Ponteland High School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

145783 Unique Reference Number 24 August 2006 Inspection date Carole Argles 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 satisfactory. 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 registered since 1983 and may care for six children aged under eight years, of whom three may be aged under five, including one child aged under one year. She usually works with an assistant, and at these times, she may care for six children under eight years and of these, not more than two may be aged under one year at any one time. At present, the childminder provides part-time care for five children aged between one and four years, and occasional care for four school-age children during the school holidays .

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and adult daughter in a residential area of Salisbury, Wiltshire. The house is close to schools, pre-schools and parks. Children have access to the ground floor areas of the house, which includes cloakroom facilities, and a first floor room for sleeping. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children's good health is suitably supported by the childminder who has a satisfactory understanding of ways to reduce the risk of infection spreading between them. She does not care for children who are infectious or ill; she keeps her premises and the toys and equipment clean. Each child's changing equipment is kept separate and the children often use disposable wipes. The children learn good hand washing routines and always wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. There are sound procedures in place to ensure the safe administration of any medication to children. The childminder holds a first aid certificate and has a suitable first aid kit readily available. However, she has not requested written consent from parents to seek medical treatment or advice for their child in the event of an emergency.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide all food for their children and are therefore responsible for their nutrition. The childminder provides drinks which are readily available for the children to take as required. Meals are eaten in the kitchen where the younger children often use child-size tables and chairs. The childminder is flexible in her routines to ensure that children eat their meals when required. The childminder does not use her garden for outside play but each week, she takes the children to local parks to play football or for walks giving them satisfactory opportunities for exercise. The younger children also enjoy moving to music within the house.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The risk of accidental injury to the children is reduced by the childminder who takes appropriate action. Her home is comfortably furnished and well maintained. She always works with an assistant and they ensure that the children are well supervised both within her home and when out. Appropriate safety equipment including fire guards, window locks and socket covers are in place. The premises are well maintained and kept secure. The childminder makes suitable use of space to meet the children's needs, for example, by using a first floor room so that young children can sleep undisturbed. There is a satisfactory range of toys and equipment, which the childminder checks regularly to ensure they are safe for the children to use. She is very aware of the importance of keeping small items out of the reach of young children to whom they may pose a hazard.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues and understands the action to take if she is concerned about the welfare of a child in her care. She ensures they that do not have unsupervised contact with persons who have not been vetted. This contributes effectively to keeping the children safe from harm.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children are happy and settled with the childminder and her assistant. There is a friendly relationship between them, with the younger children going readily to the childminder for

p.3

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 cuddles and assistance. There is plenty of conversation and interaction between the children and adults who are interested in what the children have to say which helps to promote good self-esteem and confidence. The adults become involved in the children's play, for example, playing board games together. The childminder takes opportunities to extend children's learning; for example, she helps a young child learn new words as they look at a book together and they talk about the colour of objects, and the type of birds they may see out of the window. The children play cooperatively together, taking turns and showing kindness and concern for others.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There is a satisfactory range of toys, games and books but some provide limited interest or challenge for the children. Books, puzzles and games are stored on shelves where they are readily accessible for the children to select. However, many other items are mixed together in toy boxes making it difficult for the children to see or use them easily. The childminder does not plan activities for the children but responds to their choices and the older children were showing involvement and enjoyment when playing board games. However, the range of activities offered is restricted; for example, although there are colouring books and crayons, the children do not take part in other creative activities such as painting or playdough and have little scope to explore materials or try out their own ideas.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. There is a satisfactory range of books which show positive images of diversity. This raises children's awareness and helps them to develop an accepting attitude towards others in society. The children's individual care needs are met and routines followed by the childminder who forms effective partnerships with their parents. She exchanges information with parents daily and respects their wishes for their child. There is continuity in the children's care because the childminder is flexible to meet parents' work patterns. She makes long-term commitments to families and has cared for some children for many years. There is a suitable procedure to help new children settle quickly and they make preliminary visits with their parents so that they become familiar with the childminder and their surroundings. This contributes well towards them feeling comfortable and secure. The childminder makes written agreements with the

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

parents about the care provided for their child and has some information displayed on a notice board for them.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The children behave well and play cooperatively together. The childminder is a good role model for the children and they are polite and considerate to others. She has clear and consistent expectations for their behaviour which she explains to the children so they begin to learn to manage their own behaviour. For example, she explains that they may hurt themselves if they run inside the house. Children receive praise for their achievements and when they show good behaviour and this helps them understand when they have done well.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder maintains most of the records necessary to support the children's welfare and safety. However, there are minor omissions of personal details, such as date of birth, in some

p.4

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 records. She has systems in place to ensure that information is kept confidential and she shares records with parents. She understands the action to take in the event of a complaint from parents.

p.4

Organisation

The children are well supported by the childminder who ensures that the correct adult to child ratio is maintained at all times. As she always works with an assistant, the children receive plenty of attention and are well supervised. The childminder makes satisfactory use of space in her home to meet children's needs. However, toys are not stored so that children can see and select individual items with ease and she does not plan activities in advance to ensure that children have a wide range of choices about what they do.

p.5

Organisation

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

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, the childminder agreed to maintain a record of all accidents occurring to the children, both whilst in her care and at home. She now maintains these records and shares the details recorded with their parents. This contributes well towards protecting the children's safety and enhancing the partnership between the childminder and the parents.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since April 2004.

p.5

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.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

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): • request written consent from parents to seek medical treatment or advice for a child in the event of an emergency • review the organisation of the toys and resources to allow children to see and select items more easily

p.5

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 • extend the range of activities available for children of all ages, for example, by making reference to the Birth to three matters framework to support children in their youngest years, and by providing a wider range of creative activities • ensure all the required personal details are maintained for every child.

p.5

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