Oasis Academy Aspinal

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

140052 Unique Reference Number 29 February 2008 Inspection date Cheryl Walker 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 satisfactory. 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 July 1995. She lives with her husband, mother and son aged

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

14 years, in a house in the Borough of Lambeth. The whole house is used for childminding, with the ground floor being the main area for indoor play. There is a fully enclosed garden for children's use.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding four children, two of whom attend on a part time basis and two of whom are collected from school.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group. Her husband and mother are registered to assist her to care for the children. Parents have given written permission for them to be left with the children.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The environment is clean and tidy and children receive appropriate support to develop good personal hygiene. Children know they must wash their hands after visiting the toilet and before meals, to prevent the spread of germs.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is aware of her responsibility to ensure parents give prior written consent to administer medication. This ensures children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. Records in this area, as well as those for the recording of accidents, are suitably maintained. A well equipped first aid box is available, however the childminder's first aid certificate has expired and consequently, her knowledge in this area is not up to date. Written parental permission to seek emergency treatment or advice has not been sought, which could result in delays in obtaining appropriate care for children in an emergency.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary requirements are known and respected by the childminder. She ensures that any specific requirements are noted at the beginning of a placement. Parents are asked to provide meals for their children and the childminder supplements these with healthy snacks.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children regularly participate in a range of activities that contribute to their health and develop their physical skills.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a warm and welcoming environment, which is kept safe through regular risk assessment. The childminder ensures she checks all equipment before children play, to make sure it is safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good preventative measures have been taken in the home to ensure safety. For example, stair gates restrict children's access to the stairs, safety catches are fitted to low level cupboards and knives are kept up and out of reach in the kitchen. Children's safety is appropriately considered when the childminder takes them on outings. She ensures she is organised, taking with her emergency contact details. Children are well supervised and transported safely in the car.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding children issues and knows what action to take if she has concerns about a child in her care. This ensures she quickly recognises when a child is in danger and can act in the child’s best interest.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled. The childminder has good relationships with the minded children and they are treated as part of the family. They enjoy warmth and cuddles from the childminder, helping them to feel a sense of security and well-being.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A variety of toys and activities are available to the children whilst in the home, though these are not fully accessible to them to enable them to self select and make informed choices. The

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 childminder regularly visits groups with the youngest children, enabling them to socialise with their peers and form relationships with others.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children enjoy respectful, friendly relationships with the childminder. They learn to respect other cultures through first hand experiences, discussion and explanations. The childminder provides a good range of activities that reflect other cultures, for example, books, dressing up, different foods and exposure to different languages. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and is open to working with other professionals to support children's care and well-being.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well because the childminder is warm, caring and consistent in her approach to the children. She uses positive methods to manage their behaviour.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder gives daily verbal feedback to parents about their child's time with her. This helps provide children with consistent care between home and the childminding provision. The childminder understands the requirement to keep a record of any complaints and has devised a written procedure which is shared with parents, should any issues need to be raised.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder provides a welcoming environment for children, though organisation of resources and play materials does not fully support their independence. She demonstrates a sound understanding of the National Standards and her responsibilities in regard to children's care. She is supportive towards children and their families and flexible in the service she provides. However, her first aid certificate is not up to date and some required documentation and record keeping are not in place. For example, assistants are not consistently recorded in the register of attendance when they have sole care of the children. Records are stored with an awareness of confidentiality. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to ensure children's safety in the garden. New paving has been laid, ensuring that the surfacing is free from tripping hazards so that children can play safely.

p.4

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.4

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.4

Complaints 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

p.4

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 satisfactory. 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): • ensure first aid training is renewed • obtain written, parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice • ensure toys and activities are easily accessible to children to enable self selection • consistently maintain a record of when an assistant cares for minded children

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