St John with St Mark CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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133929 Unique Reference Number 23 January 2008 Inspection date Penny Wood 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 1992. She lives with her daughter in Bicester, Oxfordshire. The whole of the home is registered for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years old at any one time and she currently has eight children aged between one and 14 years old on roll. She is able to walk to local schools, pre-schools and amenities. The childminder has a range of pets which include two dogs, various rabbits and guinea pigs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are developing a good understanding of hygiene routines which reduce the spread of germs. Whilst preparing to wash their hands she talks to the children about washing the germs away. Children benefit from using their own individual hand towels, reducing the risk of cross infection.

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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 The childminder’s sickness policy promotes children’s good health with exclusion times in place to reduce the spread of illness. Parents have access to a written policy ensuring they are informed of when it is best to keep their children at home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the care they receive following accidents and when requiring medication. Written permission allowing the childminder to seek further medical care ensure children receive treatment in-line with parents wishes. Accident and medication documents record events and are shared with parents at home time to ensure they are informed of the care their children receive.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy opportunities to be physically active and to participate in exercise both in local play parks and during regular visits to a swimming pool. When playing outside during the summer months the childminder applies sun cream and encourages the children to wear hats in order to protect them from the harmful effects of the sun.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of healthy snacks, such as apples, bananas and grapes. The childminder has information available for parents regarding healthy options for food. Children participate in sticking activities based on healthy eating to encourage them to eat their five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Records of children’s allergies ensure they only receive foods that are suitable for their individual dietary needs. Risk assessments regarding specific food allergies and the triggered reactions ensure the childminder is fully informed of specific dietary needs and how to reduce the risk to children. Drinks are readily available allowing children to see to their own needs when thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy space to play safely within the home. They have access to an extensive range of toys and activities, which they are able to select from the toy room upstairs. All toys are checked for safety and suitability ensuring they are in good order during children’s play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Within the home good safety measures are in place to reduce any risk of harm to children. For example, the home is secure, stair gates deny children access to unsuitable areas, such as the stairs and kitchen and plug sockets are covered. When participating in activities, such as swimming, the childminder assesses the risks and takes action to ensure children’s safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

During outings, children are developing an understanding of how to keep themselves safe. For example, they are learning about road safety, with certificates awarded to the children when they are confident in crossing the road safely. Detailed risk assessments enable the childminder to review safety within the home and to take action when necessary in order to reduce the risk of harm. Appropriate child protection procedures safeguard children’s welfare, although the childminder does not have a formal confidential system for recording concerns or existing injuries which children arrive with in order to monitor children’s wellbeing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely confident, happy and at ease within the childminder’s care. They willingly participate in an excellent range of activities and play opportunities which encourage their learning and development. Very good systems record children’s achievements, which are shared with parents on regular occasions. Information displayed on the notice board enables parents

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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 to view the topics and activities planned, enabling them to gain ideas on how they may extend and further children’s learning at home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children thoroughly enjoy the planned activities provided by the childminder, yet also enjoy choosing games and toys for themselves. Activities are age appropriate, with children readily taking part and enjoying themselves. Children engage extremely well with the childminder. Very good questioning techniques encourage children to use their developing language, reasoning and problem solving skills. They confidently name their colours, match plastic 3D fruits to shapes on paper and colour the shapes in with the corresponding colour. A three year old was able to match red for a strawberry and use green to colour the stalk without any prompting from the childminder to recognise the requirement for two colours. Children are developing strong relationships with each other. They play exceptionally well together and happily participate alongside each other during activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children behave well as a result of the firm boundaries and consistent behaviour management strategies adopted by the childminder. They are expected to say thank you, to help tidy up, to share and take turns with the toys, with the childminder monitoring the children to ensure this takes place. Children are developing a good understanding of the world around them through the celebration of cultural festivals and play with a range of resources which depict positive images of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the relationships developed between the childminder and their parents. Good information is shared prior to children joining her care to ensure the childminder is able to provide appropriate care for their individual needs. Very good information is made available to parents regarding her practice through a notice board and regular newsletters. Daily discussion and weekly diaries keep parents informed of their child’s time with the childminder, with opportunities to discuss concerns as they arise.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She has a positive attitude towards improving her provision, actively seeking feedback from parents and undertaking further training in early years care and education. When providing activities, such as the celebration of cultural festivals, the childminder researches the topic in order to improve her knowledge prior to planning activities. She has access to support from other providers within the area.

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Organisation

All regulatory documentation is in place and most contains accurate detail. However, the registration system is not routinely completed upon children’s arrival and departure in order to reflect the children within her care at any one time. A comprehensive set of policies and procedures are regularly reviewed to ensure they accurately reflect the childminders provision.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved her provision of care based on the recommendations that were raised. The childminder was requested to provide a list of all persons living on the premises which is now in place. The registration certificate is now displayed

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Improvements 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 enabling all parents to be aware of her conditions of registration. Hand washing procedures now prevent cross infection of germs through the use of individual towels for drying. Documentation includes details of children's religious and cultural beliefs ensuring the childminder is able to respect and provide for differences in children's requirements and the childminder has increased her understanding of when to make contact with Ofsted, particularly when requiring amendments to her conditions of registration. The childminder was also requested to ensure the attendance register provides an accurate record of hours of attendance, however, this is an area for ongoing improvement.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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): • formalise the systems for recording child protection concerns and injuries which children arrive with • ensure registers are completed upon children's arrival and departure

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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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