Orchard Vale Community School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 137644 Inspection date 16 August 2005 Inspector Caren Carpenter

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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 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 1990. The premises is a three bedroomed house, which is located within the London Borough of Brent. There is an enclosed outdoor play area. The childminder lives at the premises with her husband and two adult daughters. The living/dining room are used as the children's play room, a bedroom is available for rest times.

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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 The childminder is currently caring for two children under five years old. There is a gold fish. The childminder is a quality assured childminder. The childminder is not registered for overnight care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is well supported by the childminder who has a secure knowledge of the importance of health and hygiene routine. They learn good hygiene practices and are developing self-care skills, as they are encouraged to wash their hands before meal times. Good policies and procedures are in place for first aid, accidents and medication which ensures children are well cared for. Children are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they are contagious. They enjoy daily exercise outdoors in the fresh air, which promotes a healthy lifestyle. Regular outings to parks and toddler groups where they can play on large outdoor equipment provides children with greater opportunities to promote their overall physical development. Children learn about healthy eating as they enjoy eating fresh fruits and healthy nutritious meals. Meals are provided to meet their individual dietary requirements for

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Helping children to be healthy

example, a child was observed enjoying eating fresh apples and bananas. The childminder knows children's individual likes and dislikes and responds warmly. As a result, children are very happy and secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for well in a warm, welcoming and safe environment. Suitable and sufficient equipment is available to meet the children's care needs. For example, a cot and child sized chairs are readily available to the children. As a result, children sleep and eat comfortably. Children make choices in safe and secure surroundings, potential risks have been identified and minimised to prevent accident. This is because the childminder has a very good understanding of how to keep children safe. She has developed sound fire evacuation procedures, which children are familiar with. Regular fire drill practises and risk assessments are carried out to promote children's safety.

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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 The childminder has the required documents and procedures in place to ensure children's welfare is safe guarded and promoted. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and has appropriate written child protection procedures along with a good understanding of her roles and responsibilities in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are highly involved in a wide range of stimulating toys and well planned activities which fully support and promote their learning. They enjoy a secure, warm and loving relationship with the childminder. She spends plenty of quality time talking and responding extremely well to the children's individual needs. Children develop their vocabulary skills as the childminder asks children questions and encourages conversation. This helps them make sense of the world. They enjoy listening attentively to a range of stories as they identify and make the sounds of farm animals. They are developing good hand eye coordination as they practise their early writing skills when drawing and painting. Children's mathematical skills are developed as they enjoy counting and recognising colours and shapes. They are developing good self-help skills, as they choose their own toys and resources independently.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy trips to the local park, library, zoo, farm and toddlers group. This provides many good learning experiences for them. They are making good progress in all areas of their development as the childminder has a very good understanding of how children learn and develop through play and having fun. Children involve the childminder in their play and they receive lots of warm, individual attention, which enables them to successfully extend their learning and experiences, in a supportive stimulating environment. Children benefit from a nurturing, supportive and caring environment, which allows them to enjoy a good range of first-hand experiences. The daily routine ensures that children have a familiar and consistent environment, which enhances their feeling of security.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well behaved as the childminder provides consistent boundaries and offers lots of praise and encouragement when they do something well. They respond well to the childminders clear and simple rules for acceptable behaviour. Children are learning to take turns and to share. The childminder has developed a clear behaviour management policy, which is discussed and agreed with parents. Children feel at home in this caring environment as they select toys independently and make choices in their play. The childminder has a good understanding of the children's individual needs, this means that children enjoy a flexible routine that

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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 allows them good opportunities to play, learn and develop at their own pace. They are beginning to learn about other people, as the childminder raises their awareness of cultures, differences and varying needs. They are developing a positive image of themselves, their family and the wider community as they have equal access to all toys and activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well cared for as the childminder has a good working relationship with the parents. She shares written daily information with parents about their children's routine, individual needs, interests, developmental progress and experiences.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare, care and development needs are met well as the childminder has sound knowledge and understanding of caring for young children. The organisation of space and resources enables children to move around freely as they choose toys, play, rest and eat comfortably. They are happy, confident and feel at home as they receive lots of individual attention to promote their wellbeing. Children are secure because they are supervised, valued and familiar with everyday routines. Their individual needs are met through well-organised and flexible routines. They enjoy a variety of outings to the park and pre-school groups where they are able to socialise with other children and widen their play experiences. The childminder is committed to improving her practice to benefit the children and she regularly attends training to enhance her skills and knowledge. She is presently completing her NVQ level 3 in childcare and is keen to develop her knowledge and

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Organisation

understanding of the Birth to three matters framework by attending future training. Children's overall care, learning and welfare is enhanced by the information shared between parents and the childminder. Written policies and procedures are put into practice to ensure children are well cared for. Overall 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 a maintain separate accident book. The childminder maintains an accident book, which includes the nature of accident, dates, times and parents signatures. As a result, children's welfare is promoted more effectively.

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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 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): • develop greater knowledge and understanding of the Birth to Three Matters Framework to further enhance the quality of care and learning for children.

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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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