Meadowside Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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144168 Unique Reference Number 02 August 2006 Inspection date Carol Johnstone 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 with her husband and their two daughters, aged 15 and 11 years in Wimborne, Dorset.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for three children from the age of two years to under eight years. There is currently one child on roll. However the childminder also provides care for children over the age of eight.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor except the for the utility room is used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have two pet guinea pigs whom children can have supervised access to.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 benefit from effective hygiene measures in the home. The childminder cleans kitchen surfaces and toilets daily with antibacterial spray. She uses disposable gloves when changing nappies or dealing with minor accidents. Children who are unwell are always excluded in order to protect other children in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about their personal hygiene through regular hand washing using liquid soap and separate towels which minimises the risk of cross infection. Children clearly understand why they need to wash their hands, one child said "I wash my hands so I don't get germs". Children also understand that they need to wash their hands after touching animals, including the pet guinea pigs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder keeps her first aid training up to date and regularly checks her first aid box so that correct care could be given in an emergency. Medication given is fully recorded and signed by parents. The accident book is also completed accurately.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works hard to help young children overcome any eating issues. She takes a relaxed and casual approach but makes sure children understand that they need to try something before they say they don't like it. When there was a discussion about some vegetables, one child said "I have to try it first". Children are given healthy food such as fruit, vegetables, pasta, rice, eggs and yoghurt. In addition children help make fruit smoothies and milkshakes. Children learn about the different types of fruit there are and one child could name a variety of fruits after being given their descriptions.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities for physical play. The garden contains a slide, swing and balancing bars. There are regular trips to the local park and beach. There are also trips to go horse riding, swimming, skating and kayaking. The childminder has a good understanding of the need for young children to practise their fine motor skills and this is an area where she facilitates their development through planning appropriate activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are protected from harm as the childminder has a sound understanding of safety issues. She make sure that the premises are kept locked and that the outside gates are bolted. Electrical sockets are covered and wires secured. When children are in the kitchen doing messy activities the cooker is not used. There are window catches to prevent them opening fully and cleaning materials and medicines are kept out of the reach of children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is clear of the emergency evacuation plan and this is practised with children who are old enough to understand it. She regularly checks that the smoke alarms are in working order and there is a fire blanket and fire extinguisher in place for emergencies.

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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 When children are out walking, they hold on to her hand and are not allowed to go on ahead. Younger children are strapped into buggies or on reins. When crossing the road, children are taught about road safety and they are encouraged to practise looking for cars and saying when it is safe to cross. Children are also told about stranger danger.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an excellent understanding of child protection issues. She knows the types of abuse there are and the signs to be aware of. She is very clear of who to report concerns to if the need arises. She makes sure that her child protection training is up-to-date and would be able to very effectively support a child who needed assistance in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are offered an excellent range of activities such as sewing, cooking, rug making, planting, art and crafts, dancing, making music, "pamper days'', ''hairdressing days", dressing up, board games, puzzles, help with homework and computer play. Resources are easily accessible for independent choice by children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is familiar with the Birth to three framework and also the Foundation Stage curriculum. This enables her to plan activities that will support children's learning. She encourages children through their play to become familiar with letters, phonics and numbers. Her interaction with the children during activities stimulates them and encourages them to think for themselves. Children weigh and measure during cookery and they learn about their bodies from themes followed such as "all about me". There is also topic work around the weather, the seasons and the sea.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children play board games, paint and make models. They are also encouraged to get involved with projects such as "tourism" where they independently research on the computer and through books and they write letters to various companies to obtain further information.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a very relaxed and homely environment. Children are extremely settled and comfortable with the childminder and also with the other members of her family. The childminder interacts very warmly towards the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to learn about the cultures and religions of others. This is done through discussion and through using resources such as books, puzzles and multicultural clothes. In addition the childminder encourages children to try foods from other cultures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are able to express their emotions if they are angry or upset and the childminder encourages them to do this so that issues can be discussed and resolved. The childminder manages behaviour with firmness but also with gentleness and this helps children learn that there are boundaries that can be beneficial. Praise is freely given to children which builds their self-esteem and confidence.

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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 is a trained special needs coordinator and as such has extensive experience of working with children who either have a disability or a developmental delay. She has cared for children with special needs as a childminder and shows a commitment to providing appropriate care that will meet a child's individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder understands the importance of working closely with parents so that children are able to feel comfortable when left in her care. All new parents and children meet with the childminder several times before starting and there are often joint trips out so that children become familiar with her. The childminder encourages open and honest discussion with parents and keeps in daily contact with them, either through discussion upon collection of the child or by telephone later in the evening. Parents are given photos of the children and the art and craft work completed by children is first displayed in the childminder's hall and lounge and is then sent home for parents to keep.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's welfare is supported through complete recording of allergies, medical histories, comforters and preferences. There is parental consent in place for car transportation, emergency medical treatment, the taking of photographs and the application of suncream. Parents have also been informed of recent changes in Ofsted's procedures regarding any complaints they may have.

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Organisation

Children's attendance is recorded, however this is not done clearly and in a way to make it accessible in an emergency. In addition, the childminder's documentation although complete, is not stored in a well-organised or easily accessible way.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to furthering her personal development in order to continually improve her childminding practice. She consequently undertakes child related training courses whenever they become available.

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Organisation

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 there was not a record book in place for recording medication. There is now a designated book for this purpose which is completed correctly.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the 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 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 documentation is organised effectively and that children's arrival and departure times are recorded clearly.

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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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