Fenton Wood PRU

Inspection report for early years provision

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134284 Unique Reference Number 14 August 2007 Inspection date Susan Mary Deadman 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1992. She lives with her adult son in Thame, Oxford. With the exception of the upstairs bedrooms, children have access to all areas of the home. This includes a secure rear garden for outside 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. She currently cares for five children, two children attend on a full time basis. The childminder takes children to and collects them from local schools.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children have a clear understanding of good hygiene practice and are familiar with the routine of washing their hands before lunch. The childminder protects children from the spread of infection as she teaches them to place their hands over their mouth when coughing.

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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 The childminder is well organised to deal effectively with minor accidents. The first aid box is in close proximity and holds the appropriate contents. The childminder promotes children’s welfare, as there is effective communication with parents relating to accidents. The childminder has not gained prior written parental permission to administer medication, which is a breach of regulations.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn the value of healthy eating through planned activities. For example, they see how vegetables grow, go the market and choose items to taste on their return and complete art displays about root vegetables. The childminder provides the children with nutritious snacks, such as grapes and pumpkin seeds.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a variety of physical play activities. They make good use of the rear garden and go out in most weathers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder generally promotes children’s safety as she takes various precautions, therefore minimising the risk of accident to children. For example, the childminder gives thought to emergencies and there is a written fire evacuation procedure. She provides smoke alarms on all levels of the home, including the attic and monitors the children at all times. However, there is a small water feature in the garden, which does not have a suitable cover and the childminder makes hot drinks in close proximity of children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys and play materials are safe and suitable. The childminder maintains equipment to a good condition. For example, the new car seats meet the changing needs of the children. The childminder’s understanding of her responsibilities in relation to child protection promotes children’s welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy in the care of the childminder, who provides them with a good amount of time and attention. They derive a great deal of enjoyment during outside play in the rain. The childminder ensures they are suitably dressed for this occasion and with raincoat, umbrella and boots on, they dance in puddles. As the rain is slight, the childminder enhances their enjoyment by providing more water for them to stomp around in, which they thoroughly enjoy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are engrossed in their play and spend much time with play dough and cutters. They chat to each other and themselves, as they entice the toy dinosaur to eat the dough. The childminder encourages their imagination as she joins in and informs the children that the dinosaur will need to visit the dentist after eating the dough.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the interesting outings in which they participate. They enjoy walks in woodland and talk about the insect life, as they look for these with magnifying glasses. The childminder takes children to physical play centres, which enables them to develop their physical skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They learn about nature and concepts such as above and below through planned projects. Art displays show pictures of objects which fly above us such as aeroplanes and hot air balloons, objects that grow under ground level, such as vegetables and the result of various weather

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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 conditions such a rainbows. The childminder supports children's understanding as she talks to them about what may happen after the rain if the sun comes out. Children are clearly familiar with this and could identify that the possible result would be a rainbow.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident and comfortable in the childminders home. The childminder enhances children’s positive self-esteem as she cares for children in a warm manner. She cuddles children when they are tired and meets their needs by planning her day to enable their sleep routines.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have access to a suitable range of play items, which support their understanding of differences. Children behave very well and the childminder is a good role model. She follows positive behaviour management strategies, which support children's understanding of right and wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a good partnership with parents, who are very happy with the quality of her care. Children benefit from the childminder's effective communication with their parents. For example, she gains written permission for emergency medical treatment, car travel outings and records the names of persons who may collect the children. The childminder has a written complaints procedure and has a basic understanding of her responsibility in relation to the recording of any future complaints and sharing the information with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder supports the care of children as she organises her day to meet their needs. She cares for children according to parents' wishes and has a good relationship with them. The childminder maintains accurate records. For example, the daily register provides an accurate record of the children's attendance.

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Organisation

The childminder adheres to written policies and procedures, which promotes the care and welfare of children. For example, partnership with parents, behaviour management and sickness. She maintains her first aid training and has completed a food hygiene course. She displays her registration certificate to parents, which allows them the opportunity to ensure she is meeting her conditions of registration.

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Organisation

However, she has not informed Ofsted of the fact that her own child is now over the age of 16 years, which is a breach of regulations. As a result, the required references have not been completed, which includes a criminal records check. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, the provider was required to review the toys and resources, which promote equal opportunities, update understanding of child protection, obtain parents written permission for medication and gain their signature on the record.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder provides children with a good range of informative books, which show many positive examples of differences, including disability. These are easily available to the children on a daily basis. The childminder promotes children's welfare as she has a clear understanding

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Improvements 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 of the possible indicators of abuse and demonstrates a good knowledge of the procedures to follow should she have any concerns. She completed child protection training in April 2006.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Although the childminder discusses children's requirements in relation to medication and records full details after she has administered the product, she has not gained parents prior written permission to administer. This is addressed within the actions resulting from the inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care, the registered person must take the following actions: • ensure persons over the age of 16 years undergo checks including a criminal records check • ensure that written parental permission is gained prior to administering medication. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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