Summerfield Education Centre

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

133531 Unique Reference Number 07 February 2008 Inspection date Rosamund Jane Tustian 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 satisfactory. 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 1989. She lives with her husband, teenage and two adult children in a four-bedroom, detached house in a residential part of the village close to the park, school, fire station and local shops. Hook Norton is a rural village in north west Oxfordshire and is approximately 10 miles west of the town of Banbury and six miles east of the market town of Chipping Norton.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently five children being looked after under eight, three of these are under five years of age. Children have use of the whole of the downstairs of the property including the lounge, playroom, kitchen, toilet and hall. The upstairs is only made available for children under two years of age to sleep in a cot. There is a fully enclosed garden with a raised playhouse.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has a dog and some fish in the house. A rabbit and a guinea pig are kept in an enclosed run in the garden.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are looked after in a clean and well-organised environment. Their health is promoted as they are encouraged to wash their hands before they touch food and after using the toilet. Paper tissues for runny noses, are made readily available and disposed of in the kitchen bin. Children are aware of reasons for washing their hands and are keen to share that they wash them before cooking 'because of the germs'. Paper towels are provided for them to use to dry their hands but the children tend to use a communal towel so the spread of infection between them is more likely.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a current certificate in paediatric first aid and is booked to update this very shortly. She reviews and replaces the contents of her first aid kit regularly to ensure the contents remain sterile and suitable for use. Medication and accident books are available so that any incidents or treatment can be shared with parents, and children's health is protected. The current practice does not include written permission from all parents to administer medication.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Nappy changing procedures are suitable and the youngest children are changed frequently using nappies provided from home. The children's individual changing mats are cleaned following every use. Youngest children are generally held whilst bottle feeding and they are able to relax and 'snuggle-in' close to the childminder. Their emotional health is appropriately supported.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Healthy eating is encouraged. Children learn about the 'five A Day' fruit and vegetables as they play with the fridge magnets and identify the foods that will fit into the 'five A Day' chart. Shopping trips provide opportunities for them to help choose the apples for the family, as well as special biscuits for occasional treats. Packed lunches are provided by parents and the snacks of fruit or biscuits and low-sugar squash are provided by the childminder. Children join in cooking, for example flapjacks, and so are becoming aware of the ingredients in their food. The childminder understands that some children have special dietary needs and works closely with the parents to provide suitable foods for them.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Safety in the home is a priority for the childminder. She has good procedures to help the children become aware of emergency routines. Fire drills are in place and practised frequently. The children are aware of procedure and enjoy being the first one out of the house and into the garden. Smoke alarms have been fitted by the fire service and are checked so that they are appropriately placed and in good working order.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Restraints for car seats have been checked by the relevant authority and buggies and highchairs have safety straps in place to prevent children falling. Care has been taken to protect children from the current building work on the house and barriers are secure so that they can continue to play outside safely.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Resources both inside and outside are clean, tidy and easily accessible to children. The younger children can reach toys in the playroom and use the storage chests to lean on as they play and take their first steps. Some smaller objects are included in the play materials and the family dog often has free access to the children. There is a risk that this could pose a danger to the

