Madginford Park Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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118469 Unique Reference Number 13 November 2006 Inspection date Deborah Jane Starr 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 1985. She lives with her partner and one child, aged 18 years in Worle, North Somerset. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with designated rooms on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a dog and rabbit. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children. She is currently caring for eight children under five years. All children attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends local toddler groups and takes children to parks and local places of interest.

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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 health is effectively promoted. Children follow well-established good hygiene routines; for example, washing hands before meals, after messy play, after use of the toilet and contact with pet rabbit. Appropriate policies and procedures that prevent the spread of illness and risk of infection are in place. These include the exclusion of children when unwell, nappy changing procedures, regular inoculation of family pets and thorough cleaning of floors. Children understand the importance of maintaining their own health and know not to use cutlery that has fallen onto the floor. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate. Accidents and the administering of medication are managed appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a varied range of activities that contribute to their physical health and development. Activities in the garden, visits to local parks and soft play areas help children develop control and co-ordination of their bodies. Children develop batting and kicking skills using balls and bats in a variety of ways, climbing skills using the low-level climbing frame in the garden, balance and co-ordination when manoeuvring sit and ride toys, a see-saw, round-a-bout, bicycles and swings. Children are able to be active, rest and sleep comfortably according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop an understanding of a healthy, nutritious and well-balanced diet through snacks of fresh fruit and home prepared meals; children are encouraged to try new foods. Drinks of water, milk and juice are offered regularly throughout the day. Children's dietary needs are discussed with parents and taken account of.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move safely around the well-maintained home where hazards are clearly identified, minimised and regularly checked; this includes the fire guard, plug sockets and smoke detectors. Children play with a varied range of age-appropriate and high quality toys and equipment that are regularly checked and appropriate for their individual needs, such as buggies, travel cot, high chair and car seats. Children are guided to keep themselves safe within the home and when outside. For instance, they are encouraged to sit safely on chairs and young children wear reins when walking outside. Children are encouraged to develop an awareness of road safety. Children stay close to the childminder when playing in the park and on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all required procedures and documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and protected; for example, clear procedures for the collection of children. However, the documentation used to obtain written parental permission to transport a child in a vehicle is not clear and is open to misinterpretation. The childminder's good understanding of child protection issues and working knowledge of the procedures to be followed protects children from harm. Parents are well informed of the childminder's responsibilities through thorough discussion.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled, happy and enjoy their time within the childminder's home. The excellent relationship between the childminder and children promotes their sense of well-being and self confidence; enabling them to begin to explore the world around them and confidently develop relationships with others. Children are at ease, eagerly showing the inspector their pictures and requesting her assistance to put clothes on a baby doll. Children benefit from the childminder's good understanding of child development and knowledge of their home circumstances to offer a variety of experiences. Children are quickly engaged in all the activities available to them. They eagerly select autumn leaves collected on a walk in the woods the previous week and glue them to paper. They are interested in puzzles and willing to develop their skills; persevering with more complex pieces. They are keen to achieve and request assistance to complete the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

pictures. Young children smile at their own achievements, responding to the childminder's praise. Children happily talk about family relatives and their experiences. They enjoy imaginative play and acting out their everyday experiences. They share wooden figures and place furniture thoughtfully in a dolls house and change baby doll's nappies, appropriately cleaning them with wet wipes and throwing the wipes away. They sort baby doll clothes and dress them so they can take them on a walk in a play buggy. Children select hair brushes and carefully brush the childminder's hair and the baby dolls. Regular visits to local toddler groups, the woods, parks, library, the childminder's family farm and local places of interest such as Brean Leisure park, Red Road Farm, the Apex lake and local garden centres extend children's experiences and their understanding of the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are clearly identified, reviewed and met; this is achieved through regular planned discussion with parents and other agencies. The childminder's willingness to work alongside parents supports children's development; for example, with toilet training. Effective settling-in procedures and a flexible approach to each child's care supports children's well-being and promotes their sense of security. Children are proud of their achievements, showing their work to adults around them and proudly declaring they are 'taking their picture home to show daddy'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children gain an awareness of people who are different from themselves, from resources that reflect positive images. They participate in activities that promote their understanding of the wider world and diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's self-esteem and sense of well-being is promoted through the calm, clear and consistent approach of the childminder. Regular praise, use of age-appropriate strategies and the thoughtful balancing of needs between each child effectively helps them understand what is expected of them; consequently children behave well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationship between parents and the childminder. The childminder's flexible approach to the care of children supports their well-being; for example, the collection of children from their family home. Parents are well-informed of the childminder'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 policies and procedures and their children's daily experiences; through daily discussion, some written policies, telephone contact and regular planned meetings. Systems for the recording of complaints are not yet formalised.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are at ease within the childminder's home. The lay out of the play areas gives children space to move safely and independently. Children easily access and self-select toys from regularly rotated well-organised storage boxes that are placed at floor level. Child-sized tables and chairs provides space for children to play with toys and participate in activities at their own height. Good time management, flexible routines and planning of the day supports children's developmental needs and ensures their individual needs are met; for example, their need for rest and sleep. The childminder considers the needs of children in the event of an emergency by identifying an alternative minder known to the children.

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Organisation

Most documentation promotes children's well-being; it is appropriate, clearly displayed, well-organised and stored confidentially. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was requested to make the following improvements: to ensure that children have access to more resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice and that these are used more extensively and to further develop the systems for recording accidents and the administration of medication.

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Improvements since the last inspection

These recommendations have been considered and steps taken to improve the provision. Additional resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice have been purchased and are easily accessible to children at all times. Children participate in activities that promote their awareness of the wider world. Appropriate and clear systems are now in place for the recording of accidents and the administration of medication.

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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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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

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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 that the documentation used for obtaining written parental permission to transport a child in a vehicle is clear • formalise the system for recording complaints.

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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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