Woodhouse School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 131336 Inspection date 09 August 2005 Inspector Carole Gronow

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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 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 was registered in 1993. She lives in the Midanbury area of Southampton with her husband and two children. They are both aged over 8; one of them is in employment and the other is a student.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

All areas of the property are available for childminding, however, it normally takes place downstairs. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time

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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 and is currently minding five children under 5, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder walks to the local pre-school to take and collect children. She also takes children to the local shops, garden centre and to Riverside Park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has a cat. The childminder is a member of the Southampton Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s understanding of the importance of washing their hands to help maintain good health and minimise infection is developed by the established hygiene routines that the childminder has put in place and by the explanations she gives to them about the importance of it. Children get outdoors daily; they have time in the garden to play and they get regular exercise when they go on daily walks. They are given opportunities to develop their physical skills and improve their co-ordination as the childminder takes them to visit the local park, where they are able to play on the equipment. Children’s dietary and religious requirements are respected - the childminder collects detailed information on a form. She discusses any specific requirements with parents; these are talked about initially at the start of the childminding and continually as things arise. The childminder ensures that she tells parents what children have eaten

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's security is given an extremely high priority and the childminder ensures that the property is kept secure; doors are always locked and the keys accessible. She will only release children to persons familiar to her and who she is expecting. Children are kept very safe within the home. All potential hazards have been well addressed, such as ensuring that low level glass is safe and that cleaning materials are well out of children's reach. The fire blanket and an extinguisher are accessible and smoke detectors are checked. An emergency evacuation procedure has been devised, however, this has not been practised with the children, which could compromise their safety. Children are learning about safety and they clearly understand that if one child needs to go inside when they are in the garden then they all have to. They enjoy playing on the paved area and in the paddling pool. Children are safe in the garden because the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder is extremely vigilant and she supervises them constantly. She explains to

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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 them about how they must behave. Older children remember how to walk up and down the outside stairs and the childminder carries things for them. Younger children are carried and the childminder ensures that she has her telephone with her. Children are taught to be aware of road safety, as the childminder discusses crossing and walking along roads when she is out with them. Children play freely and are able to make choices of what to play with from the range of age-appropriate equipment and toys that are provided, all of which are regularly checked and very well maintained. Children can only access toys that are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development as the childminder carefully monitors this.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities are being developed through the activities and play opportunities that the childminder provides for them. Children’s confidence and independence is being boosted by the praise and encouragement that the childminder gives them, and by the positive response they receive from her when they ask her for help or for cuddles. Children feel valued by the childminder; she knows each individual child well and talks to them about their home life and what they enjoy doing. Children’s language and listening skills are being encouraged and developed. The childminder frequently talks to them, asking questions and discusses things such as colours, numbers and shapes. Younger children are listening and responding to others around them and are becoming confident in their attempts to use language to communicate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals and the childminder works with parents so that she can meet the children’s needs and provide any special care that is required. Children learn about their local community through visits to places such as the garden centre, the riverside and the local shops. They enjoy going on bus journeys as well as on their daily walks, which include things like feeding the ducks or going to visit friends. However, there are only very limited opportunities for them to learn about diversity within society. Children are confident in deciding what to do, asking for drinks and independently visiting the toilet. They show a good understanding of rules and boundaries, for example, they know where they can and cannot play and they enjoy helping the

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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 childminder to tidy up. They respond well to the consistent behaviour strategies that the childminder uses. All of this helps the children learn to play together harmoniously and to share toys. Children benefit from the good relationship that exists between their parents and the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are settled and at ease in the childminder's home. This means that they are confident to access the toys that are available for them to play with. However, when they are inside, they spend most of their time in the small playroom, which restricts what they can play with at any one time. Children’s welfare and the care they receive is supported by the policies and procedures that the childminder has implemented. These are shared with parents initially and give them information about the service being provided. However, the record of attendance, which should record children’s time of arrival and departure, is not sufficiently detailed. The childminder ensures that she has all the required information about the children in her care, including signed consents in order to help protect them. Any issues concerning the children and details about how their day has been, including what

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Organisation

they have eaten, is discussed on a daily basis with parents. All of this contributes to the continuity of care for children. 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 that all recorded accidents were countersigned by the parent. She was also to ensure that any administration of medication had signed prior consent and was countersigned by the parent, and to record any significant issues in an incident book. The childminder has ensured that all entries for the administration of medication have a prior consent. She had also ensured that both the administration of medication record and all accidents that have been recorded have been countersigned by the parent. The childminder has also made an incident book available which she will use when it is appropriate to do so.

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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 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): • maintain an accurate record of children's attendances including their times of arrival and departure • further improve children's safety by practising the emergency evacuation procedure • provide children with a range of activities and resources that reflect positive images of race, culture, gender and disability

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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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