policy is in place which she shares with parents and she is aware to consult appropriate published guidelines if she has concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children show interest in what they do and develop a range of skills because there is a suitable range of resources and a good variety of experiences available. For example, toys are easily accessible, including a doll's house with accessories, a play cooker with food, a train set and a marble run. Children have lots of opportunities for free play giving them time to explore their interests.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children receive good support from the childminder as she interacts frequently with them, talking about their home lives and familiar experiences, such as going shopping and the colours of their coats and shoes. This effectively helps them to develop their understanding of the world around them and to develop their language skills. She deploys her co-childminder well to ensure that older children can play with more intricate toys away from younger children. This ensures that older children can develop their skills and that younger children do not have access to toys which are unsuitable for them. When away from the setting, the childminder makes good use of everyday opportunities, such as counting lamp posts and talking about the colours and makes of cars, to further develop children's understanding of the world around them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are generally happy and settled and the childminder effectively supports those who need extra reassurance. Children are able to play in a settled and calm environment in a relaxed family home. They enjoy playing together and they socialise positively, such as eating their lunch together in the garden at a table.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children become aware of wider society and develop positive attitudes towards diversity as the childminder has an appropriate range of resources reflecting people from different backgrounds. She also effectively helps children to learn about different cultures and disabilities as she spends a lot of time in the local community and frequently helps children to understand people's differences in a positive way. She ensures that all children have equal access to toys and activities as they have plenty of free choice, and she gives children equal attention. The childminder knows children well, such as their favourite activities, their dietary preferences and their different personalities, ensuring that she is able to meet their individual needs effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties or disabilities are able to progress well as the childminder encourages them to be as independent as possible and gives them lots of stimulation to develop particular skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are able to play a productive part in the setting as they develop positive relationships with the childminder and other children. They learn to be independent, such as washing their hands and feeding themselves as appropriate. They develop positive social skills and good behaviour as the childminder talks to them effectively about how to care for each other. The childminder works consistently with her co-childminder to ensure that strategies used for behaviour management are appropriate for the ages of the 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 Children benefit from good continuity between the home and the setting because the childminder develops positive relationships with parents. For example, she ensures that parents have good information about the provision and their child's time with her by having a wide range of clear policies in place and talking to parents on a daily basis.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well cared for as the childminder has a strong sense of purpose, keeping children safe, providing a good range of experiences, and helping children to develop positive social skills. The childminder has effective skills and a range of experience and qualifications to support children in her care well. She ensures that the adult to child ratio supports children at all times, deploying her co-childminder to work with the children appropriately. She ensures that documentation is very well organised, and easily accessible to parents where appropriate. She is using the Birth to three matters framework appropriately to support her care of younger children. 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 asked to develop procedures for parents to receive regular information on children's progress. The childminder now ensures that she talks to parents on a daily basis and has daily diaries in place for younger children. This helps to ensure that parents are kept informed of their children's progress.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to provide information for parents about how to contact Ofsted. The childminder now clearly displays the Ofsted poster and has further information available in her parents’ file. This ensures that parents have the appropriate information to contact the regulator if they wish to do so.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted has received a complaint relating to National Standard 11, Behaviour, and National Standard 7, Health. Concerns were about inappropriate behaviour management and procedures for sick children. Ofsted made an unannounced visit to the setting and found no evidence of inappropriate behaviour management. However, no written permission to give medication to children was in place and an action was therefore set under Standard 7, Health. A satisfactory response to the action was received and no further action was taken. The provider remains qualified for registration. 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. The provider has made a record of the complaint 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): • consider providing individual hand drying facilities 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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