Sir William Robertson Academy, Welbourn

Inspection report for early years provision

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138839 Unique Reference Number 01 August 2007 Inspection date Helen Ann Woods 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 has been registered for some years. She lives with her husband and their two adult children. The family live in a house in Harefield which comes under the London Borough of Hillingdon. The home is close to local amenities, schools and public transport. The childminder is registered to care for six children aged under eight years and currently has four children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The ground floor is mostly used for childminding where there is a ground floor toilet and wash room in the conservatory. The family have a pet dog and a cat. The dog is kept in a separate fenced area of the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a healthy and hygienic environment and the childminder gives a high priority to ensuring children's individual needs are met. She minimises the risk of cross infection to children through good practice and clear health policies.

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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 There are regular opportunities to take part in physical activities such as walking to the local school, visiting parks and when meeting with other childminders at groups operating in the area. Children also have a lot of space outside in the well organised back garden where they can ride their bikes and play ball games.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder obtains written permission for emergency procedures and holds a current first aid certificate to safeguard children’s welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide the children's meals in discussion with the childminder. She helps the children to enjoy their meals by presenting them attractively and discussing what they enjoy most. Children can access their drinks at all times from their own non spill cups. The childminder adheres to parent's wishes and ensures that any dietary and medical needs are clearly recorded in the children's records.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a warm, welcoming home where children feel safe and secure. Space within the house and in the garden is well organised allowing children to move about safely and independently. Risks have been carefully identified and minimised, for example, when children are taken and collected from school they observe a strict code of conduct when walking along the busy roads. The childminder attends different courses to keep herself up to date with current developments such as car safety. Toys and resources are checked regularly to ensure that there are no broken parts to harm them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted, for example, the childminder holds a current paediatric first aid certificate. She has a good understanding of child protection procedures to be followed if abuse is suspected. The childminder has a copy of the local area procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very much at home and have lots of fun playing enthusiastically with the wide range of activities that promote their learning. Children are confident and have good self esteem which is fostered well by the childminder as she listens with interest and praises their achievements. They express themselves and communicate confidently using gesture, expression and language.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans exciting learning activities and supports them when they initiate their own play. Children follow their own ideas, use their imagination and begin to make sense of what they do. They enjoy cutting out and making collage pictures with different textures and shapes to display and to take home with them at the end of the day. They help themselves to puzzles which they ably complete and play snakes and ladders with the childminder. Children learn effectively through their play because the childminder purposefully asks them questions about what they are doing, she listens to what they say to find out what they know and then extends their understanding; for example talking about and reinforcing the children's knowledge and understanding of colours, numbers and use of the language of size.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder skilfully plans activities, provides time for free play and knows the learning outcomes for the children well. She instinctively knows when to support them in their play and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 when to stand back. Children are beginning to learn to use their imagination well, try out new things and are effectively challenged in their learning. They are growing in confidence because the childminder gives them time and encouragement to develop new skills. In order to keep their interest she regularly visits the toy library so they can experience different toys and equipment. Other places of interest include the Dogs Trust which is close by and the children get to see the dogs and the activities that take place there.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy being close and interacting with the childminder through sharing books and singing songs. They are learning rhyme and rhythm and developing a love of stories and books as they regularly visit the local library. The close caring relationship with the childminder increase children's sense of trust and enable them to be self confident.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder and parents form a close working relationship that ensures continuity of care for children. Parents receive copies of all policies and procedures and all relevant recordings concerning their child. Children have clear consistent house rules, based around safety and respect for property and people, which enable children to develop self-discipline. The children play well together and the childminder is quick to use distraction techniques as one of the younger children begins to get fractious.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's self-esteem is fostered through positive interaction with the childminder. They receive lots of praise and encouragement as she involves herself with their play; children feel valued and confident to try new experiences. Children mix socially with others at local groups that they are taken to by the childminder encouraging them to learn respect for differing cultures and abilities. The childminder's good understanding of children’s learning and development ensure she meets any child’s learning difficulties and /or disabilities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children access toys, equipment and activities which are well planned and prepared prior to the children arriving enabling children to feel welcome, confident and happy. Children are able to access interesting and age appropriate activities both within and away from the childminding setting. The childminder has, and continues to undertake appropriate training to enhance her existing practice and enthusiastic knowledge enabling her to provide high quality childcare.

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Organisation

Children are cared for within a well planned and organised environment. The childminder is very clear about her role and responsibility in providing a high quality service to the children and their family.

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Organisation

Observations relating to the child's day, development and general well-being are fed back to parents and carers informally as they collect their children at the end of their minded day. Children benefit from the excellent communication between the childminder, parents and carers.

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Organisation

All documents are in place according to regulation. They are stored securely and made available for inspection. She regularly shares them with parents although recording of any concerns may not ensure confidentiality. The childminder meets the needs for the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that any injuries the children come in with are written down and recorded. The childminder records any existing injuries in her accident book and obtains the parent's signature. As a result the children's safety and well being is enhanced.

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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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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 recording of concerns maintain confidentiality.

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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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