Montem Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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133327 Unique Reference Number 21 January 2008 Inspection date Tracy Bartholomew 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 was registered in 1989. She lives with her husband, two grown up children and a son aged 10 years old, in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends toddler group, goes for walks, visits to the park and school pick-ups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for six children at any one time and is currently minding four children who attend on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children develop a sound awareness of their own needs. They are developing independence in their personal care, such as blowing their own noses and using the toilet independently. They clearly understand the benefits of a healthy diet as they make independent choices from a variety of drinks and freshly prepared snacks, which ensures they receive a balanced diet.

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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 Children are aware drinking water is available to them at all times, as is fresh orange juice and very low sugar fruit squash. Parents discuss their children's individual dietary needs, personal preferences and any allergies with the childminder to ensure their children receive a healthy and nutritious diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children clearly understand good hygiene practices. They follow well-established daily routines and are aware of the need to wash their hands after going to the toilet and before lunch. Children enjoy the social contact at meal times and are given time to enjoy and finish their food in a relaxed and calm environment. Thorough procedures such as maintaining a clean and well organised home sustain the high levels of hygiene, and prevent the spread of infection. Children are able to rest and be active in line with their individual needs and parents' wishes. They benefit from good opportunities to develop their physical skills such as walking to and from schools, regular visits to the parks and structured play in the garden, which all contribute to their good health

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have freedom to play and explore within a warm and welcoming environment. The childminder ensures this by paying particular attention to the safety of home, she full risk assesses the home and ensures all areas are safe for the children to access and develop within. Children independently select activities from an age appropriate range of good quality toys and equipment, which meets their individual and safety requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children enjoy playing and extending their play in the garden. The play equipment and resources are challenging and suitable. The childminder regularly checks all equipment for any wear and tear, to minimise any accidents. The childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare and development through regular communication with parents, concise and comprehensive written policies and procedures and ensuring that all required documentation is accurately completed and in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of the potential signs of child abuse and neglect. She has researched the procedures to be followed and has recently attended a course to underpin her knowledge and expertise, this ensures she has clear understanding of the procedures to follow if she has a concern about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children take part in a wide variety of interesting and fun activities both inside and outside the home. The children present were confident and relaxed within the home, stating that they are happy whilst relaxing. They have endless activities available to them such as, arts and crafts, role play and construction. The childminder and children clearly enjoy each other's company and are comfortable whilst playing dancing games, lots of laughter and cheers from them both. Children are involved in free flow activities which they can choose for themselves, which allows for the children to become engrossed in and assist with their all round development. Children benefit from regular trips out to places such as local toddler groups, visiting childminders, walks and parks, which all help to develop their socialisation and people skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder's clear awareness of their individual developmental needs and how to support these. She ensures that children can extend their learning by asking them

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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 open ended questions about activities, such as how do the puzzle pieces fit together. Excellent questioning and discussions are used through all activities to develop the children’s learning and recalling past events such as growing flowers. This careful questioning encourages children to think through problems for themselves and become independent learners. The childminder has a good awareness of the Birth to three matters framework, and has implemented this with the children in this age range, however further documentation and methods of working could be developed to secure and underpin the framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to promote children’s learning and development of special needs. She uses the mini land figures to demonstrate people with disabilities, which are then used as a talking point, to develop the children’s awareness of equality. For example, when looking at the blind figure, they learn through first hand experiences what it would be like to be blind. As the childminder asks the children to walk out in the garden up to the tree and then back, they then repeat this exercise blind folded, to understand the realisation of the affect it can have on people. Children’s care needs are met exceptionally well throughout activities such as these.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses appropriate strategies for managing behaviour. She is clear and consistent with the children, which enables them to understand right from wrong. They know and understand the house rules very well and behaviour is good overall. Children develop sharing and turn-taking skills through discussion and playing board games, effectively taking their turns. Children enjoy ample praise from the childminder, which encourages good behaviour and contributes to their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder values her partnerships with parents and together they have a professional and close relationship. She exchanges information with them verbally each day to ensure they are well informed of their child's day and progress. Parents share their praise with the childminder, by assisting her with her self evaluation form and assuring her that she offers exceptional care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are welcomed into the setting that is organised around their individual needs. Their care is greatly enhanced by the organisation and devotion the childminder has of all the children in her care. The childminder is proactive in ensuring all persons within the home are suitable to be in the proximity of the children, and she understands her responsibilities for protecting them from people who have not been police checked. The childminder manages her time effectively to ensure all children receive individual attention. The daily attendance register is in place, which clearly shows ratios are maintained at all times.

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Organisation

Children benefit from being cared for by a motivated, qualified, experienced provider who is committed to training and furthering her knowledge and understanding of child development. Documentation is in good order, which is regularly updated to comply with latest guidelines and children's routines. As a result, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the previous inspection, the childminder was required to complete a first aid course, develop resources to reflect positive images of disability, obtain a copy of notifiable diseases and further develop her understanding in child protection. The childminder has completed these recommendations and keeps up to date with all legislation. As a result, children's welfare is supported and safeguarded further.

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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. 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): • further develop ways of underpinning the birth to three matters framework

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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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