Whitley Park Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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109791 Unique Reference Number 13 November 2007 Inspection date Dinah Round 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 satisfactory. 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 to care for children in 1990. She lives with her husband and eight year old daughter. They live on a quiet residential area in Oakdale, close to Poole town centre, in Dorset. Childminding is carried out on both levels of the property with sleep provision on the first floor. Toilet facilities are accessible on each level. Children have access to an enclosed rear garden area for outside play. The family have four pet rabbits kept in outdoor hutches, and goldfish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years and currently has six children on roll. She is also registered to provide overnight care for two children but there are no children currently cared for overnight. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and a local childminding group. The childminder and her husband are also foster carers for the local authority.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and tidy home. They learn about the importance of keeping healthy through the regular daily routines and discussions. For example, children are taught to wash their hands before eating and after touching the animals. Appropriate resources, such as liquid soap, disposable hand towels and wipes help to prevent cross-infection. Parents are provided with clear information to inform them that children should not attend if they have infectious diseases, which helps to reduce the spread of infectious illnesses. Appropriate accident and medication records are satisfactorily maintained and shared with parents to keep them informed. Although the childminder has completed a basic first aid course, it does not cover the full requirements for childminding.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with snacks of fresh fruit and biscuits. However, full information relating to children's individual dietary needs is not always easily available. Parents provide children packed lunches. Children are able to help themselves to drinks of water or juice during the day which makes sure they do not get thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to outdoor play activities through use of the garden and trips to local parks. This includes places, such as Upton Country Park and Whitecliff Park where children enjoy riding their scooters, playing football and joining in games of tennis. This helps to promote their physical development and co-ordination skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure family home. The effective security measures through use of a chain on the external door ensures children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised. Children are able to move around safely due to safety equipment in place to minimise the risks, such as a locked cupboard for all hazardous substances and the use of safety film on low level glass. The childminder monitors potential hazards, although, formal risk assessments are not completed. A clear emergency escape plan has been developed and high levels of fire safety equipment is located around the premises. Children understand what they need to do in an emergency situation because they take part in regular evacuation practices. This is always fully discussed with the children afterwards by the childminder, which effectively promotes their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children develop an awareness of keeping themselves safe when on outings due to clear procedures followed by the childminder. For example, the childminder teaches children road safety to ensure they learn how to cross the road safely, and clear boundaries are given so children know to stay within sight when visiting the park. Children are able to play safely as the childminder makes sure that indoor and outdoor play equipment, and resources are suitable for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is clear of her responsibilities to protect children. She has a sound knowledge of the possible indicators of abuse and procedures to follow if she has a concern about a child in her care. This contributes towards ensuring children are safeguarded.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and content in the childminder's care. They have a warm relationship with the childminder which helps them feel secure. Children's independence is promoted well by the childminder, for example, they use the wipes to clean their hands and faces after lunch, and a small step by the wash basin enables them to wash their hands independently. Children can freely access a range of art and craft materials as these are kept in easily accessible drawers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to take part in a wide variety of creative activities which the childminder links to seasonal topics to make them more interesting. For example, they make finger bat puppets at Halloween, cards for Mother's Day and decorations at Christmas. They also take part in regular painting, modelling and drawing activities where they have freedom to create their own ideas and use their imagination. Children's learning is promoted due to the childminder supporting and encouraging the children during their play. For instance, children are helped to sound out the letters of their name as they write it on their drawing. Children concentrate for a considerable time as they create models from the Knex construction, confident to ask for help when needed and proudly showing off the 'picture frame' they have built.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take part in interesting play experiences outside the home. This includes regular outings to the local library, visits to 'Ollies' adventure playground, Honeybrook Farm and walks in Delph Woods. Children enjoyed a trip to the local fire station where they experienced sitting in the fire engine and dressing up in a uniform.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are given consideration which increases their sense of belonging. The childminder learns about the children's particular needs through discussions with parents. The childminder will adapt activities to ensure that all children are able to take part, such as providing suitable programmes and games on the computer for the different age groups. Children start to develop an awareness of the needs of others as they take part in fundraising events, such as a 'pedal push' for Childline.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are given clear boundaries so they know what is expected of them, such as the importance of sitting at the table to eat their food. The childminder helps them learn to share and take turns during their play. Children benefit as their achievements are acknowledged, for example, the childminder praises children as they carefully follow the lines around the stencil to create a picture. This helps to boost their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the regular exchange of information between the childminder and parents, This is through daily informal discussions and regular texts which contributes towards the children's care and well-being. A few policy statements are in place, however, these are not sufficient to keep parents fully informed about the childminding practices.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled in the relaxed environment. The space is reasonably well organised so children can move around freely and offers separate areas for children to play, sleep and eat. The flexible structure of the day provides opportunities for children to make decisions about

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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 their play, with times for both active and quiet activities. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

In general, documentation is well maintained and stored confidentially in individual folders. Records are up-to-date and easily accessible. Individual contracts and written parental consents are formulated with parents. However, policies and procedures have not been fully developed and the childminder has not made sure she has a current first aid certificate suitable for childminding.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to make sure that the low level glass panels are inaccessible to children. These have now been covered with safety film to ensure children's safety.

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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. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made to 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 satisfactory. 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): • obtain a first aid certificate which covers the required training for infants and young children, and make sure that clear information about children's individual dietary needs is maintained • formulate a risk assessment system, and develop further policies and procedures to support childminding practices and keep parents fully informed.

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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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