Lexden Primary School with Unit for Hearing Impaired Pupils

Inspection report for early years provision

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114707 Unique Reference Number 06 June 2006 Inspection date Jacqueline Crawford 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 was registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and nine years. The family live in a house in a village close to Arundel, West Sussex. The whole of the ground floor and part of the first floor of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five part-time. The childminder takes children to the library and on outings to the park, woods and beach. The family have a dog and a cat, a rabbit is housed outdoors.

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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 enjoy a healthy lifestyle and are well taken care of if they have an accident or become ill, because the childminder follows appropriate health and hygiene guidelines and procedures. The childminder is currently updating her first aid certificate in order to maintain a good standard of care for children. The provision of good pet care and hygiene routines, ensures children are well protected from infection. Children learn about good health and hygiene practices through discussions with the childminder and effective routines. For example, children learn the importance of washing hands before meals, after messy play and toilet visits. Children are well protected from the sun when playing in the garden and during hot weather.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive regular drinks throughout the day, lidded beakers are used to enable children to help themselves when they need a drink. They enjoy a range of snacks and freshly prepared meals which include fresh fruit and vegetables. Children learn about healthy eating and living as they help to grow and choose their own vegetables from the garden for lunch. Baby food provided by parents is stored and heated appropriately to ensure children's well-being. Children have their health and dietary needs met effectively, because the childminder works extremely well with parents and keeps appropriate records.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children rest and sleep according to their needs in quiet and comfortable surroundings. They benefit from plenty of fresh air and physical activity both in the garden and on regular walks and outings, such as country walks with the dog. The varied range of outdoor activities, play equipment and resources, enable children to develop control, co-ordination and their physical skills effectively.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are extremely well cared for in a secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment. The childminder is vigilant about children's safety at all times and uses well implemented procedures and daily checks to identify potential hazards to ensure children are safeguarded. Children use a wide range of suitable and age appropriate toys and equipment which are maintained in a clean condition and regularly checked for safety. The childminder continues to ensure the garden swing is never used by minded children as it is not securely anchored into the ground.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures children are kept safe on outings and when travelling in the car, by using correctly fitted children's car seats and suitable equipment which meets standards for safety. Children learn about avoiding hazards and keeping themselves safe, for example, moving safely when negotiating the stairs and learning the importance of crossing roads safely on outings.

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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 Children are well protected from harm because the childminder understands her role in child protection. She is able to put appropriate procedures into practice if necessary and provides parents with information about local procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the welcoming and child centred environment. Children benefit from warm relationships, attentive care and the excellent interaction they share with the childminder. Children enjoy a stimulating and imaginative range of play and learning experiences, in which the childminder uses her knowledge of child development to successfully adapt activities to meet the children's understanding and their developing needs. Children's learning and enjoyment is successfully extended through the provision of meaningful activities and the excellent support they receive from the childminder. For example, children enjoy interactive role play and stories with the childminder, they have many opportunities to participate in creative activities and show delight with the mauve sand in the sandpit. Children find out about the world around them during outings and as they help to cultivate plants and harvest fruit

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's confidence and self-esteem is increased effectively as the childminder provides praise and encouragement and ensures children's achievements are recognised. She uses her knowledge and guidance such as Birth to three matters and the six areas of learning from the Foundation Stage, to plan stimulating activities for children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well supported as the childminder works effectively with parents in order to meet individual children’s needs. All children are made welcome and are included fully in the life of the setting. Parents receive comprehensive information about the provision and are kept well informed about their children's care. Children benefit from the extremely good partnership the childminder has with their parents which ensures continuity of care between home and the provision.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children feel a true sense of belonging and of being part of the family. They have excellent opportunities to make choices and take decisions in their play and enjoy sharing their scrap books with others showing their achievements and development. Children and toddlers are encouraged to develop their personal independence extremely well, for example, children enjoy choosing food for lunch and toddlers are encouraged to start feeding themselves using a spoon. Children play harmoniously and are becoming aware of their own needs and the needs of others. The childminder's calm and sensitive approach and the age appropriate strategies used, enable children to share and take turns and to understand responsible behaviour. Children receive excellent support from the childminder and have access to an age appropriate and suitable range of toys and resources. They are becoming aware of diversity within society through a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

good range of outings and resources which reflect positive images.

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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 good. Children are extremely well cared for in a child friendly and well organised environment. The procedures in place ensure children are well protected and their individual needs are fully met. The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of child development. She refers to guidance such as Birth to three matters and the six areas of learning from the Foundation Stage in her practice to plan for children's care and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps a well organised portfolio which includes her written policies and procedures. All of the legally required records and documentation are in place, however, the certificate of registration is not displayed to inform parents of the childminder's conditions of registration. The childminder is aware to obtain prior written permission from parents before applying any treatment to children, for instance, sun cream when not provided by parents. The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of all children in her care, she positively supports their health, safety, enjoyment and achievement and their ability to make a positive contribution.

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Organisation

The provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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 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 the certificate of registration is displayed when caring for children

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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 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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