St Oswald's CofE Aided Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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108711 Unique Reference Number 09 May 2008 Inspection date Charlotte Jenkin 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 satisfactory. 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 since 1999. She lives with her husband and three children in a three bed-roomed house in the Freshbrook area of Swindon. The family live close to local shops, community facilities and parks. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for five children under the age of eight years and currently cares for four children, of whom two attend on a full time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and rest in warm, clean premises. The childminder demonstrates her awareness of the need to maintain good standards of hygiene in the home and to carry out hygienic routines to minimise the spread of infection. However, although children wash their hands prior to eating meals, they do not consistently do this prior to eating snacks. This has the potential to put them at risk from cross contamination. Children's health is well protected by a childminder who follows the correct administrative procedures if children have an accident or require

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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 medication whilst in her care. The childminder has a written sickness policy in place which is formally shared with parents along with guidance on exclusion periods for specific illnesses. This reduces children's exposure to unnecessary illness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to develop their awareness of healthy eating through the nutritious snacks and meals they enjoy whilst in the provision. The childminder freshly prepares all meals daily for the children and takes into account parental wishes when organising these. For example, providing hot lunches upon request. Children have access to drinks at all times and this means they have enough fluids throughout the day. Children's dietary needs are successfully met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular access to fresh air and exercise with daily walks to the local school and pre-school. They often visit local parks where they play on the large apparatus, and visit soft play centres when the weather is not so good. Children regularly play in the garden where they have access to an appropriate range of equipment, including space hoppers, a slide, balls and bats, and tricycles. Children, therefore, have their physical skills well promoted. Children display a positive attitude towards exercise, frequently requesting to go outside and play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in premises where space has been organised to meet their needs. Therefore, children have areas for resting, eating and plenty of floor space for play. Children have access to a wide range of toys and equipment that support their development in all areas. They are able to develop confidence through accessing the toys they wish to play with independently. The childminder is aware of her responsibility in ensuring the toys are safe for the children. Hence, children play with toys that are safe, suitable and age appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play and rest in safe premises as the childminder has identified potential hazards to the children and minimised these to prevent accidents and promote safety in the home. For example, sockets are covered, potentially hazardous materials are in locked cupboards, safety gates prevent access to the stairs and the premises and garden are all secure. Hence, children move around the premises with confidence and play in safety. Appropriate procedures are in place for taking children on outings, where suitable safety equipment is used and children's safety is promoted. All fire precautions are in place and the evacuation plan is practised with the children. However, this is not fully developed to include details of the evacuation to ensure it is effective in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by a childminder who has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow in the event of concerns. She formally shares her duties with parents and this promotes the children's well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They demonstrate a secure bond with her, happily chatting during their play about their personal lives. Children feel secure in the childminder's care, knowing they will be reassured when an unfamiliar adult is present in the setting. The childminder knows the children in her care well and responds quickly and sensitively to their individual needs. Children confidently explore the toys on offer and make choices with regard to those they wish to play with, for example, the dolls, drawing and play figures. Children enjoy engaging in imaginative play, where they wrap the doll in a blanket and put it to sleep.

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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 interacts well with the children, showing interest in them and what they are doing. This promotes the children's language development, as well as their self-confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder organises a wide range of activities for the children including opportunities for physical play, arts and crafts, role play and exploring the outdoor environment. For example, children made binoculars and then went out to look for insects with them. They also visit local places in the community and engage in family type activities such as growing flowers and vegetables together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who knows them well, respects their individual needs and values them. She takes time to get to know the children in her care, and this enables her to respond to their individuality. Hence, this has a positive impact on their self-esteem. All children are included in routines and activities, with additional support where needed to ensure they feel involved and develop a sense of belonging in the provision. Children have access to various play materials that show positive images of diversity in their play. This helps children understand the wider world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good and this is due to the clear and realistic boundaries the childminder sets with them. Children are encouraged to share and take turns in their play and the childminder role models good manners and kindness towards others. She demonstrates sound awareness of the methods to use for managing children's behaviour and ensures she works closely with parents to promote consistency for the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good partnership with parents as they have their routines respected, are cared for as requested by parents and this ensures they receive continuity of care. The childminder has daily exchanges of information with parents regarding their child's day and this means childcare issues are easily discussed. They receive detailed information regarding the procedures the childminder is required to follow, hence, they know how their child will be cared for.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by a suitable and appropriately qualified childminder. She has attended additional training to support her professional development. This has enabled her to reflect on her practice and implement new ideas to enhance the children's learning opportunities. The attendance register is kept up-to-date and details the exact times the children are in the care of the childminder. This ensures an accurate record is maintained and this protects the children's welfare. The childminder maintains the required adult to child ratios at all times and this means they receive suitable adult support. Hence, they are settled and relaxed in her care and have their routines respected.

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Organisation

All necessary consents have been gained from parents regarding their children's participation in the activities and routines of the day. Hence, this protects their well-being and ensures they are cared for in line with parents' wishes. All required documentation is stored securely on the premises and is readily available for inspection. The childminder has organised all her written policies well and has shared these with parents formally, asking them to read and agree to

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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 them. This helps with the running and organisation of her childcare service, as parents are aware of the procedures she is required to follow.

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Organisation

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 last inspection the provider agreed to keep an accurate record of children's attendance and to keep a written record, signed by parents of all medicines administered to children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's actual attendance is now recorded daily and any medicines given to children are recorded and shared with parents. This promotes the children's health and safety in the provision.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • ensure hand washing routines are consistently implemented to reduce the spread of infection • further monitor the effectiveness of the fire evacuation plan by including details of evacuation time and numbers of children present

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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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