Marston Green Infant Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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140733 Unique Reference Number 14 November 2007 Inspection date Sonjia Nicholson 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 good. 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 has been registered since March 2001. She lives with her husband, five year old son and teenage daughter in a house on a residential estate on the outskirts of Aylesbury within walking distance of local shops, parks and schools. Children have use of most rooms on the ground floor with sleeping facilities situated on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed paved garden available for children's outside play with separate areas for animals. The family have a variety of pets including three cats, a dog, one chinchilla, five guinea pigs, one rabbit, three tortoises and several fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years. There are currently six children on roll. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant who has sole charge of the children; on these occasions her registered numbers increase to seven children under eight years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is currently working towards a recognised childcare qualification.

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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 good. Children learn about good personal hygiene through the daily routine; most children go to the toilet independently and wash their hands using liquid soap and their own hand towel to prevent the spread of infection. There is a poster on display in the cloakroom to remind children to wash their hands and the childminder also gives them verbal prompts. The childminder provides a good role model for children by washing her hands after completing a nappy change, before preparing food and after helping a child in the toilet. Children have protection from cross-infection as the childminder follows a good nappy changing routine and ensures parents are aware of her written sickness policy. She has information available regarding infectious diseases and follows guidance from her local pharmacist to keep children healthy. Children are cared for within a very clean environment. The childminder follows a daily routine to maintain

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Helping children to be healthy

high standards and ensures some items, such as the highchair receive a thorough weekly clean so children eat from a hygienic surface.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have protection in the event of a minor accident as the childminder has completed a paediatric first aid course and has a fully stocked first aid box, however a few items are out of date. The childminder obtains parents written consent to seek treatment if there is a more serious accident or incident and has a written plan in place that includes using emergency helpers; this means children stay safe and/or receive prompt care. She records all details of accidents to children along with any medication administered appropriately and gains the necessary parental consents. Children follow the ‘Animal Rules’ in place to play safely and stay healthy around the childminder’s pets, for example, they wash their hands after handling the animals and do not tease them. There are good arrangements in place to keep the animals separate from the children unless they are fully supervised by the childminder, for example,

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Helping children to be healthy

the rabbit, guinea pigs and dog all have their own runs in the garden which children cannot access and a large gate prevents access to the utility room where the dog sleeps and eats.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have many opportunities to take part in a range of activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle, such as, playing outside in the garden, on the green outside her house or at the local park where they climb, swing and slide on the large equipment. The childminder has a good range of equipment, inside and outside, designed to develop children’s gross and fine motor skills, such as, ride-on toys, a see-saw, footballs, scissors, pens, paint brushes and glue sticks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is flexible in the provision of meals. She provides meals and snacks for older children but is happy for some parents to provide their own food, particularly for babies. Children enjoy a variety of favourite foods, including; chicken dippers, crispy pancakes, fish fingers and pizza along with traditional meals, such as, toad in the hole and shepherds pie. These are detailed on a written menu which the childminder changes on a regular basis. The childminder is aware of offering healthy options and provides fresh vegetables or salad with each main meal. Parents can see what is available on the daily menu board when they collect their children. Children make choices about what they want to eat, for example, a child asks for cheese on toast for lunch as it is their favourite. Children have frequent drinks throughout the day to ensure they do not become thirsty, for example, they have a beaker of water with their lunch

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Helping children to be healthy

and keep a lidded cup on the kitchen surface which they can access at anytime.

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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 There are facilities to safely store food brought from home in the childminder's fridge. She is registered as low risk food business with the Environmental Health Department and follows advice given during a recent unannounced visit, for example, she keeps a daily record of the fridge temperatures and ensures food is re-heated appropriately in the microwave. The childminder has a good knowledge of basic food hygiene gained through completing an on-line course. The childminder deals effectively with children’s food allergies and consults closely with parents on this matter. She has completed ‘Epipen’ training and is mindful of the meals and snacks she provides so children do not have food that may harm them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder organises many areas in her family home to meet the needs of the children in her care, for example, there is a very welcoming entrance hall in which certificates, posters and information are displayed and a low level shelf is available for children to hang their bags and store their shoes on. Children use the spacious conservatory as a playroom and can easily access a wide range of good quality toys around the room, for example, tubs with action figures, imaginary play props and baby toys. The fully paved garden provides year round play opportunities for children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children stay safe within the childminder’s home as she gives high priority to creating a safe environment. There are a number of measures in place to prevent accidents, such as, storing cleaning materials out of children’s reach and using socket covers. As a precaution, the childminder has smoke alarms on both levels of the property and a fire blanket is situated in the kitchen. The childminder checks these regularly to ensure they are in good working order and maintains a written record for future reference. The childminder is able to describe her evacuation plan which she practises with the children using a cut out picture of a fire which she places in different areas of the home. She activates the smoke alarm so children begin to recognise the danger and learn how to leave the home safely and quickly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are good procedures in place to keep children safe when travelling in the childminder’s car, including the use of appropriate car seats, but on most days the children walk to and from school. Younger children remain safely strapped into a buggy and older children walk beside it or close to the childminder. The childminder has policies in place relating to a child becoming lost whilst in her care or if a parent fails to collect their child.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder effectively maintains children’s welfare as she has a good understanding of how to safeguard them. She has completed the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Child Protection on-line course and is able to describe some signs of abuse and what to do. Parents have access to the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures document which is on display and the childminder asks them to sign a statement which acknowledges her role and responsibility to protect their children. The childminder keeps a record of existing injuries to children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have good relationships with the childminder; she is very aware of the needs of all the children present. Children enjoy imaginary play and mimic real-life situations, for example, they use the shopping trolley to buy chicken for the dolls dinner and then feed her in the doll sized highchair alongside the childminder who feeds the baby. They chat freely and the childminder

