Farningham Road County First School

Inspection report for early years provision

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130056 Unique Reference Number 17 November 2006 Inspection date Hilary Preece 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 1998. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 and 11 years in the Woodhall area of South Oxhey and within walking distance to schools, shops and play areas. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with access to the first floor bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five every day and one child over five after school. The childminder can walk to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups. The family has a tank of tropical fish and a gerbil.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She holds the Pre-school Learning Alliance (PSLA) Introduction to Pre-school Practice and the Herts Quality Standard award.

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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 healthy lifestyles. They enjoy good nutrition and regular exercise that contribute to their overall well-being. Children choose their favourite fruits at snack time and eat well-balanced meals in discussion with their parents, so that individual dietary needs are met. Children have access to drinks throughout the day. Children begin to take a healthy interest in food as they make regular trips to the local shops to look at a range of different produce. Children benefit from daily walks in the fresh air and opportunities to play in the garden or local parks. They explore a range of equipment to promote their physical development that includes balls, hoops, and wheeled toys. Babies develop confidence in their movement as they are encouraged to be mobile and active in their play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children stay healthy because the childminder follows strict hygiene practices that ensure children are protected from infections. Children wash their hands before eating and use individual face cloths and towels that prevent any cross-infection. They begin to take responsibility for their own health care as they are reminded how to blow their noses and to cover their mouth when coughing. Babies are protected because the childminder has a high standard of hygiene when changing nappies, cleaning equipment and storing and preparing food.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health and medical needs are met as the childminder keeps accurate records of individual health needs, accidents and medication given. They receive prompt and appropriate first aid treatment if needed as the childminder has access to first aid supplies and guidance when at home and on outings. An effective sickness policy minimises the spread of infectious illnesses as sick children are excluded from attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe environment where risks to their safety have been minimised. This allows them to explore and move around the space safely. A risk assessment of the premises and equipment ensures that they remain safe and use appropriate and well-maintained resources. Robust measures are in place to ensure that children are protected in an emergency. Fire drills are practised with the children so that they develop awareness of how to keep safe and there is an arrangement for another registered childminder to provide emergency care if needed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings because the childminder uses appropriate equipment, such as reins, to ensure that young children remain close. Children learn how to cross the road safely because the childminder is careful to reinforce boundaries for their safety when out and about. They develop an awareness of how to play safely in the home as the childminder is consistent in explaining the consequences of their actions. They know, for example, that if they jump on furniture they may fall and hurt themselves.

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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 Children's welfare is protected because the childminder clearly understands her role in following child protection guidelines. She understands how to record and report any concerns, has attended basic child protection training and has an appropriate policy to support her practice. Children remain protected as the childminder ensures that unauthorised persons, such as callers to the house, do not have contact with the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled because their individual needs are met. They have a balanced routine of rest, sleep and play according to their own needs and enjoy regular outings and activities that promote their overall development and enjoyment. Regular visits to toddler and childminding groups, the library and local amenities ensure that children develop a broad range of social experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident and develop self-esteem. They receive lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder to help them complete a task or when they are kind and helpful. They show growing independence and take initiative in making choices. They select resources they need with confidence, for example fetching a step to take to the sink to enable them to wash their hands easily. Children become confident as they make decisions about their play, for instance exploring paint with a brush and their hands to make different effects.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies and younger children develop good communication skills as the childminder uses innovative methods to encourage early communication. Babies without language show good understanding through the use of baby signing, and show great delight when they successfully ask for their milk using hand gestures. They also enjoy a stimulating 'baby rhyme time' session at the local library. Children are absorbed in their play and show an interest in the activities and resources available. They react with wonder as the bubbles the childminder blows pop and disappear on the ground. Children acquire new knowledge and skills because the childminder encourages them to count, recognise colours and broaden their understanding. For example, they develop simple mathematical skills as they watch as their apple is cut into halves and quarters. They learn about the natural world when out walking as they hunt for spiders and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

watch sycamore seeds floating in the air like helicopters.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn to be respectful of others and all are shown equal concern. Strategies are in place to ensure that all children are fully included. Routines and activities can be adapted to meet any individual needs and the childminder's confidentiality policy ensures that privacy is respected. Children have varied opportunities to develop their awareness of the wider world and diversity. This is brought to life through practical experience. For instance, they learn about Chinese new year by eating noodles in Chinese bowls and the childminder ensures that appropriate library books are available to support any discussion.

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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 Children begin to develop awareness of the needs of others, with young children reminded that they need to be gentle with babies. They show respect for others as they make a card for a child who has recently left the setting, saying how much they miss her. Children helpfully fetch and carry things for the childminder to help her when changing the baby and this gives children a sense of belonging to the setting and fosters their self-esteem. They learn about helping and being responsible through daily activities such as hanging out the washing and sorting socks into pairs. Children learn to manage their behaviour because the childminder is skilful in distracting their attention away from negative situations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are met because the childminder works very closely with parents and carers. Regular communication takes place to ensure that their care needs are fully understood and parents are kept fully informed of how their children are progressing. Delightful daily diaries are effectively used to celebrate the children's achievements, as well as being a facility for two-way communication. They contain photos of the children having fun and samples of their painting, which create a comprehensive record of their early years. Children also proudly display their paintings in scrapbooks for parents to see. Parents express warm appreciation of the care provided. There is a complaints procedure that meets regulations and the childminder has agreed to ensure that a facility for recording complaints is available.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's high regard for their well-being. Through completing the Herts Quality Standards quality kite mark award, she has developed a comprehensive set of policies and procedures that promote children's safety, welfare and enjoyment. These are effective in practice because they are regularly reviewed and shared with parents. Documents and records are well-maintained and accurately reflect the care provided. She keeps up-to-date with most requirements and accesses training when possible to develop her practice. She is beginning to have regard for the 'Birth to three matters' framework, though is not actively using the resources available to further enhance experiences for the under three's.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's careful use of resources. She organises her time well to ensure that activities are prepared in advance and that all children receive equal attention and support when needed. Children's overall development is promoted because they have varied opportunities to play and learn. The childminder makes very good use of local facilities and environment, such as the library and toddler groups, to enhance children's experiences.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that information given to parents is kept up-to-date. Information in the childminder's portfolio is regularly reviewed and shared with parents so that it is accurate and relevant. This keeps them well-informed.

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Improvements 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

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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.

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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): • further enhance experiences and activities for the younger children in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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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