Clarice Cliff Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 124008 Inspection date 01 June 2005 Inspector Cheryl Langley

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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 1997. She lives with her partner and 15 year old son and adult daughter in a house in West Cheshunt. The whole of the ground floor area of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have 1 dog and 2 cats. The childminder is minding four children. She attends the local toddler group on a regular basis and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROVISION

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 good range of physical activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They develop self confidence in their physical skills as they use a wide range of indoor and outdoor toys and equipment. For example, playing football or using the large play equipment in the park or garden, or threading, pushing and pulling with activity toys in the home. They benefit from regular fresh air and the opportunity to be active or rest according to their needs. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through organised activities and routines. They wash their hands after using the toilet, stroking the pets or before preparing and eating their snacks. The children are protected from infection because the childminder has well planned routines for hygiene and good procedures in place. The childminder has the required documentation to ensure that appropriate care is

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Helping children to be healthy

given. Children are becoming aware of the advantages of a healthy diet through discussions and reading books with the childminder. They assist in the preparation of nutritious snacks of fruit and vegetables and confidently help themselves to drinking water. They enjoy sitting together and socialising whilst eating their carrots, cucumber and bread.

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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 well maintained environment. The organisation of the toys and equipment means children can move around safely and freely to independently access some available resources from tables, shelves and storage boxes at child height. Children benefit from safety measures. For example, they know the house rule not to run to stop them falling or bumping into each other. There is a fully secure garden for outdoor play. They develop an awareness of safety through practising codes for crossing the road with the childminder. Sensitive reminders, such as a request to pick up toys from the floor to prevent someone tripping over, increase children’s awareness of everyday safety in the setting. Children are not aware of what they may need to do to keep them safe from harm in an emergency, such as a fire. In most areas the children's welfare is safeguarded. The childminder is aware of the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

procedures to follow in accordance with the Area Child Protection Committee and she holds a current first aid qualification.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a variety of play and activities which are child led. They receive adult

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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 guidance to give them extra support if needed. Children are relaxed and confident in the setting and in their relationships with each other. They play happily together and with the childminder, learning to take turns and respond to others as they use the home play toys, cars and construction bricks. Through everyday activities they learn to count, recognise colours and letter sounds. For example, they count up and down the garden steps, choose coloured chairs to sit on and recognise their names on the hooks to hang their flannels. Children make connections in their learning as they explore sand and water in the garden, or different textures when they are cooking. They enjoy learning about the natural environment when they visit working farms and zoos. Their regular use of creative

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

materials, such as paint, dough and crayons encourages them to represent their experiences, feelings and ideas in a variety of ways. The children's self esteem and sense of belonging is promoted by valuing their achievements, such as displaying their completed drawings or sharing them with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued as individuals. They develop a positive attitude to others. They are gaining some understanding about the world through books and by celebrating traditional festivals. However, there are limited activities to help promote children's awareness of diversity and understanding of others. The individual needs of all children who attend are met. Children behave well. They begin to understand right and wrong through consistent boundaries, praise and the age appropriate methods used by the childminder to manage behaviour. Children are encouraged to resolve their own differences which helps them learn to take turns and share. The childminder gives guidance sensitively, for instance, suggesting to two young children that they push the buggy together so that they can both play with it, helping them to accept the needs of others. Children benefit from a strong partnership between the childminder and parents who

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Helping children make a positive contribution

exchange information regularly. This helps the children settle well and become confident with the childminder who is aware of their likes, dislikes and daily routines.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children's needs are met through generally effective organisation. Space and equipment is prepared so that children can access resources easily and independently which enables them to make choices about their play. They benefit from routines which make them feel secure and relaxed. They play, eat, sleep and rest as they need to. Documentation is stored securely and information shared appropriately with parents. Most of the policies and procedures are in place to help keep children healthy and safeguard their welfare. However, the daily register does not always have an accurate record of the children's time of arrival.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Overall, the needs of all children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has improved her documentation to ensure that children's welfare is safeguarded. Should children require emergency medical treatment and advice, parental request has been sought along with up to date emergency contact numbers. Registration details for every child are recorded and to hand with relevant information to support the care of the child. Information between the childminder and parents is exchanged regularly through the review of contracts and parental consents and agreements to ensure the children receive consistency of care.

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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): • make sure children are aware of emergency evacuation procedures • make sure the daily record of the children looked after on the premises includes accurate times for their attendance • provide activities to help children appreciate and value different cultures and disability

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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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