Hyde Park Infants' School

Inspection report for early years provision

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150037 Unique Reference Number 29 February 2008 Inspection date Dorcas Forgan 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?

This childminder was registered in 1982. She lives in Crownhill, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. Childminding activities are mainly contained to the ground floor of the property, however, there are arrangements for babies to sleep on the first floor of the home and washing and toilet facilities are also located on this floor. There is an enclosed garden available 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, she is currently minding six children under the age of eight and two over eight years, all on a part-time basis. Children are aged one year, two years, two are four years old and the last two are five and seven. The childminder delivers and collects children from local pre-schools and schools. She attends the local toddler group. She has a level 3 qualification and is a member of the Milton Keynes Children come First Childminding Network.

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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 outstanding. Children clearly thrive because the childminder has in place highly effective robust procedures and practices. These include a very effective sickness policy with procedures to follow in the case of serious notifiable diseases. The childminder has very good standards of hygiene that reduce the possibility of cross infection. For example each child has their own face flannel and individual towel. Children are learning the importance of personal hygiene; they wash their hands before meals and use wet wipes to clean their faces after eating. The children take part eagerly in the ‘Smile Campaign’ learning how to keep their teeth healthy through regular cleaning and eating healthy foods. Children are becoming independent in their own personal care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a very healthy, well balanced nutritional diet that is home cooked. The childminder plans the meals and snacks for a week at a time ensuring that any specific dietary need are included and that whenever possible children have their five fruit and vegetables. The menus are on display so that parents are very well informed. Children are sometimes able to choose their snack from a variety of options on offer. Drinks are readily available throughout the day. Children are becoming very knowledgeable about ‘good and bad’ foods; they regularly discuss these and play games to extend their understanding. Cooking activities such as making pizzas with healthy toppings reinforces their understanding.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children maintain healthy lifestyles as they frequently exercise in the fresh air. During the wet weather the garden can not be used, although, the garden is very well stocked with a wide range of equipment. The childminder ensures that the children exercise daily; they walk to and from local amenities such as the pre-school and the parks where they play on the fixed equipment and feed the ducks. One of the children’s favourite activities is to dress up in waterproof clothes and go puddle stomping. Children are developing a very positive attitude to physical exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in an extremely welcoming, friendly home, which is a safe and secure environment. Children move around confidently between the lounge and play room. They benefit from the very high standard of maintenance and decoration in the areas that they have access to. The play room is attractive with a good variety of posters that provide information and displays of the children’s work to stimulate interest and boost their self-esteem. Children use the small table and chairs in the playroom to carry out their activities such as drawing and playing games. Children can eat their meals, relax and play in the lounge.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have free access to an exceptional range of attractive resources and equipment that are stored in the play room in a variety of cupboards and shelves. There are additional toys stored in a garden shed. Choices for the children are immense. Equipment and resources promote the children’s development in all areas of learning. Children’s independence and confidence are enhanced as they make choices about what they would like to play with. Risks of accidental injury to children are skilfully minimised, because the childminder is extremely vigilant and uses thorough risk assessments to reduce potential hazards. Children are learning to keep themselves safe and avoid accidental injury. The childminder carries out emergency evacuations every

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 month so that all children are familiar with what to do in the case of a fire. They also learn how to walk carefully next to traffic and to be aware of the dangers. The childminder ensures that all children are supervised exceptionally well especially when on outings and possibly using public transport. All children wear matching t-shirts with the childminder’s logo and wrist bands with her contact information, they learn what they should do if they become separated from the rest of the group.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are extremely well protected by the childminder who has an excellent understanding of child protection issues. She has very clear policies and procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child’s welfare. The policy includes an anti bullying statement. The childminder discusses with the children their right to say no and stranger danger. The childminder informs parents about her responsibilities towards the children and the action that she would take in the event of concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very well settled and happy with the childminder. They have formed a warm, loving relationship, children approach her with trust. Children make very good progress in all areas because the childminder understands their individual needs extremely well. She plans activities that will interest them and challenge them. Such as hiding ‘creepy crawly’ insects in a tray of compost so that they can hunt them out and talk about what they have found; developing the child’s vocabulary and interest in small creatures. She plans exciting trips, along with other childminders and follows these up with activities that build on what they have learnt and shown an interest in. Following an outing to the transport museum the children made a display of various vehicles that fly, this provides an excellent extension to the children’s new interest and gave them the opportunity to create their own pictures using their imagination and knowledge

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to the best of their individual abilities. Children have the opportunity to initiate their own games like drawing with the Etch-a-sketch. The childminder supports them and reminds them of other resources they could use. Children will sometimes provide ideas about new craft activities that they would like to try. The childminder resources them, provides the opportunity and completes the activity by ensuring they are displayed attractively so that all can take a pride in their work. Such as experimenting with different media like painting on material. The children choose how they wanted to make the Mother's Day cards and the childminder provided the opportunity for them to buy their own resources. Children gain self-esteem and confidence through having the opportunity to make choices. Children have the chance to socialise with other children and adults at the various group activities with other minders. They take part in

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

a wide variety of very well planned sessions where they can be creative, play imaginary games, enjoy music and dancing amongst many other things and take part in outings to a wide variety of attractions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children feel a sense of belonging in a very positive atmosphere. Individual children’s needs are met extraordinarily well as the childminder understands each of the children’s needs and supports them effectively. Children are treated with equal concern, care and regard building their self-esteem and helping them to understand their emotions. Children learn about their local community in a variety of stimulating ways. They walk to the parks, join story time at the library and enjoy outings to the local café and larger restaurants. Children learn about the wider

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 world and other cultures through a variety of interesting activities and celebrations such as Australia day and Chinese New Year. The childminder has an exceedingly wide range of resources to promote diversity including posters, pictures, dolls dressing up clothes and small world characters. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, although none currently attend.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well, they are contented and settled. The childminder has high expectations of the children, which the children live up to. They behave extremely well when taken out to very public places and when on trips. Members of the public frequently comment on the good behaviour and manners of the whole group. The children are very clear about the house rules. The childminder uses a great deal of praise and encouragement to promote a positive atmosphere; they learn to co-operate with one another and to respect others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for by the childminder who works exceptionally well with the parents, she makes excellent professional relationships with them. She provides them with a comprehensive range of written information including her policies, a newsletter, daily diaries for those who wish and scrap books to show the activities they have enjoyed and observations on their development. They exchange verbal information daily. She asks them for their comments and observations, as a means to further improving her service. These steps ensure extremely effective continuity of care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children’s welfare is paramount to the childminder at all times. The premises are exceptionally well organised to maximise the space for children to play. The days are planned around children’s individual needs to sleep, eat and attend school and pre-school. A wealth of immaculate documentation is in place which contributes to the children’s health, safety and well-being. All documentation is regularly reviewed.

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Organisation

Children benefit from a highly qualified and skilled childminder who strives to improve her service through attending training courses such as Birth to three matters and Behaviour management and also The Child Care Forum. She works closely with other childminders and through this she monitors and evaluates her own service. She is an accredited childminder and provides support to other childminders. 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 a recommendation was made that the childminder should gain the parents' written permission to give medication. The childminder ensures that parents complete the necessary paperwork before administering any medication so that children remain safe 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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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

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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

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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