Overthorpe Church of England Voluntary Controlled Junior, Infant and Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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107708 Unique Reference Number 07 March 2008 Inspection date Ann Hilary Guy 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 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 registered in 1991 She lives with her partner and two adult children in Chesham, Buckinghamshire. The childminder mainly uses the ground floor for childminding, with rest facilities on the first floor. 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 three children under five all day and one child over five after school and school holidays. The childminder drives to local schools to collect children. She attends the local parent toddler group and takes children to the local park. The family have no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children remain in very good health, as the childminder follows current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures. Care is taken to ensure children follow good hygiene and personal care practices, through the extremely well organised daily routine. Independence is encouraged but resources are also available for children to have

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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 assistance with these tasks. Children are encouraged to put on their shoes and coats unaided before going into the garden or out for a walk. Suitable facilities are available to enable the children to sleep or rest according to their needs and parental wishes.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children always have some element of the day in the fresh air. They go for walks on the moor or in the woods, they visit the town centre and local parks and attend two toddler groups. The garden is very well equipped for the children to enjoy a range of activities, ranging from a play house with kitchen and suitable utensils to a variety of sit and ride toys and bikes. During the inspection the children were taken into the garden for some fresh air. They all enjoyed blowing and chasing bubbles in the wind and were trying to catch them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children all bring a healthy balanced lunch box from home, sometimes containing foods for the childminder to warm through. The childminder works very closely with the parents to ensure the content provides a good balanced meal for the child. She provides the children with snacks during the day. These will be of fresh fruit or, on cold days, can include a mug of soup freshly made from the vegetables on their allotment. The children have access to drinks throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely settled and happy in this safe, child-friendly, welcoming environment. They have a dedicated play room to one side of the kitchen, which has an abundance of toys, games, puzzles and creative activities available. These are rotated periodically with other equipment stored in the garden shed and loft in order to offer as much variety as possible. The lounge is mainly used by the older children and those needing a sleep during the day. Cloakroom facilities are readily available on the ground floor. Children have free access to the garden, which is fully enclosed and very child friendly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Very clear documentation is maintained, ensuring the safety of the children at all times. The monitoring of the environment also identifies potential hazards enabling the childminder to adopt suitable procedures to ensure the children's welfare and safety. Extremely clear house rules and routines, ensure the children's safety whilst at the house and when away from it. Their welfare is safeguarded at all times, supported by extremely clear documentation and practices. The childminder has a very clear understanding of child protection and has ensured her knowledge is as current as possible.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children progress extremely well in an environment tailored to their specific individual needs. Exciting and stimulating activities are planned throughout the week, sometimes away from the house, to extend the children's knowledge and understanding in all areas. The week is planned with key activities, but includes plenty of time for free play. The calendar is very flexible and the childminder adapts the activities to meet the needs of the children in attendance. In the past she has worked very closely with other professionals involved in the care of the children, together with the parents, to ensure their individual needs have been fully met.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a wide variety of activities that encompass all areas of development. During the inspection the children played the body game with the childminder. She very cleverly adapted the rules to enable all to take part and feel they were achieving. This game incorporated number

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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 recognition, colour and body part recognition, taking turns and some physical actions using different parts of the body. Great fun was had by all and the interaction between the children and childminder was superb. A photographic record of the children's achievements demonstrates how they have explored a wide range of art and craft activities, cookery and physical activities. They also have many opportunities to experience role play, enhanced by the wide selection of dressing up clothes available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A very good selection of toys, books and activities are available for school age children. These are kept in a separate cupboard enabling the childminder to stop the smaller children accessing this equipment. Children have access to both a television and laptop computer, however, the use of these is very restricted and limited to specific programmes or a specific time. This has been done to ensure the children have plenty of opportunities for free play and socialising.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy being fully included as part of an extension to the family, to which they have developed a strong sense of belonging. Parents are kept fully informed and involved in the life of the setting, with the younger children having a daily diary that includes photographs and descriptions of all the activities they have been involved in. Each of the older children have a photograph album with explanations under the photographs. These are collated and given to the parents each Christmas. Through the daily activities the children discover about other cultures and their festivals, together with learning about their locality and the environment. This is all done in a very practical way through age appropriate activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Each child is valued and respected as an individual. Their individual daily routines are exceptionally well woven together and incorporated with the family routine, to enable the setting to meet the needs of all the children. An extremely clear behaviour management strategy enables the childminder to appropriately intervene when necessary and assists children in learning how to resolve arguments, thereby promoting the well being of all the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The extremely effective organisation of time, space and resources ensures children's individual needs are given priority and assists them in developing in all areas. Clear policies and procedures underpin the care offered, although parents have not been provided with the current details for contacting the regulator, Ofsted. The children are always within sight of the childminder, who spends the majority of her time playing alongside them and developing their understanding and skills. All the required paperwork is in place and the childminder keeps these together to show new parents. She keeps her knowledge as current as possible by attending regular training courses.

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Organisation

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 had three recommendations made. She now maintains an accurate attendance record, showing times of arrivals and departure of the children. A very clear hygienic routine is in place for the changing and disposal of nappies and good supervision, together with individual towels, restricts the possibilities of cross infection within the cloakroom

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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 area. The childminder informs parents of her role in child protection and has given them details of how to contact Ofsted. However, these related to the old office and so this remains a recommendation. By addressing these recommendations, the childminder has greatly improved the care she offers the children.

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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 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): • ensure all parents are made aware of the current contact details for Ofsted.

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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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