Wood End School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

117358 Unique Reference Number 18 January 2008 Inspection date Jane Rea 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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1999. She lives in a modern semi-detached house on a residential estate in the Plympton suburb of Plymouth close to the local school. Minded children use the lounge, dining room and conservatory with upstairs wash facilities. The childminder lives with her husband and teenage daughter. The family does not have any pets.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently caring for eight children; six of whom are under eight years, three are under five. All children attend on a part time basis. She takes children to and collects from the local school.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a clean and hygienic environment. They are learning about hygiene routines through washing their hands after messy activities and before snacks. Children have individual towels and flannels to minimise cross infection and they wear protective clothing when baking.

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 The childminder ensures that she meets the children's health needs well through maintaining accurate medication and accident records which she shares with parents.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Continuity of care is ensured as the childminder liaises with parents and complies with their wishes regarding what children eat and drink. Parents provide snacks and lunches which the childminder stores appropriately and presents nicely to the children who are keen to eat. Children who stay for an evening meal enjoy balanced, healthy meals which include vegetables.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for physical activity in the fresh air. Young children walk to and from school every day. All children enjoy physical activities such as playing with balls and ride-on toys in the garden when the weather is suitable.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe environment which has been risk assessed and actions taken to minimise hazards; for example, there is a gate to prevent children from entering the kitchen unaccompanied. Children use the downstairs of the premises which is suitable and allows them to access toys, games and other resources independently whilst always being within sight or hearing of the childminder. Sensible safety precautions have been taken with regard to older children who use the upstairs bathroom. A high bolt prevents them from accessing other rooms, allowing them to use the facilities independently. The childminder has risk assessed the use of a paddling pool during the summer months and is vigilant in supervising children one-to-one when they use this. Provision for emergency evacuation is very good. The childminder keeps a pack of information by each external door which can be picked up quickly and contains all

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the details which would be required in an emergency; for example, parent contact numbers. Emergency evacuation is practised regularly with the children, ensuring they are familiar with the procedure.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a wide range of toys and equipment appropriate for children of different ages. Equipment is clean and well-maintained.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's clear knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and up-to-date information regarding local reporting procedures protects children from harm.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They enjoy activities such as baking with the childminder who encourages their language development by introducing vocabulary and counting bun cases. Children have ready access to a wide range of age appropriate resources. However, the childminder does not make use of the Birth to three matters framework to plan activities to widen experiences and further promote the learning of very young children. Children enjoy small world and imaginative play with trains and older children play with electronic games. The childminder organises her home so that children of different ages can play without disrupting each other and school age children have appropriate opportunities to do their homework. Children benefit from attending local toddler groups and outings to parks and places of interest where they feed ducks.

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

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are very well met. They learn about differences as they play with resources which depict people of different ethnic origins and those with disability, and celebrate festivals from other cultures at toddler group. The childminder has experience of working with children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, working alongside the child and parents to meet the needs of individual children.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. The childminder has clear 'house rules' which are shared with children and parents. Children respond to her calm but firm tone of voice.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Good relationships are shared with parents. The childminder maintains all the necessary documentation to underpin her care of the children; for example, contracts and consents. Routines are flexible to comply with parent's wishes; for example, some parents request that the childminder supervises homework whilst other parents like to do this themselves. A colourful photo album allows parents to share in the activities their children have done whilst with the childminder.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a good understanding of the regulations and requirements of the National Standards. All her documentation is well-organised, maintained and well-presented. The childminder is aware that documentation must be retained, confidentially and that any changes to the household must be notified to Ofsted. The childminder acts on recommendations given by local support workers to ensure that she maintains her high standards of childcare.

p.4

Organisation

Daily routines are well-organised around the needs of the children. The day includes times for active, physical play such as walks as well as quiet and rest times. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two recommendations were made. These were to implement a procedure for the recording of the administration of medication, and the introduction of activities to develop children's mathematical thinking. The childminder has addressed both. Procedures for recording consents for the administration of medicines and advising parents of the time of last dose are now in place ensuring good information for parents and continuity of care for children. Children engage in some meaningful mathematical activities such as counting resources when they are playing, which promotes their mathematical understanding.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

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

p.4

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 good. 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): • make more use of the Birth to three matters framework to provide a wider range of activities suitable for under threes.

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