Lostock Hall County Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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129467 Unique Reference Number 12 April 2006 Inspection date Christine Pettitt 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 1985. She lives with her husband and adult son and daughter in a three storey, four bedroom house in Hemel Hempstead not far from the industrial estate. They are in walking distance of local shops, schools and parks. The childminding takes place on the ground and first floor of the premises. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder currently cares for 5 children under 8 years. Three of these are under 5 years. The childminder does not drive but takes the children for outings in the locality.

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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 are very warmly welcomed into a homely, hygienic and child-orientated home. Children are learning well about hygiene practice through observations of the childminder and through routine hygiene practice. Older children know to wash their hands after using the toilet, outside play and before eating their snacks and lunch. Younger children are sensitively encouraged in this with the childminder's supervision and support. Children's health is maintained through daily changing of hand towels and using fresh flannels each time they wash. There is a detailed sickness policy which enables parents to know when to keep their child at home if they are unwell. These procedures prevent the spread of infections.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children currently attending for holiday care are bringing pack lunches, this is the parents' preference. There is a nutrition policy and a menu which indicates a nutritious, well-balanced, healthy diet is offered and an awareness of food allergies. The children enjoy snack time, choose from a bowl of fruit and are encouraged to try to peel their fruit. Drinks are available on the kitchen worktop and children know their own beakers and access them when they are thirsty throughout the day. Children delight to sit at the table together at lunch time and chat amongst themselves happily. They are given healthy alternatives if they do not seem to be enjoying their food. They are learning about healthy eating through watching a video and then discussing which foods are healthy with the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enthusiastically use the excellent range of garden equipment on offer. They excitedly bounce on the trampoline, practise riding tricycles, weave around one another in the cars, use the swings together, explore the climbing frames and play ball games. This greatly encourages all areas of their physical development. They often go for walks in the locality, and visit parks in other areas. They use a play house in the garden. This encourages their imaginative skills. Children have opportunities to have a rest according to their individual needs or enjoy quiet times and relax after lunch looking at books with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe environment where the childminder has a conscientious approach to safety. Supervision of children is of high priority. Safety precautions, such as socket covers, stair gates, smoke detectors and kitchen cupboard locks are in place. There is a brief health and safety policy, a safety of equipment check list, a fire evacuation policy and a written risk assessment. The risk assessment does not currently cover every area of the premises the children use. This means there may be unidentified risks in these areas. Extra precautions are in place, for example, mats are placed on the two garden steps to prevent young children from grazing themselves as they climb the steps.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning about safety through discussions and routinely practising road safety as they cross roads. Children know that they should use a crossing, stop at the kerb, hold an adult's hand and look right and left before crossing. They are reminded of dangers as they play, such

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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 as the need to sit on a chair properly, to be careful when using outside play equipment with muddy shoes in case they slip, and to be careful with the tape dispenser because it is sharp. Posters displayed remind children of road safety procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected well through the childminder's understanding of child protection issues. She has attended basic and advanced child protection courses. She has the required booklets and contact numbers. A child protection policy indicates an awareness of the childminder's responsibility and her aims to provide a safe environment and to make children aware of personal safety issues. A current first aid certificate and the required resources mean that if a child has an accident it would be dealt with proficiently.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are extremely happy to enter the provision and excitedly rush to see their friends. They are confident and independently and enthusiastically explore a broad range of play equipment. Children are involved in a variety of activities such as free play, stories and looking at books in the book corner, imaginative play, creative activities, garden play and walks in the locality. These encourage all aspects of their developmental progress. They learn through the constant interaction of the childminder as she asks them questions to gauge their knowledge and gives them information.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's skills and knowledge are extended through the childminder using everyday activities and different types of play to do this. Children enthusiastically enjoy a creative activity making Easter baskets. They show prolonged interest and develop their baskets according to their individual abilities. All the children participate and use a glue stick and tissue to create a nest. An older child independently uses the stapler and cellotape dispenser. Often activities are extended, for example, discussion about the wind illustrated by the childminder showing children a windmill has motivated their interest. Children buy different types of windmills when they are on holiday to display in the garden. A visit to a model village resulted in the children enjoying creating their own model village in the garden on their return. Birthdays and special events are celebrated with enthusiasm and maximum effort by the childminder. This has included them

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

having a garden fete including stalls, lucky dip, bouncy castle, with balloons and bunting decorating the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's skills towards independence are encouraged sensitively. Young children thrive in the caring atmosphere and know from the childminder's kind and gentle approach that they are cared for and valued. They receive comfort and words of reassurance if they are upset. Daily plans are made with consideration for the individual needs of the children attending that day. Informal acknowledgment of young children's developmental progress is made and activities provided to encourage their progress. Language and number skills are encouraged through these being incorporated in all activities.

