Oldborough Manor Community School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

118885 Unique Reference Number 30 October 2007 Inspection date Caroline Preston Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and ten years in Romford, in the London borough of Havering. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five all day and two children over five before and after school. The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network. The family has two pet dogs, one guinea pig and two rabbits.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are kept safe from cross infection and illness because the childminder has excellent routines and procedures in place to maintain their health and well-being. Children are encouraged to wash their hands after touching the pets, after eating and after using the toilet; they have their own individual baskets in the bathroom with their individual flannels. Children are offered a very good range of foods and drinks and therefore learn about nutritious and healthy eating.

p.2

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 Meals include vegetables, fruit, range of cereals, toast, bagels, pizza made by the children, home made soup, milk, water, herbal teas, fresh fruit and home made pasta.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children engage in very good activities that promote their physical skills. They use the large climbing frame, tent and tunnel, scooters and bikes, hoops, skipping ropes, skittles and the swimming pool in the summer. Children enjoy the many fantastic trips they go on. These include the Natural History Museum, Museum of Childhood, Colchester Zoo, many local parks, farms and the local theatre. This means they learn about types of travel, they exercise through walking and learn about the environment and different places, full of interesting information and history. They also learn about different animals and enjoy watching plays at the theatre and so learn about drama. This supports children's development and learning.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a safe and very stimulating environment. The display of posters and children’s work adds to the warm, child friendly environment. Children have access to an excellent range of play resources, including puzzles reflecting people with disabilities, puzzles showing nature and the solar system, wooden play house, multi-cultural babies and care accessories, dinosaur selection, treasure basket, puppet theatre, writing and drawing area, and art and craft area. This means children have opportunities to develop knowledge and skills through fantastic learning experiences. The childminder has a very good understanding of child protection issues. Her vigilance and awareness in this area enhances the high standard of safety experienced by children in her care.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept very safe and secure when being cared for by the childminder because she has put excellent procedures in place to minimize any dangers. She has very good written risk assessments which are shared with parents for inside the home, in the garden and trips out. These include, inside the home, radiator covers, socket covers, video guards, smoke alarms, and locked low windows. In the garden the back gate is locked, there are no dangerous plants, children are shown how to use the outdoor play resources safely and children are shown how to care for the rabbits, guinea pig and bird table. Children follow good rules when going out on trips, they hold hands or the buggy, they are always in sight and the childminder ensures wherever they go, she risk assess the building or area they visit. Therefore children are taught about safety and take part in activities that support their understanding of dangers, so learn

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are offered fantastic opportunities to learn from the extensive range of activities and play resources available. Children take part in role play, dressing up activities, designing their own T-shirt, making story bags, creating butterflies and bubble blowing. These activities support creative development, allowing children to use thought and imagination and to succeed, and building self-esteem. Children learn about health and the local environment by visiting the dentist, supermarket, sports centre, fire station, police station and local school. They learn to use mathematics when cooking, weighing and measuring ingredients. They learn about size and shape by looking at maps and types of transport. Children investigate foods by planting herbs and vegetables indoors and outdoors. This means through careful successful planning by the childminder children develop a wealth of knowledge.

p.3

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 The childminder has an excellent knowledge of child development and the stages at which children learn. This supports the extensive observations and assessments made by the childminder on each individual child, so that individual care and learning needs are met extremely well during activities and everyday routines. Children have developed close and trusting relationships with the childminder which helps them to feel valued and cared for, they show this through the interactions they have with her. Therefore children are happy and secure.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children’s individual needs are met very well, due to the very good systems the childminder uses to find out about each child in order to progress children in their learning and ensure their care needs are met. Children have fantastic opportunities to learn about diversity. They use play resources including multi-cultural babies, family sets and puzzles. They listen to music from tapes around the world and use musical instruments. They learn about different types of homes around the world, they locate places on the globe and talk about different countries. They celebrate festivals such as Diwali Hindu, Harvest, Buddha day, Christmas and Chinese new year.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

There are good systems in place to support children with learning difficulties. The childminder works closely with parents and outside professionals to develop individual learning plans, in order to support children's learning and care. Children learn right from wrong and are taught very clearly about behaviour that is acceptable and unacceptable. They follow rules, such as be kind and care for each other, respect our environment, avoid harming living things, to respect the home, listen to instructions, and do our homework. The partnership with parents is very good; the childminder offers parents excellent information about her childminding service. Therefore parents are fully informed and part of their child’s care and learning. The childminder provides high quality information and regular reports about each child’s development and activities she offers and these are given to parents.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She has very good organisation of her childminding service and all her polices and procedures underpin the fantastic service she offers. Children receive very good care and are offered excellent opportunities to learn both inside and outside. The childminder is very knowledgeable about childcare and children’s development stages because she commits to a high level of training. She is currently completing her degree in childhood studies and youth studies and has undertaken many more training courses in childcare. Therefore children benefit from being cared for by a very skilled childminder. Daily routines include activities planned and unplanned and daily routines such as mealtimes and rest times. Household members are safe to be around children, and children are supervised well, which ensures their safety. All required regulatory

p.4

Organisation

documentation is in place, and kept confidential.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to continue to improve on her good understanding of behaviour management. She has continued to update her knowledge, which improves the care children receive.

p.4

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

p.4

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. 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5