Mowden Infants' School

Inspection report for early years provision

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114182 Unique Reference Number 25 July 2006 Inspection date Elaine Simmons 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 has been a registered since 7th January 1998. She is registered to mind six children under eight years and she currently cares for fourteen children aged from eight months to eleven years of age. They attend on a part time basis some before and after school, two children attend on an occasional basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The property is a detached house situated within the Horsham area. She uses all of the accommodation on the ground floor which comprises of a lounge, dining room, kitchen and cloakroom. There is a medium sized garden to the rear of the property which is secure.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is married and lives with her husband and daughter who is of school age. The household is non smoking and the family have pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Child Minding Association and attends the local Horsham childminder's group.

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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. Children benefit from the childminder's extremely clean and well organised home. She promotes really good hygiene routines with the children. For example, children wash their hands using liquid soap and dry them on individual towels, before cooking activities and after toileting. The childminder also uses wipes and hand hygiene gel when on outings and visiting farms. The children are able to clean their hands after touching the animals and before picnics which ensures that their health is successfully protected. Children's health is further protected by the clear and concise sickness policy and procedure that the childminder has in place. She keeps ample records of accidents and any medication administered. Good procedures are in place to protect children from the sun. Parents are asked to provide sun hats and sun screen which the childminder ensures the children have on before going outside on hot days.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is aware of the health and safety issues when animals are present in the home and she ensures these are minimised. Children have lots of opportunities for physical play. They walk to and from school, have regular opportunities to play in the garden and at the local park. When the weather is inclement the childminder takes the children to indoor soft play areas which supports their physical wellbeing consistently.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides good, home cooked, healthy and nutritious meals and snacks for the children. She ensures they have meals that are nicely presented. She promotes healthy eating and meets children's individual needs and preferences effectively. Children are encouraged to try new foods and to drink regularly. The childminder provides lots of drinks, especially in the very hot weather, to prevent children from becoming dehydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The children are safe and secure in the childminder's home. She organises her home efficiently, so that the children have plenty of space to play safely and independently within the ground floor area. She has really good safety procedures in place, to protect children from hazards, especially in the kitchen. For example the childminder planned how children would be protected from chemicals in the kitchen when planning her kitchen storage, by arranging for a locked cage to be put into a cupboard to hold dangerous items.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can access toys easily from the plastic storage boxes that are in the lounge. The children benefit from having an extensive range of toys and equipment. Some toys are stored upstairs and are rotated to ensure children have a good variety of stimulating toys to play with. These offer them enjoyment and help their development and learning. Children benefit from a wide selection of outdoor toys that are stored in the playhouse and these are also easily accessible to them. The childminder checks her toys regularly and steam cleans them to ensure they are safe and clean for the 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 The childminder has a very clear understanding of all child protection issues, and provides constant supervision to ensure children are safe at all times. Parents are given copies of her clear and concise child protection policy so that they understand her legal obligations.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder provides lots of well thought out, interesting and varied activities which the children thoroughly enjoy. For example, the children were enthusiastically making bread rolls with her. They took turns to help weigh out the ingredients following the recipe in a cookery book, discussing with the childminder and lifting the weights to see which ones were heavy and which were lighter. Children's individual needs are resourcefully met by the childminder, as she provides children with important things to do, while they wait for their turn to mix the ingredients. One younger child greased the baking trays for the childminder which helped to keep him occupied and made him feel important. She uses every opportunity to help expand children's vocabulary while they take part in the various activities, by using words to described for example, how the dough mixture felt on their hands, or what something sounded like.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's work is displayed prominently around the kitchen walls. The childminder takes the children on outings to local places of interest. She plans these activities so that all children can take part, as she is very aware of the needs of the varying age group that she cares for. She encourages older children to help the younger children, helping to build their self-worth and giving them a sense of responsibility. The younger children go to her spontaneously for hugs and cuddles, she is able to anticipate their needs successfully and this enables them to feel happy and secure and to flourish in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children have a good varied range of toys and resources that reflect the wider world. They celebrate festivals from other cultures and religions, as well as British festivals to help expand their knowledge and understanding. The childminder is compiling a resource folder to help her with the planning of activities so that she can provide a variety of interesting activities for the children. They are encouraged to play with all her toys providing they are suitable for their age and stage of development and this promotes equality of opportunity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder meets the children's individual needs extremely well. She uses observations she makes on the children to assist her in the planning of activities to help promote their development and learning. The childminder has some experience of caring for children who have special needs and she works with parents and other professionals to help meet these. One parent said how supportive the childminder was when children were ill or needed extra help.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. They are happy and play together well because the childminder has good behaviour management strategies. She uses distraction and anticipates children's needs confidently, she has clear rules and encourages good manners at all times. Children are rewarded with stickers when they do something kind or try a new food. One child tried pineapple for the

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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 first time and although it was not something the child enjoyed, the childminder praised the child for tasting it and gave a smiley face sticker for the child to wear.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are given lots of useful information by the childminder in her parents pack. She exchanges information with parents, verbally and in a written daily diary or sheet to keep them informed of the children's activities, food intake and other relevant information. The childminder builds a good rapport with parents and works in partnership with them so that she can provide children with appropriate care at all times.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The children are very happy and settled in the childminder's secure and safe home. She provides children with lots of interesting activities and is flexible when arranging her day. This enables her to take advantage of, for instance good weather, to do something unplanned or to do something the children especially want to do. Children are given constant supervision to protect them at all times.

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Organisation

The childminder is proactive in attending training to ensure that she is up to date with all child care issues and requirements. She has recently completed the Quality First programme with the National Child Minding Association and has obtained her Certificate in Childminding Practice and the National Vocational Qualification level three in child care and education. The childminder is very forward thinking in her approach to her childminding career.

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Organisation

Children are cared for in a thoughtful and professional manner by the childminder. She is aware of the adult to child ratios and ensures these are met effectively in accordance with her registration. All documentation is up to date, it is exceptionally well organised and stored so that children's personal details are kept confidential. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 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 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

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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