Western Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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142220 Unique Reference Number 02 August 2006 Inspection date Joyce Bowler 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 registered since 1996. She lives with her husband and two children in Frome, Somerset. The minded children have access to the lounge, dining room, play room, hallway, toilet and one bedroom for sleep purposes. The front garden is fully enclosed and used for childminding. The family have two cats and one dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding seven children on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder 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's accident and medication needs are recorded accurately and shared with parents. Children's minor injuries are treated appropriately as the childminder holds a first aid qualification. More serious accidents or injuries would be treated as the childminder obtains prior consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Children's good health is promoted well as the childminder is aware of current health and hygiene practices. For example, she has up to date information regarding infectious diseases and procedures to follow to minimise the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Children are learning good hygiene practices and wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. Children are protected from the risk of cross contamination as they use separate disposable paper towels to dry their hands. The childminder minimises the risk of cross infection when changing nappies as she

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Helping children to be healthy

wears disposable gloves and uses a mat which is cleaned after each use.

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Helping children to be healthy

The family have two cats and one dog who are wormed and inoculated regularly.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide packed lunches and drinks for the children. These are stored appropriately in the kitchen. Extra snacks and drinks are provided by the childminder and she ensures that all food allergies and suspected intolerances are observed. A minded child with a nut allergy is safeguarded as the childminder requests that other families do not bring foods containing nuts in their lunch boxes. The childminder is vigilant regarding food for this child when on outings and at toddler groups. Children are given healthy snacks such as fresh fruit but also have the occasional biscuit or bun when away from home to provide energy for play and to supplement a balanced diet. Children are able to choose their own snack, dietary requirements permitting, when enjoying a visit to a café in town or at the toddler group. The childminder ensures equal opportunities by providing something for everyone. Children are protected from cross

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Helping children to be healthy

contamination by the use of their own cups, bottles and beakers. The childminder holds a food hygiene certificate and follows good kitchen hygiene when preparing lunches and snacks and cooking with the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a good range of opportunities during each week to develop their physical skills. They have access to a range of toys and activities which fosters manual dexterity and the use of their whole body. Activities include learning pencil control, building with construction toys, visiting the soft play centre, going for walks and playing in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is promoted well as children are able to play in a home where risks are assessed and minimised by the childminder. When away from home there is an equally high priority given to children's safety. All contact numbers for parents are carried in the childminder's mobile phone and she ensures that venues used are suitable for young children. Children are learning about road safety. Posters in the play room reinforce the practical lessons that are carried out when crossing the road and walking by busy traffic. The home and garden are checked daily

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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 before children arrive. The childminder has successfully completed a nationally recognised quality assurance scheme and as part of this has compiled a safety checklist for areas and activities. The childminder displays her public liability insurance certificate. Her home is extremely clean and tidy and security is good. All children are collected by persons known to the childminder or extra security strategies such as passwords are used. There is adequate space to play and have fun indoors and out and resources may be accessed safely by children. They are protected as the childminder checks all toys for condition and cleanliness regularly and always before use. The play room offers floor play and table top areas. The childminder is planning to provide a small sofa to enable children to sit comfortably to enjoy story time and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

cuddles safely off the floor. The childminder restricts certain areas with the use of stair gates. She has given thought to measures to protect children and two stair gates are used to add a little extra distance between the children and the puppy when the dog is in the kitchen. This allows the children to see the puppy but not to poke their fingers through the gate. The childminder is training the puppy and familiarising everyone with the new family addition. She demonstrates a good awareness that some children and babies are not totally confident with dogs and also that an over friendly and boisterous puppy needs to be kept apart from play areas. Further safety procedures are evident as the childminder has the gas boiler serviced annually, checks her smoke alarms, keeps a fire blanket in the kitchen and has devised an emergency evacuation procedure. Practises of this procedure are not recorded in writing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has prepared the front garden for use by fencing it and providing a padlock on the gate. She is aware of the need to supervise children at all times in this area. The back garden is currently not in use as this is being used for the new family dog.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded through the childminder's good knowledge of child protection procedures. She has completed training to enable her to deal with any child protection issue appropriately. The childminder has a written policy to support this and an up to date copy of the procedures to follow which are in line with the Local Safeguarding Children's Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from the childminder's very good knowledge and understanding of both child development and the importance of providing exciting and engaging activities and resources to foster their love of learning. She has given time and thought to devising a range of activities and play to enable them to learn about their local environment and the world about them, to express their creativity and to develop their imaginations. They are given lots of opportunities to count and to use number in everyday life, for example, when going shopping and sorting laundry as well as when playing with games and activities which are aimed at learning early maths skills such as sequencing. The childminder plans topics for children which are often linked to something in their lives such as a festival or family event or something that they have seen on a walk. Recent topics include looking for mini beasts and recording their observations in art

