Dundry Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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145021 Unique Reference Number 09 August 2006 Inspection date Nikki Whinton 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 16 and 18 years in Devizes, Wilshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 and is currently caring for five children, of whom one attends on a full-time basis. She attends the local carer and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a National Vocational Qualification level three in Childcare and Education. 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 lead a healthy lifestyle whilst in the childminder's care. They have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise when walking to and from organised activities within the town or whilst playing in the childminder's fully enclosed garden. In addition, children have regular chances to develop their physical skills during visits to soft play centres or the local play park.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their understanding of good hygiene procedures as part of the daily routine. For example, they are aware of the need to wash their hands after toileting or when they have touched a dead fly. They benefit from the childminder's good understanding of first aid and her knowledge of the correct administrative procedures to be followed if accidents occur or children require medication. There are a range of written procedures in place to support children's good health. For example, written parental permission has been obtained for seeking emergency medical treatment or for applying sun cream. However, children and adults share the same hand towel when hand drying. As a result, children are at risk from cross contamination.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs, allergies or parental preferences are discussed with parents, prior to a child commencing in the setting. All requirements are recorded and accommodated. Parents provide lunch boxes for their child, which are correctly stored in the fridge. Children are offered snacks such as biscuits or breadsticks and are frequently offered drinks. They benefit from the childminder's awareness of the need to offer healthy options during their time in the setting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play and sleep within premises that are very clean and well maintained. Children develop their self-care skills, through practical activities including self-toileting and putting on their shoes for outside play. Children benefit from the childminder's good understanding of safety issues, both within the provision and when taking children on outings. For example, the premises are secure, a stair gate prevents children accessing the first floor unsupervised and hazardous materials are inaccessible to children. However, whilst the childminder has considered how to evacuate the premises in an emergency, she has not practiced drills with the children. As a result, children's safety is potentially at risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy self-selecting from a good range of well maintained, age appropriate equipment, which is regularly rotated to ensure the resources continue to interest the children. Children benefit from the childminder's secure understanding of safety issues regarding the purchase of equipment. Toys are regularly checked and cleaned, which helps to ensure children play with resources that are safe and suitable.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is supported by a childminder who has a very secure understanding of child protection issues and the correct procedures to be followed if concerned about a child. There are very effective arrangements for making parents fully aware of the provider's child protection

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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 responsibilities, prior to a child commencing in the setting. Children's well-being is actively promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled, relaxed and 'at home' within the provision. They are continually well occupied and freely make decisions for themselves regarding the activities and resources they wish to explore. For example, one child decides to make a pasta necklace, whilst another chooses to investigate small world figures in a bus. Children's enjoyment and learning is greatly enhanced by the active involvement of the childminder. She ensures each child receives good individual attention, whilst helping them to develop their knowledge through play. For example, children confidently recognise numbers as labels whilst exploring jigsaws, 'that's three, I'm four now'. Children are constantly learning and developing new skills whilst engaged in worthwhile activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have a very positive rapport with the childminder, which helps in promoting their confidence and sense of belonging within the setting. They are developing their social skills and demonstrate consideration for others, such as a child taking an extra breadstick at snack time, to give to her peer. Children regularly take part in a variety of planned outings, such as walks in the local area or visits to nearby carer and toddler groups. Such activities enable children to increase their awareness of their local environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are acknowledged and valued as respected individuals. They benefit from the childminder knowing them very well, having a clear understanding of their differing needs and an awareness of their home circumstances. Children access a good range of resources including books, small world figures and puzzles, to help them increase their awareness of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well as appropriate for their age and differing stages of development. They benefit from the childminder's good role modelling and her understanding of effective strategies for promoting positive behaviour. Children increase their awareness of right and wrong whilst in the childminder's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership that exists between parents and the childminder. Parents are given detailed information about the provision and are encouraged to discuss children's achievements or any childcare issues on a regular basis. This friendly approach helps to promote consistency in children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is an experienced child carer, who has obtained appropriate early years qualifications and regularly undertakes further training to help support her professional development. She is well organised, making good use of her home and local facilities, in order

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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 to offer children a wide range of appropriate play opportunities. The provision is well arranged to meet children's needs. For example, children sleep in a designated bedroom to enable them to have uninterrupted sleep and toys are organised in order that children can make independent choices. Children feel settled in their care routines, confident in initiating their own play ideas.

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Organisation

All legally required documentation that contributes to children's health and welfare is correctly maintained and securely stored. For example, children's daily attendance is carefully recorded.

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Organisation

Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of the last inspection the childminder was requested to ensure children cannot leave the provision unsupervised and to increase opportunities for children to take part in creative activities.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The premises are now secure and children are able to participate in a suitable variety of creative activities. These improvements have had a positive impact on the quality of care offered to the children.

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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): • ensure good hygiene procedures are in place regarding hand-drying • ensure emergency evacuation procedures are regularly practised.

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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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