New Marske Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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111665 Unique Reference Number 24 July 2006 Inspection date Lisa Jane Cupples 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 has been registered since 1998. She lives with her husband, one adult son and one teenage daughter. The adult children of the household regularly visit. They live in a house in Gosport, which in within walking distance of local schools, shops and parks. The whole house is used for childminding with the exception of the second floor loft room and the master bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding eight children on a full and part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family have pet ducks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and a member of the Fareham and Gosport Childminding Network. She has continued to update her training since becoming registered.

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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 benefit from a nutritious diet because the childminder has a clear understanding of healthy eating. She provides a wide range of fruit for snacks and discusses the needs of each child with the parents in detail and records the information on their registration forms. Children are beginning to understand about healthy eating through daily discussions and talk openly about which food is good for them 'helping them to grow big and strong'.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have ample opportunities to develop their large muscle skills during activities in the garden. They enjoy a wide range of physical activities such as football, throwing and catching or using the paddling pool. They go outside daily to reap the benefits of fresh air, for walks or to local parks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn the importance of personal hygiene and are developing good self care skills through daily discussions and routines. For example, the children know they have to wash their hands after messy play or before meals. Children are protected and enjoy a healthy environment because the childminder implements good hygiene procedures to help prevent the possible spread of infection, for example all work surfaces are cleaned before use.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a clear understanding of the procedures to record all accidents that occur on the premises, although parents do not always sign to acknowledge that they have been informed. Children will receive appropriate treatment if an accident occurs because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. There is a first aid box in place, but the contents are out-of-date or missing, this could delay the treatment children receive if an accident occurs on the premises.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn to keep themselves safe through daily discussions and routines, for example, they know what to do in an emergency and are able to explain the evacuation procedures clearly. Children are not always protected because the childminder does not remove all potential risks to the children, for example, the glass windows in the shed have not been made safe. The childminder ensures no unannounced visitors can gain access, helping to protect the children in her care. The front door is kept locked at all times and the key is easily accessible for emergency evacuation if necessary. The garden gate is locked to prevent anyone gaining entry without the childminders knowledge, helping to protect the children and keep them safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The resources and toys are in good condition and are brightly coloured to attract the children’s interest. The resources are stored in low-level boxes around the dining room and conservatory, enabling the children to choose their own activities and see the full range of options, developing their freedom of choice and decision making skills.

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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 The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection procedures and discusses her responsibilities with the parents before the children attend. She records all existing injuries and asks the parents to sign the entries. Through discussion the childminder was able to demonstrate that she would recognise the possible signs or symptoms of abuse and would contact the relevant parties to protect the children if concerns were identified.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled during the day, they laugh and giggle as the childminder picks them up, talking about what they have been doing. Children benefit from an extensive range of activities during their day with the childminder, for example, enjoying the play dough and using a wide range of utensils and tools, presses, cutters and rolling pins. The activities are all accessible because the childminder ensures the children can use child-sized tables and chairs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a clear understanding of the developmental needs of children and this enables her to differentiate the activities effectively, ensuring all the children can participate fully. Children benefit greatly from the high quality interaction from the childminder, she plays on the floor at their level, helping and assisting as necessary. She knows when to stand back and let play develop naturally, and when to provide additional resources to build on the children's own ideas.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are interested and occupied because the childminder takes the time to get to know them and their families. She asks about the children's interests and then provides activities to stimulate them, for example, one of the children has developed an interest in cooking, this week they are making ginger bread men.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a clear understanding of equal opportunities and ensures all children have equal access to the resources and activities available. Children benefit from the childminder’s experience as they learn to share and take turns easily. The childminder gently reminds them why it is important to take turns and the children can see the fairness, explaining it’s so they can all get to play. Children’s individual needs are met extremely well because the childminder takes the time to get to know each child and their families well, this develops a real sense of belonging and the children feel valued when the childminder talks about their siblings and other family members.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shares information with the parents verbally at collection time, they talk about how the children have been, what they have been doing and any other things that have happened, helping to keep them informed. Parents are actively encouraged to come into the house to collect the children, to share the days news and talk about the children's general well-being or any future events or activities that are being planned, helping to keep them involved.

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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 The childminder has experience of working with children who have special needs. She liaises closely with the parents and would be happy to work with other agencies if requested. She has written policies and procedures in place which are openly shared with the parents. The childminder has an extremely positive approach towards caring for children with specific requirements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing a strong sense of right and wrong because the childminder has clear rules and boundaries in place. Children’s behaviour is extremely good because they know exactly what is expected of them. The childminder always gives clear explanations aimed at their individual level of understanding, for example, reminding the older child to pick up the small pieces of K-Nex, to keep the youngest children safe. The childminder is a positive role model and deals with unwanted behaviour calmly and with a relaxed manner, for example she always says please and thank you when talking to the children and effectively praises their good behaviour and reminds them gently of the rules if play gets boisterous or too excitable.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are occupied with a range of play opportunities during their time at the setting, as the childminder organises the daily routines well. Children's health, safety and well-being is promoted adequately because the childminder maintains most paperwork and legal documentation, although the daily attendance register does not include the children's full names and some entries have been made in pencil.

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Organisation

Children really enjoy their time with the childminder, the resources and activities are well organised, they provide sufficient challenge and the days are full and run smoothly. The childminder has a clear understanding of the requirements of her registration and the inspection process, keeping children safe. 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 provider was asked to ensure the front door is made secure and the telephone leads are made safe. The front door has been replaced and is kept locked. A key is easily accessible in an emergency and the telephone leads have been shortened and made secure. She was also asked to ensure all existing injuries are recorded and to obtain written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment. Parents have given written consent for the childminder to seek treatment in an emergency and a record of all existing injuries is being kept, helping to protect the children.

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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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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 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 the glass windows in the shed are made safe • ensure children's full names are recorded in the record of attendance and all entries are in pen • ensure parents sign to acknowledge all entries in the accident book • update the contents of the first aid box

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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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