The Woodbridge Park Education Service

Inspection report for early years provision

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131201 Unique Reference Number 16 January 2008 Inspection date Cordalee Harrison 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 was registered in1999. The family lives in the village of Gawcott, which is on the outskirts of Buckingham in Buckinghamshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. Children have access to the living room and kitchen diner, washing and toilet facilities are available at this level. Children may sleep in a first floor bedroom and there is a securely fenced rear garden for outdoor activities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently looking after five children, of these, four are under eight years old. She childminder provides both and full part-time care for children. School and preschool aged children may attend before and after school and during the holidays. The childminder drives to collect children from school and preschool. The family pets are two cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children participate in many activities, which promote all aspects of their physical development. For example, they play in the garden, and use a wide range of resources, including bikes and

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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 scooters, they play various games which requires them to run, jump, throw and catch. In addition, they regularly visit the parks where they use swings, slides and other equipment, which promotes large movements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children use clean resources and the childminder’s home is maintained to a good standard of hygiene and cleanliness. These appropriate hygiene practices minimise the risks of cross infection for children. With the agreement of parents, the childminder provides some children with all of their meals and snacks throughout the day, whilst other parents provide the food and snacks for their children. Children eat a suitable range of nutritious meals and snacks; snacks are mainly of fresh fruits and meals include ingredients form the main food groups. For example, children eat a light lunch of sandwiches, which include brown bread, ham and cucumber and have dessert of yogurt. Pasta, meat and vegetables are examples of the ingredients uses in the preparation of their evening meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder maintains an appropriate and valid first aid certificate, as well as, an appropriately stocked first aid box. This enables her to deal with children’s minor accidents with up to date knowledge and current first aid practices. In addition, the accident and medication records include all of the required information to safeguard children’s health. The childminder gains essential parental permission, such as, to seek emergency medical treatment or advice for children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into a warm homely environment, they have easy access to a very wide range of age and stage appropriate play resources, which is used effectively to promote all areas of their development. They make purposeful choices about play; they use resources that are of both natural and manmade materials.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe and secure in the childminder’s home because she takes effective safety precautions. For example, the childminder supervises the children well, childproof locks are fitted on appropriate cupboards and drawers, children do not have access to hazardous substances. A stair gate is in place to prevent unsupervised access to the stairs. In addition, fire-fighting equipment is in place and in working order. However, the childminder has not practised the evacuation of the premises with children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Through discussion, the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of safeguarding children issues. She is clear about her role in the protection of children. The childminder is aware of the main types of abuse and some of the signs and symptoms that may indicate that a child is at risk of abuse or neglect. She is clear about lines of communication for dealing with safeguarding children issues, dealing with parents, the local and registering authority. To enable the childminder to act immediately to deal with issues of concerns about children’s welfare, she maintains relevant contact number for the local children’s services department.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children make meaningful choices about play; they participate in activities that are familiar to them, which help them to build on what they know. Children progress their intellectual development well, through regularly participation in stimulating activities. For example, through activities, such as, weighing and measuring they learn to make estimates and comparisons, use

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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 mathematical language and learn concepts, such as, heavy and light. Children develop their language and communication skills as they sing nursery rhymes, read books and listen to stories. For example, they explain that two of their favourite books are ‘Spot the Dog and Pepper Pig’. In addition, children practise life skills as they use the home corner equipment in their pretend play. They learn to care for others, as they take care of the dolls and practise everyday tasks, such as, ironing. They use many resources that reflect letters and numerals, including puzzles and interactive play centres. They promote their social and communication skills as they play card and board games, which helps them to learn to share and take turns. Creative activities, including drawing and colouring, making collages and using play dough are some of the art

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and craft activities in which children regularly participate.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are comfortable and relaxed in the childminder’s home, they enjoy their time in her care. They interact warmly with her and she gives them her time in play and conversation. Children gain increasing independence as they play with age and stage appropriate activities. They use an extensive range of appropriate toys and participate in interesting and fun activities. The childminder’s good knowledge of children’s developmental needs and her awareness of the importance of age and stage appropriate activities enable children to promote their overall development well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Open lines of communication with parents and regular reviews of children's documentation provide up to date information; which enables the childminder to meet their care and welfare needs. Children have equal access to age and stage appropriate resources, activities and play experiences. However, they use very few resources to raise their awareness of diversity, and opportunities to acknowledge different cultural celebrations are limited. This limits their understanding of the wider society and reduces the opportunities for children to learn to value themselves and others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well because the childminder uses behaviour strategies that are in consideration to their understanding. For example, she provides appropriate levels of stimulation, which reduces the opportunities for children to become bored and misbehave. Children learn right from wrong because the childminder lets them know when their behaviour is not acceptable. To help children to learn to manage their behaviour and to know when they have done well, the childminder acknowledges praises their achievements.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children have ready access to ample good quality play resources, activities and learning experiences to promote all areas of their learning and development. Children use their resources in an appropriately organised home environment where they are safe and secure. For example, appropriate safety measures are taken in all areas of the home that children use and they are not alone with anyone who is not vetted, because they are in the childminder’s sight or hearing at all times. Children's welfare is appropriately safeguarded.

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Organisation

All of the documentation required to safeguard children’s health and welfare is in place and available for inspection. For the benefit of the children the childminder maintains appropriate vehicle and public liability insurances. The childminder meets the needs of the ranges of children for whom she provide.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the provider was asked to improve the resources to promote equal opportunities. Currently there is ample good quality play resources available for children to use in their daily activities, many of which are non-gender specific. However, children still do not have sufficient resources or activities to raise their awareness of cultural diversity and disability and this limits this area of their learning.

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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 complaint 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): • increase the resources and activities to raise children awareness of cultural diversity and disability.

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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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