Southlands School

Inspection report for early years provision

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116564 Unique Reference Number 11 December 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. 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 was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and children aged 18 months, six and 14 years in Stokenchurch near High Wycombe. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding with toilet and sleeping facilities available upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for four children at any one time and is currently minding seven children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder is prepared to take and collect children from local schools.

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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 stay healthy and develop increasing understanding about good hygiene practices through daily routines and clear guidelines from the childminder. The childminder is a good role model and follows effective daily routines to prevent cross infection. For example, she uses an anti bacterial spray to wipe the changing mat after each nappy change. Through gentle reminders and discussion the children begin to learn why they need to wash their hands after petting the dog or before eating food. All documentation and procedures for recording accidents and administering medication to protect children is in place and the childminder shares information with parents. Other documentation to safeguard the children's health and wellbeing is in place. For example, clear sun screen procedures.

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Helping children to be healthy

Opportunities for the children to increase control, co-ordination and physical skills are available daily through activities in the home and through regular routine visits to parks and local facilities. Children are beginning to move around skilfully and with increasing control, following their chosen path. The childminder provides a good range of equipment to help children further develop their skills to balance, throw, push and scoot. Children have a growing awareness of how their bodies develop, and of their wants and needs, for example, children begin to recognise when they are thirsty and request drinks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to drinks throughout the day and enjoy foods supplied by their parents for snacks and meals. All foods are carefully stored by the childminder to ensure they remain fresh. The childminder works closely with parents, and records parental preferences regarding food and individual children’s needs. This ensures the dietary needs of the children in her care are met.

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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 child friendly home where children feel safe and secure. Children enjoy their play and have a designated playroom for their use. Children can easily access the extensive range of toys and resources, which the childminder checks regularly to ensure there are no broken parts that could harm them. To ensure children can move around and play in a safe and secure indoor and outdoor environment the childminder completes daily visual risks assessments to help keep children safe. She supervises children closely to minimise possible hazards, for example, young children do not have access to the hall or garden without her accompanying them. To keep children safe on outings the childminder carries a first aid kit and emergency details, contact numbers and a mobile phone. All the required fire safety precautions are in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of all safety-related issues and has in place relevant policies and procedures to ensure children's safety. She has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and feels confident that she would recognise these. She updates her knowledge through training and has all relevant contact details should she have concerns about a child in her care. The childminder clearly understands her role in the protection of children. All of these measures contribute to the safety and welfare of the 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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are happy and content in the childminder's home; relaxed and confident in their play. The childminder promotes independence through a positive approach and encouragement. There are many opportunities for children to make choices. Children have access to the playroom where they enthusiastically select the toys and resources they wish to use.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is warm and affectionate making children feel valued. She has good relationships with the children; enjoys their company and knows them well. She spends time talking and playing with them and is aware of what stage they are at in their development, consequently, children have support in their play and make appropriate progress. Outings include visits to a variety of local parks and groups, for example, the childminder attends ‘Cheeky Monkey’ sessions weekly where children have the opportunity to sing, move to music and listen to stories. Regular visits to groups also provide children with opportunities to socialise with a wider group. The childminder offers stimulating activities and resources that allow children to respond with enthusiasm to new challenges.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has an understanding of providing a broad range of experiences, such as developing imagination and self-expression through role play. She provides opportunities for children to develop in all areas; and has regard for the Birth to three matters framework to enhance practice in younger children's development. The childminder and parents share daily information on the children to help them progress effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder treats each child with respect, meets their needs and values their individuality. She takes time to get to know the children and knows each child extremely well; consequently, the children feel valued and secure within the environment. The childminder has a sound understanding of all equal opportunities issues and this helps children develop an awareness of their own and other cultures. The resources to which children have access to promoting positive images is very good, for instance children begin to understand about differences as they play with the small world people in the ‘hospital’, about other cultures as they look at books and through role play. The childminder forms good relationships with the children and values their contributions; as a result, children demonstrate increasing independence, choose what they want to play with and are confident to make requests of her. Children develop a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

sense of place and learn about where they live through regular outings and trips. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of learning difficulties and/or disabilities and offers support to ensure all children reach their potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder encourages children to behave and become aware of the house rules. She follows behaviour strategies in accordance with parent’s wishes and 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 a sense of responsibility and moral values. Young children are beginning to show care and concern for each other and the childminder actively fosters children’s understanding of sharing through discussion and actions as she joins in with their play. The childminder adopts a positive approach, offers praise, for instance, when children say please and thank you with no prompting.

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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 Parents develop good open relationships with the childminder who encourages discussions on all aspects of their child’s care and progress. Parents are welcome in the home and receive detailed information about the childminder's practices and the outcome for their child. This includes a complaints procedure and contact details of the regulator although the address is in need of updating. The childminder shares with parents, information about how their children are progressing through regular, written and verbal communication. For example, daily diaries for younger children provide a two way flow of information ensuring both the childminder and parents have a clear picture of any events that may affect the child's health and wellbeing. This sharing of information supports children's learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the well thought out environment. Most of the children’s play takes place in the play room where they have a comfy sofa on which to relax, a table for meals or messy play and enough space for floor games. If they wish, older children can relax or complete quiet activities in the lounge. Outdoors, children can play safely and comfortably in the garden. Children’s overall welfare and development is promoted as the childminder pays close attention to all areas when organising the childminding day. This ensures that children are offered a wide range of stimulating activities, inside and outside the home. To ensure children receive appropriate support, ratios are observed; attendance records accurately record the times of children’s attendance, however, to be effective these must be completed promptly as the children arrive and depart.

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Organisation

There are clear written policies and procedures in place that inform parents of the care they can expect their children to receive while in the childminder's care. Parents have access to all information about their child and the childminder understands the importance of maintaining documentation and confidentiality. 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 ensure Ofsted are kept informed of any changes affecting registration. The childminder keeps the regulatory body informed of changes; for example, requesting a variation reflecting the ages of her own children, thereby ensuring that the conditions on her registration certificate are accurate.

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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. 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 further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure attendance registers are completed promptly as the children arrive/leave • update policies to include the current address of the regulator

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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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