Purple Oaks Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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144759 Unique Reference Number 29 March 2006 Inspection date Catherine, Louise Sample Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 was registered in 2000. She lives with her husband and three children aged 11,13 and 17 in a three bedroom end of terrace house in Durrington. She uses the lounge and dining room areas for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have a tank of tropical fish and a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a total of six children at any one time. There are currently nine children on roll that attend at varying times.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of National Childminding Association. She has an NVQ level 2 in play work.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have sufficiently healthy food and drink. The childminder has a healthy eating policy and supplies snacks of biscuits and toast. Children have easy access to drinks of squash or water which are kept out for them to help themselves. Children's packed lunches are stored appropriately. Children's dietary needs are discussed with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's hygiene needs are met sufficiently. Children use soap for washing their hands and use kitchen roll for hand drying to prevent cross infection. Children are reminded to wash their hands after using the toilet but a child was observed not to wash her hands before eating. The childminder's home is not sufficiently clean in all areas. The carpet in the sitting room has crumbs, cat hairs and dried on food spills on it and the toilet is not sufficiently clean. These areas pose a health risk to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected well from illness and infection through positive measures such as having a sickness policy that is shared with parents and information for parents about when to keep their child at home. Children are excluded for 24 hours if they have sickness or diarrhoea to prevent spreading infection. Children's first aid needs are met through the childminder having a current first aid certificate and an easily accessible first aid box. Children are helped to keep fit through appropriate measures including walking regularly, playing sports and having an annual sports day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning effectively about safety. The childminder regularly talks to them about how to stay safe. For example, she tells a child "Could you leave the covers on the table because they are there to stop you hurting yourself on the sharp corners." Children are also learning about road safety and are encouraged to look both ways and listen for traffic when crossing the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is ensured by generally effective measures. These include regular fire drills. Children are able to explain to the inspector exactly what they have to do if the smoke alarm goes off. There are also safety measures that include keeping all cleaning materials and sharp knives out of reach and denying children access to the hall and stairs. However, there are a number of safety issues that put children at risk. The kettle is close to edge of the worktop and could be easily reached by a child. There are toiletries kept on low shelving in the bathroom which are accessible to children. Finally there is an uncovered electrical socket in the sitting room where children play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept sufficiently safe outdoors. The garden is fully enclosed and has no toxic plants. Children are directly supervised at all times during outdoor play. Children are kept safe on outings through effective measures that include wearing reins for younger children and

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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 walking in pairs for older children. The childminder carried emergency contact numbers and a mobile phone with her at all times when out.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted through the childminder's sound understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of the possible indictors of abuse such as changes in behaviour and bruises in unusual places. She has a clear awareness of the procedures to follow in the event of concerns about a child. She would talk to parents if appropriate and refer her concerns to Social Services as necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children take part in purposeful activities. They enjoy a variety of free play if they attend after school and pre-school and more structured activities during the holidays. They do activities such as cooking, arts and crafts and sports. The childminder plans activities around themes such as 'under the sea'. Children benefit from an extensive range of resources for all ages. They have good opportunities to make choices. They can choose resources themselves from easily accessible clear storage boxes. The childminder rotates the range of toys available on a regular basis to maintain the children's interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from good adult support. The childminder gets down onto the floor to play with children and offers cuddles and distraction for a child that is distressed. She offers children choices about what they want to do. For example, she asks a child "What would you like?" She offers praise for the children's achievements. For example, she tells a child "Well done - that is very good!" when a child draws a letter of the alphabet. As a result, children have good self esteem. A child says "I'm going to do it all myself!" and then tells the childminder "I have finished it all!" Children are learning through the effective use of questioning by the childminder. She asks children if they remember the names of shapes and asks them to identify colours. She helps children to make progress. For example, she talks with a three-year-old about which letters are in her name and tells her that she needs a big letter at the beginning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have positive relationships with their peers. For example, a child tries to comfort a crying toddler by offering him a car to play with. Children have a good sense of belonging and this gives them the confidence to operate independently. For example, a child puts up her drawings on the childminder's fridge by herself. Children are well behaved. They readily respond to what they are asked to do such as putting away their shoes. They have contributed their own ideas to the golden rules which are displayed on the fridge. Children's behaviour is managed effectively. The childminder uses distraction and removal from the situation and encourages children to apologise to others if they have hurt or upset them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning effectively about wider society. They celebrate a variety of festivals including St Patrick's day and Divali. They have daily access to resources that show positive images of diversity including disabled and black small world figures. Children are encouraged

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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 to play with all the toys whatever their gender. For instance, a girl plays happily with the cars and play mat. Children's individual needs are met well. The childminder comforts a toddler that is grizzly and holds him while she suggests activities that both he and another child can do. Children with special needs have their needs met effectively. The childminder plans to care for children with additional needs when she does not have lots of other children so that she can give appropriate support. She works closely with the parents and other agencies to ensure that children with special needs are cared for effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from an effective working relationship between the childminder and the parents. The childminder shares information with the parents through regular discussion. She keeps them informed about her provision through a detailed prospectus and policy document. She uses contracts and record of information sheets to set out the terms of the arrangement and to record children's needs and parental wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from well organised resources which are stored in see through boxes on the floor so that children can access them easily. They also benefit form a sufficiently well organised environment that provides appropriate play space. The environment is warm and welcoming with displays of the children's drawings and paintings and a chart showing the children's birthdays.

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Organisation

Children's care is enhanced by the childminder's commitment to professional development. She has attended a wide variety of training and workshops ranging from child protection to cookery. She also has an NVQ level 2 in play work. She is committed to attending more training in order to further develop her practice.

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Organisation

Children's welfare is promoted through the keeping of all necessary records, policies and procedures. For example, the childminder keeps accurate records of attendance, accidents and medication. Records are stored securely out of reach of others to ensure confidentiality. A detailed policy document is shared with parents.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to share her policies with parents and to seek written parental consent to transport children. The childminder has a comprehensive policy document which she shares with parents. This ensures that parents are well informed about the provision. The childminder has sought written parental permission to transport children. This ensures that parents are made aware that children will be transported and are in agreement with this.

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Improvements 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

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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

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 that electric sockets and toiletries are inaccessible to children • ensure that all areas are kept clean • ensure that children cannot reach the kettle • ensure good hygiene with regard to hand washing procedures

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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