Tintwistle CofE (Aided) Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 112923 Inspection date 24 April 2006 Inspector Michelle Ann Parham

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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 1990. She is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently caring for seven children on a part-time basis. The childminder lives with her husband and two older children. They live in a house in a residential area of Gosport in Hampshire. Local parks, War Memorial Hospital and Leesland Infant & Junior schools are within walking distance of the home. All areas of the home are accessible to the children and there is a fully enclosed rear garden area available for outside play.

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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 a pet dog in the home. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends groups for children on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have good opportunity to enjoy daily fresh air and exercise. In the rear garden they are able to use equipment such as tents, tunnels, egg and spoon game, hoola hoops, prams, bats & bats, roller skates, skipping ropes, swing ball and planned obstacle courses. Children also benefit from regular visits to three local community parks, a parent and toddler group and walks to Leesland Infant and Junior Schools. These opportunities help the children develop gross motor skills, promote their fitness and extend their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. Children benefit from a clean and comfortable environment. Their good health is promoted as the childminder encourages them to follow effective hygiene procedures, such as washing hands after outside play, using the toilet and before meals. Individual face cloths are provided for younger children and children are

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Helping children to be healthy

protected from unnecessary illness as they do not attend if they are infectious. These measures help the children gain an increased understanding of good health and hygiene and prevent cross contamination. 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. Children have their individual needs well met because the childminder has documentation in place to ensure she is aware of their routines and individual health and dietary requirements. She has awareness of special dietary needs and works closely with parents to ensure they are effectively met. Children benefit from healthy and nutritious meals as the childminder is able to supply wholesome home cooked foods which include cottage pie, roast dinners and pasta dishes such as spaghetti bolognese. She also provides healthy snacks of fresh fruit and toast, sugar free

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Helping children to be healthy

squash, water and milk shakes. Consequently children are well nourished and have their individual dietary needs met effectively at the setting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are secure within the setting and their safety is high priority. All necessary precautions have been addressed to prevent hazards such as safe storage of chemicals and sharp implements, use of safety gates and electric sockets made inaccessible to the children. Children are protected as the childminder is aware of who is collecting children and has arrangements agreed beforehand with parents. Children are able to use equipment and the environment safely as furniture and resources are well maintained and conform to safety standards. Toys are well

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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 organised, in good condition and checked regularly for safety, which ensures they are suitable for use and do not present a hazard to children. Children’s welfare is well maintained as the childminder has the required documentation in place to record existing injuries. She has good understanding and awareness of signs and symptoms that could cause concern and of the relevant agency to contact in regard to child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled. They are confident within the home and have good self-esteem. They make choices and decisions for themselves and explore their surroundings and stimulating resources available. They spend their time purposefully and have good opportunity to develop their social skills and progress well in all areas. Children gain independence as they use their initiative to self-select between a variety of fun and interesting toys and equipment in the dedicated playroom or summer house. They enjoy exploring creativity as they make items such as spiral mobiles, collage pictures and tissue paintings. Specific interests are fostered as the childminder knows the children well and what they enjoy. For example, she rotates and adds to the puzzles to ensure challenge and renewed interest in this area for children who particularly like this type of play. The childminder has a good

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

understanding of child development and recognises the importance of play in a child’s learning. She is affectionate and the children benefit from warm and trusting relationships whereby they receive lots of time, attention and cuddles. Children thrive because of the strong support they have from the childminder; they enjoy their time in the setting and develop good communication and social skills through consistent, positive interaction and involvement.

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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 dolls and positive images portrayed in books. They gain an understanding of the local community and environments as they regularly walk through the parks, visit soft play areas and the parent and toddler group. Children receive continuity and an appropriate care package, because the childminder uses child information records and close working with parents. Subsequently, she is aware of their personal needs. All children are welcomed and treated as individuals, as the childminder has awareness of equal opportunities and special needs. Children learn acceptable behaviour because the childminder uses positive techniques such as discussion, distraction, praise and encouragement, stickers for reward and time out to think if required. This helps the children learn right from wrong

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and respect for others. All behaviour management techniques are appropriate for the understanding of the child.

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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 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. 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 provides parents with copies of policies for their own reference. All forms are shared and co-signed and there are a number of references from parents evidencing how they are happy with the service they and their children have received. Complaints information is in place however the log is not currently in a format that is available for parents to view on request.

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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. Children are happy, relaxed and comfortable. Their health and wellbeing are promoted because all required documentation is in place, maintained and overall is shared with parents. Children experience a safe, secure and stimulating environment, where they are protected by sound procedures which are implemented effectively by the childminder. She has an understanding of the requirements of her registration and the inspection process and maintains 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 provider was required to ensure adequate contents of the fist aid box, have written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment, vehicle documentation verified, pond and drains inaccessible to children, appropriate first aid training and low level glass made safe. The childminder now has a well stocked first aid kit, a first aid qualification that is valid until March 2009 and has written consent from parents to seek emergency medical treatment. The pond is covered securely with a metal frame and netting, vehicle documentation has been verified and drains and glass do not now present a hazard. These improvements have a significant impact on the health and safety of children, organisation of the provision and partnership with parents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report 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

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 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 complaints log is in a format for parents to view on request.

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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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