Fox Wood Special School

Inspection report for early years provision

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111496 Unique Reference Number 17 September 2007 Inspection date Amanda 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.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1991. She lives with her husband and two adult children, in Fleet, Hampshire. The whole 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 currently cares for four children and is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. The childminder walks to local schools, shops and parks and attends the local parent/toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children who attend the setting learn about good health through a ready access to drinks and nutritious foods which take account of known allergies. The childminder provides children with hot meals, such as sweet and sour chicken, and braised lamb with vegetables. Children enjoy

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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 lunches of soup with homemade bread and fruit for dessert. Children concentrate at snack time as they count out grapes to eat and learn to slice their own bananas into their dishes. The childminder seeks information about children's individual dietary requirements from parents, and ensures these are respected fully at the setting. Children learn about personal hygiene as the childminder reminds children to use the pump action soap to ensure their hands are clean before eating and after using the toilet. Children are supported as they blow their own nose, and are reminded to keep their tissue tucked into their sleeve so they can use it independently if they need to.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder manages accidents and the administration of medication well, as full and detailed written records are in place which are shared with parents daily. Signed permission is also in place for each child for the childminder to access emergency help or advice if necessary. This ensures children's health and well-being is protected accordingly. Children benefit from a good range of physical activities which include use of the garden and regular visits to the local park. Children enjoy visiting indoor play areas, such as Whizzy World and Run-About in bad weather, to allow them to still have space to develop their co-ordination and large motor skills. This contributes to their good health.

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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 premises which is welcoming, secure and safe both indoors and outside. The childminder ensures children are supervised effectively, whilst still respecting their independence during play. Children learn about keeping themselves safe on walks to parks and schools as they hold hands and wear wrist straps or reigns. The childminder reminds children about the importance of looking out for cars, and looking both ways before they cross the road. The childminder also discusses fire safety with the older children in her care, however, this is not currently practised with all the children. A clear escape procedure is in place, however, children would benefit from practising this, in order for them to gain a better understanding of how they can look after themselves in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected through the childminder's clear understanding of issues surrounding safeguarding children. She has clear procedures in place which are shared with parents, and has a good understanding of her responsibilities. This ensures children's safety is protected at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have use of a wide range of age and stage appropriate equipment and resources to help them in their development and learning. Toys are developmentally appropriate, and children are stimulated and challenged daily in their activities. The childminder encourages children to be safe as they chop up their own fruit using child-safe knives. She reminds children to watch out for their fingers as they concentrate hard in using the knife correctly and safely, whilst developing their skills and self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children who attend the provision experience a varied range of stimulating and challenging activities which contribute highly to their development both inside and outside the home. The childminder extends children's learning and understanding consistently through building on their interests and activities. Children grow sunflowers from seeds, and enjoy taking responsibility for watering them and watching them grow. The childminder skilfully uses their interest to

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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 learn about colours and talk about the seeds which the flowers grow from, as they make a collage. Children are keen and eager to take part in the activities on offer, and show excellent concentration levels as they play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Relationships within the setting are extremely warm and close. Children are eager to help their friends as they look for parts of the track they are building. Children are always polite and caring. The childminder directs children in their learning well, whilst giving children space and time to lead their own activities with confidence. Children are independent in their activities, and gain high levels of self-esteem and confidence as the childminder consistently praises them and encourages them to try new things. As a result, children flourish in the safe and welcoming environment, whilst being supported effectively in their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder develops good relationships with parents and children's individual needs are effectively met, by sharing information and ensuring good communication between home and the setting. Parents learn about their child's day through face to face feedback at the beginning and end of each session. The childminder provides daily diaries for babies and young children in order to ensure parents are fully aware of how well their child has eaten, and what activities they have enjoyed throughout the day. The childminder has clear policies and procedures in place which she shares with parents. Parents are given a copy of all policies and as a result are kept well-informed of the care and service the childminder provides to them as well as their children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop an awareness of social diversity at the setting, as they play with resources, such as small world toys from different ethnicities and figures of people with disabilities. The childminder talks about difference with the children as they look at books containing people from different backgrounds and with different types of needs. The childminder has a clear awareness that some children develop learning difficulties and disabilities, and knows to support these by sharing information with parents, and providing suitable activities to encourage their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour at the setting is very good. Children are kind and caring towards their friends, and show compassion towards each other as they play together nicely. Children help each other find toys, and compliment one another as they enjoy a craft activity, pointing out how well they are doing. The childminder has clear procedures in place to deal with inappropriate behaviour, however, ensures positive praise and encouragement is used regularly to encourage children to remain stimulated and happy within their play.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her time and space effectively in order to ensure children enjoy a variety of prepared activities as they visit local parks, libraries and childminder drop in centres. Children have access to a fully equipped play-room filled with various toys, books and games. They also enjoy quiet time after lunch, snuggled up together reading stories in the conservatory. Children benefit from visits to local toddler groups, and meeting up with other childminders and their children regularly. This promotes children's confidence when meeting new friends, as well as providing the childminder with a valuable support network, to discuss new ideas and good practise.

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Organisation

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 shows her dedication to providing good quality child-care through her belief in the importance of self-development. The childminder has attended many courses in relevant subject areas, such as special needs, as well as an introductory course to the government's Birth to three matters framework. The childminder's practice already covers many areas of the Birth to three guidance, however, the childminder would benefit from accessing the pack in order to enhance her awareness of recording children's development. All relevant documentation is in place, and those containing personal details, such as contracts, are stored securely in order to maintain confidentiality at all times. As a result, 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 Children Act inspection, the provider was recommended to make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint and to obtain written permission from parents before administering any medication to children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has now implemented these previous recommendations fully. Parents are given a copy of the full procedures to follow if they are unhappy about the service provided by the childminder. Parents now also sign to give permission before any medication is given to their child. This ensures children's health is not compromised.

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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): • practise, time and evaluate fire drills with all children in order for them to gain an awareness of how they can keep themselves safe in an emergency • develop a more thorough awareness of how to record and track children's progress and development in relation to the Birth to three matters framework.

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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 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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