Mayville Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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142713 Unique Reference Number 11 August 2006 Inspection date Sarah Warren 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 lives in a semi detached house in the town of Yeovil. The premises offers a hall leading to a sitting room with dining area, kitchen, dedicated play room and a toilet. The first floor is used to access the spare room for sleeping and the bathroom. There is a garden at the back of the house.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds an NVQ level three certificate in child care and education. She lives with her husband and eight year old son. The family have one cat and dog and a guinea pig. There are currently 15 children on roll, all attend on a part time basis.

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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 promoted well through the childminder keeping clear and accurate records for accidents and medication administration. However, accident records do not always contain sufficient detail consistently to keep parents better informed. Children are learning about good hygiene as they independently access the toilet for themselves and wash their hands at appropriate times. For example, children wash their hands before eating and cooking and after toileting. The childminder has a current first aid certificate which further enhances the children's health and well being.

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Helping children to be healthy

They have regular access to physical play provision and access the outdoors most days. Children's physical development is promoted through a good range of equipment such as trampolines, ride on toys, swings and a climbing frame, all of which are provided in the childminder's rear garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from activities that help them to understand about healthy eating and where their food comes from. For example, children have been blackberry picking and then returned to make blackberry and apple crumble. They regularly participate in making their own meals and snacks. Children of all ages and abilities enjoy making pizzas and make decisions for themselves as to their toppings, design and shape. Children have good access to drinking water, which they access themselves via a water dispenser. They help themselves to a wide variety of fresh fruits at snack time and are encouraged to try new foods. The childminder carries out 'new food days', where everyone is encouraged to try a new food or meal such as Chinese or Indian dishes. Children's dietary requirements are met well by the childminder who ensures that their needs are recorded appropriately and the parents wishes followed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a warm, well maintained and welcoming environment that is organised to allow for differing types of play. For example, the lounge/dining room is used for table top and floor activities, whilst the dedicated play room is used for messier play such as painting and paper mache. Children move freely and with confidence, they know where everything is and can access all resources for themselves. This helps to encourage children's independence and allows them to make choices in their play. Most resources are stored well in low level shelving and drawer units, giving good access to all children. Resources are very varied and provide sufficient challenges for all children in the setting. They are checked for safety and suitability as they are brought out and packed away. Resources are routinely cleaned and checked again with the children being encouraged to participate and take responsibility. They help by informing the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder of any breakages or missing parts.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe through effective measures in place around the home. For example, stair-gates prevent children accessing unsupervised areas of the home. The childminder risk assesses her garden each day before children use it to ensure that it is safe and suitable to play

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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 in. She discusses ground rules for some activities such as trampolining to ensure that children are kept safe. Children are encouraged to think about how they might keep themselves safe. For example, the childminder often asks children questions such as, 'what do you think would happen if you didn’t check to see if any cars were coming?'. Children's safety is further enhanced by the childminder's clear and confident knowledge of child protection procedures. She is knowledgeable about the possible signs and symptoms of different types of abuse and understands her responsibilities to the children. She has clearly informed parents about all aspects of child protection, through her written procedure and statement. She knows who to contact with any concerns and is clear about keeping that information strictly confidential.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children of all ages and abilities are involved in a broad and varied range of activities that help to promote their all round development. For example, children enjoy cooking, gardening, dressing up, painting and junk modelling. They have good and easy access to resources that are clearly labelled, which aids their early literacy. Their learning is encouraged through a range of purposeful activities such as making pizzas. Early maths skills are promoted through children following the instructions and measuring out ingredients. Children benefit from going out on regular outings with the childminder to local places of interest. For example, they have picnics in the park, feed the ducks and take walks in the woods gathering things for craft activities. Children play well together and share toys well. They chat together and converse all the time, with the childminder asking them questions that further their learning. Children make good

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

use of their imaginative and creative skills. They freely access craft materials to extend their play further. They show good levels of concentration, staying at their chosen activity for longs spells at a time. Their work when finished is displayed on the table, which helps to promote good self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are all treated equally and fairly. They all have good access to resources and have the same amount of time and affection with the childminder and equal play opportunities are provided. Children learn about diversity through a range of activities and resources, such as food tasting, dressing up, dolls and books. The childminder cares for children with learning difficulties and disabilities and always ensures that she receives lots of information from the parents regarding a child's disability. She makes sure that activities and resources are suitable and appropriate and any adaptations made if necessary.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well in an environment that is lovely and calm. The childminder is very positive and encouraging, giving children lots of praise for tidying up, being nice to each other and good behaviour. She uses appropriate behaviour management strategies and agrees these with parents prior to their child commencing care. Children talk about moods and facial expressions, particularly at and after snack time. For example, children eat slices of melon and are left with a smile shape. This brings about discussions of sadness, happiness, being angry

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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 and frightened. Children enjoy trying to work out what mood the child with the piece of melon is trying imitate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept well informed about all aspects of care their child receives. They each receive a parent information pack that details all policies and procedures. This ensures that parents are fully aware about all aspects of care given. Parents are kept informed on a daily basis through discussions at the start and end of each session. The childminder has an adequate complaints procedure in place. However, it does not show how the complaint relates to the National Standards or that parents must receive a summary of the complaint on request.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children receive good care from an experienced and well qualified childminder in an effectively organised and calm environment. She is enthusiastic, calm, fun and caring and relates well to the children. Space, resources, time and the local environment are all used extremely well to provide children with a variety of play opportunities that promote their all round development and learning. She has a good understanding of children's development through completing the NVQ III in Childcare and uses this knowledge to provide an appropriate range of activities that are suitable for the children being cared for.

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Organisation

Children can be cared for overnight and the childminder has appropriate knowledge to ensure they are kept safe and healthy at all times. Children are cared for according to their needs through discussion with parents. The childminder's efficient and effective organisation of her overnight care ensures children's welfare is paramount at all times. She has all the required documentation in place to underpin her good practice and reviews and checks all records annually or when changes are made. However, the accident records and complaint log need further developing. She retains all records for the appropriate time scales and stores them securely, allowing for access as necessary. They remain confidential at all times. She meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to make available to parents the details of the childminding child protection procedures. She has produced a statement and policy that clearly details her responsibilities and the procedures she must follow. This forms part of the parent's information pack and supports the childminder in her role of safeguarding children.

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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 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 accident records provide enough detail to keep parents properly informed • make sure the complaint log links to the National Standards and is made available to parents on request

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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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