Dallam Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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110972 Unique Reference Number 14 August 2006 Inspection date Wendy, Elizabeth Lightfoot 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 has been a registered since 1989. She is registered to provide care for five children under eight years and currently cares for five on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her two children in a house in Liss, near Petersfield, Hampshire. Local shops, schools and parks are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor and one first floor bedroom is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder runs a local carer and toddler group and attends another local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She has an NVQ 3 qualification in Early Years Education and Child Care and 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 clean and comfortable family home. Children learn personal hygiene routines, such as washing their hands before they have a snack, after stroking the cats and after messy play. Sand pits are covered when not in use, to prevent contamination, however, sometimes spilt sand is returned to the sand pit, when it may not be clean. Children are protected from illness by the childminder's good knowledge of food hygiene procedures.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's medical health is effectively supported by the childminder's thorough knowledge of their conditions and the treatments they require. Written parental consent is recorded for any medication given and doses recorded and countersigned by parents, so they can monitor their children's well-being. Children are protected from cross-infection as the childminder shares clear information with parents about appropriate exclusion periods, where children have an infectious illness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive prompt treatment in the event of an accident as the childminder maintains a current first aid qualification. She arranges advance parental consent in writing for emergency advice or treatment and records any accident that may occur, together with detail of any action taken.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive a healthy diet at the childminder's, based on a menu shown to their parents for comment. Children's dietary needs are discussed with their parents, including details of any allergies, and any dietary preferences are respected. Children receive regular drinks and are confident to ask for more, when they are thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children's emotional health is well supported and their confidence grows as the childminder listens to their wishes. They receive warm and affectionate care. Babies and toddlers eat and sleep in line with their own routines. All children enjoy a range of physical activities in the garden, climbing on a toddler climbing frame, crawling through a tunnel, swinging, steering ride-on tractors and cars, bouncing on a trampette, and, under close supervision, on a trampoline with safety net and clear instructions from the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Rooms used for children are made appealing by displays of a range of children's art work and a brightly coloured array of stage-appropriate toys. Children have maximum opportunities to play, rest and spread out for activities as space is well-planned and resources accessible at floor level. Younger children play in full sight of the childminder and older children within hearing, at all times. In warm Summer weather, the house is well-ventilated and children wear sun hats and sunscreen, to protect them from sunburn.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to take some responsibility for their own safety and that of younger children, by beeping the horn on the toy tractor to warn little ones that they are reversing and by keeping

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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 safety gates closed. Toddlers know they must not go on the trampoline without an adult to watch they are safe, and that they must not wear their shoes to bounce. Children enjoy regular outings to venues selected for their safety and suitability. Travel arrangements are agreed with parents and vehicles regularly checked. Children's safety is enhanced by the childminder's awareness of child protection issues and steps to take if she is concerned about a child.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with an extensive range of toys and games, to promote their development in all areas. Babies enjoy a range of toys to appeal to all their senses and their comfort is ensured with a good range of baby equipment, such as travel cots to sleep and high chairs to eat in, or enjoy messy play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in a safe environment where potential hazards have been identified and steps taken to minimise risks. Older children practise fire evacuation procedures and younger children learn that when they hear the smoke alarm, they stand still and listen to what the childminder tells them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's and enjoy a wide range of activities. Children engage the childminder in their imaginative play, when they run a café and ask her to place her order. Children receive much warmth and affection in their interaction with the childminder and share humour, with smiles and laughter. Children's eyes sparkle as their imagination is stretched by the childminder's requests and questioning. Good resources, such as a play kitchen, play food, pans, cutlery, crockery and writing materials stimulate the play. Children of all ages and abilities are included in the pretence and two year olds learn new vocabulary, such as 'aubergine'. Older children share their understanding of which foods are healthy and which are best kept for occasional treats.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy creative activities, such as making plaster casts of their hands, or making and decorating play dough Christmas cakes. Younger children learn which is their right and which their left hand, reminded by older children. Children's attention spans are respected and the childminder maintains an interesting conversation with them, when they need to wait for the plaster mix to be ready to take an impression.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children often play independently, selecting what they would like to play with from a range at floor level. They are praised when they spontaneously start to help the childminder pack away the toys before snack time, building their self-esteem. When children play in the sandpit, with an assortment of utensils, they learn about the colours, sizes and shapes of these. When using the trampoline, children gain control over their bodies, so that two year olds can now jump with two feet. Throughout all activities children are listened to and valued. Their recall is encouraged as the childminder reminds them of how they made jellies and had to wait for them to set.

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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 good. All children in the childminder's care are treated with equal concern and activities are planned to involve them all at their own levels. She gets to know each child well and encourages children's confidence and understanding of diversity in society, through toys, books and resources, and through visits within the local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with special needs receive sensitive and well-planned care from the childminder. She works closely with parents to gain a good understanding of children's difficulties and welcomes their experience in meeting their needs. She is happy to work with any professionals involved with children and to attend any training to help her support children's development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well at the childminder's as they receive clear explanations at levels they are able to understand. They learn rules for safety and to take account of other children. The childminder understands the behavioural difficulties which arise from children's conditions or developmental changes and discusses with their parents positive methods of helping children, to ensure a consistent approach, tailored to the individual child. Rules are clear, explanations are sensitive to children's stages of development and reminders are firm, but friendly, so children are clear about what is expected of them. Children are regularly praised for their efforts and their achievements, so they maintain good self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from good partnerships between the childminder and their parents. She develops contracts reflecting their agreements about children's care and activities, at enrolment, and seeks all appropriate written consents. Parents are regularly invited to comment on the service she offers, to help the childminder ensure she is meeting their children's needs. Parents are kept up to date about children's activities, development and well-being on a daily basis. The childminder ensures sensitive conversations and records held on children and their families remain confidential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young children develop sturdy self-assurance as they are listened to and their wishes respected. Their achievements and their feelings are acknowledged and they develop a good sense of belonging through the warm and affectionate bond between them, the childminder and the childminder's children. Through regular conversations about children's family activities, links between their home lives and the childminder are built, enhancing children's feeling of security.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Organisation

The childminder is well qualified and experienced to care for children and shows a commitment to attending ongoing training for their benefit. She organises her childminding activities effectively, taking care to stay within her registered numbers. The childminder maintains accurate records of children's attendances and organises space and resources well to maximise children's play and learning opportunities.

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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 The childminder uses documentation well to underpin the care of the children. She offers a parent friendly manual of her policies and procedures, to inform parents of her practices. This also includes a copy of her compliments and complaints procedure. Documents are used to record children's special needs and agreements made with parents about their care. She is happy to provide a daily diary for parents of babies to keep them up to date about feeds, sleeps, nappies, activities they enjoy and new achievements.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that pet food and bowls are inaccessible to the children, ensure that toys and equipment are clean, well maintained and safe and to keep a written record, signed by parents, of all accidents and injuries to children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder ensures that the cats' food bowls are inaccessible to children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Indoor toys and equipment are maintained in a clean condition as needed, through the use of antibacterial spray, antibacterial wipes, or submersion in soapy water. Outdoor toys are thoroughly cleaned at the start of each summer and then wiped down as needed. The childminder is careful in the positioning of outdoor play equipment to ensure children's safety and has ensured the trampoline has a safety net. Toys used are safe and suitable for children's sizes and stages of development.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder maintains clear accident records which are countersigned by children's parents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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 that the sand in sand pits is clean at all times

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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 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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