Grange Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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123956 Unique Reference Number 18 May 2006 Inspection date Alison Reeves 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 registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 7 and 10 years in Hertford. The whole of the ground floor and part of the first floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local park. The childminder has 2 cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for 4 children at any one time and is currently minding 4 children who attend on a full and part-time basis.

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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's health is promoted through regular daily routines. They learn skills that enable them to become increasingly independent. Young children are learning to feed themselves with cutlery and finger foods. Older children understand hygiene procedures and are reliable at washing their hands after using the toilet. Children's nutritional needs are met as the childminder offers a balanced diet with many homemade dishes and a number of healthy snacks including organic fresh fruit and vegetable sticks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are physically active, enjoying crawling and walking around the sitting room, sometimes using the furniture for support. They play outside in the garden enjoying energetic ball games and go to local parks where they can use the swings, slide and climbing equipment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Documentation is used to record children's individual health needs. Recording of accidents and medication requires a little more detail to ensure clarity.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is given priority. They follow simple house rules to help reduce the risk of accidents, for example, young children are discouraged from climbing onto sofas and older children are asked to sit properly. Safety precautions in the home ensure children's safety, they sit in high chairs secured with straps for meals and snacks. Hazardous materials are stored out of reach. Children use a variety of clean, safe equipment and toys. Resources are rotated week to week to provide variety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

On outings children sit in appropriate car seats and when using the buggy they are secured by the integral straps. Reins help ensure very young children are safe when walking. Older children are becoming increasingly aware of how to keep themselves safe when walking and crossing the road. The childminder builds on what children have learnt in school asking them to find safe places to cross and getting them to explain what they need to look and listen for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well-being is safeguarded because the childminder understands her responsibilities in relation to child protection issues and has the relevant documentation for reference in case of any concerns regarding children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children play with toys that interest them, they show enthusiasm for the small cars and aeroplanes returning to them again and again. Children are keen to explore their environment, they move confidently around the space using the furniture for support and enjoy a game of crawling under the high chair. Children's language skills are developing and the childminder

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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 responds positively to their vocalisations. She understands their speech patterns, recognising familiar words and labels for favourite objects.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has given consideration to children's changing needs. She is planning to introduce more messy and creative activities to help younger children express themselves and provide opportunities to increase their manipulative skills using malleable materials such as, play-dough.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are supported by the childminder in their play as she shows an interest in what they are doing. When the children alert her to the presence of the cat in the garden they all move to the window and delight in watching him together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and at home, their family circumstances are appreciated. Children's individuality is acknowledged and the childminder works with parents to agree effective strategies to ensure children's needs are met. Children have some opportunities to select toys from those provided by the childminder. Children behave well and are learning what is expected of them. The childminder supports their developing understanding of how to behave with gentle reminders to share and take turns. Children get along well with one another and enjoy spending time together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have limited opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of the wider world. They have some access to resources which represent people with different skin tones and they watch children's programmes that feature some positive images. This aspect of children's development needs further consideration to ensure they have opportunities to learn about the value of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder and parents share information regularly and have developed relationships beyond their childminding arrangements. A complaints log is available and the childminder recognises the importance of recording and responding to concerns.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are at ease in the environment which is organised to provide space for play, meals and rest. Informal policies and procedures, along with regular routines help the childminder to provide adequately for children's care needs. A number of organised activities outside the home support children's play and learning. Appropriate documentation is in place and most of the paperwork is used effectively to ensure care needs are met. The childminder has not renewed her first aid training and is attempting to secure a place on a course shortly. Parents and childminder keep one another up to date with information which contributes to continuity of care. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has some resources that show different races and children watch television programmes that reflect positive images of people. The childminder understands equality in relation to access to resources but has not yet considered how to introduce diversity and anti-discriminatory practice to the children for whom she cares.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children's safety and well-being has been improved as the garden has been made safe with a new patio and side gate. The childminder has the relevant documents to refer to in the case of any child protection concerns. All legally required documentation is in place.

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Complaints since the last inspection

A concern was raised about the safety of children whilst being transported outside of the house. This concerned National Standards 5 and 6. Ofsted made an unannounced visit to the provider on 23 May 2005 and although there was insufficient evidence to uphold this concern an action was raised against National Standard 14: Documentation. This was to ensure the daily record of attendance is accurate and kept up to date and obtain written details for all children. The provider remains qualified for registration. This action has been checked at the inspection and the required improvements have been made. 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): • develop knowledge of equal opportunities practice and how to improve children's opportunities to increase their understanding of the wider community • ensure documentation includes sufficient detail to ensure clarity • complete a first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children and is consistent with guidance issued to local authorities by the Secretary of State

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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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