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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 asks lots of questions to encourage their imagination, such as, ‘what’s Billy having for his dinner?’ She also encourages children's learning by explaining why the baby has finger food. Children enjoy attending lots of events, such as, a music group, a healthy walk and a toddler group held at the local children’s centre. They socialise with the childminder’s friends and other childminders to go fruit picking and have a picnic in the park.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

At home, children take part in a variety of fun activities organised by the childminder, including making pastry, ‘gloop’ with corn flour and water, drawing, chalking and water painting on the patio. Children make their own musical instruments, such as, shakers filled with pasta and guitars with elastic band strings; younger children play with wooden spoons and saucepans to make music. The childminder is aware of the needs of children cared for after school and does not expect them to join in planned activities. She provides opportunities for them to relax, watch television and complete their homework away from the younger children. The childminder offers loving care to babies. She is confident in her approach offering lots of positive interaction in all aspects of their individual routines, for example, she cuddles the baby on the sofa as she bottle feeds her then sings simple rhymes, such as, ‘round and round the garden’. The baby

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

responds happily by laughing, clapping her hands and attempting to copy her.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children take part in some commercial festivals, such as, Halloween by having a party and make Christmas cards and presents for their parents; however they do not celebrate many other world religious or cultural events to develop their awareness of diversity. The childminder introduces children to food from other countries by cooking pasta or rice and discussing where it comes from and they have access to a range of toys and resources which help them learn about differences. Children learn about their own community by visiting the multicultural centre and park and go for a walk to post letters to their parents. This activity encourages them to discuss where they live and learn their home address. There are currently no children attending with learning difficulties and/or disabilities but the childminder is clear about her role in supporting children and parents. Children behave well. They respond positively to the childminder's requests

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Helping children make a positive contribution

to help her, for example, she asks children to set the table for meals and put their plates and placemats away in the kitchen afterwards; this develops their independence. The childminder has a written behaviour policy in place which includes age-appropriate strategies, for example, distraction to another activity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationships the childminder develops with parents. She gathers relevant information about them which means she can offer consistent and appropriate care. She offers several visits before children start and provides good information for parents in the form of a portfolio containing all they need to know about the service on offer. The childminder gives parents verbal feedback at the end of the day and ensures they know how to raise a concern; she has a written complaints policy which needs updating to reflect changes to regulations.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises all aspects of her service well; she occasionally works with an assistant in order to provide flexible care for the children and creates a very child-orientated environment for them. They take part in a wide range of activities at home and many local outings to extend

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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 their learning, confidence and social skills. Children benefit from the childminder’s willingness and enthusiasm to enhance her knowledge through training and she is currently committed to studying for a level three childcare qualification. The childminder shares her current knowledge with newly registered childminders through the ‘Bucks Buddy’ scheme; this means she offers support and advice in all aspects of their childminding business to help them feel more confident.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps all the necessary documentation and stores children’s records confidentially to protect their identity. She reviews her childminding documentation on a regular basis to ensure it remains up to date. 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 in 2004 an action was set to ensure the childminder complies with only caring for the ages of children set out on her certificate of registration and ensure changes to the premises are notified to Ofsted. Since then, the childminder is aware of her responsibility to keep Ofsted informed of significant changes and ensures she cares for the numbers and ages of children as set out on her certificate of registration.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Two recommendations were also raised; to ensure that an accurate record is kept of children's attendance and make sure that details of children's pre-existing injuries are held and ensure that parents are given details on how to contact Ofsted if they have a concern. The childminder completes an attendance register on a daily basis with times of children's arrival and departure; this means she has an accurate record of who was present each day. The childminder keeps a record of any existing injuries which children may have and discusses them fully with parents to ensure children stay safe and protected. The childminder has included Ofsted's details within her complaints policy, however these details have changed since the last inspection; this has been discussed with the childminder at this inspection.

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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 good. 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):

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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 • provide further opportunities for children to celebrate world festivals and events to increase their knowledge of diversity.

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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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