Clifford Holroyde Sen College

Inspection report for early years provision

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104742 Unique Reference Number 25 May 2006 Inspection date Margaret Rose Sully 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 was registered in 1992. She lives with her husband and two teenage children in Bideford, Devon. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, with toilet facilities and a bedroom for sleeping babies on the first floor. 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding nine children under eight, on a part-time basis. The childminder transports or walks children to local schools.

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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 enjoy plenty of outside play and exercise, which contributes to their good health. For example, older children can play football and younger ones have ride-on toys in the garden. Children are regularly taken to the park and for walks through the woods. Children enjoy healthy snacks of fruit and are provided with frequent drinks by the childminder. Parents provide packed lunches or food to be reheated, which is stored appropriately in the fridge.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder knows the children well and she is fully informed of their individual medical or dietary needs. Accident and medication records are in place and satisfactorily maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. The childminder ensures that children are supervised when washing their hands after using the toilet and individual hand towels are used for drying. Wet wipes are used to ensure children's hands are clean before sitting down to eat and this minimises the risk of cross infection.

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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 welcoming, secure environment. They are generally safe and protected, as the childminder identifies and minimises most hazards and supervises the children in all areas of the home and garden. The premises are kept secure to ensure children's safety, however, the key to the doors may not always be easily accessible. There is an emergency escape plan, but this has not been practised and both these issues mean that children's safety is compromised in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A good range of toys, books and resources are easily and safely accessible to children. Children are able to move around freely and are able to choose toys and books independently. The childminder ensures these are in a safe, clean condition and suitable for the age of the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is promoted by the childminder's sound knowledge of child protection issues and of her responsibilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and feel comfortable in the childminder's care. There are warm relationships between the childminder and children. Children are offered a good choice of activities and older children have plenty of opportunities for outside play, as well as time to relax. For example, older children enjoy making models out of boxes and paper before they go to school. Younger children's routines from home are respected and they look at books together with the childminder, before they have a nap. The childminder has attended a Birth to three training course and uses this to enhance the care for under threes.

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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 Children enjoy interesting activities such as painting, craft and imaginative play with large cardboard boxes. The childminder supports them well in these activities and enables all children to join in. They enjoy frequent trips to two local parks where they can use the play equipment, football and netball. They are taken on walks through the woods at the rear of the childminder’s house and frequently visit a nearby playing field.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder ensures that she has all information about children's needs so that care is consistent with home, promoting children's welfare and this enables her to address individual needs. The childminder knows the children well and they enjoy the time spent with her. Children are valued and respected as individuals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and their behaviour is influenced by the childminder's calm, positive approach and good understanding of age appropriate strategies, when managing unacceptable behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in partnership with parents and this helps to promote children's wellbeing. Parents are welcomed into the home and they are kept up to date with their child's day, through daily discussions with the childminder. This ensures that parents feel confident about their children's care and that all children's individual needs are being met. However, parents are not provided with information about how to contact Ofsted should they wish to do so.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The organisation of the home is suitable to enable children to move around easily and in safety. The childminder is careful to supervise the children at all times. She maintains a First Aid certificate and has attended a Birth to three matters training, extending her knowledge of care for under threes.

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Organisation

Most documentation and records are available, all consents are obtained from parents and records for accidents and medication maintained. There are suitable systems in place for informing parents of their children's activities and to meet children's individual needs. 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 childminder was required to maintain a daily record of children's attendance, including times of arrival and departure. There is now a daily attendance record kept with exact times of attendance.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She further agreed to conduct a risk assessment on the premises to minimise risk, including those from the unlocked front door and side gate, the outside shed and inside areas, upstairs and down. The front door, side gate and shed are now kept locked when minded children are

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Improvements 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 present. The bedroom doors upstairs are kept closed and children are supervised when they go upstairs to use the toilet.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder also agreed to ensure that children are supervised at all times. Children are now supervised when they are upstairs and in all parts of the garden. The childminder ensures that all children are also fully supervised when she goes upstairs to put the baby in the cot.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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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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): • ensure that the premises are secure but can be easily opened in the event of an emergency escape and that the emergency escape plan is practised • provide parents with the details of how to contact Ofsted.

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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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