p.3

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 children when they are out of sight of the childminder. Insurance policies for taking children in the car, and for childminding, are in place and up-to-date.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an adequate understanding about child protection. She is able to describe some indicators of abuse and has procedures to follow if there was ever a concern about children in her care or someone in the household, so the children's best interests are protected.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well settled and are happy to leave their parents when they arrive. They are keen to explore and have a good rapport with the childminder. She is in tune with their individual needs and interests and is careful to offer activities that they enjoy and are fun. The play room provides their own place to explore resources. The hall and kitchen increase the opportunities for extending their play.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Busy and quieter times are incorporated into each day. The children have regular exercise and fresh air with outings taking place through general routines, such as dog walks, nursery and school collection as well as trips further away. There are also moments to cuddle up to share their favourite books and stories with the childminder. There are plenty of small-world toys and resources to stimulate their imagination, such as large baskets of vehicles and the doctor's set in the play room. There are limited natural resources for the youngest children to explore when they are inside. The table in the kitchen allows space for art-and-craft activities to take place in comfort. Cooking is managed by the children and childminder working side-by-side using the spacious work surfaces. The children have pleasure cooking flapjacks and noting the scrumptious smell as they are ready to take out of the oven and share.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder listens carefully to the children and they are able to develop their own ideas and confidence with her support. She promotes their development by talking about what they have done at nursery or school and enabling them to express their views and think about what may happen next. They are involved with shopping expeditions and given jobs, such as counting fruit into the shopping bags or collecting a certain number of goods from the shelves to put in the trolley. They help with the animals by taking the small dog out for walks or feeding the lion-head rabbit and guinea pig. The children are able to feel valued as they succeed with their allocated tasks and special responsibilities.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a good awareness of children's development and individual needs. She caters for each child in consultation with their parents and has experience of children with specific learning difficulties and disabilities. She talks to the children about the similarities and differences between themselves and others they play with, or meet when on outings. She discusses any concerns about the children's development with parents as they arise, but is less confident about supporting parents when it would be helpful to refer to other professionals for advice. Her resources offer information for children about other cultures and religions but there are few that promote the children's understanding of people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Children bring back information from nursery and school, such as the recent Chinese New Year celebrations, this they share with the childminder and other children in her

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

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 makes very good use of the local area, and regular outings, to introduce the children to their locality and the surrounding area. The children often go out in the car, shopping and to the play parks, as well as enjoying walks around the village. Other trips have included a soft-play venue, National Trust gardens for picnics, the Farm Park and Wild Life Park, watching lambs being born and going to the museums in Oxford. Children become conscious of the passing seasons as they watch the tractors pass the house as the farmers go on their way to work in the fields.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are well behaved and the childminder sets a good role model for them to follow. She is calm and approachable, and gives praise and encouragement that help the children's confidence grow. Behaviour is managed in relation to the stage of the child. Older children have a short time to reflect, as a last resort, on their less acceptable behaviour. Younger children are distracted and removed from danger or conflict as necessary. All children are given reasons why their behaviour is not acceptable. The children understand the house 'rules' and are keen to share their knowledge.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are very positive about their partnership with the childminder. They comment on the pleasure the children have from the frequent outings and contact with the animals. Letters of commendation show their appreciation of the care on offer and also highlights how some would value more information about their child's development and progress. There is little information available about the procedures that underpin the care on offer. The childminder makes sure that all basic information is exchanged with parents when they drop off or collect their child.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is committed to the children and experienced in her role. She organises her home and her time to ensure that the children receive a range of experiences, in a safe environment and have fun while in her care. The daily routine provides plenty of exercise and fresh air as well as time to relax and socialise. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Organisation

Her records and registers provide sufficient information so that most permissions are clear and emergencies can be dealt with if necessary. Resources are readily available and the children have a comfortable play room that enables them to feel valued and in a 'home from home'. Records are stored securely and confidentiality maintained.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to consider: improving the access to the fire blanket in the kitchen; obtaining permissions from parents, including for emergency medical advice or treatment; and obtaining signatures following the administration of medication and accidents.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The fire blanket is now fixed to the back of the kitchen door so that it is easily available if needed. Permissions for emergency treatment are in place and other agreements, such as for outings and use of the childminder's car are also recorded. Parents are now fully aware from the early contacts with the childminder that the activities that may be on offer to their children are likely to include outings that take them away from the childminder's home. New records for the administration of medication and accidents have been set up, so that it will be clear

p.5

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 when children have been given treatment and that parents have agreed to this and signed to confirm their knowledge when it has been carried out.

p.5

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 to meet the National Standards.

p.6

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.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • encourage children to use the individual towels when drying their hands, to help prevent the spread of infection • make sure that written permission is provided by all parents when requesting that medication is administered to their child • supervise the children closely when they are playing near to the animals or alone in the play room • work more closely in partnership with parents by sharing more information about the children's individual development and progress, so the children can be better supported to build on their skills

p.6

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.6

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.6