Oakthorpe Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 131407 Inspection date 12 December 2005 Inspector Jennifer Pearce

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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 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 has been registered since 1995. She lives with her husband and teenage daughter in the Shirley area of Southampton. The downstairs area of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 2 children under 5 and 3 children over 5 after school and during school holidays. The childminder also cares for children over eight years of age. She walks to local pre-schools and schools to take and collect children. The childminder takes children to the local library and parks.

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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 The family have pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. For example children are taught to wash their hands after using the toilet, playing outside, before food and after handling the rabbits. Children's toys and equipment are clean and well maintained. Children have their own named towels and the childminder wears disposable gloves when providing personal care for babies. This helps to prevent the spread of infection. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day the children walk to the childminder's home from school. The childminder provides a good variety of activities to help the children to develop control of their bodies. Children's physical skills are being developed as they crawl, take part in action rhymes, kick and roll balls, hide in the tent and use large play equipment when

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Helping children to be healthy

they visit the local park. Children also develop control when they use glue spreaders, paint brushes, scissors and tools for working with play-doh and sand. Children are served with nutritious foods at snack and meal times. These may be warm or cold foods depending on the time of year. Children have a choice of drinks and a variety of healthy foods. Cooked meals are provided according to the dietary requirements of the children. The childminder discusses all aspects of the child's care with parents and together they seek to meet the individual dietary needs of the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have freedom to move around in a friendly and child centred environment. The careful organisation of equipment, toys and resources within the childminder's home helps children to access them with ease and safety. All the toys, equipment and resources are in a good state of repair and they are regularly checked for safety. This ensures that children's health and safety are well protected. Children use an extensive range of toys and equipment that are safe and of good quality. The childminder risk assesses all toys and resources to ensure in particular that the younger children are unable to access small objects. This supports safe and enjoyable activities that stimulate and challenge in ways appropriate to the needs of the range of children attending. Children benefit from a good range of safety measures, for example smoke alarms, safety gates, socket covers and a secure outdoor area for play. Children develop a

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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 good awareness of keeping safe as they devise their own fire safety procedure. They practise this on a regular basis discussing what to do, where to go and the only thing to take is yourself. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe outside of the home. She has discussed the reasons for crossing the roads using designated crossing areas and staying close when walking home from school. The childminder has all the required documentation and procedures in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate, has a secure understanding of child protection procedures, shares written information with parents and knows who to contact if she has any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and enjoy being in the childminder's care. Children respond well to the childminder as she interacts with them, talks to them and joins in with their play activities. The childminder encourages children to develop their language skills when sharing a book together, for example talking to the children about familiar animals and singing along with music tapes. Children have opportunities to paint with their fingers, hold brushes, pencils and paint sticks and explore different textures. They collect creative resources to decorate their pictures. Children have opportunities to make and decorate cakes. They are developing their writing skills when they draw and begin to form recognisable letters. The younger children join in activities as the childminder adapts these and makes good use of the Birth to 3 matters framework. Her good understanding of the appropriate types of activities and levels of support gives children confidence to try

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

out new skills. Older children are able to self select from the extensive range of toys and resources and the childminder regularly rotates resources to provide stimulation and further interest for all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are able to take an active part in the childminder's home as she adapts the environment to make resources easily accessible to all children. Children develop a positive attitude to likenesses and differences in culture as they explore designs for decoration. This helps them to develop an understanding of the wider world. Children also learn about their local community as they visit the library for story time on a regular basis and the local park. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They have a good relationship with the childminder who has experience of caring for children with special and additional needs. The childminder adapts activities to include all children and works closely with

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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 parents to share expertise and ensure that each child's needs are met. The childminder regularly praises children for their achievements and encourages and thanks them when they help her. Children are taught good manners and the expectations set by the childminder help them gain an understanding of appropriate behaviour. The childminder knows the children and their families well. Parents are kept informed, verbally and in writing through daily diaries for the younger children and verbally on a daily basis for all children. This ensures that each child's individual needs are well met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children's play area is bright and inviting and the children are at ease and settled in the home. Children are supported as the childminder knows them well and is interested in what they say and do. Children are able to move around freely in the organised environment. The indoor and outdoor play space is planned to enable children to have freedom of choice for all activities. The childminder keeps good records of the children in her care. This includes detailed personal information, permission to take photographs, permission to administer medication and permission to seek emergency medical treatment and advice. Parents are able to access the policies and procedures which the childminder follows. Children are able to see their own art work displayed on the walls and in the photographic records in their individual portfolios. Children are able to take these portfolios with them when they leave the provision, to retain a written record of their

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Organisation

achievements. The childminder attends regular workshops to enable her to develop her skills and practice. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder ensures that all parents sign the entry in the record book after medicine is administered to minded children which ensures that children's welfare and care is promoted. The childminder maintains an incident record book which ensures that any incidents can be recorded and parents kept informed.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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Complaints 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 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): • ensure that keys to exit the premises are stored in a secure and accessible place to enable immediate evacuation in an emergency situation.

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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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