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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 delight to see one another and greet each other excitedly. They behave very well and generally play harmoniously. They are encouraged to be kind and helpful towards one another and are praised for acts of kindness such as going to find a younger child's comfort toy for her. Young children are learning to share, take turns and to be polite. Caring, affectionate relationships between the childminder and the children elicits positive responses to her requests. Unacceptable behaviour is managed through the childminder providing explanations for children as to why their behaviour is not acceptable. This is carried out on a one to one supportive basis. She also uses distraction and on occasions 'time out.' An understanding that behaviour deteriorates when children are tired, hungry or unwell means that they receive comfort and reassurance at these times and their needs are sensitively met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An effective partnership with parents is evident. Information through a detailed portfolio and discussions with new parents ensures consistency of care for the children. A gradual settling-in procedure ensures that children are relaxed and happy with the childminder before they are left for longer periods. Parents are given verbal information of their child's day when they collect their child. There is a partnership with parents written policy which encourages parents to be fully involved. The childminder requests and welcomes feedback and offers discussions with parents at any time. References from current parents indicate their appreciation of the care provided. These include comments such as: 'my child is happy to go to the childminder where he receives lots of tender loving care and enjoys playing with the fantastic variety of toys, books, videos and using the computer'; 'excellent childminder, kind, thoughtful and caring

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Helping children make a positive contribution

who helps the children with many interesting activities'; 'provides a warm and homely environment whilst stimulating the children mentally and educationally with the activities offered.'

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's characters are known in-depth and their individual needs are met sensitively and thoughtfully. Activities are provided which children of all ages and abilities participate at their level of ability. A younger child enjoys making an Easter basket, using a glue stick and tissue paper in the high chair near to the table so she feels included. Children with special needs are welcomed and discussions with parents take place to enable the childminder to be fully involved in promoting the child's progress. Children's emotional needs are met well through the caring, sensitive manner of the childminder. Their self-esteem is encouraged through constant praise and warm affection. This enables children to know they are valued. Children learn about other cultures through discussions, books and small world people. When on an equal opportunities course the childminder chose to study the culture of a child who she cares for, to be able to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

understand more fully the child's culture. Resources and books relating to disability are available.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children play in an environment where their needs are prioritised and they can play safely, happily and feel relaxed. The play area is bright, organised and arranged so that children can access the play equipment independently. Children's artwork, photographs of the children engaged in activities and educational posters relating to numbers, colours and letters are

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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 displayed throughout the ground floor. This enables children to feel valued and a sense of belonging. The excellent selection of play equipment is stored in units and boxes according to the different age groups catered for. The childminder has an inventory of the play resources and equipment on offer. The children are familiar with the consistent routine, this provides stability for them in knowing what will happen next.

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Organisation

The required documentation is organised in files and folders, and completed regularly. The daily attendance records do not always show the actual times children attend. This could have implications for the procedures for safe management of the children. A couple of medication records do not contain the date. This may have a potential impact on the health of children. A notice board is available for parents in the hall. There is a portfolio containing policies for new parents. Children's artwork, workbooks and photo diaries are kept in individual files. The photo records are given to children when they leave.

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Organisation

A commitment to childminding and a professional approach is evident. The childminder has attended six courses since the previous inspection covering a variety of childcare issues such as child protection, special needs and equal opportunities. The childminder has the 'Birth to three matters ' information which she uses for reference. Overall the range of children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the previous inspection the following recommendation was made: attend courses on special needs and child protection to increase knowledge in these areas.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has attended the basic and advanced child protection courses. She has also attended two courses relating to special needs, 'Every child is special', and 'Equal Opportunities and Inclusion.' This means she is pro-active and well prepared to meet individual needs of children with special needs and to ensure children's well-being is maintained through her knowledge of child protection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints to report since the 1st April 2004.

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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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Complaints 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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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 procedures for recording daily attendance records and medication records. • review risk assessments to ensure they relate to all areas the children use.

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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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