Cannington Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

123786 Unique Reference Number 20 October 2006 Inspection date Kerry Freshwater 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 was registered in 1991. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, the upstairs bathroom and two upstairs bedrooms for sleep purposes only. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

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 minding seven children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also cares for children over the age of eight. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler group. The family has a pet bearded dragon.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. They play in the garden and visit local parks regularly to benefit from the fresh air. Children experience a variety of physical activities using both large and small equipment. For example, they ride bikes, play football, throw and catch bean bags, use bats and balls and play hoopla games in the garden. They enjoy the apparatus and obstacle equipment at Tumble Tots and the local toddler group. In the house they complete puzzles and enthusiastically build with different construction materials.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They are cared for in a welcoming, clean home where they understand the importance of regular cleaning routines to keep them safe and healthy. Children have a clear understanding of why they must wash their hands before food and after using the toilet. They know that dirty hands on their food could lead to a tummy ache. Children learn about keeping their bodies healthy through discussion with the childminder.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They know which type of food is good to eat. They have access to regular drinks throughout the day and eat plenty of fruit as snacks. Children enjoy freshly cooked meals such as shepherds pie, spaghetti bolognaise and a range of fresh vegetables. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and works with them closely to provide nutritious snacks and meals that appeal to the children as well as meeting their dietary needs.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is a high priority and they are cared for in a home where risks are identified and minimised. They move around safely, freely and independently and adhere to house rules to keep them safe. Children know not to run in the house or jump on furniture so they do not fall and hurt themselves. They learn not to touch electrical items and how to use the stairs safely. The childminder helps children understand how to keep themselves free from harm inside and outside of the home through discussion and leading by example. Children know to wait at the kerb and to check whether cars are coming before crossing the road. Fire evacuation has been considered and practised with children. However, due to recent refurbishment of the kitchen, children's safety has been jeopardised as the fire blanket is not fixed in place and therefore cannot be accessed easily in the event of a fire.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A broad range of safe, developmentally appropriate resources are stored around the room at child height for easy access. This enables the children to independently select their play and activities safely. The childminder has the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she has a good understanding of child protection issues. She has attended training in this area and has all the relevant documentation in place.

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a broad variety of exciting play and activities which are child-led or planned and organised by the childminder. They receive adult guidance to give them extra support if needed but their independence is promoted as much as possible. They participate in a range of stimulating play to aid their development. For example, children play word games together which helps with their spelling and the formation of new words.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a range of activities which help develop their knowledge and skills. For example, they learn to recognise different colours when they choose coloured bricks. They count as they climb up and down the stairs or look at front doors when they are out walking, they begin to recognise different numerals as they look at house numbers in the local area. Children learn mathematical language when they play with the construction bricks learning words such as 'bigger' and 'smaller' as they build. Children count different items of food on the plate and learn to divide food out equally between themselves. Children explore the local environment as they make treasure maps and go on 'adventures', go for walks in the local community and collecting conkers and leaves as they go. Regular use of creative materials such as pencils, crayons, paint and cooking ingredients, encourages the children to represent their

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

experiences, feelings and ideas in a variety of ways. They make collage pictures, produce cards and gifts for different occasions such as Christmas, Easter and Chinese New Year and use resources provided to colour masks and decorate photo frames for mothers Day. Children learn about the changes to ingredients as they prepare and cook biscuits, cheese straws, cakes and colour icing to ice biscuits.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's confidence and self-esteem is developed by the childminder who gives them frequent praise and encouragement at appropriate times. Children's sense of belonging is promoted by the childminder who knows them well and values their achievements which she displays in her home and shares with parents. They make positive relationships, finding new friends on outings and at the different groups attended.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a good range of activities and meaningful resources to promote a positive view of the wider world. Books, dolls and different cultural figures increases children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Children learn about different festivals and participate in a range of cultural activities. For example, they make lanterns and taste different foods for Diwali, they make posters for Chinese New Year and try different Chinese foods. The children enjoy story time when they read about different people and real life experiences such as going to the hospital and dentist. Children are encouraged to be sensitive and respectful of each other, and others.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected. Their individual needs are well met as they follow their daily routine which is discussed with parents. Children behave very well. They understand right and wrong through consistent boundaries, praise and the age-appropriate methods used by the childminder to manage behaviour. Children learn to share, take turns and are polite, remembering

p.4

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 to say 'please' and 'thank you'. The childminder provides a range of opportunities for the children to socialise which helps them make positive relationships with others. Realistic challenges are set by the childminder to help the children develop. This promotes their confidence and self-esteem. They feel relaxed and secure and able to make independent choices about what they want to do.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from a very strong partnership between the childminder and parents who exchange information frequently. They have daily discussions and review contracts, policies and procedures regularly. The childminder gives daily verbal feedback to parents about the children, their achievements and what they have been doing. She provides written information for parents of babies and children under two years. This helps keep parents well informed of how their child's needs are being met and their developmental progress.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The children's needs are met through effective organisation and good communication with parents. Space and equipment is prepared so that children can access resources easily and independently which enables them to make choices about their play. A balance of child-led activities and organised play ensure children have a range of different enjoyable experiences whilst they are with the childminder. They benefit from routines which make them feel secure and relaxed. Children play, eat and rest as they need to.

p.5

Organisation

Documentation is stored securely and information shared appropriately with parents. All of the required policies and procedures are in place to help keep children healthy and safeguard their welfare. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge and experience which she continues to update with relevant training. She has recently completed child protection and food hygiene training and is currently attending training relating to the 'Birth to three matters' framework. The childminder holds a current first aid qualification. Overall, the range of children’s needs are met.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that the daily record of attendance is up to date at all times including arrival and departure times and to keep a written record, signed by parents, of medicines given to children.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Children's attendance and medication are now recorded accurately and all necessary parental signatures have been obtained.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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

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

p.5

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): • ensure that the fire blanket can be accessed easily in emergency situations.

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