Orchard Manor School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 148476 Inspection date 16 August 2005 Inspector Judith, Mary Butler

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 since December 1992. She lives with her husband and two teenage children in Lower Earley. The property is close to shops, parks and schools. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor, with sleep and bathroom facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for up to six children. She is currently caring for 6 children under the age of 8 years on a full and part time basis. She is prepared to take and collect from Hawkedon School and pre-schools within the local area.

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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's physical skills are developing as a result of the activities provided within the garden, home and whilst on outings. Children access a good range of toys and large equipment including bats and balls, sit and ride toys and larger climbing apparatus. Children are happy and settled within the home. They are developing their independence and older children are able to address their individual needs, for example, going to the toilet unaided and washing their hands. The childminder has high expectations regarding personal hygiene and offers children gentle reminders throughout the daily routines. She holds all the required paperwork to record accidents and administration of medication and protect the health of children in her care. The childminder verbally shares the procedures in place with parents and requests them to sign all completed documentation. This ensures they are aware of

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Helping children to be healthy

any medication administered or accidents occurring to their child. Children benefit through the good verbal communication in place between the childminder and parents. The childminder discusses and records individual parental wishes and children's dietary needs to ensure she meets the needs of the individual children. Children make healthy and fun choices about the food they wish to eat. Planned activities often include baking with children making their own snack or meal, for example, biscuits and pizzas. Children are developing an awareness of healthy eating.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move freely and easily around all areas of the home identified for childminding purposes. They independently select the toys and resources they wish to use from the good range available to them each day. The childminder ensures that the toys and resources are safe and appropriate to the needs and preferences of the children attending. The childminder identifies and minimizes risks to children through daily safety checks; however, cleaning materials in the kitchen are not stored safely. Children receive a high level of supervision from the childminder ensuring that they play safely within all areas of the home. The premises are secure and procedures are in place to supervise visitors within the home. Children are developing an awareness of keeping themselves safe when on outings, for example, walking and staying close to the childminder. Children benefit through the understanding and knowledge the childminder has

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

regarding child protection issues. She has attended training and is clear about the procedures to follow should she have concerns regarding a child in her care. All of

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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 the required documentation to protect children's welfare is in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are comfortable and happy within the home; they talk to the childminder, visitors and each other in a friendly manner. Children make independent choices about the toys and resources they wish to use from the range available each day. They confidently play in all areas of the home identified for childminding. Children have developed strong relationships with the childminder and their peers within the childminding environment. Children are developing their language and communication skills through constant chat and communication between themselves and the childminder. The childminder uses effective strategies such as reinforcement and repetition to extend children's learning, for example, counting the marbles and sharing them out. Children enjoy the variety of toys and activities suitable to their individual preferences and stage of development. The childminder undertakes regular outings with the children; this includes walks to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

school, parks, toddler groups and using the library. This provides children with opportunities to socialise within a wider group of children and develop further relationships with their peers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Younger children are learning to show co-operation with their peers in their play. The childminder encourages them to join in with the older children and helps them to share the toys and resources. Older children are developing skills to manage their own behaviour and co-operate with others in their play, for example, sharing toys and taking turns. The childminder has established house rules and boundaries within the home and shares these with the parents and children to ensure consistency. Children receive praise for positive behaviour and when helping with daily tasks, such as tidying the toys away; this helps build children's self-esteem. The childminder respects and values the children as individuals, enabling them to feel happy and comfortable within their environment. She liaises with parents to discuss their child's daily routine; this ensures that she is able to meet the needs of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the individual children in her care. Daily verbal feedback to parents informs them of the daily routines and activities their child has been involved in. This enables parents to be fully involved with their child’s daily routines. Children have access to a variety of resources and outings to further develop their understanding of the world around them, for example, books and puzzles that reflect different ages, race and gender.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the range of toys and resources provided by the childminder to meet their individual needs and preferences. These include quiet and active times within the home as well as regular outings. The childminder organises her home, toys and resources to meet the needs of the current children she is caring for. Children gain from the childminders commitment to extend her childcare knowledge by attending training courses, for example, child protection and health and safety. The childminder liaises regularly with parents to ensure she is able to meet the needs of the children in her care. She holds all of the required documentation to keep children safe, healthy and protect their welfare. However, the documentation in place is not individual to each child and therefore confidentiality is not maintained. 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 requested to maintain the high standards of documentation. All of the required paperwork is in place, however the storage of this does not always maintain confidentiality and this has been raised as a recommendation following this inspection.

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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 cupboards containing cleaning materials are made safe or inaccessible to children

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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 • develop a system of ensuring that the documentation held on the children is individual to each child and stored in confidential manner

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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