Ramsbottom Stubbins Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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119196 Unique Reference Number 31 July 2006 Inspection date Carol Patricia Willett 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 has been a registered childminder since 1998. She lives with her partner and two teenage children in a house in the Owlsmoor area of Sandhurst. The home is situated close to schools, shops, parks, book and toy library. Childminding takes place mainly in the downstairs areas of the house, with access to the main bedroom for sleeping. There is a secure garden for outdoor play. The family do not have any pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years. She currently cares for seven children on a full and part time basis. Four of the children are over eight years and two are under five years. The childminder is a qualified nursery nurse and she has attended an approved course of training for childminders. She has a current first aid qualification. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and part of accredited network. She is a community childminder.

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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 are cared for in a well maintained home and they thrive because the childminder has a highly effective approach to health and hygiene. The childminder has highly effective hygiene routines and procedures which ensures the areas where they play and sleep are extremely child friendly, comfortable, clean and safe. Children develop a very good understanding of personal hygiene as they are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times. Toddlers have their hands washed after each nappy change to develop their awareness and the childminder encourages their developing skills as they learn to use the toilet independently. The cloakroom is decorated in a very attractive way to children with a sea theme and a fish toilet seat. The childminder further develops children awareness by the placement of posters to remind children of good hygiene. Children use separate named towels, which are colour coded for each family

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Helping children to be healthy

using the service, to reduce the risk of cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have excellent opportunities to experience a wide range of activities to develop their physical skills, enjoy fresh air and promote good health. These include visits to the local park, toddler groups and swimming and garden play on the climbing frame, tunnel and slide. The childminder joins in with their play supporting and encouraging their developing skills. They experience a wide range of planned activities, tools and resources including construction toys, jigsaws, painting and drawing to develop their manipulative skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a very good understanding of healthy eating. Children eat a varied selection of healthy, nutritious meals and snacks which are supplied by their parents. The childminder prepares them according to parents' wishes. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how to keep children healthy during hot weather as she ensures children wear hats and puts on sun-cream. She ensures they drink plenty of water to maintain their health. They have free access to drinks throughout the day. Meal times are social occasions where children talk to the childminder and each other. Children's dietary needs are well met as the childminder keeps comprehensive, well organised records and shares daily information about their individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play and learn in an extremely welcoming environment which is comfortable and well maintained and very child friendly. Toys and resources are stimulating, interesting and suitable to the children's age and stage of development. The childminder enables children to spend their time purposefully and they are eager to participate and explore. Children play freely and select from the wide range of good quality play materials some of which are kept in boxes within easy reach around the living room. This develops their independence and sense of belonging. The childminder has organised the environment exceptionally well so children can explore and develop safely with ample space to meet their needs. She has an extensive knowledge of hazards. She completes risk assessments every year and checks the home and

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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 garden before children arrive to ensure their safety, taking good measures to minimise risks. Warning notices are put on areas of danger around the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are carefully supervised throughout the day as the childminder is exceptionally safety conscious and attentive. Children develop a knowledge of their own safety as the childminder talks about road safety and using the toys safely. For example, carefully explaining to a toddler about using the climbing frame and slide safely allowing him to explore as she closely watches to catch him if he falls. The childminder has exceptionally good procedures in place when taking the children out in the car to ensure their safety in an emergency. She carries a card with the contact details of two emergency backup childminders who hold contact details for all the children in her care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has a comprehensive range of documentation in place to underpin her good practice. The childminder is proactive in developing her own knowledge which ensures children are protected further as she has completed training in child protection and health and safety. She has a good knowledge of child protection procedures and is aware of her role and responsibility with regards to protecting children from abuse. She records accident and incident details appropriately. She has appropriate insurance cover in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a warm, caring manner and excellent interactive skills especially with babies and toddlers. The childminder finds out about children's needs and interests before they attend. This helps them to settle well and benefit from care that is consistent with their home routines. The children receive lots of cuddles and meaningful praise which increases their sense of belonging and encourages them to be increasingly independent. The childminder informally plans an interesting range of suitably challenging activities daily which absorb children and maintains their interest and concentration. They have enormous fun and join in outside play, story time and push buttons on the sound activity toys with enthusiasm and interest. Early communication skills are well supported through high quality interactions during play. The childminder is very in tune with babies and toddlers needs and gestures of communication. She

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

responds to their needs and is very aware when they need their sleep or want a drink.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are good opportunities to extend learning and initiate play as the children freely access a range of toys and activities and explore the environment. They show high levels of independence as they select toys that interest them such as the musical instruments and sound activity toys. They enjoy cuddling up on the cosy cushions in the book area. They enthusiastically explore the outside play area learning to use the climbing frame and slide safely. The childminder gives excellent support to develop their confidence and skills. Children benefit from regular outings to the local toddler group, park, library, shops and to places such as soft play areas and the swimming pool which promotes their learning, develops social and physical skills and stimulates their interest in the wider world. They make excellent progress as the childminder has a very positive and enthusiastic approach to childcare and to the children's overall

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

development. The childminder is using the Birth to three matters framework to improve practice and extend the range of experiences. She uses tracker books linked to the framework to monitor

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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's development but there is no supporting evidence available. The childminder does not keep notes of observation and daily diaries are not linked to development outcomes, only to daily routines such as feeds, sleeps and nappy changes. This means there is no overall picture of children's achievement and progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs and characters are clearly understood and respected by the childminder. All children are welcomed and included in the provision. They have their own space as the childminder labels their coat peg and towels so children develop a sense of belonging. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and to help children understand differences and similarities. For example, children use books with characters from different cultures. They have good opportunities to learn about the local community when they attend activities and local toddler and childminding groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well as the childminder has a positive and consistent approach to behaviour management. This means children know what is expected of them and they feel secure. Children play very happily in the childminder's care. She gives clear, gentle reminders when they throw toys, for example, so they learn right from wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's care, well-being and development is greatly enhanced by the excellent partnerships with parents. The childminder provides detailed information about the service that she provides including her comprehensive written policies, training, daily routines and family details. Parents are well informed of their child's daily routines through informal daily feedback and parents of children under two years have a written daily diary. This method of feedback is not offered to all parents. The information recorded does not provide a complete picture of children's achievements as it does not link to children's development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is greatly enhanced by the childminder's effective organisation of time, space and resources and her enthusiasm and committed approach. Consistent routines and effective support ensure children feel a sense of belonging. The childminder is highly motivated and actively seeks and attends regular training opportunities. She has regular support visits from the network coordinator using feedback to further develop her practice. This ensures she is well informed and able to implement new ideas and childcare practices within the childminding setting. The childminder does not yet fully reflect on all her practices.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's sound and secure knowledge of child development and of her legal responsibilities. All required documentation is in place and regularly reviewed, which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being. The comprehensive range of policies and procedures are well organised and are shared with parents, which means they

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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 clearly know about the provision and the care their child receives. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to ensure that the play sand is changed more frequently and keep the tray covered when not in use. The childminder has taken suitable measures to ensure children's health by the provision of sand tray with a lid, although there is no sand available at moment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She was also required to offer a wider, healthy selection of snacks. Parents supply all snacks and food for the children which are usually very healthy and includes fruit and yoghurt. The childminder does not provide any food but she ensures children drink plenty. She prepares food according to parents' wishes. The childminder would discuss with parents if she felt the children's diet was not sufficiently healthy.

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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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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): • develop evidence of observation to support tracking sheets, linked to the outcomes for children and ensure they are available for all children • ensure development records and written feedback are provided for all young children as needed or wanted by parents.

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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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