Pontville School

Inspection report for early years provision

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133540 Unique Reference Number 13 February 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 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 was registered in 1996. She lives with her partner and son aged 14 years old in Broughton, Banbury. 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 11 children who attend on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children demonstrate an excellent understanding of healthy living and how to look after their bodies through high quality discussions and explanations from the childminder and daily

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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 activities and routines. Children know and understand how they use soap and water when washing their hands because of the song they sing when carrying this out, they use their individual flannels to dry their hands, therefore preventing the spreading of germs. The wearing of gloves for nappy changing and established routines such as catching your cough reduces the risk of cross contamination. The children benefit from the childminder's daily cleaning routines, excellent example and extensive knowledge of the clear and well written policies and procedures, result in, children playing in a exceptionally clean environment where they are very well protected from infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing an extensive knowledge of healthy eating habits through eating a balanced diet, drinking water regularly and exploring healthy foods through practical activities. The children enjoy activities which enable them to discuss healthy options with the childminder, for example, as they prepare play food in the role play kitchen area. They show their excellent knowledge of the importance of eating a healthy, balanced diet explaining with clear understanding how fruit makes us big and strong and healthy. The childminder inspires the children to be active, promoting daily fresh air and focussed play in the garden, at parks and on outings. They use large apparatus and equipment, which helps them to develop strength and improve muscle control. Children enthusiastically participate in innovative exercise sessions. For example, through music and movement.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play in a warm, exceptionally well child orientated homely environment, where their safety needs are very well met. The childminder displays children's craftwork, height chart and personal items made by the children within the home, for others to see, which ensures the children feel valued and their efforts appreciated. Children play with an exceptional range of excellent age appropriate and challenging toys, which the childminder rotates and displays out ready for the children to allow them to feel welcomed and at home within the setting, which in turn develops their interests and skills as they freely flow between the ample resources set out available. The childminder ensures the home and play materials are thoroughly cleaned and maintained to protect the children from illness and maintain their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn house rules and good practice to avoid accidental injury. They are all exceptionally confident within the environment, and understand rules for where they can and can not go, for example, the children understand that they have a set place for their drinks in the hall on their own personalised coaster, which they can obtain when required. A fully enclosed designated outdoor play area is equipped with sturdy apparatus suitable for the varied ages and development needs of children attending. The childminder has an excellent awareness of children's developing abilities. This ensures that appropriate safety measures are in place to avoid dangerous situations and minimise all risks in and outside of the home environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a sound and meticulous knowledge of child protection issues. She has recently attended an in-depth course, to refresh her understanding and ensure that she has all the relevant reference materials. As a result the safety and welfare of the children in the childminder's care will always be promoted and is of an up most priority.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from a comprehensive programme, which accommodates individual routines, and incorporates free play, organised activities and outings. The childminder's planning is unsurpassed; it allows for the children to have an exceptional variety, balance and challenges within extensive themes, activities and opportunities, all of which take account of children's individual interests and abilities. The children present were confidently undertaking activities, such as playing in the role play area, feeding the baby and making tea. Immense laughter and enjoyment was apparent throughout the day, especially when then childminder was placing formed shapes on her face. On going communication was observed between peers and the childminder. The childminder is extremely talented in securing the children’s knowledge through her questioning which encourages children to think through problems for themselves and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

become independent learners. Children have excellent opportunities to explore the outdoor environment with outings to local places of interest. They take part in developmentally active and quiet activities, planned and unplanned, which allows for variety and interest in the day. Recent planned activities include, Chinese New year, Valentines day and the smiley crocodile teeth topic.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident in the environment. They arrive happily and demonstrate eagerness to take part in activities, such as arts and crafts and drawing pictures of rainbows on large paper. The childminder has excellent relationships with the children, who play an active part in the setting, and their games. They all communicate and relate well to each other, showing each other consideration through play. The children demonstrate on going enthusiasm as they make independent choices and select their own activities from open boxes, this includes accessing books, which are read to the children in a comfortable designated book area. Children enjoy themselves and are helped to achieve, as the childminder has an excellent understanding of the individual development needs of the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are valued and cared for according to their individual preferences and needs. They learn to respect others and to value differences; their awareness is enhanced through the excellent provision of resources which positively reflect diversity and take part in many activities that introduce them to the wider world, for example, fuzzy felts, figures of people with disabilities, dressing up clothes and musical instruments. The children learn about people around them through regular visits within the local community, interesting outings and planned topic work. This positive approach fosters children's understanding of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages children’s behaviour sensitively and effectively, they share and take turns very well together. The children understand and cooperate well with the house rules because they are clear and children respect the reasons for them. Children show consideration to others, which is demonstrated through their role play, when looking after babies, they clearly feel at ease with the childminder which in turn gives them an immense sense of security.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the excellent strategies that the childminder has for building good relationships with parents and carers, which in return contributes significantly to children's wellbeing. Parents make good use of the daily discussion, and use the information boards, and daily diaries to gain complete knowledge of their child’s day. Parents receive comprehensive

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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 information, which introduces them to the setting, and individually receive the extensive range of written policies and procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit immensely from the excellent standard of care the childminder brings to her role. They participate in the activities with great enthusiasm, initiating their own play and extending their learning on a daily basis. Children thrive continually as the childminder has the children's welfare and interest at heart throughout her day. The childminder is methodical in continuing to develop her practice, as she updates knowledge in childcare regularly to provide an outstanding environment for the children to play and learn within. The childminder has a through understanding of the National Standards, and is proactive in ensuring children are well protected from persons who have not been police checked.

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Organisation

The childminder has detailed and comprehensive documentation in place, which positively and effectively reflect and underpin the childminder’s high quality practice. All policies and procedures are comprehensive, and planning systems are adapted well to maintain the children’s individual progress in all areas of their development. This as a result means the outstanding quality of the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to, improve her fire safety. The childminder has fully complied with this recommendation, and has developed a comprehensive, fire routine, with use of a flip chart and regularly practised drills, to secure the children's understanding and welfare in this area.

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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

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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