St Keverne Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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111821 Unique Reference Number 09 May 2006 Inspection date Michelle Ann Parham 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 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 1999. She is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently caring for four children on a regular basis. The childminder lives with her husband and two children. The house is within walking distance to Bedenham School, The Haven Children’s Centre, local shops, community library and parks. All areas of the ground floor are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The childminder attends a number of local children's groups on a regular basis. The family have a pet rabbit which is housed in a cage in the garden.

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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 good. Children benefit from a clean and comfortable environment. Their good health is well promoted as the childminder encourages them to follow effective hygiene procedures, such as washing hands after outside play, toileting, touching the pet rabbit and before meals. Individual hand towels are provided for the children and they are protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they are infectious. Children’s oral hygiene is well promoted as the childminder provides a toothbrush for each child and ensures they brush their teeth after all meals. She also has a cleansing gel which is taken on outings to ensure children maintain good hygiene and therefore promote their good health. These effective measures help the children gain a very good understanding of health and hygiene, prevent cross contamination and assist in the development of their personal care skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for effectively in emergency situations as there is a well maintained first aid kit and the childminder has a current first aid qualification. Consequently she is able to deal with accidents and illness appropriately. Children have their individual needs addressed because the childminder has documentation in place to inform her of health and possible dietary requirements. They benefit from healthy and nutritious meals as the childminder is able to supply wholesome home cooked foods which include cheesy jacket potatoes, pasta Bolognese and char grilled chicken. She also provides healthy snacks of fresh fruit, breadsticks, healthy option cookies and regular fresh drinks of sugar free squash, water or milk. Children enjoy helping the childminder prepare their meals and trying new foods which helps to increase their interest and understanding of healthy eating. Children are well nourished and hydrated and

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Helping children to be healthy

have their individual dietary needs effectively met at the setting.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a wealth of opportunity to enjoy daily fresh air and exercise. In the rear garden they are able to use equipment such as a slide, balls, sit and ride car, paddling pool and tricycles. They have fun with their peers as they climb the slide and enjoy rolling the football down and develop co-ordination as they use the sit and ride toys. Each day the children walk to Bedenham School and throughout the week visit a number of parent and toddler groups and community resources such as the library and local play parks. These good opportunities for daily exercise and outings promote children’s all round fitness and extend their knowledge and understanding of their environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and secure within the setting as the childminder accompanies them at all times and is vigilant in her supervision. However weaknesses have been noted as the front door is not kept locked and can be accessed by children and nappy changing is not undertaken on a mat on the floor so there is a slight risk that a child may roll off the sofa and hurt them self. Consequently this does not thoroughly ensure children's safety. Overall most necessary precautions have been well addressed to prevent hazards such as safe storage of chemicals and sharp implements and use of a safety gate and socket covers. Children are also protected as

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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 the childminder is aware of who is collecting the children and has arrangements agreed beforehand with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to use equipment and the environment safely as furniture and resources are well maintained and conform to safety standards. Toys are organised for ability and age group use and checked regularly for safety, which ensures they are suitable and do not present a hazard to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected and guarded from harm because the childminder has a very good understanding of her role with regards to child protection issues. She is fully aware of the procedures to follow should she have concerns about children in her care and discusses her role with parents ensuring they are kept aware of her responsibilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children thrive because the childminder has a good understanding of child development and recognises the importance of play in a child’s learning. She provides stage/ability appropriate resources which enable the children to make progress in all areas of learning. The children are relaxed and content in the home with the childminder and their peers, playing and using the ground floor of the home and garden with confidence and ease. Children have their care needs effectively addressed and respond well to the childminder. For example when toilet training they often show a sense of achievement, although afterwards are sometimes a little despondent at having to wash their hands again!

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are becoming skilful communicators because the childminder has good interpersonal skills. She builds warm and trusting relationships with the children and interacts well with them. Young children are well supported and enjoy the company of the childminder. They benefit from her full time and attention at activities such as playing with dough at the dining table or sitting on the floor in the playroom doing large puzzles together. Throughout all activities the childminder maintains good levels of interaction with the children which as a result helps further develop their own language skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are becoming competent learners because they have a variety of resources and activities that provide interest, fun and stimulation. Resources are stored at low level in the dedicated playroom whereby children can identify what is available and initiate their own choice of play. Consequently this develops responsibility and independence. Children benefit from the selection of toys and art and craft resources in the home and regular attendance at various toddler groups. Here they have ample opportunity to develop social skills as they participate in group play with peers and enjoy activities such as making shadow puppets. Children are given good opportunity to think and respond as the childminder asks open questions and for example introduces learning of colours and counting into incidental play. Daily experiences of walking in the local community and trips on buses to the beach broaden children’s knowledge and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

understanding of the world around them, are fun, interesting and enriching.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are beginning to learn about the wider world through playing with resources that reflect diversity such as small world figures, experiencing new food tastes and viewing positive images portrayed in books. They gain a great understanding of the local community and environment as they regularly visit a number of parent and toddler groups, the local library and Stokes Bay and Lee on the Solent beaches. Children receive continuity and an appropriate care package, because the childminder gathers relevant information from parents about their personal needs. As a result she is aware of their individual requirements and daily routines. All children are welcomed and treated as individuals, as the childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities and awareness of special needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Good manners are well promoted at the setting and children learn acceptable behaviour because the childminder uses positive techniques such as discussion, distraction, praise and encouragement and time out to think if required. This helps the children learn right from wrong and develop good social skills. All techniques are appropriate for the understanding of the child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from good partnership with parents for example they are welcomed into the home to discuss the day's events and to share information. The childminder also provides parents with a written report detailing activities and visits, food consumed, sleeping and toileting habits. Parents are fully informed about the setting because the childminder has a portfolio in place which consists of various policies of work practice; she also displays the required certificate of registration and Ofsted information poster for parents to view.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her home to ensure children benefit from a range of activities and where they can move freely, enabling them to make choices about their play. Children are happy, relaxed and comfortable in the setting and each day activities are planned around the needs of the children attending. Their health and wellbeing are well promoted because all required documentation is in place, maintained and shared with parents. Children experience an overall safe and stimulating environment, with just minor weaknesses noted for improvement. The childminder has a good understanding of the requirements of her registration and the inspection process and maintains all National Standards. 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 improve documentation to include consent from parents for seeking emergency medical treatment and full details of accidents and existing injuries. All documentation is now in place and completed as required which improves the health and well being of children and the overall organisation of the service provided.

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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 are no complaints to report since registration.

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Complaints 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 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): • Review nappy changing routine and security of front door to ensure children's safety.

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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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