Wyther Park Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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107971 Unique Reference Number 04 September 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 satisfactory. 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 1992. She lives with her husband and two children who are 14 and 11 years of age. The family live in Stoke Poges, Slough, Berkshire. Children have use of the downstairs of the property, with sleeping facilities upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have four pet guinea pigs and one dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six at any one time. She currently cares for a total of 14 children, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder is able to take children to and collect them from Dair House, Dropmore and Farnham Common school.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder promotes children's health as she maintains her home to a good standard of cleanliness. Effective methods of hygiene practice during nappy changing ensure there is no risk of cross infection between the children. The childminder is well organised to promote

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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 children's welfare after minor accidents. She holds a current first aid certificate and has required items in an easily accessible first aid kit.

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Helping children to be healthy

Records relating to medication administered by the childminder are clear and contain details, such as the name of the medication and the time administered. However, the childminder has breached regulations, as she did not gain written consent prior to administering medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes a healthy lifestyle for children as they enjoy regular opportunities for physical exercise. Children benefit from the provision of healthy meals and snacks. Children enjoy social mealtimes and sit around the dining table happily chatting to each other about their day. Children remain hydrated throughout the day, as drinks are readily available for them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder cares for children in premises, which offer a good amount of clear play-space. Children move around freely and explore their environment. The home is child centred with a warm, friendly atmosphere. The childminder frequently checks the resources to ensure the toys are in a safe and suitable condition for children to play with.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has effective procedures in place to keep children safe. For example, she is vigilant and ensures they do not gain access to hazardous items. Children understand how to keep themselves safe during outings and talk about the need to stop at the roadside and listen out for cars and lorries.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of some of the indicators of child abuse. She has basic knowledge relating to the referral systems. The written child protection policy, which she shares with parents informs them of her duty to report any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. All children are well settled and very happy in the childminder's care. There is a high level of interaction between the childminder and all minded children. Children thoroughly enjoy art and craft activities and have easy access to wide range of creative materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder joins in with their play to support all areas of their development. For example, she helps children complete an alphabet puzzle; children take turns to identify letters and pronounce the sound it relates to. Children cuddle up with the childminder on the sofa to listen to a story. This is an interactive time and children talk about what is happening and predict what will happen next.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play well together and enjoy playful banter. During a game of doctors they give each other injections, reassuring the patient that 'it won't hurt, well just a little damage'. They have independent access to a huge range of play items. Children enjoy the large garage and wide range of vehicles. A vast range of photographs show children enjoying themselves during imaginative play, outings to the farm and playing a wide range of musical instruments.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are developing positive self-esteem and confidence. The childminder treats them all as individuals and is aware of their differing needs. Children gain a great deal of pleasure when the childminder allows each of them to transport a guinea pig from its hutch to an enclosure. Children patiently wait for their turn, identifying the guinea pig of their choice and then gently supported by the childminder carry it carefully across the garden.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has excellent strategies in place to manage children's behaviour. She deals with age appropriate disagreements in a sensitive manner, which supports children's understanding of right and wrong. Children listen to the reasons the childminder gives as to why their behaviour may upset others. Children bask in the childminder's praise and proudly show off their reward stickers, which they gain through acts of kindness or helpfulness.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a very good partnership with parents and verbally exchanges information regarding children's daily activities. Parents are very confident in the care she provides and supply positive references. Children also provide written feedback and say they particularly enjoy walks with the family dog and the childminder's cooking. The childminder has systems in place to share the details of the complaints procedure with parents should they have any concerns.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is generally well-organised and maintains the majority of all the required records. She records children's hours of attendance and has systems in place to ensure that parents understand that she sometimes works with an assistant. Although the childminder records the days the assistant is present, the register does not show the actual hours of attendance.

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Organisation

The childminder's organisation and flexibility meets the needs of all children. The home is well organised and offers children the ability to play in the area of their choice with maximum supervision. Children greatly benefit from the childminder's commitment to provide them with a high level of care, attention and stimulation. She provides parents with an excellent range of information relating to her service. This gives parents details of her policies and procedures, such as behaviour management and children's sickness. Parents enthuse about her professionalism and the provision of physical activities and outings. 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 previous inspection the childminder was required to: record medication administered to children; provide parents with details of a complaints procedure; gain their permission for car travel and gain the contact number of the local child protection authority.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder maintains very clear records relating to medication administered. Although there is a specific place on the record form for parents to give their prior written consent, this has not been completed. This issues is addressed within the new recommendations.

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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 The childminder shares her complaints procedure with parents. The information includes the full contact details for Ofsted, which enables parents to contact the regulators of childcare should they have any concerns.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Parents sign agreement forms which include permission for car travel.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has gained the required information in relation to the contact details of relevant agency, should she need to make a referral.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • make sure there are effective procedures in place to ensure that parent's written permission is requested prior to administering medication • gain a secure understanding of the procedures to follow in the event of a child protection concern • enhance records to show the hours the assistant cares for the children.

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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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