Sprotbrough Richmond Hill Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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106697 Unique Reference Number 10 January 2007 Inspection date Nigel Lindsay Smith 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 outstanding. 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, an adult child, and a child aged 12 in Bishopston, Bristol. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor are used for childminding and 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding six children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to a local school and nursery to take and collect children. She attends a local toddler group and a childminding group and takes children to the local library and local parks. The family has a cat and goldfish. The childminder 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 outstanding. Children thrive because the childminder follows highly effective procedures and practices which meet the children’s needs for good health, hygiene and nutrition. Children are consistently protected from cross-infection as toys and equipment are cleaned regularly, and by the childminder's rigorous procedures for changing nappies which include using separate mats for each child. The excellent input from the childminder helps children gain an understanding of good hygiene, for example a child answers the childminder's question as to what she should do after handling the cat by saying "wash your hands", which the childminder reinforces with a familiar song.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy, varied and nutritious diet. They enjoy home cooked meals, and healthy snacks such as fruit and yogurt. All meals and snacks take account of any allergies and dietary preferences that each child may have. Children choose what vegetables they would like with their chicken casserole and help with the preparation by breaking up the broccoli and grating cheese, which they are then given as a starter as they are keen to taste it. Children benefit from the childminder's increased knowledge of food hygiene as she has completed relevant training. Mealtimes are a very sociable occasion where the childminder and children sit together at the dining room table. Children's good hydration is well-maintained as the childminder ensures that their drinks are regularly replenished.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well-protected in the event of an accident as the childminder has a current first aid certificate and ensures that she has appropriate first aid provision. Accidents are clearly recorded and written details shared with parents, and the childminder obtains permission for emergency medical treatment from parents so that she can seek appropriate help if necessary. The childminder has very thorough procedures to ensure that parents give written consent and guidance for any medication administered, and all details are clearly documented and signed by parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have excellent opportunities for fresh air and physical exercise as they go on daily walks and visit a nearby park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children use an excellent variety of good quality equipment, appropriate to their age. The childminder ensures that toys and equipment meet safety standards when they are obtained and they are checked regularly to ensure that they are in good repair. Children are able to select toys themselves from well-stocked shelves at appropriate height for their age. They enjoy a playroom which is very welcoming and stimulating, with children's pictures and low furniture.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a very safe environment where risks are effectively minimised. The childminder has completed a thorough risk assessment to reduce potential hazards. Appropriate safety measures are in place such as safety gates across the stairs and the kitchen entrance,

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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 and the sheds in the garden are kept locked. Children can therefore move safely around the rooms used for play, helping to develop their independence. Children learn to keep themselves safe; they take part in regular fire drills, and follow stringent road safety measures when walking outdoors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder, who has an excellent understanding of child protection policies and procedures and maintains details of who to contact if she has concerns. She ensures that the children are not left alone with anyone who has not been appropriately vetted, and has appropriate arrangements in place if children are going to be collected by someone new.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have an excellent range of stimulating activities to choose from, which enable them to enjoy and learn. These are complemented by planned adult-led activities, such as planting seeds to increase their understanding about the living world. The childminder uses her good knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework in her planning. A child experiments with dough and when the shape maker does not work the childminder helps them to work out for themselves why; the child is delighted when they are then successful.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's play is very well supported by the childminder who is kind, enthusiastic and interested in what they say. She divides her attention well between children of different ages. When their attention wanes she suggests alternatives such as assembling the train track; she skilfully allows them to develop their own chosen game of rolling a ball along the track, offering suggestions to help them achieve success in negotiating the curves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children gain knowledge about the their local environment by stopping to look at trees and plants on their daily walks; they make shopping lists and buy seed for the birds that they observe in the garden. They extend their learning of colours and numbers through everyday activities such as counting the strips of skin of their banana at lunchtime. Liaison with the local school enables the childminder to appropriately use synthetic phonics with the children. Children relax and enjoy a rhyming story as they snuggle up to the childminder on the settee in the playroom. They socialise with other children through attending toddler and childminding groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children access an extensive range of resources which reflect different cultures, including dolls, books, dressing up clothes and small play people. The childminder enhances her provision by borrowing additional equipment from a specialist resource centre. She plans activities to help children understand how others celebrate festivals, for example, Diwali. Children of either gender have equal access to all resources. The childminder is very positive about helping children with special needs and has an excellent understanding of how to adapt activities to include all children.

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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's good behaviour is very well promoted by the childminder's calm, consistent approach and her dedication to occupying and stimulating children well. She encourages them to share and gives appropriate rewards and praise, for example a sticker for putting on their own clothes and shoes. A written policy provides information about her strategy for parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are helped to settle through the childminder's excellent range of initiatives to work in partnership with their parents. She provides a comprehensive pack of information about her service, and ongoing details about the children and their progress. Written agreements and relevant permission forms ensure that all arrangements with parents are clear. Detailed programmes help children to cope with major steps such as the transition to nursery and school.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder's excellent organisation of her home, time, equipment and activities ensures that children are well cared for and experience a stimulating balance of activities that provide enjoyment and enhance their learning.

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Organisation

The childminder has a very high commitment to ongoing professional development; she has successfully completed a quality assurance scheme run by the National Childminding Association, and regularly attends additional training courses. All her records are thoroughly and clearly completed and retained confidentially for the appropriate time.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures that adults in her household are appropriately checked and does not leave children with anyone who has not been vetted.

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Organisation

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 childminder was asked to ensure that a bookcase in the playroom was safe; she has removed it and an alternative bookcase is secured to the wall.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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