Columbia Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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108802 Unique Reference Number 25 October 2006 Inspection date Nikki Whinton 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 1987. She lives with her husband and adult child in the Liden district of Swindon. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 looking after five children on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. The family has two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She has a National Vocational Qualification level three in Childcare and Education.

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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 develop good health awareness and self-care skills as they learn, for example, the need to wash their hands before eating or to place their hands over their mouths when they cough. They benefit from the good role modelling demonstrated by the childminder, her knowledge of first aid and her understanding of the correct administrative procedures if accidents occur or children require medication. There are written policies and procedures in place, such as a sick child policy and parental permission to apply sun cream or seek emergency treatment. Such positive arrangements help to promote children's good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to help themselves freely to drinks, which helps to ensure they are drinking fluids in sufficient quantities to meet their needs. Parents provide lunch boxes for their children, whilst the childminder offers healthy snacks, which include fruit and rice cakes. Allergies and parental preferences are discussed as part of the registration process. All requirements are recorded and accommodated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily chances for fresh air and exercise when walking to and from the local primary school. In addition, they walk to all regularly planned activities, such as toddler groups, mini gym sessions at Croft sports centre or outings to Lawn Woods. Such opportunities combined with spending time in the childminder's well-resourced garden enable children to develop their physical skills whilst increasing their awareness of the local area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play and rest within secure premises that clean and well maintained. Children's safety is a high priority. The childminder has a good understanding of safety issues both within the home and when taking children on outings. She ensures equipment and resources meet appropriate safety standards and undertakes regular risk assessments of the premises and resources. For example, a yearly electrical test is arranged, hazardous materials in the kitchen are inaccessible to children, finger protectors and electric socket covers help to reduce accidents. However, some items of gardening equipment are accessible to children in the garden and may pose a risk to their safety. Children learn to share responsibility for their own safety through practical activities, including taking part in emergency evacuation drills and independently tidying away resources when it is explained to them that toys on the floor may cause them to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted by a childminder who has a very clear understanding of child protection issues and has recently achieved a National Vocational Qualification level three in Safeguarding Children. There are very effective procedures for ensuring parents are fully aware of the childminder's child protection responsibilities, prior to a child commencing in the provision.

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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 very settled and relaxed within the provision. They confidently make independent choices regarding the activities and resources they want to explore. For example, they choose to play musical instruments to accompany taped music, before deciding to investigate the dressing up box and later thread large buttons onto laces. Their enjoyment is greatly enhanced by the active involvement of the childminder in their play, such as during a music time, when children sing a growing repertoire of songs from memory. During these occasions, even the youngest child is fully included, with everyone having the chance to choose and sign his or her favourite song. The childminder plans and provides a range of themed activities linked to the Foundation Stage curriculum and Birth to three matters framework. The plans are adapted to meet the children's differing stages of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There is a very positive relationship between the children and the childminder. She is well deployed and ensures each child receives individual attention. Children are developing their social skills, as they learn for example, to share threading buttons or wait their turn to choose their snack time fruit. Children take part in a variety of exciting, age appropriate outings, such as a bus trip to Avebury or a visit to Lydiard Park. Such activities enable children to learn more about the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Each child is valued and treated as an individual. They benefit from the childminder knowing them well and having a clear understanding of their differing needs. Children take part in meaningful activities, including making a dragon as part of Chinese New Year celebrations or light pictures during Diwali, to help them learn about a range of cultures and beliefs. They freely access toys such as dolls, small world figures and books to help them gain an awareness of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well as appropriate for their age and stage of development. Their behaviour is supported by the childminder's good role modelling and her use of positive strategies such as praise, distraction and removal from inappropriate situations. Children learn to relate well to each other and to develop their awareness of right and wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good partnership that is established between the parents and the childminder. Parents are given detailed written information about the provision, its policies and procedures prior to their child commencing in the setting, although they are not given details of Ofsted within the complaints policy. Daily diaries are used to aid communication between home and the setting. In addition, there are daily opportunities for informal discussion about each child's day, their progress and achievements. This helps to ensure there is a consistent approach to children's care.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is a skilled, well qualified early years practitioner who regularly undertakes professional training to further enhance her knowledge. She is well organised. For example, she ensures children's differing sleep requirements are respected and accommodated within the daily planning. Resources are frequently rotated to make sure they continue to stimulate the children.

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Organisation

All legally required documentation is carefully maintained and securely stored. For example, emergency contact information is easily accessible to support children's care and meticulous records are kept of the attendance of children and visitors.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of the last inspection, the childminder was given a recommendation to help develop her practice. This referred to increasing her knowledge of how to identify and record the progress of children with special needs.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has liaised with parents and professionals as appropriate to ensure she is correctly identifying, supporting and recording the progress of children with special needs. This has had a positive impact on the quality of care offered to the children.

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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):

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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 • ensure gardening equipment in areas accessible to children does not pose a risk to their safety • make sure the written complaints procedure includes information about the role of Ofsted.

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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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