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and craft and road safety which they have practised together. Children have good opportunities to expand their vocabulary and to develop communication skills as the childminder encourages them to talk about what they have seen and done when they get home. Children chat with confidence during play. Children enjoy talking and exchanging ideas with the childminder and

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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 their peers, for example, when dressing dolls to get them ready for a party and talking about going swimming. Children show that they are confident and settled in the childminders care. The childminder records activities in photographs which are available for parents on the wall in the play room and in a photo album. She is an active member and secretary of a local childminding group, who meet up to three times a week. This group of childminders gets together to choose activities which they may take part in together with their minded children. Visitors also come to the group, for example the emergency services have given a safety talk, and the childminder follows this up with topic work at home. Children are learning about different cultures, such as during 'Chinese day' when they prepared Chinese food and cooked

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and ate it together at the group. Children have valuable opportunities to socialise with other children at the group.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has attended training on the Birth to three matters framework and is implementing it in her practice. She has individual observation and assessment sheets for the younger children. She is recording suitable future planning for these children which relates to their age and stage of development. Children are helped to become skilful communicators and competent learners via her fun approach to finding out and learning through play. She has linked activities to the aspects and components of the framework and uses these in children's every day routines and play. She has devised a flexible outline of activities during each week which gives a good balance between adult directed and child initiated play. Children's independence is fostered as they have 'choosing days' when they may decide whether to stay in or go out and what toys, games and activities they would like to use. Children benefit from

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the childminder's friendly interaction which is sensitive to their needs and encourages them to feel at home in her care. She is aware of when to engage and involve herself in children's play and when to sit back and allow their imaginations free rein. There are good resources to support play and these include toys and equipment for all ages minded. These are rotated to maintain interest and allow children good variety. The childminder supports her work with the children by reading early years articles and using ideas from magazines and training. The play room has posters showing numbers and the alphabet which she uses to enhance children's learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children who are minded after school are able to choose from a range of activities. The childminder is aware that they are often tired after a long school day and may need to just rest and relax.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy in the care of the childminder due to her good settling in procedures and extensive knowledge of each child. The childminder has a written equal opportunities policy which is demonstrated in practice as she ensures that all individual needs are met by tailoring her care for each child and ensuring that all activities are available to all. All children have access to the games, play materials and toys. These resources reflect the diversity of modern culture and society and include play figures of people with physical disabilities as well as people of different ethnic origins. The childminder is not minding any children with learning difficulties currently but has done so in the past. Her attention to detail and careful handling of a food allergy indicates that she would cater for any special needs or difficulties appropriately. Children's

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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 behaviour is generally good as the childminder establishes a friendly and harmonious atmosphere in her home. Many children are minded from babyhood and they learn good manners and to say please, thank you and sorry when necessary. Children are helped to learn to share, to play well together and to tidy up. Young children show that they can tidy up cooperatively before they move on to the next game or activity, for example when putting away the dolls and dolls house before they sat up to draw and colour pictures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is good. A useful exchange of information is available at drop off and collection times. The childminder records existing injuries appropriately. Written diaries have been kept for parents in the past and these included information on eating and sleeping routines and nappy changes. The childminder has produced a comprehensive folder of information to share with parents regarding the service she offers. It includes details of her family, her training, the activities and weekly routine that she offers and all her policies and procedures. Contracts are set up with each family. The childminder has a complaints procedure in place and keeps a complaints log book. She displays information for parents regarding how to contact Ofsted.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The premises are very well organised to meet the needs of children attending by providing them with a dedicated play room and other areas which are used when needed and according to the mix and ages of children on different days. Daily attendance registers are clear and show when children attend. All paperwork is highly organised and stored confidentially in a locked filing cabinet. The childminder is knowledgeable regarding the National Standards and the outcomes for children and implements policies and procedures above and beyond registration requirements. These include policies for health and safety and lost and uncollected children. The childminder displays her registration, insurance and training certificates for parents to see. She has completed a recognised quality assurance scheme which has been validated by the National Childminding

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Organisation

Association. The childminder supports and extends her service to families by undertaking relevant training to promote children's health, safety, enjoying and achievement. The efficient organisation, very good commitment to training and ongoing monitoring of her provision underpins the success of her childminding. She has a professional approach which enables parents to be confident of her consistently high standards.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to increase her knowledge of all notifiable diseases. A list of these is held on file, together with signs and symptoms. The childminder is aware of the procedures to follow should she suspect or discover such a disease. This indicates that children's health and safety is promoted and that the risk of cross contamination is minimised.

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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

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 provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see and 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 emergency evacuation practises are recorded.

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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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