Rose Green Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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141600 Unique Reference Number 11 February 2008 Inspection date Maxine Coulson 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 has been registered since 1997. She lives with her husband and two sons aged 16 and 19 years. They live on a residential road in a four-bedroom semi detached house in Olney. Her home is within walking distance of shops, a park, pre-school and schools. The whole of the downstairs and one bedroom, for sleep purposes only, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder currently cares for 24 children. Of these nine are over the age of eight years. Children attend for a variety of days and sessions.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are healthy due to the excellent practice followed by the childminder. She teaches children the importance of strict hand washing routines and provides all the equipment they

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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 need to wash their hands independently. For example, a poster above the basin in the downstairs toilet shows an easy step by step guide to ensuring hands are thoroughly washed. The childminder remains alert to reinforce good practice as necessary to give children a comprehensive understanding of good hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children increase their understanding about a healthy lifestyle by helping to prepare food, participating in cooking activities and by growing vegetables with the childminder. The childminder further promotes a healthy lifestyle as children bring nutritious snacks and lunches from home. Parents make informed decisions about their children's diet through the wealth of information provided by the childminder. Children have drinks whenever they need to, which helps them recognise and respond to their body's needs. Children develop their social skills through eating together at the table.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contributes to their very good health. They benefit from regular walks and visits to the park and schools. Children are developing a sense of beat and rhythm as they attend a local group where they participate in music and dance activities. Children gain new skills and develop their confidence because the childminder has an excellent understanding of appropriate activities and the level of support individuals require.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play in a homely and welcoming environment where they safely access resources on their own. The childminder displays children's work for others to see, and this makes children feel valued and secure. Children play with a vast range of very suitable toys, which the childminder rotates regularly to develop new interests and skills. Children use a wide variety of high quality equipment, appropriate to their age and stage of development. It is regularly monitored to ensure it is safe, well maintained and appropriate. Toys and resources are replaced, updated and added to, when necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are consistently safe both on and off the premises because the childminder ensures she has the appropriate equipment in accordance to the children's needs, such as wrist straps or reins for walking toddlers, and buggies for babies. The childminder conscientiously preserves children's well-being by continuously monitoring safety issues in and around the home, and by supervising children closely. She understands and addresses children's developmental changes through a process of ongoing risk assessment to keep the environment safe as children grow. Children learn house rules and good practice to avoid accidental injury and they develop a caring nature through copying the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted by the childminder who has a clear understanding of child protection policies and procedures and understands her role in child protection. She has completed both the basic and advanced child protection courses and has a child protection policy that supports her practice and keeps all relevant reference material close to hand. She preserves children's safety through adopting outstanding collection arrangements and comprehensive policies, which are very clear and rigidly followed.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit through the childminder’s extensive knowledge and a wealth of experience of caring for a wide range of children with differing abilities. Their individual development is

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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 successfully promoted through the childminder’s sound knowledge and use of the 'Birth to three matters' and the Foundation Stage frameworks as a reference point and for additional ideas.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children very much enjoy their day. They all receive attention and genuine affection from the childminder and they are very secure. Children participate in a wonderful range of activities, which develops new interests and the childminder is highly skilled in developing each activity. For example, young children participate in sticking hearts onto a card for Valentines Day, they then look at books to see what a real heart looks like and explore where their own heart is. Children express themselves effectively when given choices, and participate enthusiastically in other areas of play, such as imaginative play using sensory, musical toys, cars and a car mat, for example. The childminder accommodates children's individual routines and interests fully within a programme of practical activities and extended free play to help them develop a good grasp of modern life.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s enjoyment and achievements at the setting are further promoted through the excellent documentation in place including many photographs of the children participating in an array of fun activities, daily diaries detailing experiences and achievements and displays of the children’s own artwork.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are cared for by the childminder who works with parents to meet children's individual needs and ensure they are fully included in the life of the setting. Close and caring relationships increase children's sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self. Children are valued and respected as individuals and she strives to help children reach their potential and meet their needs, such as cultural or special needs. Children's individual routines are adhered to and any changes discussed with parents. Children are actively encouraged to help tidy up, take turns, and help and care for each other. Children have access to a wide variety of good quality resources that reflect diversity, such as puzzles, dolls and story books from different countries, which magically come to life. For example, a story set in an African village involves animals and fruit; the childminder uses figures and play fruit to act out the story.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder does not currently care for children with learning difficulties or disabilities but has excellent procedures in place ready. She also has highly effective procedures in place that support children who have English as an additional language.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has excellent strategies for building good relationships with parents and carers, which contributes significantly to children's well-being. She ensures records of activities and procedures are comprehensive and clear, and religiously shares information to ensure consistency and help parents and carers feel actively involved in their children's development. The childminder consistently seeks ways of continually developing her practices and welcomes feedback from parents to enable her to do this, which is a true reflection of her commitment to the children and their families.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care is greatly enhanced by the excellent organisation. Children benefit from a highly skilled childminder who has a high regard for the well-being of all children. The childminder

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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 has an extensive and sound knowledge of child development and has attended many training courses, covering a wide variety of topics. She is pro-active in accessing training, reads relevant publications and ensures she is kept up to date with current practice. This continuing development is reflected in the childminder's expert practice and children benefit greatly from her increased knowledge.

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Organisation

Children are happy and settled in a calm and well-organised environment. They move around safely, with independence and effective supervision. Children can easily access many of the toys and resources and the childminder's home is ready for the children, as they arrive each morning. All required documentation is in place and regularly reviewed, which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being. Each child has their own file with all necessary information kept. Parents' views and comments are welcomed and positively encouraged, as the childminder obtains feedback via verbal comments and questionnaires and uses this information to continuously improve and develop her practice.

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Organisation

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 consider the following:

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Improvements since the last inspection

ensure all written parental consents are in place

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Improvements since the last inspection

and improve fire safety precautions by installing a smoke alarm on the ground floor.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She has now obtained all the required written parental permissions and installed a smoke alarm on the ground floor.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This ensures the continuing care, welfare and safety of the 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.

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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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