The Leys Primary and Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

117364 Unique Reference Number 16 October 2006 Inspection date Michael Collins Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been a registered childminder since 1980. She lives with her husband, who is also a registered childminder, in a semi-detached house in the St Budeaux area of Plymouth, close to a variety of local amenities. The lounge, dining room and conservatory have been established as play areas for the children attending, and there is a fully enclosed rear garden suitable for outside play. The family have two pet cats.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for a maximum of six children and has 11 children on roll, who attend at various times. She also minds with her husband as co-childminder and together they may care for maximum of nine children at any one time. Currently, together, they have a total of 15 children on roll, who attend at various times. Both childminders have joint responsibility for the childminding practice, although she takes the lead in planning activities for the children, and her husband plays a supportive role in this area.

p.2

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 The childminder takes children to the local pre-school and attends toddler group on a regular basis. Children are regularly taken out on trips during the week, in both term-time and holidays. She is a member of both the Devon Childminding Association and the National Childminding Association. She also holds a level 3 National Vocational Qualification in Childcare and Education and receives support from the local authority.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder plans and executes a good variety of activities, which contribute positively to the children's good health and physical development. Children have access to plenty of fresh air and there are regular outside activities, which aid the children’s physical development. For example, they play on ride-on toys in the rear garden, visit local parks and go on regular trips to various places of interests, such as zoos and adventure parks.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good knowledge of nutrition and plans a varied menu for the children, which is both healthy and appetising. She takes into account parental wishes. For example, by providing fresh fruit, or by avoiding certain food groups because of allergies or maintaining a healthy diet. She also works with parents to expand children's culinary horizons by trying foods new to individual children, and using their peers as role models and arbiters of good taste. However, she is careful to avoid pressurising children and recognises individual tastes are different. The children enjoy a good range of fruit, vegetables and nutritious foods. Drinks, chosen by the parents, of milk, water or juice are always available to them, in order to maintain their fluid levels.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder acts in the best interests of children, to keep them healthy or should they be unwell. She keeps good medical records and paperwork, and ensures that she works closely with parents on medical and medication issues by using a system for double-checking that she is acting as the parents would wish. She protects and promotes children’s health through good cleaning regimes and discussions with parents, ensuring children are cared for in a welcoming and clean environment.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The routine, established in partnership with parents and her co-childminder, coupled with the appropriate interaction from the childminder, teaches children the importance of good hygiene. For example, by cleaning their teeth after lunch, and washing their hands regularly and appropriately throughout the day. This joint approach helps the childminder to support and develop children’s growing understanding of personal care, with children identifying that they wash their hands because of germs. This, in turn, also helps to reduce the risk of cross contamination.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a clean, well-maintained and very child-friendly home. It is organised and decorated with children in mind, for example, the carpet in the main area is designed to

p.3

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 be a play road map mat, and there is a low level safety mirror and chalk board on one wall. The childminder identifies and minimises risks, to enable children to move around safely and independently, and she jointly ensures that the home is secure with her co-childminder. She supervises children vigilantly and consistently helps children understand how to keep themselves safe both in and outside of the home. For example, by planning activities around road safety, and reminding children about proper and safe use of equipment indoors.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children confidently self-select activities from a good and extensive range of appropriate toys and resources, which meet safety standards and are easily accessible to them. The childminder warmly supports and supervises children’s choices, making sure they are safe and appropriate. She makes sure children use activities and resources with safety and purpose, thereby supporting children’s learning and enhancing their understanding of personal safety.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

