Selly Oak Trust School

Inspection report for early years provision

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103613 Unique Reference Number 25 January 2008 Inspection date Linda Patricia Coccia 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 outstanding. 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 1996. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Gillingham, Kent The whole ground floor and the upstairs toilet in the childminder's house are 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 is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding nine, mainly part time children. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local childminding and toddler groups. She is a member of an approved childminding network. She is also a member of the National Childminding Association and the Medway Association of Registered Childminders.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children use a range of excellent procedures produced by the childminder to help them learn about personal hygiene. They use their own toothbrushes and towels for personal care and are given explanations about keeping hands clean and noses wiped. Home hygiene is also extremely

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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 important to the childminder and she has produced a comprehensive list of hygiene areas and an exhaustive cleaning regime. Children are protected from cross infection. Children's health records are also very well maintained with full entries in each section and signed by parents. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and a fully stocked first aid box. Children's health is promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are given food which is healthy and nutritious. In order to promote healthy eating with the children she has reviewed all the food offered and has produced a pictorial sheet showing children and parents what she has changed. For example, instead of having fizzy drinks the children now have water, milk or diluted fruit juice. Children's individual dietary needs are also catered for with vegetarian options. The childminder works closely with parents regarding any specific allergies their children may have. To ensure dietary safety, all the children know they must not share food. Children's dietary needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular physical exercise. Lots of photographic evidence shows children having a great time, and getting fresh air, whilst playing on climbing frames, swinging on ropes, playing in the snow and in the paddling pool in the summer. Although space indoors is limited the children still like to dance to music and exercise videos. Children enjoy their physical play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a excellent environment, which is bright and cheerful yet homely and cosy. The garden area is very secure with safe play equipment. The childminder ensures that she caters for each child's safety needs. For example, she purchased a mesh safety gate when one child had particular problems with the metal one. All baby equipment is regularly cleaned with antibacterial cleaners. Excellent risk assessments are carried out regularly to ensure that the premises and toys are clean, safe, and suitable for the children to access to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safety procedures also include emergency evacuation drills. Children regularly practise the drills and take full part in the proceedings. They check the process with the pictorial drill sheet displayed on the wall. They help the childminder check they have everything and that all children are accounted for. One child commented 'we forgot the baby', but the childminder had engineered this to ensure the children noticed. Children have the opportunity to keep themselves safe in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are protected by the childminder's excellent understanding of how to safeguard children and the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. She is a community childminder and regularly works with the procedures, occasionally caring for referred children and their parents. Children's well being is promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy their time at the childminder's home. They achieve well because the childminder is professional, highly skilled and uses her exceptional understanding of early years guidance, such as the Birth to three matters framework to provide high quality care and learning. For example, children learn to become competent learners as they use an extensive range of craft materials. Photographs show children making models of castles that they have visited and making and using puppets. Even the youngest children contribute to group projects. All children are included.

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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 All children make excellent progress because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child and plans individual care for each child with its parents. For example, children's likes and dislikes are recorded. Close and caring relationships increase children’s sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self. The younger children like to be cuddled and receive hugs from the childminder. The older children like to have responsibility. For example, helping the childminder with the younger children. This is an extremely happy environment with lots of laughter and giggles.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have excellent relationships with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children from different backgrounds and cultures attend the setting. All children benefit from the childminder's excellent attitude towards equality and inclusion. This includes caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. The childminder works closely with all parents to ensure she meets every child's individual needs. Children see positive images of equality within the toys and books every time they attend. For example, within the small world figures there are people in wheelchairs and wearing callipers. A fabric world map with figures in national dress hangs from the sideboard. Photographs also show children enjoying tasting foods from different countries, such as, rice and spaghetti. Children learn about the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are well behaved and co-operate well with the childminder. They have been included in writing the childminder's anti-bullying policy. For example, through discussion they identified how it felt to be bullied and came up with words to describe the feelings such as, angry, small and alone. The chart they helped produce hangs on the wall as a reminder to them. Children learn how their feelings affect their behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's excellent systems for working in partnership with parents. She consults parents on all aspects of care, from getting written permission for outings to providing information about the Birth to three matters framework. The childminder has some excellent references from parents. They write about the childminder as punctual, dedicated, informative and a good sounding board. They also comment on the variety of play activities on offer. Children have also sent thank you cards and messages. One said 'I really like coming to your house' and 'you do great activities'. The childminder uses service contracts with parents and they review them regularly. Children's development records are available for parents to examine at any time. They are concise but interesting, giving parents clear information on how their children are progressing. Children benefit from continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The children's care is greatly enhanced by a childminder who is professional in her manner and outlook. She ensures that adults who have contact with children are vetted and suitable. The children have regular contact with a number of other childminders in the Rainham, Cheeky Monkeys Childminding Network. Her paperwork is exceptionally well maintained and shared with parents very regularly. She has very good communication with parents and discusses all areas of individual care for their children with them.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to continuous improvement and development for herself by attending training and regularly reviewing her practice. For example, during the past year she

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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 has attended seven training courses and workshops. She also holds a childcare qualification to NVQ level 3. She is prepared for inspection and has produced an excellent self evaluation folder. An informative amount of paperwork is completed on the children, maintained confidentially and stored appropriately. 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 provider was given a recommendation to update training on behaviour management. She has followed this recommendation and completed a behaviour management workshop in March 2007.

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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 outstanding. 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

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

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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

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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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