Midland Oak School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 131003 Inspection date 04/12/2009 Inspector Bridget Richardson

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1986. She lives with her husband one adult child and two children aged 13 and 8 years in Brighton, East Sussex. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a garden for outside play. The family have two cats, tortoises and a hamster.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled during their time with the childminder. She takes the time to get to know the children and their families well, supporting her to meet all children's individual needs as they make progress towards the early learning goals. Policies and procedures are implemented which helps to ensure the children's welfare is promoted. The childminder attends training courses to gain qualifications and to continually update and extend her knowledge and understanding of early years for the benefit of all the children who attend.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure the garden and the equipment in this area is safe for children to use (suitable premises, environment and equipment) 18/12/2009

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 promote hand washing to develop children's understanding of good hygiene practices  develop accident records to include incidents and ensure medication records are maintained confidentially  continue to devleop observations and assessment and use to plan for children's next stage of learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of safeguarding the children in her care. She has completed some training in this area in the past and has implemented a suitable system for documenting any concerns. She knows who to make referrals to, the signs and symptoms to be mindful of and has informed parents of her duty to report any concerns. Documentation is in place. However, medication records are not confidential and records of incidents that children arrive with are not recorded. This needs improvement to ensure children are safeguarded. The childminder has a range of written policies in place, which are shared with parents to ensure they are aware of her role and responsibilities. Risk assessments for each type of outing and the home are clear and updated regularly. However, a risk assessment for the garden has been completed but not all hazards have been made safe or inaccessible. This means that the risk

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the early years provision

assessment is not sufficient to ensure children's safety when playing in the garden.

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the early years provision

The childminder has begun to self-evaluate and has partially completed a hard copy of the self-evaluation record. The childminder has a commitment to improving her knowledge and keeps current with new initiatives in childcare. Her professional development is shown by the courses she has attended which include Level Three Diploma in Home Based Childcare, Introduction to Childminding Practice course and Early Years Foundation Stage themes for childminders.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates that she provides an inclusive environment for all children and their families; she has made improvement to her resources and activities in this area. Parents are informed about the service that she provides through discussion, contact books giving information on their child’s day and photographic evidence of children at play. The childminder values the role of parents and ensures that she responds to their views, which support continuity. Children benefit from the partnership that the childminder has developed with other professionals involved with the children in her care. She works closely with them to ensure children’s individual learning and development needs can be clearly met. The childminder manages her time suitably. She makes appropriate use of resources, which are easily accessible to children. The environment is welcoming and children generally make satisfactory progress in relation to their starting

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a child-friendly environment, which encourages children to explore and make choices about their own play. This means children have free- flow between the lounge, kitchen and the outside. The kitchen is organised to provide children with opportunities for art and craft activities where they can sit comfortably. Children enjoy the opportunity to select their own toys. For example, they happily play with a range of musical instruments and the childminder extends the activity by introducing music and rhymes for them to join in. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has a suitable understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She completes observations, both written and photographic, and plans activities that follow children’s interest. However, at present she is not referring this back to each area of learning to ensure that each child’s all round development is being

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and outcomes for children

met. She gains clear information about children's starting points from parents, which is detailed to reflect all areas of learning. She understands how to respond to children's individual interests.

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and outcomes for children

Children chat easily with the childminder who responds positively to them. She repeats and models key words to promote their language development. Children are given good opportunities to show concern for living things as they help to care for the family cat. They enjoy stroking the cat and the childminder teaches them how to do this gently and explains to them to leave the cat alone when it is resting.

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and outcomes for children

Children's developing physical skills are well supported as they are able to access the garden. There are also regular trips to the park where they have access to swings and climbing frames, which promote challenges. Planned activities also help children learn about mathematical language and problem solving. For example, children cutting out shapes with play dough. The childminder supported the children’s interest and encouraged them to count how many shapes they had; extending further by asking them how many they would have if they cut out another.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted as they enjoy snacks of fruit and they always have easy access to drinks. However, hygiene procedures are not sufficiently robust to help minimise the risk of cross infection, as children do not always wash hands prior to eating. Children are beginning to understand the need for simple rules, such as sharing, and respond well to praise. Children enjoy outings in the local community, for example, to parks and the library. They acknowledge a range of festivals, which promotes their understanding of other cultures well. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register section of the report in relation to the garden 18/12/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register section of the report in relation to the garden 18/12/2009

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