Caister Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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141331 Unique Reference Number 22 August 2006 Inspection date Sylvia June Crawford 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 1994. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 24 and 16 years. They live on a well established estate in the north of Milton Keynes close to local shops, pre-school, and schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder uses all downstairs for childminding including rest and toilet facilities. There is a garden available for children's outside play. The childminder takes children to the local pre-school and attends a toddler group on a regular basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have one dog and two cats as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children and she currently has six children on roll.

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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 stay healthy as the childminder follows environmental health and hygiene guidelines, ensuring children play in appropriate surroundings. Children understand simple good health and hygiene practices, such as washing their hands before handling food and after using the toilet. However, after washing their hands children share a towel; this means there is the possibility of cross infection. The childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare through her knowledge, experience and her sick child procedures, which she shares with parents verbally.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder considers children's individual dietary needs through discussion with parents and talking to the children. The childminder provides snacks and encourages parents to provide healthy lunch boxes, which are stored appropriately. Children are beginning to have an awareness of their bodies, for example, knowing when they are hungry or thirsty. Drinks are readily available and children help themselves, this ensures that they have sufficient fluids during the day. Children have the opportunity to have physical exercise by going to the local park or playing in the garden and are able to rest and sleep according to their own routine and parental wishes.

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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 family environment where they can move around confidently and freely. They are able to independently select from the suitable range of toys, resources and equipment available. These are appropriate for the age and stage of development of children attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised wherever possible through the childminder having a variety of safety measures in place such as the use of a stair gate and locks on the kitchen cupboards. She has also purchased new booster seats for the car to comply with new legislation. However, the garden is not currently safe due to damaged fencing. Children develop an awareness of how to keep themselves safe as they learn about road safety and staying within sight of the childminder when out walking. They are beginning to recognise potential dangers, for example they know what to do if the smoke detector sounds. Children's welfare benefits from the childminder's up to date first aid qualification, which enables her to feel confident about dealing with emergencies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected by the childminder's knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures. She is aware of what to do if she has concerns about a child. The childminder informs parents verbally about her role and responsibility with regard to protecting 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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well in the childminder’s home, enjoying each other’s company. They are developing as individuals and have a warm relationship with the childminder, which contributes to children's sense of belonging. The childminder finds out what children know and can do when they first attend by talking to parents and observing children when they are playing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are generally interested in what is available and, at times, become absorbed in their play, for example, when playing board games or drawing. The childminder supports children in their interests such as asking the postman to save elastic bands to make an elastic ball. Children's language is supported and extended because the childminder talks to them through play and everyday activities such as reading books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children have the opportunity to choose resources and activities which promotes their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder helps them to negotiate and share together so they are developing their independence skills. The childminder plans activities on an informal basis and consults with children about what they want to do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children become aware of the wider society as they walk around the local community and begin to understand the wider world through open and honest discussion with the childminder. The children have to opportunity to play with a small range of resources that reflect diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children understand what the childminder expects of them and they behave well. There are appropriate strategies in place to promote good behaviour and the children respond well to praise and encouragement. The childminder helps children to know right from wrong and encourages them to have good manners.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the two-way communication system between parents and the childminder, which helps to maintain their continuity of care. The childminder provides a flexible service to parents, following their wishes and children's preferences, with information exchanges verbally on a daily basis.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home and at ease within the family environment and play happily together. Organisation of space enables children to play appropriately. Children benefit from the childminders understanding of child development and the experience she has of caring for children in her own home.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains the required documentation for childminding and informs parents of her policies and procedures verbally. She has the necessary parental permissions in place but does not have clear records to show when she is responsible for the care of the children.

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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 The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of the National Standards. This helps maintain children's welfare, care and learning. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to complete an appropriate first aid course and to ensure that all records relating to childminding are easily accessible and available for inspection at all times.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has completed training and has a current first aid certificate. She now keeps most of her documentation in a file which is easily accessible. This safeguards children's welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 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 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 garden is made safe for children • ensure that records are in place to clearly show when the childminder is responsible for the children in her care • ensure that children have separate towels to prevent cross infection.

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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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