Christ's College, Guildford

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

134120 Unique Reference Number 18 March 2008 Inspection date Gillian Little 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 satisfactory. 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 1994. She lives in Oxford with her husband and two adult children. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, together with a first floor bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family has a dog.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks or drives to a local school to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group and takes children to the local park.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding six children who attend both full and part time.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's risk of infection is minimal as the premises are clean, they have individual hand towels and there are hygienic nappy changing procedures in place. Children learn to wipe their noses

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 independently and can reach a box of tissues themselves. The family's pet dog is safe from disease; the childminder supervises children with him at all times and teaches them not to tease or hurt him.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy and benefit from lots of physical activity as they have frequent outings to the local toddler group which provides good opportunities for physical activities. They also enjoy outings to the local park and adventure playgrounds, and have some opportunities to play in the garden and walk to and from school. Young children are able to rest and sleep according to their individual needs.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Effective procedures are in place to ensure that children receive appropriate care in the event of an illness or accident. For example, children's health records are easily accessible and a sickness policy detailing exclusion period is clearly displayed for parents.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children receive a generally healthy diet. The childminder provides a wide selection of fruit as a morning snack, including grapes, raspberries and blueberries. Children bring packed lunches from home and the childminder works in cooperation with parents to ensure that meals are nutritious and sufficient for the children's needs. Drinks are freely available for children at all times.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to play in an inviting environment as the home is welcoming with appropriate facilities and space. For example, a cosy living room with comfortable sofas and sufficient floor space is available for children's play. Children are able to independently access a range of suitable and safe toys and resources which the childminder regularly cleans and checks for damage.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's risk of injury is minimal as the childminder assesses risks well and takes effective precautions to prevent accidents. For example, stair gates prevent access to the stairs and kitchen, low-level glass is safe and the childminder supervises children well at all times. Children stay safe in an emergency as there are good fire prevention and evacuation procedures in place. For example, the childminder regularly practises fire drills with the children to help them learn about safe evacuation and she keeps a written evaluation for each occasion.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play safely outside as the garden is fully enclosed and free from hazards. They stay safe on outings as the childminder has effective procedures in place, such as teaching children about road safety, including how to stop, look and listen and how to use pedestrian crossings.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's risk of harm from others is minimised as the childminder has a good understanding of her role in child protection. For example, she is clear about procedures to follow if she has concerns and has published guidelines available for easy reference.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children receive good support from the childminder as she engages them in lots of interesting discussions, encouraging them to count, talk about the pictures in storybooks and to answer questions. She talks to children about relevant experiences, such as a birthday party and encourages them to recall their memories, such as how many candles were on the cake.

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 Children are happy and settled as they develop close relationships with the childminder and other children. Children receive lots of affection and attention from the childminder and enjoy lots of cuddles. They laugh and giggle and appear to be very comfortable.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show a keen interest in what they do and develop a range of skills as there is a suitable variety of activities available. For example, children are engrossed while playing with cars and a garage under the close supervision of the childminder. They enjoy listening to stories read with expression by the childminder and they also like to explore books independently. The childminder keeps the children's favourite books in a treasure chest and routinely introduces new books to broaden the children's experience. Activities for older children include colouring, sticking and story time. Resources for all children are suitable but do not offer a wide choice, which has some limitations for children's learning.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children effectively learn to value and celebrate each other's differences. For example, they discuss and make comments about their different physical appearances, and the childminder supports them with a very positive attitude. Younger children are able to mix with other children from a wide range of backgrounds through their frequent visits to the local toddler group. The childminder's collection of books includes positive images and stories reflecting diversity in society. The childminder knows children well, including family backgrounds and their different languages, which helps her to meet children's individual needs effectively.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are able to take responsibility and play a productive part in the setting as they have opportunities to be independent, such as wiping their own noses and helping to clean toys. They learn to share and take turns under the close supervision of the childminder, who gives them lots of positive support. They begin to learn about responsible behaviour as the childminder uses appropriate strategies to manage any difficult behaviour and has a consistent approach. A clear behaviour policy is in place and shared with parents to encourage consistency.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from good continuity between the home and the setting as the childminder develops very positive relationships with parents who are happy with the care she provides. Parents receive daily verbal feedback about their children's time with the childminder to keep them up-to-date with their welfare and progress.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are able to make good progress as the childminder has a strong sense of purpose, keeping children safe, providing a range of interesting experiences and developing good relationships with parents. She has many years experience as a childminder and has a current first aid qualification in place. All documentation is in place, well-organised and is easily accessible for inspection. Essential documentation is shared with parents to ensure consistency and understanding.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder ensures that the adult to child ratio is maintained at all times so that she can supervise and support children well. However, she has not notified Ofsted that her daughters have cared for minded children in her absence. Written permission is in place from parents and her daughters are appropriately experienced with suitable checks in place but it is a breach of

p.4

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 regulation not to notify Ofsted of this arrangement and such occasions are not covered by the childminder's public liability insurance.

p.4

Organisation

Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that good hygiene practices are in place for hand washing. The childminder now provides children with their own individual towels which reduces the risk of infection.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to ensure that child protection guidelines are easily accessible. She now keeps these in a file which she has easy access to. This ensures that she has immediate access to guidance and phone numbers if she has concerns about a child.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to ensure that the record of children's attendance is completed daily. This is now in place ensuring an accurate record of children's attendance which improves safety procedures for children.

p.5

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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

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): • continue to develop the range of resources and activities available • ensure that Ofsted are notified of any significant events or changes, including the employment of an assistant.

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