Fred Longworth High School

Inspection report for early years provision

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106527 Unique Reference Number 29 August 2006 Inspection date Dawn Biggers 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 1998. She lives with her husband, adult son and four year old daughter, in Henbury, Bristol. Her husband sometimes acts as an assistant. Most areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 and is currently minding three children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also cares for a child over eight years. She attends the local toddler group, library and park. The family has two cats and some goldfish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She offers care under the supported day care scheme and is registered as a respite carer.

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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 learn about good hygiene practices through well-planned daily routines. Effective procedures such as using individual flannels, wet wipes and supporting children wiping their noses sustain high levels of hygiene and prevent the spread of infection. Good nappy changing facilities also minimise this, for example the effective use of disposable gloves. The risk of this is also minimised through the childminder's sickness policy and procedures. The childminder has clear arrangements for the administration of medication and for documenting accidents. Children are cared for in a clean, well maintained home and this contributes to their wellbeing. Appropriate procedures for the care of the cats are maintained to safe guard children's health, for instance, they do not have access to the food bowls. They begin to learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care, being supported from a young age. For example, they

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Helping children to be healthy

develop self-help skills, washing and drying their hands after using the toilet and before meal times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy eating is promoted well by the childminder, as children enjoy healthy snacks, for instance they are given fruit choices. Children begin to understand the benefits of nutritious foods, as the childminder provides healthy light lunches and cooked meals, such as, sandwiches, roast, pasta and vegetables. The childminder provides a sample menu for parents of the balance and range of healthy foods available. Drinks are regularly provided and children start to develop awareness of their own fluid intake, accessing their containers of water. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and the children’s likes and dislikes to provide nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to them and meet their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of activities, which contribute to their health. Physical play opportunities are available indoors and outside to help them develop control of their bodies, for example the trampoline, balls and push along toys. In addition, visits to the park and to the soft play areas improve children's physical skills and provides plenty of fresh air. All are able to rest and be active according to their needs, for instance younger children sleep and quieter play includes stories and creative activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe as they move around confidently in a secure, welcoming and well-maintained home. The playroom is child orientated with bright freezes and their artwork is displayed on a notice board or taken home. They are encouraged and supported to make choices from a good range of quality toys and equipment. These are organised and accessible from low-level containers. They are all suitable for the age and developmental stages of the children and meet good safety standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected well from potential hazards, as risks have been identified and minimised, for example, stair gates, safety equipment and smoke alarm checks. The pond area is safe and secure. The childminder has a thought through emergency evacuation plan and this is sufficiently

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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 practised with the children. The childminder ensures children are safe when participating in structured activities. For example, a younger child is supervised on a chair or sits on her lap. They are secure in a high chair, whilst having lunch. Young children are checked and monitored by a listening devise when resting in a travel cot on the first floor. They begin to learn aspects of safety, for instance being supervised whilst using the fruit peeling machine and say "hot" when the childminder washes her hands. Their undone shoelace is tied and young children are encouraged not to put chalk in their mouth, being given an explanation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder gives priority to maintaining children's safety outside the home. Younger children are closely supervised and good safety equipment is used, for example, a buggy and car seats. She encourages children's awareness of safety, discussing road safety using the green cross code. She uses rules for outings, age appropriately, such as holding the pushchair and staying in sight. On outings, children wear bright t-shirts with the childminders contact number.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded. The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection procedures and her role and responsibilities. She shares her policy and procedures with parents and therefore they understand how children are safeguarded. Existing injuries are discussed and sufficiently recorded, although parents do not sign these.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children generally progress well, they are settled and happy. They have fun and receive consistent attention and support, within a warm secure relationship. This increases their wellbeing. Young children develop their communication skills, they sit with a peer listening to the story and point to the pictures using singular words. Children enjoy books they frequently access these, sitting and looking at the pictures. Children begin to develop self-esteem and confidence. For instance, they confidently share their colouring achievements, being praised. They are responsive to the childminders affection, enjoying the security of this relationship and relate well to their peers, playing with and alongside them. They play imaginatively with the dolls and teddy, cuddling and carrying them. They show interest in the pop up toys, developing their hand and eye co-ordination pressing the buttons. Young children begin to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

