St Nicholas CofE Primary

Inspection report for early years provision

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134238 Unique Reference Number 16 August 2007 Inspection date Susan Victoria May 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 registered in 1992. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Chinnor in Oxfordshire. The ground floor of the premises is used for minding. There is a secure garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for six children and is currently minding six children on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is prepared to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have several fish tanks of tropical fish.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a clean, child friendly and well maintained home. Children are beginning to become independent in their personal hygiene. For example, the childminder encourages

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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 children to wash their hands after playing with the play dough and provides step-ups for easy access to the sink. To help children begin to understand about keeping themselves healthy the childminder is a good role model. For instance, the childminder washes her own hands while discussing, age appropriately, why it is important to make sure hands are clean. Children watch and listen, then wash their own hands following the childminders clear example. To prevent cross-infection there are separate hand towels for each child, which they clearly recognise as their own. The childminder holds all of the required documentation to accurately record all accidents and administration of medication. She has a valid first aid certificate in place to ensure she can deal with minor accidents effectively. This promotes children’s wellbeing at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to a broad, stimulating and challenging variety of activities, which they clearly enjoy and promote their good health. The childminder considers the individual routines of the children when planning activities and children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs. For example, children sit quietly and play a game of ‘snap’ with the childminder before lunch and the childminder recognises that a younger child will need a sleep when lunch is finished. Children develop fine motor control and co-ordination, through activities such as playing games, art and craft activities, playing on wheeled toys in the garden and climbing on outdoor equipment in local parks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Good levels of parental involvement about children’s dietary requirements ensure the childminder meets children's needs and contributes to providing them with a healthy lifestyle. Most snacks and meals are provided by parents and the childminder stores lunchboxes and babies’ milk feeds appropriately to ensure food remains fresh. Children are encouraged to sit at the table for meals and snacks to make a social, pleasant occasion enjoyed by all. This promotes a positive attitude, which helps develop sound future eating habits.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder’s home is warm, welcoming and a child orientated environment in which they are kept safe and secure. Children can move around freely and independently, choosing what they wish to play with from the vast range of challenging and stimulating toys and resources accessible to them. Risks of accidental injury are minimised because the childminder is extremely vigilant and has a thorough understanding of how to complete daily visual risk assessments to reduce potential hazards. For instance, toys and equipment are checked for safety each time they are used and the childminder promptly discards any that are unsuitable. Children receive a high level of supervision within the home. Further procedures to safeguard children include excellent fire safety precautions and a comprehensive evacuation plan. The children practise this regularly to ensure rapid evacuation of the premises in the event of a fire. Parents are well

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

informed of the childminders emergency contacts and of whom to contact in the event of an emergency situation arising.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

To keep children safe when off the premises, for example on a walk, the childminder ensures younger children are secure in buggies and older children stay by her side. To help protect them further the childminder takes items such as a small first aid kit and written contact details. Parents are made aware of her movements and she is always contactable by mobile phone.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected and safeguarded from harm whilst in the childminders care as she demonstrates a superb understanding of her role concerning child protection. She is fully aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and has contact numbers and information on the procedures to follow in line with Local Safeguarding Children's Boards. She attends training to increase

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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 her knowledge and is aware of who to refer to if she has any concerns regarding a child in her care. This ensures the welfare and safety of the children at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children make excellent progress and learn and develop well in the stimulating and exciting environment of the childminders home. They have access to resources that extends their learning in every way and promotes their knowledge and understanding of the world in an exciting and fun way. For example, they learn about change through making papier-mâché models and cooking activities, begin to understand about good nutrition through making ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ food posters and increase dexterity through handling malleable materials such as play dough. The childminder talks to the children, listens with interest to their responses and replies appropriately. This helps children feel valued and builds their self-esteem. The childminder plans activities in advance according to the individual needs of the children; she evaluates and uses this information to share events with parents and to inform future planning. Children’s

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

input is considered and their ideas and thoughts included in future activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Relationships between the childminder and the children are superb. Children ask questions and make requests of the childminder, talk confidently to each other and visitors. Children are keen to share experiences and information about the interesting things they do when with the childminder. For example, they recall a trip to the goat farm and the excitement when on another occasion they went fishing and caught a fish. Children are thoughtful and considerate to each other; older children happily share toys and are watchful of younger children at play, for instance helping them with the play dough.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has regard to the Birth to three matters framework, and uses the guidelines alongside her knowledge of the development of babies and young children to enhance her practice. She is acutely aware of the importance of sharing information with parents and of the importance of forging strong links with home in order to provide children with a sound foundation on which to promote their development and learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder knows each child well and her positive approach helps them to feel good about themselves. She ensures she has all the required information about the children, including relevant details of their background, culture, health and dietary requirements to successfully meet their needs. She demonstrates a sound understanding of learning difficulties and/or disabilities and of offering support to all children to ensure they reach their potential. The childminder has a positive understanding of all equal opportunities issues and this helps children develop an awareness of their own and other cultures. A range of resources are available in the home that promote positive images. Children develop a sense of place and learn about where they live through regular outings within the local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder encourages children to behave and become aware of the house rules. She explains, age appropriately, to the children why we are kind to each other and why we need to follow certain rules. This helps children begin to develop moral values. Children behave well, demonstrate respect for the childminder and show care and concern for each other. They enjoy playing together, for example, older children chat about minded children who are not currently attending and how much they enjoy it when they meet. Younger children clearly look to older

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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 as role models. This responsibility is taken seriously by the older children who include them in their play and are eager to show them what to do, for example, sitting down with a drink. The childminder encourages this caring attitude through praise and appropriate comments.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are good, which contributes greatly to the children's wellbeing. Parents are welcome in the home and receive detailed information about the childminders practices and the outcome for their child. The childminder shares with parent’s information about how their children are progressing through regular, written and verbal communication. This sharing of information supports and enhances children's learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the skill of the childminder in organising the day and the well thought out and planned environment. For example, children can relax and play with floor toys in the lounge, or complete activities including messy play in the kitchen. The good use of indoor and outdoor space allows children room to play comfortably and freely in defined areas, thereby promoting their overall welfare and development. To make certain children receive appropriate support the childminder ensures she is always in close proximity to them wherever they are, and that ratios are always observed. Attendance records accurately record the times of children’s arrival and departure.

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Organisation

The childminder informs parents verbally of her policies and procedures that promote the wellbeing of the children in her care. Parents have access to all information about their child and the childminder understands the importance of maintaining documentation and confidentiality. All documentation which is legally required is in place, however, her understanding of how to implement the complaints procedure in line with regulations is limited. 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 extend resources to reflect positive images of culture and disability. This has been achieved through the purchase of new books and toys that reflect the diversity of our society. The childminder has considered the ages of the children she minds and has taken their ages and stages of development into account when acquiring resources that help increase children's knowledge and understanding.

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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.

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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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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): • improve knowledge in line with regulations of recording complaints

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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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