Oak Tree School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 140942 Inspection date 22 November 2005 Inspector Janet Armstrong

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1994. She lives in a two-bedroom semi-detached house on the island of Portland, close to local shops, parks, schools and nurseries. The childminder has two cats to which children have supervised access. The downstairs is used as the main accommodation for childminding purposes. Included in the registration is an enclosed back garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for up to four children under the age of eight

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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 years and is currently minding nine children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds the Cache level three Certificate in Childminding Practice.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment. As part of their daily routine they follow positive hygiene practices to reduce their risk of catching germs. For example, they wash their hands after using the toilet, stroking the cats and playing outdoors, and before meal times. The use of liquid soap and separate towels supports them well in this. Children recognise the importance of washing their hands. For example, in their role-play, making lunch, they tell me that their hands are dirty and wash them in the toy sink, using pretend soap and rubbing them thoroughly. To further protect children from the risk of the spread of infection, the childminder has clear agreements in place with parents to ensure that infectious children are excluded. Reliable routines that ensure the cats are healthy further promotes children's health and reduces their exposure to illness. However, children's health

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Helping children to be healthy

and well-being is not sufficiently supported through the procedures that are followed when administering medicines. Whilst appropriate records detail any medicines given, prior written permission is not obtained from parents for the administration of prescribed medication. Children's healthy lifestyle is promoted well. Children learn about healthy foods through their play and the childminder's positive attitude. For example, they learn that milk is good for you and 'makes your bones strong' when making 'a cup of tea' in role-play. Positive discussions and communication with parents regarding healthy eating, lunch box contents, allergies and food intolerances ensures that children receive a balanced, healthy and nutritious diet. Children have regular opportunities to develop their physical skills. They enjoy daily local walks and access to a range of equipment in the back garden. For example, use of the slide, seesaw, bats and balls

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Helping children to be healthy

enables children to practise and develop their skills in these areas.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is promoted well. All the necessary precautions have been taken both indoors and in the garden to allow the children to play freely in a safe environment. For example, access to upstairs is restricted, hazardous substances are inaccessible and exposed electrical sockets are covered. Regular checking of the furniture, equipment and play provision to ensure that it is in a good state of repair and appropriate and suitable for those present contributes towards the children's safety when at play. Children learn about safe practices through basic house rules, such as tidying up after themselves, no running indoors or climbing on the furniture. To raise their awareness of potential hazards and to consider consequences, the

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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 childminder asks 'What if?', 'What might happen next?'. This encourages children to think for themselves and start to make safe choices. Children learn how to cross the road safely. Clear instructions and explanations from the childminder remind children of potential hazards around them. Emergency evacuation procedures are practised with children. This contributes towards children's safety in an emergency situation. Children are protected from harm through the childminder's clear awareness and understanding of child protection issues. She is clear on what procedures to follow should she have a concern about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's comfortable home. The childminder has a good awareness of individual needs and supports the children well. She provides the children with positive levels of interaction. This promotes children's confidence and self-esteem. Children have formed good relationships with the childminder, to whom they look for guidance and reassurance. Children are involved in a suitable range of activities that promote their development. They particularly enjoy role-play and small world play, where they act out familiar and imagined situations. Positive interaction from the childminder and access to a good range of role-play resources positively supports and extends the children's imagination. They become engrossed and focused on making a cup of tea and lunch. They take good care of their babies, feeding them, rocking them to sleep and taking

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

them for walks. Children have free access to a good range of well-maintained play equipment that allows them to make independent choices in most areas of their play. They enjoy planned creative activities provided by the childminder on an as and when basis. For example, they make birthday, Easter and Christmas cards. They celebrate Diwali, Halloween and Chinese New Year. They enjoy clay, painting and cutting and sticking activities. However, children do not have regular or free access to creative resources to enable them to initiate their own art and design and express themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's well-being and individual needs are met well through the childminder's positive approach. A strong partnership with parents and good levels of regular communication ensures that the childminder and parents are kept well informed. This provides children with a sense of security. Written contracts and consents support the children's welfare and ensure that both parties are clear on the levels of care and expectations. Written policies and procedures given to parents ensures that they are clear of the childminder's aims and practices. This positively supports children's well-being and continuity of care. The childminder has an appropriate awareness and understanding of special educational needs which will enable her to sufficiently support children in her care.

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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 Children have a strong introduction to the local community in which they live. Regular visits and walks within the island develop the children's sense of belonging. They have a positive introduction to the wider world in which they live through regular access to a range of toys and play provision and planned creative themes and topics that cover a range of festivals and celebrations. Children are well behaved. They learn what is expected of them and why through clear boundaries and expectations. They learn good manners, say please and thank you when required. They learn to share, take turns and are taught to show respect for the needs of those around them.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and confident in this welcoming home. Their safety is promoted well through high levels of supervision, both indoors and on outings. This ensures they do not have unsupervised access to visitors or strangers. They are able to explore within a well-organised and safe environment, where good use has been made of the rooms and space to enable children to play freely. Play provision is mostly accessible to the children which enables them to make their own choices. Records and documentation are well-organised and up-to-date. Written policies and procedures effectively promote partnership with parents and the care and welfare of the children, although, procedures for administering medication are not sufficient. The childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to ensure that the back garden is safe and that written agreements with parents are in place with regard to childcare and business arrangements. These have been addressed well. The water butt and recycling box have been removed from the back outdoor play area to further promote children's safety. Written contracts are now in place with parents. This ensures that both parties are clear on their roles and positively supports the children's well-being.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. 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

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 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 written permission is obtained from parents prior to administering medicines • further extend opportunities for children to access creative resources to express themselves through art and design

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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