Arnbrook Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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134132 Unique Reference Number 04 March 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 1995. She lives in a second floor maisonette in Oxford with her husband, adult daughter and two younger daughters age 10 and 11. The living room on the first level and the bathroom on the second level are available for childminding. There is no garden area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to a local school and nursery to take and collect children and helps to run the local toddler group four mornings per week.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years at any one time and is currently minding four children all of whom attend on a part time basis. She also cares for children over eight years.

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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 satisfactory. Children are able to play in a healthy environment as all areas of the premises used by them are clean. They learn to wash or wipe their hands after using the toilet but they share the family towel which increases the risk of cross infection. Hygienic nappy changing procedures are in place for the youngest children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular physical activity as they walk to and from school or nursery each day and have regular outings in the local environment. These include the local toddler group where there is a variety of activities to develop physical skills, such as ride-on cars, bikes and a climbing frame. The youngest children are able to rest and sleep according to their own routine.

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Helping children to be healthy

Satisfactory procedures are in place to ensure that children receive appropriate care in the event of an illness or accident. For example, children's health records are in place and the childminder has a clear sickness policy which she shares with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive a satisfactory diet and have regular meal and snack times. Parents provide packed lunches and the childminder ensures that children have a snack at her home or at toddler group. However, this is always a biscuit and there is no healthier alternative. Drinks are available regularly throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to play comfortably in a suitable environment as the home is welcoming with appropriate facilities and space. For example, a living room which is welcoming and bright with comfortable sofas is available for children's play and the bathroom is accessible on the next floor. The childminder uses the stairs to store some boxes which increases the risk of tripping although she does ensure there is sufficient space for children to go up and down the stairs holding the hand rail. Children are under close supervision of the childminder for most of the time and she only leaves the room for short periods when necessary. Children use a range of suitable and safe toys and resources which they can access independently and which the childminder regularly checks for damage.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Sufficient fire evacuation procedures are in place as the childminder is familiar with what she would do in an emergency but she does not practise these with children which risks them panicking in the event of a real evacuation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children stay safe on outings as the childminder has appropriate procedures in place such as strapping younger children into buggies and teaching older children about road safety. Children are able to explain clearly how to use the road crossing and what the Green Man indicates. The childminder is vigilant when children are going up or down the external stairs and is rigorous about supervising children on the balcony area which leads to her maisonette.

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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 has some knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and an appropriate understanding of procedures to follow if she has concerns.

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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 satisfactory. Children show interest in what they do and develop a range of skills as there is a suitable variety of activities available. For example, toys are invitingly set out on the rug in the living room and include dolls and accessories, cars and small people. Children enjoy exploring these and some chat to the childminder about their play. The childminder spends her time playing with the children and engages in lots of interesting discussions relating to their own experiences, such as feeding the baby or visiting a wildlife park.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have opportunities to visit the local toddler group almost daily where they can develop social and physical skills, and they meet up each week with the childminder's friends to visit the shops and cafe. Confident children benefit greatly from this but other children have little opportunity to spend some quiet time with the childminder in her home and indicate that they need this time to feel comfortable and confident about joining in with play activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are settled and able to develop appropriate relationships with the childminder and other children. For example, older children adore younger children and enjoy finding toys for them to play with.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children begin to become aware of wider society as they have access to a range of appropriate resources. For example, some good-quality books are available which celebrate people's differences. The childminder has a very positive attitude towards differences in society and acts as a good role model in helping children to accept different cultures and disabilities. Children are able to play freely and have equal access to appropriate toys and resources. The childminder knows children well, such as their development and family circumstances, but is not always effective in meeting children's individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children begin to understand responsible behaviour as the childminder has a kind and consistent approach, supervising children well to ensure that they develop positive social skills, such a sharing and taking turns. She has a clear behaviour policy in place which she shares with parents to encourage consistency and positive strategies.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from continuity between the home and the setting as the childminder develops appropriate relationships with parents. She provides lots of verbal feedback on a daily basis to ensure that parents are informed about their children's time with her. She effectively seeks information from parents about the youngest children to ensure that she is familiar with their routines and needs. However, she is not aware of how parents can contact Ofsted. Parents therefore do not have the appropriate information if they wish to make a complaint.

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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, spending her time playing with the children and providing them with different experiences. She has appropriate skills to care for young children although she is not using the Birth to three framework to further support her care of the youngest children. She ensures that the adult to child ratio is met at all times and that most documentation is in place. However,

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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 some regulatory records are not available for inspection which is a breach in regulation. There are also several weaknesses in other areas of her practice.

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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 ensure that accident and medication records remain confidential. She now ensures that only one entry is recorded per page which ensures confidentiality.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and the procedures to follow. The childminder has obtained child protection guidance leaflets and has discussed procedures with other child-care professionals. Her understanding of child protection is now sufficient and this improves safety for children.

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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 minded children • practise the emergency plan with children to help them learn about safe evacuation in the event of a fire • ensure that daily routines and activities meet the needs of all children • ensure that parents have appropriate information about how to contact Ofsted should they wish to make a complaint • ensure that all regulatory documentation is available for inspection.

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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 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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