Woodfield House School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 126116 Inspection date 20 April 2006 Inspector Vanessa Wood

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and two school aged children. They live in a semi-detached house in a quiet residential area on the outskirts of Tonbridge. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five years on a part time basis and four children after school. The childminder walks to local schools and pre schools to take and collect children.

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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 two cats and a rabbit.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. Garden games and regular visits to local parks and organised activity sessions improve children's physical skills. For example, children learn to control their bodies when using the mini trampoline and attending the pre school bounce session. They delight in playing outdoors with the rice tray and blackboard and chalks. The childminder ensures children walk to school to help develop a healthy lifestyle. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They have independence to take care of their personal needs and learn the importance of washing hands regularly to prevent the spread of germs. Children benefit from a healthy diet where the childminder encourages children to try new foods. All children's dietary needs are taken into account in order to provide nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a home where risks are identified and minimised. For example, the childminder has taken steps to ensure the kitchen area is safe following the last inspection. Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a written emergency evacuation plan in order to protect children in the event of a fire. Children can independently and safely select activities from a wide range of suitable toys and resources. The childminder checks these regularly for any that are damaged and need replacing. The childminder has a secure understanding of child protection issues in order to promote children's well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well at the childminder's house because the childminder provides appropriate and suitable play equipment. They are confident and independent to choose what they want to play with and can select from a wide range of age appropriate toys such as the chalk board and rice tray with measuring and pouring utensils. When children exhaust this play the childminder is happy to provide further activities. For example the toddler expresses a wish to paint and the childminder provides her with suitable materials which she enjoys using. The childminder provides a broad range of activities to support children's development in all areas of learning. However, she does not use the Birth to three matters framework to plan activities to meet the individual needs of children. The childminder has some knowledge of the Foundation Stage curriculum, but has not used this to develop her

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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 practice to enhance learning for all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder knows the children well and is sensitive to their individual needs, wants and interests because she creates effective partnerships with their parents. For example, the childminder has a good service statement and keeps contact books for each child to ensure all information is shared and to maintain the continuity of care for children. The childminder is confident and consistent in managing behaviour and as a result children's behaviour is good. Older children make their own house rules which are displayed on the wall and often referred to. This helps them take responsibility for their own behaviour. Children have equal access to all play materials and some play materials which reflect the cultural diversity of modern Britain.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel secure and part of the family as a result of the childminder's successful organisation. Children benefit from the training she undertakes, although she is not yet using the Birth to three matters framework and the Foundation Stage to plan activities to promote children's development and learning. Children are able to reach most of their own toys which helps develop independence. Most required documentation to protect children is in place, although the register of attendance is not well maintained. The discreet storage of children's personal details protects their privacy well. The childminder has omitted to ensure all members of the family have been vetted and this compromises children's welfare. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

All recommendations from the previous report have been met. The childminder has written a sick children policy and rewritten her behaviour management policy to include a more positive approach to managing behaviour. These policies are available to inform parents of the service she provides. The childminder has made cleaning materials inaccessible to children by having safety catches to the kitchen cupboards. There is also a stair gate at the entrance to the kitchen to prevent children having unsupervised access to the kitchen.

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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 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 the attendance register is completed on a daily basis • use knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework and the Foundation Stage curriculum to plan appropriate play experiences to promote children's learning • ensure all persons in the household are fully vetted to protect children from harm

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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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