Kingsley Community Primary School and Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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110995 Unique Reference Number 17 July 2006 Inspection date Lynne Elizabeth Lewington 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 outstanding. 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 1997. She lives with her two children, in a three bedroom house in Fleet, Hampshire. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding, with access to a playroom, conservatory, and limited access to two other rooms on the ground floor for quiet activity and music. Two bedrooms upstairs are used for sleeping occasionally. There is a large secure enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years when working alone or seven children when working with an assistant. There are currently seven children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family keeps two pet dogs, and two pet cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 outstanding. Exceptional care is taken to promote the children's good health. They eat good quality nutritious food which is prepared and presented attractively. The menu, which takes into account parental wishes and dietary needs, indicates they have a varied menu including fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Children are beginning to learn about the importance of food and drink as the childminder tells them they must drink because it is very hot. She talks to them about the vegetables they will be able to eat as they water the vegetable garden enabling the children to gain knowledge about food and where it comes from.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing a high awareness of health and hygiene. They actively clean their hands in the garden with wet wipes between their activities; they know to wash their hands after toileting and are reminded by the childminder before lunch. The clean environment provides a healthy environment for the children's play. Sensible care is taken to ensure children are safe in the sun as they find their sun hats and sun cream is applied before going out to play in the garden. The childminder talks to the children explaining why they need to do these things in the hot sun, enabling the children to develop their understanding and awareness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have excellent opportunities to develop their physical abilities as they play in the large garden, follow the winding path, use pushchairs, climb on the small climbing frame, and use the swing. Their finer movements develop as they use paint brushes and use plastic animals to make footprints on their paper. They develop hand and eye co-ordination as they learn to control and use the sand tray tools and watering cans.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are safe, secure and well protected in a well resourced environment. The childminder is proactive in ensuring the children's safety at all times. Children have suitable well planned space where they can move freely and independently without compromising their safety. An extensive selection of toys for indoors and outdoors all meets safety requirements. There condition is checked regularly to ensure they continue to be suitable for the children's use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are developing a good awareness of safety both inside and outside of the home due to the childminder's awareness and vigilance. She talks to them about safe behaviour and has strict rules about wearing seat belts in the car which the children soon learn to follow. The childminder has a good understanding of safety issues and undertakes an ongoing risk assessment of her environment, ensuring that any risks are managed appropriately to ensure the children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is a high priority for the childminder who promotes it well through the procedures and documentation she maintains. She has a secure knowledge of child protection and is aware of the procedures she would follow if she was concerned about a child in her care.

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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 outstanding. Children’s needs and welfare is promoted exceptionally well. The children have opportunities for stimulating activity, rest and regular nutrition which ensures they are happy and content in the environment. The childminder demonstrates a very good understanding of the developmental needs of the children she cares for, enabling her to provide a varied and interesting day for them. Her observations and developmental records assist her in planning interesting activities for the children to extend their abilities whilst they play. For example, as they play in the water she introduces some corks asking the children if they know what they are, and what will happen when they put them in the water. This activity increases the children's knowledge and experience in addition to extending their language development as they learn and experience new words. The children enjoy a daily musical activity where they play musical

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

instruments whilst the childminder plays familiar nursery rhymes on the piano. They sing along and keep to the beat of the song.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses an assistant, skilfully supervising her activity to compliment her own. The children benefit from this additional adult role model who provides a calm supplement to the childminder's care. The childminder's effective knowledge and understanding of development enables her to let the children make independent choices in their play from a broad selection of suitable activities. She is observant to when a child's interest begins to wane and introduces a new activity or element to the activity ensuring the children have varied and fun experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's behaviour is very good. They are confident and at home in their surroundings and they show developing care and consideration for the toys and equipment they use. For example; the childminder encouraged them to help her find a dolly in the garden reminding them that she needed to be cared for. The childminder and her assistant are confident, calm and caring role models to the children. They are consistent in their expectations of the children's behaviour and frequently praise and encourage the children's activity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Outings in the local community and elderly visitors to the setting provide interesting natural opportunities to develop the children's social skills and their understanding of the local community. The books and toys the children have access to depict positive images of society which helps to encourage their awareness of others. The individual information parents share is used to enable appropriate care to be offered to meet the child's needs. The childminder demonstrates a sound awareness of the need to work with parents and professionals in order to meet a child's special needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Effective partnerships with parents arise through effective communication. The entrance to the setting provides extensive information about the childminder's service, her certificates and insurance are clearly displayed and other informative posters help parents in their parenting role. A daily journal for parents provides personal information about each child, this promotes continuity of care. The childminder encourages parent’s interest in their child's activity by

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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 sending e-mail photographs of their child playing. This helps to keep parents fully informed of the child's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are extremely happy and contented in the childminder's care. The childminder and her assistant talk and listen attentively to the children interacting well and extending the children's play and experiences both in the home and on outings. The space and resources are used very effectively to compliment the skills of the childminder providing the children with a safe, secure and healthy environment where fun activities are undertaken.

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Organisation

The childminder understands the requirements of her registration well and keeps all her required documentation efficiently and confidentially. She is proactive with regard to her provision and is constantly looking to improve the quality service that she provides. For example; she is currently reviewing her policies to ensure they are all up to date and applicable to her current service. She seeks advice and always informs Ofsted of changes in her provision. 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 asked to ensure existing injuries were recorded and discussed with parents. A book is now used to record such incidents. This provides an effective record of communication and safeguards the children's wellbeing.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no 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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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