Eltham Sixth Form Centre

Inspection report for early years provision

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132930 Unique Reference Number 24 May 2006 Inspection date Timothy Butcher 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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children, aged eight and five, in Keynsham, Bath and North East Somerset. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently minding four children under five, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local library and park. The childminder has two hamsters.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is working towards accreditation in Children Come First, a quality assurance scheme.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties or disabilities.

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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's health is promoted, because the childminder has effective procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection and to protect children from illness. The childminder has a good awareness of children's health needs, through a thorough initial information gathering process and through regular discussions with parents. Children settle easily, because the childminder has a smooth settling in process to support all children and babies' home routines are followed as closely as possible.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies are regularly checked for comfort and appear content. There are suitable nappy changing procedures. The childminder pays attention to procedures that prevent the spread of infection and older children follow sensible hand washing routines. Parents and carers are furnished with clear guidance, should a child become ill and there are robust procedures in place, to record accidents and for the administration of medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet. They are encouraged to eat healthily, for example, fresh fruit for snacks. The childminder works with parents to ensure children's dietary needs are closely met. Children are well supported as they begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They are encouraged to try foods new to them, in consultation with parents. Children are offered drinks throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good daily opportunities for physical exercise, active play and fresh air. There are regular walks to the park and visits out to feed the ducks. Frequent use is made of the garden and garden equipment. The childminder has a clear understanding how children develop such skills as crawling, walking, climbing and large muscle control. She ensures there are a range of activities that promote their physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment that is well maintained, child-friendly and very safe. Risks of accidental injury to children are minimised, because the childminder has effective measures in place to reduce the possible risks to children. Space is used constructively. Young children move safely and freely in areas appropriate to the activity taking place, with stair gates to contain and protect them from entering areas unsupervised. The premises are secure. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves and each other safe, for example, through explanation to older children that very small toy items might be a choke hazards to smaller children and through the regular practise of the fire drill.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

An appropriate selection of toys is on display or put out in readiness for children, including larger items of equipment. The childminder has a wide variety of suitable toys and materials, including equipment for use outside. She is discerning in the materials she makes available to children and resources are well organised, with craft materials prepared in readiness for children.

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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 have their welfare safeguarded. The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities in regard to the protection of children and has a procedure to follow, should she have a concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children make very good progress, because the childminder has an excellent understanding of child development in general and a very clear understanding of each child's current abilities. She effectively uses the Birth to three matters framework, for younger children, to promote their learning in all areas of their development. She uses a similar, though less well defined, structure for older children to support their all round development. The childminder has a clear understanding of the intended learning outcomes for all children. Well-targeted play opportunities provide challenge and follow their interests. Their learning is effectively supported through planned activities and through the use of spontaneous events.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Good documentary and photo-documentary evidence show children are provided with rich experiences, usually presented around a topic or theme. For example, children go 'bug hunting' in the garden. They make several models and pictures of lady birds, caterpillars and bees, and use a range of craft materials and other medium to paint, cut, colour and stick. They read books about insects and count the spots of ladybirds, using some creative and home made resources, which are adapted to match the abilities of children. The childminder makes discerning use of local resources, such as toddler group, where children can mix and be social. They have fun at the library in making movement to music. They learn to enjoy books and to listen and respond, in 'story time'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies and toddlers have lots of opportunities to explore and experience the world around them. They explore materials, make music and develop manipulation skills using such things as shape sorters, musical instruments and simple puzzles. They safely practise their climbing skills getting into the ball park and practise their hand-to-eye coordination and carrying skills, in putting balls back into the ball park. They mix and join in with other children when they are present. They make marks from an early age in a variety of ways, with such things as, large chalks, crayons and paint. Children develop their communication and language skills well, because the childminder prompts responses, asks questions and sets simple counting and naming challenges for them. Children practise letter recognition and letter sounds through activities using phonics. Information about the excellent progress they make is well recorded

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and made readily available to parents and carers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the excellent partnership with parents and carers. Parents and carers report very positively indeed about the qualities of the childminder and the care she provides. They report very positively on the information that they receive about their child's day through the individual diaries and through verbal feedback. The childminder has in place excellent procedures for sharing information. Initial written information about the setting is

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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 comprehensive. Carers and parents are closely consulted about their child's individual needs. This strongly contributes to continuity of care for children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are sensitively supported so that they settle quickly. Ongoing information is readily exchanged with plenty of opportunity for discussion. The progress that children make is regularly made available to parents through folders of work and written observation. Parents report positively about the educational and social progress their children make when with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides consistent praise and positive attention to children and they enjoy a relaxed and warm relationship with her. She uses simple explanation to modify behaviour and gently offers distraction to babies. Children remain calm and cooperative in a relaxed atmosphere, where high expectations focus on positive behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder respects and values children's individuality and the family context of each child. All children are welcomed to the setting. The childminder has a suitable procedure in place to identify with parents and carers how best to meet the care needs of all children. Children learn about diversity through everyday play. The childminder has a satisfactory range of toys and other resources, to help promote their understanding of diversity.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is very well organised. She organises her time, space and resources very well to meet the needs of children. Comprehensive policies, procedures and other documentation are used very effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of all children. She has a very clear understanding of the National Standards and interprets these in the best interests of children. Parents and carers are fully consulted and kept well informed.

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Organisation

The childminder effectively uses the Birth to three matters framework for younger children and a similar structure to inform her planning for older children, which is not fully developed. She has a very good understanding of how children learn through play and of their individual developmental needs. As a result, children make excellent progress in all areas of development.

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Organisation

Children experience a balanced range of activities and play opportunities, in a welcoming and supportive environment. They appear to be happy, settled and to thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder.

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Organisation

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 it was agreed that the resources and play materials that provide positive images of other cultures, disability and gender roles for children, would be extended. Since the last inspection these resources have been satisfactorily increased, particularly in regard to book resources, but also through the use of other materials. The childminder also extended her resources for children through the regular use of a specific toy library. Most recently, visits to

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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 the toy library have ceased and the childminder's core resources have not been augmented from others sources. As a result, children do not have access to a good range of toy resources showing diversity, although the range and variety remain satisfactory.

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

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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): • further extend the positive images of other cultures, disability and gender roles in the play materials for the children.

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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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