Woodlands Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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104990 Unique Reference Number 20 July 2007 Inspection date Susan Ennis 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 was registered in 1998. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 16 years in Luton, Bedfordshire. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed 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 and is currently minding two children under five all day and three children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has two tortoises.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder can support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and comfortable home environment. Their health is soundly promoted as the childminder follows consistent procedures such as wearing gloves when changing nappies and ensuring that all areas used by the children are clean and fit for use. The written sick children's policy protects children as it helps to prevent cross infection. The childminder is trained in first aid and has written permission from parents for seeking medical treatment for the children ensuring their immediate welfare in an emergency situation. Children understand simple health and hygiene practices because they are encouraged by the childminder to, for example, wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet together with discussions about why this practice is important.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in a varied range of physical activities, contributing to their good health. The childminder ensures that there are daily opportunities for indoor and outdoor activities such as dancing to action songs and using the karaoke machine and visits to the local park to play on the swings and roundabout. They also enjoy playing in the well equipped garden with the swing ball, sand pit and football game. All these encourage the children's coordination and spatial awareness. Children's rest and sleep patterns are accommodated because the childminder is aware of each child's individual needs and discusses them with the parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are suitably nourished and their health is promoted due to the childminder's sound understanding of healthy eating. They are offered a variety of snacks including toast and jam, crumpets, pitta bread and fruit. Children are prevented from becoming dehydrated as drinks are made readily available. On waking from a sleep children are immediately offered a refreshing drink of water. All dietary requirements are fully discussed with the parents and an accurate record maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, safe environment in which they are able to move around freely and independently. Their safety is promoted because the childminder has a competent understanding of this area and takes steps to minimise the hazards. Written and visual risk assessments of the premises and garden are carried out and recorded checking that, for example, that sockets are covered and door stoppers are in place. Written procedures regarding uncollected children and emergencies ensure the children's safety further. The childminder regularly practises the emergency escape plan with the children ensuring that all, including herself, are familiar with the procedure to follow. Children's understanding of keeping themselves safe is encouraged as they make posters about fire safety and learn the emergency number to call and the address for the childminder's house. They are also made aware of hazards within

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the household, for example, they learn to sit on the chairs properly in case they fall.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to independently select activities from a good range of quality toys and equipment. The childminder sensitively supervises the children's choices ensuring that they are both safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Their welfare is effectively promoted because the childminder has an accurate understanding of the child protection procedures to follow ensuring that the children are her main priority. She has a written procedure and has the local contact numbers should any concerns arise.

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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. Children are confident, settled and interested in their play. They relate well to the childminder who extends their play and learning experiences through asking open ended questions such as 'How many can you build?' when playing with the bricks. Children are then encouraged to add to the tower counting the bricks as they do so and saying the numbers out loud. Whilst looking at a book children are asked to look for certain animals such as the Shetland pony. They take the childminder's finger pointing to the correct animal demonstrating their growing understanding of the vocabulary used. Children can participate in all the activities because the childminder uses her good knowledge of child development to adapt activities encouraging all to become involved. When doing a craft activity all the children sit at the table and are given the appropriate level of support as they need it. If older children want to play games involving

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

small pieces they play up at the table whilst the childminder plays with the younger children on the floor. Children's independence is developed as they make choices about their play, for example, choosing a picture from a colouring book and then using the pencils to colour it in. Sometimes children like playing with the same resources over and over again consolidating their skills as they do so. If they are half way through a game at home time, the childminder often puts the board in a safe place until the following day enabling them to see the game through to the end.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's development in all areas is actively promoted because the childminder uses her knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and areas of learning to plan some activities in advance. The routine is very flexible catering for the children's likes and dislikes and temperament on the day. Children's social skills are developing as they regularly visit the local library and Rhyme Time music sessions. Their imagination skills are promoted through craft activities and role play situations. The current favourite is to make up menus and pretend that the childminder is the customer in the restaurant. This activity also encourages their number skills as the 'customer' always checks that she has the right amount of change! Children make positive relationships with the childminder and each other. They happily chat about events at school and home and confidently approach the childminder for a kiss and cuddle.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder ensures that she is aware of each child's individual needs and meets them effectively. A daily conversation together with use of a daily diary for younger children ensures that parents are well informed about their child's development and care. Behaviour is good and is reinforced by the childminder's competent understanding of the importance of consistent and appropriate boundaries for all children. Strategies include distraction, reasoning and time out. Children's understanding of the ground rules and what is expected of them is encouraged as there are set rules in place such as being polite to each other and helping to pack away the toys when they have finished with them. They are learning to work and respect together. When they get upset because they have lost at a game, the childminder sensitively explains that 'It's only a game. You have to take turns.'

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's understanding of the diverse community they live in is suitably promoted by the childminder who provides a varied range of resources and activities including dolls, books and videos. However, those reflecting people with disabilities are limited. Children's understanding of the wider world is also limited as they, for example, do not celebrate and discuss world festivals and celebrations. The childminder has a little experience in caring for children with

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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 behaviour difficulties and/or disabilities and is able to effectively care for all children discussing each child's individual needs fully with the parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's needs and welfare are successfully met because the childminder has a valued relationship with parents. A parents' information pack, including the complaints procedure, ensures that they receive all the relevant information about their child and the setting. The childminder offers continuity of care often caring for the same child from a young age through to starting school. Parents show their appreciation of this through comments such as 'Great Childminder' and 'Number one choice for a childminder.'

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well-organised, helping the children feel comfortable, relaxed and secure. They are supported by the childminder, often initiating their own play and learning with confidence and enthusiasm. The individual needs of all children are consistently met by the childminder through her procedures and policies, ensuring that all relevant information is in place. The children's daily attendance is correctly maintained minimising potential disagreements with the parents. The childminder actively strives to increase her knowledge by attending training to enable her to offer better care for the children.

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Organisation

The childminder uses her varied childcare knowledge to assist her in planning a safe, stimulating and caring environment for the children. She ensures that the children are offered a broad and varied range of interesting activities that all are encouraged to participate in. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection no recommendations for improvement were set.

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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):

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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 • provide play materials and activities which reflect diversity showing people from a variety of backgrounds and with varying needs.

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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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