Herne Bay Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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118359 Unique Reference Number 07 September 2006 Inspection date Deborah Jane Starr 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 1996. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and 12 years in Wrington, North Somerset. The whole of the ground floor and designated area on the first floor are used for minding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for three children over five years and six children over eight years. All children attend on a part-time basis before and after school. The family have a pet fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to and collects from Wrington Primary School.

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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's health is effectively promoted. Children follow well-established good hygiene routines. For example, children spontaneously wash their hands on arrival in the home from school, after use of the toilet and before cookery activities. Policies and procedures that prevent the spread of infection and risk of illness are in place. These include the exclusion of children when unwell, clean hand towels each day and clearly displayed written reminders to wash hands. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate. The recording of accidents and administering of medication is managed appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a range of activities that contribute to their physical health and development. Activities in the garden and regular visits to the local park help children develop control and co-ordination of their bodies; these include games such as football, rounders, cricket and the use of skipping ropes. Children play on a swing ball centre and develop climbing skills using the slide in the garden. Daily walks to and from school give children plenty of fresh air. Children rest comfortably and are active according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop an understanding of a healthy and nutritious well balanced diet through a choice of snacks of fruit, toast and sandwiches. Children's dietary needs are discussed fully with parents and taken account of. Children are offered a range of suitable drinks on arrival after school and freely access water at all other times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move safely around the well-maintained home where hazards are clearly identified, minimised and regularly checked; this includes smoke detectors and dangerous plants in the garden. Children play with a varied range of age appropriate toys that is extended through regular use of the local toy library. Toys and equipment are regularly checked and appropriate for children's individual developmental needs, such as appropriate play station games. Children are encouraged to sit safely on chairs in the home, put their shoes away to prevent tripping in the entrance hall and are aware of how to evacuate from the house. They spontaneously hold hands when walking to and from school and look and listen for moving vehicles before crossing roads safely. Children know to stay within agreed boundaries when playing in the park and regular discussions about 'stranger/danger' further promotes their understanding of how to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all required procedures and documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and protected including the safe collection of children. The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues and knowledge of the local procedures to be followed. Parents are well informed of her responsibilities through the display of the Department of Health flow chart 'What To Do If You're Worried A Child Is Being Abused'.

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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 good. The childminder uses her good knowledge of child development and age-appropriate resources to offer an interesting range of activities. Children make their own choices and are happily occupied. They select and play for limited times on age-appropriate play station games such as 'Sponge Bob -Square Pants', and work together and alongside each other creating junk and salt dough models and construct using 'Knex' and 'Lego'. Children enjoy competitive games of darts, snooker and 'penalty shoot-out' and make pancakes, cakes and sandwiches eating them for a snack. Children enjoy creative activities, devising their own books including photographs of themselves, make badges, create bubbles and grow and care for plants.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very happy, settled and secure within the childminder's home. The positive relationship between the childminder and child promotes their self confidence and enables them to develop positive relationships with others. For instance, younger children happily talk to the visiting inspector about games they like to play with. Children develop a sense of belonging and responsibility through clearly displayed photographs of themselves and by taking turns to feed the family fish and to observe traffic when crossing roads. The childminder uses her good knowledge of the children in her care and regular discussion with parents to clearly identify and meet each child's individual needs. To date the childminder has not minded a child with learning difficulties and disabilities, although she has a good working knowledge and a positive attitude. Children gain an awareness of others who are different from themselves and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

an awareness of the diversity of the wider world through some resources and activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Frequent praise and encouragement from the childminder promotes children's self-esteem and well-being. The childminder's calm and consistent approach of setting clear boundaries and use of age-appropriate strategies is effective in managing children's behaviour. Children know what is expected of them, learn to negotiate, share, are well behaved and take pride in certificates that acknowledge their positive behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationship between parents and the childminder. Parents are welcomed into the home and are well-informed of the childminder's policies and procedures and their child's welfare and daily experiences through daily discussion and clearly displayed documentation.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are at ease within the well organised environment. The layout of the home enables children to move independently and freely around the home. They easily access and self-select toys and resources from well organised storage shelves. The childminder's understanding of risk ensures that children enjoy activities appropriate to their ages and stages of development.

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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 Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to develop her knowledge and skills through training. Such as working towards an NVQ level three in Early Years, attending a workshop on Makaton and gaining a European Computer Driving licence.

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Organisation

Children's well-being is promoted through appropriate, accurate, clearly displayed and well-organised documentation that is stored confidentially. 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 requested to make the following improvements: to develop resources that reflect positive images of ethnicity, culture and disability; to ensure parents countersign records when medication has been administered and that guidance regarding the application of medicated substances is followed and to obtain written parental permission to transport children in a vehicle. These recommendations have been considered and steps taken to improve the provision. Some resources have been purchased that reflect positive images of ethnicity, culture and disability; however there is room for further improvement as identified in this report. Clear systems are now in place that follow appropriate procedures for the recording and administering of medication and obtaining of parental permission should a child be transported in a vehicle; thus safeguarding children's welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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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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): • continue to extend resources that reflect positive images of people who are different and offer a range of experiences and activities that promote children's awareness of the diversity of the wider world.

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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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