In order to further support and safeguard children’s welfare, the childminder has gained further knowledge and put in place the required procedures. For instance, she has attended a fire management and extinguishing course, and developed robust evacuation procedures, which have been practised with children, although not recorded. She holds a current first aid certificate and has a basic knowledge of child protection in line with the local Safeguarding Children Board. However, she does not have the contact details for the relevant child protection agencies.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder plans an excellent variety of stimulating and meaningful activities, for instance: sensory play; art and craft; singing and nursery rhymes; outside play; physical play; reading; story-times; and quiet times. She also takes a flexible approach to planning, taking into account children’s own routines and abilities, parental wishes, and other issues such as the weather. She appropriately challenges and encourages children to take part in activities according to their age and stage of development. She is also skilled at consistently celebrating their attainment and successes. All of this contributes tremendously to the children's enjoyment, growing understanding, and sense of achievement.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder’s extensive knowledge and wealth of experience of caring for a wide range of children with differing abilities. Their individual development is successfully promoted through the childminder’s use of existing frameworks, such as Birth to three matters and the Foundation Stage Curriculum, as reference points and for further ideas.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make themselves at home upon arrival at the childminder's house and are very happy and settled. They socialise well and are happy to discuss their experiences and the day's events. They clearly enjoy their time with the childminder, with laughter, fun and learning as constant companions. The relaxed and friendly environment allows children to confidently make their own choices and they are thoroughly absorbed and happy in their play. They spend their time purposefully and are able to decide when to be active and when to relax.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop a vast amount of confidence and positive self-esteem through the interaction, care, love and attention they receive from the childminder. Children are valued and treated with trust, concern and respect by the childminder who has a wonderful manner and sense of

p.4

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 warmth. Children thrive in the fabulous, relaxed and homely feel. All children are welcomed with open arms and are encouraged to build relationships and gain trust in others.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s individual needs are thoroughly met through the extensive range and amount of toys, resources and equipment. They flourish through the stimulating and purposeful activities and experiences, and their play is promoted through the childminder’s infectious enthusiasm and passion for having fun. This ensures that fits of laughter echo around the house, and much serious learning is done.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder warmly welcomes children and parents to her home. She talks to families before placement, and keeps good records, to ensure that she takes individual needs, family background, and parental wishes into consideration when planning and organising. The childminder has increased the selection of resources and activities which reflect the wider world, as recommended at the last inspection, and she uses opportune moments to discuss and contrast difference, thereby increasing children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed warm and caring relationships with the children, and has got to know them very well. Children are obviously valued and respected as individuals. This encourages and supports them to interact co-operatively and to show care and concern for themselves and others. The childminder fosters and supports good behaviour particularly well, and has developed a set of house rules which the older children are aware of and follow. This consistent approach ensures that the children’s behaviour is very good indeed.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in partnership with parents very well. She shares information concerning her policies and procedures with parents in the form of a welcome pack. She also provides parents with daily verbal reports about her service, including information about: activities; food; naps; and events. She and her co-childminder have developed an excellent series of notice and information boards for the parents, which contain a vast amount of information about her service and other items of interest. This joint approach to information helps to ensure that parents are aware of their children’s activities and behaviour, and they are able to discuss events with their children and the childminder. Children’s care is fully promoted through the childminder’s good approach with regard to confidentiality and children benefit through the childminder’s good relationship with parents.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder provides a well-maintained and well-organised environment. This enables children to feel welcome, comfortable and safe. The childminder puts her good policies and procedures successfully into practice, to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. She maintains all of the required documentation very well. This is completed correctly, reviewed regularly and presented professionally and with care. Verbal information is shared on a regular basis with parents, to keep them informed of their children's activities and achievements, also

p.5

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 examples of the children’s work are displayed, along with recent photographs of the children’s activities and experiences. The children's individual needs are well met by the childminder, who makes sure she has all the information required to care for the children, as their parents would wish. Children’s space is organised in an effective manner and all resources meet the children’s requirements.

p.5

Organisation

This general approach contributes to the continuity and good quality of care provided for the children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

p.6

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has met both recommendations made. She has done this by: obtaining a copy of the government leaflet 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused'; and effectively extending the amount of resources and activities that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice.

p.6

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

p.6

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • Obtain the relevant contact details for child protection agencies and ensure that these are available at all times.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6