New Leaf School

Inspection report for early years provision

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134523 Unique Reference Number 04 December 2007 Inspection date Caroline Hearn 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 outstanding. 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 1998. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 13 years in Didcot, Oxfordshire. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children both full and part time. The childminder is also registered to care for a maximum of two children overnight. Local amenities are within walking distance. The family has two cats, a rabbit and a dog. The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive under the care of the childminder. She has an excellent range of practices and procedures in place to maintain children's good health and physical well-being. Clear procedures are in place to prevent the spread of infection such as each child having their own towel 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 flannel. These are colour coded so each child knows which is theirs. The childminder has also fitted a separate low level toilet for the minded children to use. This supports their independence as the toilet is lower and children who are just starting to toilet train can use this. Children learn simple yet effective measurers for keeping themselves safe from the spread of infection such as hand washing after play and before eating or putting their hands over their mouths when coughing.

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Helping children to be healthy

Meal and snack times fully promote healthy eating with the children being offered a varied and balanced diet. Children gain an excellent understanding of where their food comes from as the childminder takes them on regular trips to both the local shops and farms. Children clearly have a say in the menu planning and all have their favourite meals which the childminder cooks for them. Fresh drinking water is readily available. Younger children are offered drinks regularly whilst the older children are able to access drinks independently.

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Helping children to be healthy

All children are able to rest and be active in line with their individual needs and parent's wishes. The children enjoy daily vigorous outdoor activities such as walks to the park with the family dog. They also have an excellent range of equipment for their use in the childminder's garden. Younger children can use the tricycles and ball games. Older more able children develop their climbing skills on the rope netting to the tree house.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play in a very welcoming and child-friendly environment. The childminder organises her home exceptionally well, providing a designated playroom for the children. This displays items children have made, together with colourful posters, photographs and pictures, which combine to provide an inviting and attractive playroom. Children have access to an extensive range of high quality, well maintained resources, toys and play equipment, suited to all ages. These are stored and organised so that children have good access and know where to find things.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to safely and freely explore their environment. This is due to the comprehensive risk assessments which the childminder undertakes on all areas used by the children. Children learn about how to keep themselves safe in different emergency situations. They practise the emergency evacuation route and know that when out they wear wrist bands with the childminder's contact number on.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder clearly understands her responsibilities for safeguarding children's welfare and has a extensive selection of current literature about this.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children confidently undertake activities and a warm trusting relationship is evident between the childminder and minded children. Children thoroughly enjoy the varied experiences and activities offered by the childminder. She draws on her excellent knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework, to plan interesting and stimulating experiences for all children. Children's progress is clearly recorded and these records are fully shared with their parents. The childminder uses these records to inform her planning to ensure the activities are tailored to meet the ongoing needs of the children. Children play an active role in planning what activities they will be doing such as wanting to make snow men and reindeer. They are keen to show

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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 their art work and talk about past activities. To help them with this the childminder has developed a folder full of photos of the children undertaking different days out or activities. This is an excellent resource to enable the children to consolidate their learning as they sit and talk about what they have done.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn about the wider world during well planned exciting trips out. These include trips to the post office or local shops. During these trips children learn about where food comes from, select new fruits to try or discuss what happens when you post a letter.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children are offered activities to encourage their ongoing development. When playing with blocks with a baby the childminder may move one of these under another object and ask the baby, 'where has it gone?'. The childminder also talks about colours and shapes, and asks the baby open ended questions to encourage a response. These excellent learning opportunities are thoroughly enjoyed by all children and ensure they learn in a fun way.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children learn about diversity and different cultures through an excellent range of activities such as looking at Diwali. The childminder develops children's interest in these activities through their art and craft, they make pictures and talk about the stories linked to the festival. The childminder is creative about how children learn such as sourcing an advent calendar on which each window shows a different country and how other cultures live, and festivals they may celebrate at this time of year. The childminder welcomes all children, including those with additional needs, although she has no experience in this regard.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children receive praise in their work and play helping build their self-esteem and confidence. The childminder makes highly effective use of distraction to divert younger children from disagreements. She knows the children very well and they freely approach her for support and affection. The children benefit from a noticeably warm, positive and trusting relationship with the childminder. The children behave extremely well and know what is expected of them. Children are able to discuss the house rules and reasons for them such as you are not allowed to climb on the chairs as you may fall and hurt yourself.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the excellent partnership with parents. The childminder's welcome pack and detailed portfolio is highly informative and made available to all parents. The childminder maintains comprehensive development profiles for each child in the birth to three years age range. These include observation of each child and are shared with parents and any pre-school setting which the child may move to. A detailed diary of babies routines and daily care needs is logged daily and shared with parents. Parents are also given informative articles about childcare and ideas on how to extend their child's learning at home. This exchange of information enables the childminder to care for the children with consistency and to work with parents to meet the changing needs of their child.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care is significantly enhanced by this childminder's effective and efficient organisation. This experienced childminder makes effective use of her extensive knowledge, skills and understanding of childcare. She provides excellent care for children and a professional service for parents. The childminder is enthusiastic and well informed about early years. She monitors

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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 and evaluates her own practice through her membership of the childminding network scheme. She shows commitment to her work through undertaking regular training thus promoting her own personal development.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures are comprehensive, and used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. All legal required paperwork is precise, kept confidential and accessible for inspection. All records are shared with parents to keep them well informed about the childminding service and their child's activities. The registration and insurance certificates are displayed to show parents that she complies with registration requirements. Attendance registers are accurate and clearly recorded. The childminder demonstrates an excellent knowledge of the standards for childminding to help children achieve well.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the extensive range of activities and play resources available with plenty of room for them to play. The childminder provides a highly suitable and safe environment in which children are happy and content. As a result, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was required to address two areas of her documentation following her last inspection. Firstly she was asked to ensure that written permission is obtained from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder has obtained this consent for all minded children. As a result, children’s health and safety is better promoted. She was also asked to ensure that the daily attendance register is kept in line with regulation. Attendance registers are now accurate and clearly recorded. This promotes safeguarding children as the childminder is able to demonstrate when she does and does not have the children in her care.

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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