Valley Road Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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133559 Unique Reference Number 31 January 2008 Inspection date Maxine Coulson 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 1995. She lives with her husband and four children ages 21, 19, 14 and six years. They live in a five bedroom detached house on a residential road close to the centre of Banbury. Childminding takes place on the ground floor only. There is a fully enclosed garden available for the children's outside play. Her home is within walking distance of local shops, parks, pre-school and schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children under the age of eight years and currently cares for nine children. Of these, two are over the age of eight. Children attend for various days and sessions.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has two cats and two rabbits.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 good. Children enjoy a very good range of activities which contribute to their good health such as regular outings and walks to and from school or local parks. There are planned outdoor activities to help them develop physical skills and develop body control. The children have easy everyday access to a fully enclosed garden to ensure children have a variety of opportunities for outside play, fresh air and exercise.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of hygiene and personal care. Children follow good hygiene routines and are reminded of the importance of regular hand washing. They have their own individual towels or use baby wipes helping to reduce the risk of cross contamination. Children's health is further promoted by the childminder holding a current first aid certificate and maintaining excellent accident and medication records.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children eat their snacks and lunch provided by their parents. However, children do not always sit together. Some children have to sit at the table to eat a snack, while other children are allowed to play on the floor with their snack. The childminder has a very good understanding of how to encourage a healthy eating policy and where appropriate discusses this with parents. Children have access to drinks at all times to prevent them from becoming thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play, rest and eat in a welcoming and generally safe environment. Children are able to move around safely as careful consideration has been given to arranging facilities and resources. Appropriate safety precautions are in place such as socket covers, smoke alarms and a fire blanket. However, the doors from the kitchen pose a risk to children trapping their fingers. Effective practices ensure that children stay safe but are still able to play freely and with some independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits. This allows children to learn some sense of danger and knowledge about how to protect themselves from harm. For example, children are able play under the table as they act out imaginary games. Children use a wide variety of high quality equipment appropriate to their age and stages of development; it is regularly monitored to ensure it is safe, well maintained and appropriate. Toys and resources are replaced, updated, and added to when necessary and resources are organised on a daily basis, dependent on those that are safe for the children attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare and safety is promoted well by comprehensive policies and documents which are shared with parents keeping them fully informed of any procedures that may need to be followed. These policies also include well written and informative child protection procedures. The child protection policy shows a strong regard for children's welfare and meets the guidelines of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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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 confident, happy and well settled. They feel a sense of belonging and are at home in the setting. Children access a good range of activities to develop their learning. The childminder spends lots of time interacting with the children and taking care to ensure they remain interested in the toys available. Children enjoy the toys and happily play together or involve the childminder in their play. For example, they all sit together at the table and roll, pat and cut different shapes of play dough. They become very excited as they play with recorders and hear their own voices, and enthusiastically join in and sing along to familiar songs and rhymes that are playing on a tape in the background.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make positive relationships and develop confidence and self-esteem as the childminder values their attempts and achievements and offers lots of praise and encouragement. She has a very good understanding of child development and has good regard for the Birth to three framework. She uses her knowledge and skills well in support of the children's learning and provides written and photographic evidence of the children's progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder manages the needs of the children well; they are well occupied and happy. She treats them with equal concern and values them as individuals. There are opportunities for children to learn about the wider world through playing with toys and equipment that promote diversity and positive images both at home and at local children's centres. They learn about the local community as they visit the park, shops, and local places of interest. The childminder has a good understanding of how to care for children with learning difficulties and disabilities although none currently attend.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to understand and learn about responsible behaviour and receive clear and consistent explanations from the childminder. They have discussions with the childminder to help them be aware of their actions and to understand right from wrong. They are developing a strong sense of self-esteem through consistent praise and encouragement from the childminder. The childminder shares detailed written information about her childminding practice with parents. She also shares daily verbal information about children's well-being and activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of caring for children and how to meet their needs. She has a high regard for the well-being of all children. She effectively organises her home and routines to provide children with a relaxing, homely environment where they are happy and settled. Children move around safely, with independence and appropriate supervision. The childminder plans her days well to ensure each child has regular opportunities for fun and stimulating activities.

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Organisation

The childminder produces well-written, informative policies and procedures, which work in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. All of the required documentation is in place and regularly reviewed, which contributes to children's wellbeing. Each child has their own file with all necessary information kept and this ensures confidentiality is maintained at all times.

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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 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 was asked to consider the following: ensure the record of attendance is made up each day and accurately reflects when children are present; keep medication and accident records confidential.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder records children's actual hours of arrival and departure and has individual records for each child in all aspects of record keeping. This ensures the continuing welfare, care and safety of the children and confidentiality is maintained.

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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 rules for snack time are consistent for all children • put safety measures in place to ensure children cannot trap fingers in doors

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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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