Fairways Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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114841 Unique Reference Number 21 June 2006 Inspection date Teresa Colburn 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 three children in a semi detached house on Shoreham Beach, West Sussex. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house 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 registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five part-time, three children over five years before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take children and drives to collect them at the end of the school day. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group, takes children to the local park and activity groups. The family has a dog, cat, two gerbils and fish. She is a member of the National childminders Association and the local 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 good. Children have access to a hygienic environment as the childminder has a good understanding of encouraging good practices within her home. Children are encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet, before eating snacks, eating lunch and after playing, therefore promoting the importance of good hygiene routines. Children have access to individual flannels, paper towels and wipes to help reduce the risk of cross infection contamination. The childminder follows thorough nappy changing routines sustaining good levels of hygiene. She ensures the family pets do not pose any hazards to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children who are infectious do not attend, thus preventing the spread of contagious ailments. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate so is able to administer first aid in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes healthy eating for young children. Children have free access to an ample supply of fruit. Parents who prefer to supply food for their child are well catered for. The childminder checks the children's lunch boxes on arrival and stores all perishables in the family fridge. After school children are generally provided with a mini buffet for them to snack between activities, for example carrot sticks, cheese, crackers, spread, homemade cakes and fruit. Fresh drinking water is available at all times, older children can freely help themselves, younger children are able to access their own beakers independently. Food is prepared and complies with dietary and religious needs, this ensures children's individual dietary needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have warm relationships with the childminder, who is responsive to their needs. The childminder clearly understands their feelings through verbal and non-verbal communication. They enjoy a good range of activities that help promote physical exercise, for example walking to school, visits to the parks, activity sessions at the local leisure centre, walks in the wood and using the trikes and enclosed trampoline in the garden.

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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 generally clean and welcoming environment, which is effectively organised so they can move around freely. There is a good range of safe, developmentally appropriate resources suitable for the ages being cared for, although not all are freely accessible to children. Some of the equipment is stored in the hallway cupboard, however the childminder routinely rotates the equipment to ensure variety for the children. The childminder makes regular checks to ensure the resources remain clean, in good condition and age and stage appropriate for the children to play safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are secure and there are effective procedures to ensure the safe arrival and departure of children. Children are well supervised and safe at all times through the childminder's vigilance. Enabling children to move around the home safely. Children's safety is maintained

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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 because the childminder has an understanding of the potential dangers, hazards and supervises children when they play in a garden. Most of the potential hazards around the home have been made safe or inaccessible to children. For example, safety foam has been fitted around the low-level coffee table, kitchen cleaning products are stored away and fire safety equipment is easily attainable. The trailing ivy in the garden poses a slight risk, as the childminder is unsure whether it is harmful to children. However she will ensure it does not pose a hazard until she is certain it is safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected and safeguarded from harm because the childminder has a good understanding of her role regarding child protection procedures. She has a good knowledge of how to implement the local child protection policies ensuring children are safeguarded from harm when in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children approach the childminder for support indicating good relationships are built. The childminder is warm and affectionate, making children feel comfortable and valued. For example she gives good eye contact, cuddles and reassurance to both minded children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to a balanced range of activities and experiences that aid their development, for example regular visits to the park, lambing at the local farm, pond dipping, baking, art and craft sessions. The childminder likes to involve the children in numerous creative activities and especially enjoys sticking with them, as this activity aids their hand and eye coordination. Children enjoy and learn from the range of activities allowing them to freely explore and investigate, for example cooking and making play dough.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident in their surroundings and are at ease with the childminder and each other. They enjoy a range of activities and resources, appropriate to their individual needs and stage of development. They occupy themselves happily and the childminder provides opportunities for them to play by themselves or with her. For example, the baby happily babbles and laughs to themselves whilst playing with a pop-up toy and a musical walker. Whilst the older child contently pretends to feed the doll with a spoon just like the childminder feeding the baby.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder knows each child well, she treats them with respect, meets their needs and helps them to feel good about themselves. She has a good understanding of equal opportunities. Children have access to a good range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity. For example they learn about different festivals celebrated around the world, multicultural musical instruments and child size native costumes. This ensures children learn about the wider world.

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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 some experience of caring for children with special needs, and has an understanding of the importance of working closely with parents to ensure the child's requirments are met fully.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children respond positively to requests from the childminder and are eager to please. She offers regular praise and encouragement to children to help increase their confidence and self-esteem. Children respond well to the childminder and are secure and happy in her care. Children's behaviour is very good and the childminder is effective in the way she manages any unwanted behaviour. Helping children have a secure knowledge of what is right and wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is very good. Detailed information in the childminder's portfolio, written policies and procedures enable parents to be well-informed about the childminder and the services she provides. Parents are informed daily of information about what their child has been doing, how they had been and what they have eaten during the day. This ensures good home links, which enable the childminder and parents to work together cohesively.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place, to promote children's welfare, care and learning. She has attended a first aid course so that she is able to tend to children in a medical emergency. She readily updates her knowledge on current childcare issues by accessing relevant literature. She ensures all regulatory documentation is in place, however some relevant written consents have not been obtained from parents this could pose a slight risk to children. For example parental written consent for transporting children in her car, going on outings, seeking any necessary emergency advice or treatment for minded children and using the family enclosed trampoline. All accidents are recorded, and the required details all noted although the entries do not maintain confidentially. Documentation is readily accessible to the childminder and is kept in a secure area to ensure confidentiality is maintained at all

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Organisation

Children benefit from an environment where they received stimulating adult support to help them feel secure and confident. 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 obtain a copy of the District Medical Officer's memorandum of children's illnesses and infectious diseases, and provide parents with a letter detailing her legal duty regarding child protection issues. These recommendations have been addressed to improve the safety and welfare of the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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 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): • ensure that plants in the garden do not pose a hazard to children • ensure all parental written consents are in place, in respect of permission for using transport, going on outings, seeking emergency treatment and using the family enclosed trampoline.

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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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