Wyre Forest School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

135791 Unique Reference Number 10 March 2008 Inspection date Asia Islam 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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1994. She lives with her family, including her adult son in the London Borough of Enfield. Children have access to the lounge, kitchen, garden and a first floor bathroom. The family have a pet cat.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years. There are three children under five years on roll. She also cares for children over eight years.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the Enfield Childminding Network.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to wash their hands after going to the toilet, to support their understanding of hygiene practice. They have access to individual flannels for washing their face but they share a towel for hand drying. This does not help to fully reduce risks from cross infections. The childminder has effective systems in place to promote children's emergency

p.2

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 health needs, for example, she holds a valid first aid certificate. The written permission from parents to administer first aid and seek emergency medical advice and treatment is also in place. Children are cared for in premises that are maintained to an excellent standard of hygiene.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with nutritious meals for lunch and dinner that promote their healthy eating habits. The childminder prepares and cooks food to meet their dietary needs such as cheese roll and fruit salad for lunch. Children are provided with drinking water during meal times and as when they ask. However, it is not always available to support their independence.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is promoted through regular visits to the local parks, where they have access to open space for running and equipment such as slides and swings. They also have access to outdoor play in an enclosed garden to help increase their balance, muscle control and coordination.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in an environment that is bright and welcoming. Most of the safety measures are in place, for example, a safety gate is fitted in the kitchen entrance to prevent children from gaining unsupervised access to this area. Fire evacuations are practised with the children to support their understanding of fire safety. Children sometimes have independent access to the first floor bathroom, where the bedrooms storing the family's personal belongings are also within children's easy reach. Although the childminder keeps a close watch on those children from the bottom of the stairs to ensure their safety, it means she has not fully considered the risks.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a good range of play resources and activities that meets their ages and stages of development. The resources and equipment available for children are very clean and safe. These are regularly checked and washed by the childminder to ensure children's health and safety.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's interests are safeguarded because the childminder demonstrates that she has a secure understanding of the procedures to follow in the event of any child protection concerns. The childminder has attended training in this regard with the local childcare support services.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled in the care of the childminder, who shows enthusiasm and interest in their activities. She helps them to sustain and extend their imaginative and creative play. For example, she encourages children to use the magic wand to make a wish.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to a good selection of play resources and activities, including dressing up clothes and small world play. The childminder alternates the play resources to ensure that there is variety and that the children are offered stimulation and challenge.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play eagerly and independently with the available resources. The childminder allows the children to initiate their own play and supports them in playing together despite the differences in their ages and stages of development.

p.3

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 Children benefit from the use of the Birth to three matters framework and the Foundation Stage curriculum. Clear observation records of children's progress and their activity plans are in place to support their development and learning.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have access to some puzzles, books and dolls that reflect positive images of gender, culture and disability to support their understanding of differences. The childminder also includes children in the celebration of festivals, for example, the Chinese New Year, to support their awareness of the wider community.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's choices are valued and this helps to increase their self esteem and confidence. They confidently self select and initiate their own play. Children have equal access to the available resources for play and learning. The childminder has experience of adapting activities in consultation with the parents and professionals to ensure the needs of children with learning difficulties and disabilities are effectively met.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave and play well together most of the time. They confidently talk about their activities as they play. Children show care for each other, for example when they make a wish for their friend whilst pretending to be a fairy. They have developed good relationships with each other and the childminder. There are occasions when they clash over the same toys but the childminder promptly intervenes and offers them effective explanations to support their understanding about sharing. Children respond very amicably to this guidance and play together despite their differences.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from established working relationships between the parents and the childminder. The setting's policies and procedures are shared with the parents. Information about the children and their parents are in place to ensure consistent care. The childminder is aware of the procedures to follow in the event of complaints. Written permission from parents to keep assessment records on children are in place and these are available for parents to view on request.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children are cared for by an established childminder, who has kept up to date with current childcare knowledge to ensure children's play and learning needs are effectively supported. Most aspects of children's health and safety needs are fully promoted.

p.4

Organisation

Children play freely with a selection of resources that supports their imagination and learning. The childminder is gentle and enthusiastic towards the children, which helps to inspire their play and make them feel secure and comfortable.

p.4

Organisation

Children benefit from the clear comprehensive records in place, these strongly support their development. Parents are well informed of the childminder's procedures and policies, including the parents permission to share children's observation records with the childminding network.

p.4

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

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop communication skills with parents; provide social interaction and encourage independence skills for very young children at meal times.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Communication with parents has been established through the regular exchange of both written and verbal information, including the setting's policies and procedures and children's progress. This ensures an enhanced working relationship with parents. The childminder encourages all the children to sit together for meals and during this time, she offers the younger children the opportunity to spoon feed themselves. This has ensured improvements in their social interactions and independence during meal times.

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 in order to meet the National Standards.

p.5

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.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • improve hand drying facilities to minimise cross infection • ensure drinking water is always accessible to children • risk assess the procedures for children using the upstairs bathroom.

p.5

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.5

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.5