Huntley Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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115686 Unique Reference Number 17 July 2006 Inspection date Kristin Hatherly 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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and three years in a house in a suburb of Northampton. The children have access to the ground floor and first floor bathroom of the home. There is a secure garden for outdoor activity. Local facilities include a school, pre-school, park, play area and shops, all within walking distance. The family have a dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She 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 are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through daily routines. Young children understand that they must wash their hands after going to the toilet, handling pets and before eating. Children's welfare is promoted by the childminder's up-to-date first aid knowledge and clear procedures for giving medication to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop an awareness of the importance of a healthy diet and benefit from the provision of balanced nutritious meals and snacks that contribute to their well-being. Children's good health is further protected as the childminder carefully records dietary information gained from parents. She has a good understanding of catering for cultural and religious differences and children with any special dietary needs, working co-operatively with parents. Children have access to fresh drinking water at all times, as younger children are encouraged to help themselves to drinks from their beakers and older children access drinks from the kitchen table throughout the session. As a result, children are thoroughly hydrated and comfortable.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to freely take part in activities in the fresh air that promote their growth and development. They enjoy a range of activities that help them gain control of their bodies. For example, riding on bikes and push along toys. They develop their physical skills as they walk to and from the local school and go to the park to use the swings, slides and climbing frames.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a secure and well-organised home where potential hazards are minimised to help keep children safe. Children have use of all of the downstairs and the garden, with sleeping facilities on the first floor. A good range of furniture and equipment ensures that children are comfortable and that they can play and eat together.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

They are kept safe because the childminder supervises them well and has effective risk assessments in place to minimise hazards. This enables children to move freely and develop their play and ideas in a safe environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected and their welfare is promoted because the childminder has a clear understanding of the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures and ensures that the required procedures and documents are in place. They are further protected as there is a fire evacuation plan which is practised regularly and all fire prevention equipment such as smoke alarms and a fire blanket are in place and checked regularly. All this contributes well towards the safe level of care.

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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. Children enjoy a good and varied range of activities and resources which meets their individual needs well and enables children to progress appropriately for example craft, cooking, games, puzzles and variety of small world toys. Children are confident and interact well with adults. They are learning to take responsibility for their actions and behave well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children confidently play and show an interest in activities which is further developed by the childminder's good interaction with the children. They are listened to and they are valued as individuals which assists in developing their confidence and self-esteem. Children are able to independently choose between a variety of toys and games. They also enjoy outings to the local park and frequently socialise with other children through regular attendance at local toddler group.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy physical exercise in a secure garden and at the local park, which develops their large body skills as they play on large equipment such as wheeled toys, swings and slides.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals and receive regular praise and encouragement which promotes their confidence and self-esteem. Their needs are met well as they follow a routine. Children are able to develop a good awareness of equality as they play with a range of resources reflecting diversity. This provides children with opportunities to fully appreciate each other's similarities and differences and develop a positive view of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder understands her obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act. She is confident to care for and support children with identified needs and has experience in caring for children with special dietary needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and are encouraged to develop good manners. They make themselves at home and develop their independence as they choose from a range of accessible toys and resources to play with and showed a good understanding of sharing toys during play. The childminder has friendly and professional relationships with parents. She shares relevant information regularly and uses a journal to record daily information for children under the age of one year. All of which consistently promotes the welfare, individual needs and care of the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and settled in a well-organised home enabling them to confidently initiate and extend their play. Space and resources are organised effectively to meet the individual needs of the children and good adult support is given. As a result children feel secure and confident. Although the childminder has experience of the needs of younger children, she has not as yet fully implemented the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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's well-being is safeguarded because all required documentation such as attendance records, medication and accident records are in place and well organised. However, the Registration Certificate is not on display. This ensures the efficient and safe management of the provision which promotes the safety, care and well-being of the children. All this contributes well towards the effective and safe level of care of the children. Overall, the children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to ensure children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The childminder has added to the resources available and will continue to do so which ensures that children are able to develop an understanding of diversity. The childminder was also asked to obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children and this is now in place, thus further ensuring the safety of the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints since 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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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): • further develop knowledge and understanding of children under three by using the 'Birth to three matters' framework • ensure Registration Certificate is on display during minding hours.

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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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