Brookside School

Inspection report for early years provision

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134128 Unique Reference Number 04 February 2008 Inspection date Gillian Little 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 was registered in 1986. She lives in Oxford with her husband and three grown up children. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family has a chinchilla and a ferret.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the local park. She is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding four children, all of whom attend on a part time basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children receive a satisfactory diet as the childminder offers healthy snacks and meals such as fruit, bread rolls and salads. Drinks are readily available in the kitchen.

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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 Children benefit from physical activity as they walk to pre-school and school every day and are able to play in the garden or at the local park in warmer weather.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to play in an acceptably clean environment where pets are kept safe and there are hygienic procedures in place for nappy changing. They learn to wash their hands after using the toilet but share the family towel, which increases the risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Appropriate procedures are in place to ensure that children receive sufficient care in the event of an illness or accident. For example, all health and medical records are in place and easily accessible, and a suitable first aid box is in place. However, the childminder has allowed her first aid certificate to lapse which increases the risk of incorrect treatment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to play in an adequate, although rather cluttered, environment. They have sufficient floor space to play with a variety of suitable and safe resources and the childminder assesses risks appropriately to prevent accidents. For example, a stair gate prevents access to the kitchen and the front door is secure. The childminder supervises children at all times to ensure their safety. Sufficient fire evacuation and prevention procedures are in place, for example, the childminder only uses the ground floor and does not cook during childminding hours. Smoke alarms are in place and maintained in working order, although the fire blanket appears to be damaged and is not in its original container or appropriately accessible. This increases the risk of delaying appropriate action in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The garden is fully enclosed although not currently safe. Children are not presently using the garden and the childminder demonstrates a suitable understanding of how to make the garden safe before children are able to access it. Children stay safe on outings as the childminder has suitable procedures in place, such as strapping younger children into buggies and holding the hands of older children. She teaches them about road safety and ensures that she carries a mobile phone with contact numbers to use in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's risk of harm from others is minimised as the childminder is familiar with possible symptoms of abuse and knows what to do if she has concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children show interest in what they do and are able to develop a range of skills as there is a suitable variety of activities available. For example, children enjoy art activities, exploring action toys and doing puzzles. Other activities such as dressing up, musical instruments, books, a garage and cars are easily available in the living room. The childminder spends her time playing with the children and talking to them about their activities. She ensures that children are purposefully engaged and she has a kind and caring approach.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are mostly happy and settled and are able to follow their own interests. Older children play well together and the childminder appropriately supports younger children to develop positive social skills.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children become aware of wider society as the childminder provides some resources reflecting different backgrounds such as books, puzzles and television programmes. She teaches children simple sign language and some first words in different languages to help them gain a wider understanding about different cultures and disabilities. The childminder knows children well, such as their different characters and their favourite activities, and is therefore able to meet their individual needs appropriately. She ensures that all children can take part in activities and gives them equal attention.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about responsible behaviour as the childminder uses appropriate methods, such as reminding children how to behave and giving them time out to calm down as appropriate. She has a positive and consistent approach and ensures that the same rules apply to all children. She ensures that children are able to share resources to prevent disagreements from arising.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from continuity between the home and the setting as the childminder develops satisfactory relationships with parents and ensures that they have sufficient information about the provision and their children. For example, she talks to parents daily and has a file with policies and certificates which she shares with parents at their initial meeting.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are able to make satisfactory progress as the childminder has an appropriate sense of purpose, providing a suitable range of activities and promoting positive social skills. The childminder has appropriate skills and experience to care for children, although she has not renewed her first aid certificate. She maintains the adult to child ratio at all times to ensure that she can appropriately support the children's care and play. Most documentation is in place and works appropriately in practice although it is not always easily accessible for inspection. A small number of health and safety weaknesses are apparent.

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Organisation

Overall, 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 develop a knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and obtain the Area Child Protection Committee procedures. The childminder has obtained the guidance and now has a suitable knowledge of child protection issues, helping to keep children safe.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to ensure the garden is safe or made inaccessible to children. The garden is currently inaccessible to children and the childminder demonstrates a suitable understanding about how to improve safety before children use the garden.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to obtain written consents from all parents to take the children on outings and seek medical attention in the event of an emergency. These are now in place improving safety for children and communication with parents.

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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

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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 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 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): • provide individual hand drying facilities for children • ensure that a fire blanket which meets BSEN safety standards is easily and safely accessible • ensure that a first aid certificate is maintained at all times.

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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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