Pallister Park Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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144136 Unique Reference Number 27 September 2006 Inspection date Jill Lee 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 1999. She lives in Sheffield with her adult daughter.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The downstairs only of the home is used for childminding activities, except for access to the bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children. She is currently caring for one child only. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 enjoy a varied range of physical activities and outings in the fresh air, which contribute to keeping them fit and well. They experience large physical play activities most days, as they use a range of play equipment at local toddler groups and in the park; they often take the dogs for a walk. They climb the steps of the slide safely and scramble through the tunnel with the cat in the garden. They usually bring their wellingtons so they can play out even 'if it's wet', as they love being outdoors. The childminder plans suitable activities to develop their abilities and keeps a watchful eye while encouraging independence to try out new skills. Her clear understanding of the needs of younger children supports their good developmental progress.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are helped to be healthy and are protected from infection by the childminder's clear awareness of health and hygiene guidelines. She ensures children's understanding of the importance of good hygiene practices is promoted in everyday routines. They independently get the step stool to reach the sink to wash their hands before lunch and know why they need to wash their hands after playing with the pets. The childminder liaises closely with parents to follow home eating and sleeping routines, to ensure children are content and able to enjoy their play. Arrangements for first aid and administering medication meet requirements and protect children effectively.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are met by healthy meals and snacks, which they often help the childminder to prepare. The childminder negotiates arrangements for meals and drinks very carefully so that children's individual needs and preferences are met. She discourages too many sweet foods and talks with children about healthy choices; for example, they can always choose raisins or fruit at snack time and are encouraged to choose a 'crusty roll' rather than cakes when out. They go shopping together and think about which are healthy foods and why they are good for you. Drinks are always available for them to access independently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and very child friendly home. The childminder organises space and resources well to reduce potential hazards and actively promote independence. Children use a broad range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards, helping them to enjoy a wide variety of experiences safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use the whole environment freely. The childminder accompanies children to the upstairs toilet and this is essential as the banister on the landing is appropriately assessed as being a risk factor. Their awareness of risk and safety is raised, as they hold hands or hold onto the pushchair when they are out walking; reins are used if the child's needs require. They learn to stop at the kerb when crossing the road together and the childminder talks with children all the time about the dangers of busy roads. Children have well planned opportunities to extend their physical skills and the risk of accidents is minimised by careful supervision and consistently reinforced safety rules. For example, the childminder emphasised the risks of playing near to

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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 water when they got to the park to feed the ducks and children learn not to walk near to the swings. She has sought advice from the Fire Service regarding safe evacuation and practises her plan with children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding of her responsibilities within child protection procedures. Her willingness to record any concerns and to discuss these with parents ensures that the welfare of children in her care is given priority. The detail in accident records does not always sufficiently clearly outline the location. Recent additional training has extended the childminder's knowledge and understanding of her responsibilities, increasing her confidence in her own ability to protect children and keep them safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very secure and settled in the childminder's care. They enjoy many interesting activities using a wide range of stimulating resources, which support and challenge their development. They develop confidence as the childminder talks to them and is interested and involved in what they are doing. She observes children's play carefully, so that she plans experiences based on their interests. She has identified that she feels she would benefit from access to training relating to the 'Birth to three matters' framework, to enable her to further promote and extend the play experiences of younger children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become engrossed in activities that engage them, like hand print painting, play dough and imaginary role play; they love the dressing up box. Their language skills develop well as they talk about what they are doing; they copy words as they communicate their needs and ideas. The childminder has made a photograph book to reflect their experiences and they get this out often to recall shared fun at the Butterfly Farm and on the bouncy castle. They often enjoy picnics in the park. She is very attuned to their needs and wishes and interprets non-verbal communication well. Children love reading stories; they choose their favourites and snuggle up with the childminder on the settee. They sing nursery rhymes together, confident of the words and actions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop a strong sense of self-esteem. Their behaviour is very good and is sensitively supported by the childminder's example. They begin to understand right and wrong; for example, they know they must be gentle with the animals. Home experiences are built on well by the childminder. She fully respects their independent choices and her caring, supportive interactions encourage confident play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children become familiar with the relaxed daily routines and have a warm and trusting relationship with the childminder. She includes children in planning ideas for activities and this strongly fosters their sense of belonging and involvement. Children make their own suggestions about activities they would like and they are supported to make their own decisions; they confidently let the childminder know what they want to play with. Resources are stored so that

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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 children can access them independently. The childminder knows them very well and responds warmly to their needs and suggestions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to share and cooperate as they play. They are helped to feel good about themselves as the childminder praises them and gives lots of warm encouragement. This reinforces good behaviour. Children are encouraged to be helpful, as they tidy away toys and help prepare meals. They develop independence as they practise putting on their own socks and shoes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's awareness of their local community is raised very well by regular outings to local groups, to the shops and the park, where they love to feed the ducks. The childminder has some resources which reflect diversity and other cultures and is also able to borrow resources from the childminder's toy library. The childminder uses the library very well to extend the range of books for children to read. This helps her to enhance the ways in which she promotes children's sensitivity to and awareness of difference.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in very close partnership with parents. She encourages parents to spend time with her, so that they get to know each other very well, as they settle their child. She talks with parents about her childcare practice and is developing photographic records of children's activities to help them recall, and share with parents, experiences they have enjoyed together. The childminder does not drive but often takes children on outings with friends; written parental consents have been obtained but these do not clearly identify the named drivers. Parents know how to raise concerns and the childminder is aware of recent guidance relating to dealing with complaints.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare is promoted very effectively in the well organised, welcoming and safe environment. Their individual needs are supported by flexible planning. The childminder evaluates her own practice well. She is using a local quality assurance checklist very effectively to help her document and monitor how she is promoting the outcomes for children. She is also keeping a 'professional development log' to help her plan to meet her own development needs. She accesses appropriate training and development opportunities, which contribute to her ability to plan enjoyable experiences for children.

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Organisation

Children are kept safe and their welfare is effectively safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding and implementation of all required policies and procedures. Written agreements reached with parents are in the main very clear. The childminder shares information on a daily basis about children's activities and care needs, enabling consistency and continuity of care.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure she was familiar with the range of diseases considered notifiable by a health professional and to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She has obtained up to date information about notifiable diseases and shares this information appropriately with parents. Parents clearly understand that sick children cannot be cared for. She has attended a training course to ensure she fully understands her child protection responsibilities and is familiar with the procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Board. These measures have helped to enhance her ability to ensure that children's welfare is fully safeguarded whilst they are in her care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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): • ensure children are always fully supervised when using the toilet • consider further ways to enhance the play experiences of younger children • include detail of named drivers in written parental consents relating to transporting children by car.

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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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