develop their large muscle skills, crawling on the floor and walking. They have access to a good range of organised resources and begin to make choices. For example, they ask for the pens and glue. They begin to learn about sound and rhythm, whilst listening to music and sing into the microphone. They sway to the sounds and dance. Children are inquisitive, interested and respond to the childminders skilful interactions and this increases their language and communication skills. For example, they listen; ask questions and use facial gestures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Exploration with a good range of creative resources help children represent their feelings. They enjoy using their senses feeling the texture of glue whilst making a group sea collage. They experiment folding their glitter painting and are amazed to see the symmetrical pattern. They enjoy drawing on the chalkboard. The childminder has good awareness of their individual needs and provides activities that offer suitable challenges and stimulation for most age children. However, young children's play is not always extended, therefore they lose interest during group times and do not always play purposefully with the resources, particularly when exploring these by themselves.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children begin to develop awareness of diversity as the childminder provides a range of meaningful resources to promote a positive view of the wider world. For example, she uses some books and dolls. Activities include celebrations such as Christmas and Easter, where children make cards. They are introduced to different foods and flags from around the world and discussion is used age appropriately about differences such as wearing glasses. Children begin to learn about the local community as they go on walks in all weathers and attend the toddler group. They go on regular outings to various parks and soft play areas. Children feel valued as daily discussion includes their families and recent experiences. They begin to learn about how things grow, for example, they notice that the tomatoes need picking on the plant in the garden. The childminder encourages an inclusive environment, where group activities

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Helping children make a positive contribution

sufficiently include them all, such as drawing and creative play. The childminder's experience of special needs enables her to consider and support children individually whilst promoting their wellbeing. This includes good liaison with parents and other professionals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Praise and encouragement is used well to reinforce good behaviour and this boosts children's self-esteem and confidence. For example, good acknowledgment of a peer's support for a younger child and for a child's dancing and creative achievements. Therefore, children are generally well behaved and co-operative. They develop independence with self-help skills whilst using the toilet. They begin to develop awareness of manners as the childminder encourages this, through her clear, consistent and caring approach.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are secure because of the good relationships with parents. There are clear agreements, policies and procedures and the childminder liaises with them discussing the children’s individual needs, and this contributes to their wellbeing. She informs them of their day through daily discussions and shares their achievements and progress. Therefore, parents feel included and involved in their children's experiences. However, the childminder has insufficient knowledge and understanding of the regulation relating to complaints procedures and she is unaware of how to log complaints. Therefore, parents are not clearly up to date on all the procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and generally happy, being familiar with the home and lay out of the playroom. They develop confidence playing with a good range of resources. Most aspects of their play supports their learning. There is a strong emphasis on creativity and outings. The childminder has a clear routine and weekly plan. She organises her time appropriately to give children attention. She liaises closely with parents and this supports children's care.

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Organisation

The childminder shares her portfolio, policies and procedures with parents from the start and keeps them mostly well informed about the service and their child's activities. However, information about the complaints procedure is not up to date. The documentation is organised well and maintains children's confidentiality. All of the consents are in place to promote children's welfare, care and learning. The childminder has attended a girl guide’s refresher first aid course; however, an appropriate first aid certificate has not been maintained. Therefore,

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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 her knowledge may potentially not safeguard children in an emergency. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has improved her health and safety documentation and organisation.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Her accident and incident records ensure all children's anonymity in maintaining their confidentiality. Medication records are signed by parents, improving the health arrangements and organisation.

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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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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): • improve the outcomes for children under three by using an approach in line with the Birth to three matters • improve knowledge and understanding of the regulation relating to complaints procedure • maintain an appropriate first aid certificate.

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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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