Woodhouse Park Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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105464 Unique Reference Number 29 January 2008 Inspection date Susan Mann 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 as a childminder since 1986. She lives with her husband and two children. The house is in central Slough and is within walking distance of all amenities, including schools and local shops.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minded children have access to the downstairs only with supervised access to the toilet on the first floor. Children who need a sleep are accommodated in the lounge. There is a safely enclosed garden to the rear of the property. The family have a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children aged under eight years at any one time. There are currently three children aged under eight on roll, one who attends full time and two who attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds both an appropriate early years qualification and a current first aid certificate. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 thrive in the excellent care of the childminder. They benefit from a superb range of exemplary routines that promote their good health. Nappy changing procedures are very well managed. Children feel secure and the childminder takes excellent steps to ensure a high level of cleanliness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy snacks and meals which are brought from home. These are properly stored in the refrigerator to ensure that perishable items stay fresh. Food preparation procedures are exceptionally hygienic to prevent children become unwell. Children know to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet to prevent the spread of germs. Each child has an individual hand towel to use in order to limit cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy frequent opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They walk to and from pre-school and enjoy playing in the local park. Here they can run around and play on the equipment to develop their physical skills and general level of fitness. They also enjoy playing in the childminder's secure garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children have plenty of space to play in this warm and exceptionally welcoming home. Children use an excellent range of resources. They play with superb toys and games that are clean and inviting to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are extremely secure because the childminder makes their safety her top priority. Her home is locked to prevent children leaving unaccompanied. Each day she makes thorough checks on the house and toys and equipment so that all hazards are minimised to prevent injury. Children would be safe in the event of a fire or similar emergency. This is because the childminder has devised a written evacuation plan which she practises regularly with the children so they are familiar with it.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded effectively because the childminder is exceptionally knowledgeable about child protection issues. She has excellent procedures in place to record and report possible abuse. This element of the provision is securely underpinned by an exemplary policy statement which is shared with parents so they are fully aware of the childminder's responsibilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are exceptionally happy in the care of the childminder. They enjoy superb activities that are planned to ensure they are fun for the children to do, and will help them learn and develop. Children make good progress with the childminder because she supports them to learn through play. She is knowledgeable about how young children learn, and carefully tailors activities to suit their interests and needs.

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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 The childminder skilfully differentiates activities to ensure they are wholly suited to the stage of each child. Children relate extremely well to one another and to the childminder. They flourish in the friendly, reassuring atmosphere because the childminder fully respects and encourages their efforts and ideas as they play. For example, two children play laugh and chatter as they draw pictures at the table. One child has great fun making a collage of 'noodle' pieces. She selects each colour to use and skilfully sticks them onto the paper. The childminder gives a great deal of encouragement and praise, and the child is obviously delighted and proud of her artwork.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children settle quickly in the childminder's care. They benefit greatly from the exemplary relationships that exist between the childminder and their parents. Parents are given a wealth of written information about the provision when they first visit the childminder. They can take this away with them to read, and to ask any questions that might arise. She seeks their views through asking them to complete questionnaires where they can give their opinion on the care provided. Parents speak very highly of the care provided by the childminder. Each day, she notes what every child has done in their daily diary book. This enable parents to have a valuable insight into their child's day. It provides lots of information about what their child has done, how they have slept, and what they have eaten that day. In addition, parents are given a wealth of information about how young children learn through play. This helps them appreciate the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

educational value of what their child does each day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit significantly from the inclusive approach adopted by the childminder. She greatly values each child and fully respects the individuality of each child and family. This element of the provision is supported by an extremely strong written statement on equal opportunities that is shared with all parents. Furthermore, children learn all about our diverse society through playing with superb resources and books that reflect a range of cultures and beliefs. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities receive a high level of support to help them to progress well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children manage their behaviour exceptionally well. This is because the childminder has clear expectations of them and gives appropriate explanation when they do not understand. Excellent strategies are in place to promote positive behaviour. For example, a child places a magnetic sticker on a chart as a reward because she has been kind to another child. She is obviously proud of herself as she does this.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's welfare is promoted exceptionally well because the childminder is highly professional in her approach. She is extremely confident and knowledgeable about how young children develop, and how to meet their needs completely. She is well trained and holds a current first aid certificate so she may care for children who become injured or unwell whilst in her care. She is extremely welcoming and friendly in her manner which puts both children and adults at ease quickly. She has devised an excellent range of written policies and procedures that provide a comprehensive framework for the care that she offers.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to improving her provision further. She is currently undertaking a quality assurance scheme to identify areas of development and improve her practice. For

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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 example, she has identified that she would like to provide a pictorial book for prospective children to view so that they are reassured about coming to her. To this end, she is developing a book of photographs that depict the different parts of the day and activities that they can do with her. In addition, she regularly undertakes relevant training to further her knowledge and skills, and to keep up-to-date with current and future initiatives and legislation. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, the childminder was asked to consider four recommendations. All have been completely addressed. Parents now provide written consent for the childminder to apply sun cream and take photographs of the children. They also are required to provide written consent for their child being transported in a car, and for outings. Children's safety is assured because the childminder has fitted a stair gate to the base of the stairs to prevent children going upstairs unaccompanied. Finally, the childminder has updated her knowledge with regard to safeguarding children's welfare. She has obtained a copy of the local Area Child Protection Procedures guidance and relevant contact numbers in case of a concern for a child's welfare.

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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 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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