Lansdown Park School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 134536 Inspection date 26 January 2006 Inspector Christine Cutts

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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?

This childminder has been registered since 1999. The childminder lives with her partner and children aged 12 and 8 years, in Abingdon, Oxon. Parks and shops are within walking distance. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have two cats, guinea pigs and two dogs. The childminder is registered to provide care for 6 children under 8 years. The childminder is currently minding 3 children under 5 years, all on a part –time basis.

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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 childminder may when working with an assistant care for 6 children under 8 years, of these 4 can be under 5 years, but of these only 2 can be under 1 year. The childminder is a member of the National childminders Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children develop and achieve with the childminder promoting children’s physical development. Each day there are opportunities and activities to help children develop control of their bodies; playing in the garden or walks to school and visits to feed the horses. Children benefit from the provision of age appropriate toys, such as activity centres and puzzles, developing hand eye co-ordination. Children's sense of belonging and self worth are developing by following the children's home routines such as, sleeping arrangements and the childminder organising the daily routine to enable her to give each child individual attention. Children's health is considered; they have access to a clean and well-maintained home environment in which hygiene routines help minimise risks of cross infection, keeping children healthy and well. The childminder has a current first aid certificate. The childminder works closely with parents to provide the children with a nutritious

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Helping children to be healthy

diet. For example, providing healthy snacks and drinks, valuing the wishes of parents and the children's likes and dislikes and encouraging children to develop healthy eating habits.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children have a safe and secure environment with good opportunities to enjoy playing and learning. Children access age appropriate safe resources, which are organised to develop their independence skills. The childminder's very good knowledge of health and safety issues and monitoring of the children ensures that: they are safe and secure in their play; happy to move around the home; or to chat and play with the childminder. The childminder is aware of the need to keep children safe and is proactive in ensuring the children learn how to keep themselves safe, both in the home and outside, with gentle reminders such as not running indoors. The childminder has minimised the areas of risk by identifying potential hazards and implementing a good range of safety equipment including, working smoke alarms, fire blanket and the use of stair gates to limit children access to unused areas of 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 house. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare. The childminder has a secure understanding of child protection in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and learn in a home environment with a sufficient range of quality toys, which are easily accessible, supporting their progress in all areas of learning. The childminder does not yet use the Birth to three matters framework in her planning of activities to support babies and younger children. The children are learning to become independent and gaining self esteem through making choices in a positive environment. The childminder encourages children to explore and have new experiences like visits to the park, feeding the horses or playing with the cat. There are good relationships between the children and the childminder; who engages the children in conversation and reads books together to support their language development. This means that the children feel valued and develop a sense of self worth and belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children develop an understanding of others through playing together and when using the resources available that promote equal opportunities. All of the children are valued and respected as individuals; they have equal access to all the toys and the childminder encourages them to play together, sharing toys and building good social interactions. However, there is a lack of resources that promote equal opportunities. The childminder discusses any special needs with parents and works closely with them, endeavouring to meet the individual needs of the children. The childminder is not currently minding any children with special needs. Children's behaviour is generally good with the childminder giving gentle reminders on expected behaviour. The childminder explains clearly, so children know what she expects of them, helping them to build their sense of right and wrong and manage

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Helping children make a positive contribution

their own behaviour. Children feel comfortable and at ease; they are learning to share and respect each other and their surroundings. The childminder works closely with parents; she ensures she exchanges information daily, keeping them informed about children’s progress and activities. There is no complaints record in place.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and at ease in the well-organised environment. Children benefit from the childminder's organisation; she keeps her childminding commitments low, to ensure that there is an appropriate level of space and resources, to meet all the children's needs and to offer them individual time and attention. The childminder has undertaken all relevant checks and training to enable her to support the children she cares for. Most relevant documentation is in place to ensure care of the children, however, some areas lack detail. The childminder has good relationships with parents and exchanges information to help meet the children's individual needs. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has improved the children's safety and well-being having implemented the recommendation made at the last inspection: All low level glass has been made safe; sharp knives have been made inaccessible to children; parental consents for emergency medical treatment are now in place; children now have paper towels available to improve hygiene and help prevent cross infection; the childminder is now more able to meet the needs of the children; information is recorded on any language, religious or cultural needs the children have. The range of resources that promote positive images has been extended, however the childminder recognises this as an area that she intends to continue to develop.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, Ofsted has received one complaint. Concerns relate to Standard 3 of the National Standards: In that the provider left minded children in a car whilst attending to horses in a stable. The provider investigated the concerns and provided Ofsted with a detailed report addressing all the concerns raised. The provider remains qualified for registration. 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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): • revisit the Birth to three matters frame work to organise activities to support young children • continue to develop the range of activities and resources that support children understanding of others and promote equal opportunities • develop a complaints record.

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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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