The North Hykeham All Saints Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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120533 Unique Reference Number 30 October 2006 Inspection date Michelle Julie Gutcher 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 transferred registration to Ofsted in 2001. She is registered to look after a maximum of five children under eight. Currently there are five children on roll. The childminder lives with her family in a house in Ashford, Middlesex, close to the boundary with Staines. Local schools and amenities, including parks and shops are all within walking distance. The whole of the property is used for minding purposes. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have a hamster, a cat, guinea pigs and a tank of fish. The childminder is a member of the National Child Minding Association. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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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 are well-protected from illness and infection, as the childminder maintains a clean and healthy environment. She ensures that nappies are disposed of hygienically and that the changing mat and children's toys are cleaned to prevent cross-infection. Children wash their hands after handling the family pets and this ensures the children are protected from infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to appropriate treatment in case of an accident because the childminder has taken paediatric training in first aid. The childminder is aware to seek prior written consent to administer medication, this ensures children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. Parents have not given consent for the childminder to seek emergency treatment and this means the children may not be cared for according to the parents wishes in the event of an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

The daily routine is planned to ensure children have time to play in the fresh air and undertake regular exercise. Children play in the garden enabling them to run about and move around freely. Children regularly visit local activity centres, parks and toddler groups to enable them to use a range of physical play resources. This enables children to undertake frequent and robust exercise to enhance their physical well-being. They develop balance and co-ordination as they climb with agility on the climbing apparatus, jump on the trampoline and ride the tricycles.

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Helping children to be healthy

Younger children have times for sleep and naps, to ensure they have plentiful rest to promote their healthy growth and development. Children have their own freshly-laundered bedding and use kitchen roll to dry their hands after washing to prevent cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are well catered for. They have frequent drinks and eat healthy snacks, such as fresh fruit. Children access drinking water freely, enabling older children to respond to their body's needs when they recognise they are thirsty. Mealtimes are regarded as sociable occasions and children enjoy a healthy range of home-cooked, nutritious meals including roast dinners. Younger children sit at the table with older children and adults, to enable them to develop good habits in using table manners and developing positive attitudes towards healthy eating.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a well-designed, child-orientated environment in which they can be fully supervised at all times. Children's safety and security is given priority. Children play in rooms which have been assessed for any potential dangers and a risk assessment is undertaken to identify any hazards.

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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 learn how to keep themselves safe as the childminder explains potential dangers to them. For example, older children must sit separately at the breakfast bar when using the sharp scissors so the younger children's safety is not compromised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with a range of high quality toys and resources, all of which are checked regularly to ensure they are safe for children to use. Sleeping children are monitored closely to ensure their safety and welfare at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected in the event of an emergency. The childminder practises emergency evacuation procedures with the children and has identified designated places of safety to ensure children's security and welfare. There are effective systems in place for the safe arrival and departure of children. The premises are fully secure and children are unable to leave unsupervised. The childminder informs parents that children can only be collected by authorised personnel and a secure password system is in place to protect and safeguard children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge of child protection issues and fully understands the procedures to follow if she is concerned about a child. This promotes and safeguards children’s welfare within the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have opportunities to participate in a stimulating and fun range of play opportunities. They undertake numerous outings to parks, toddler groups and soft play centres, which broaden their experiences and enable them to socialise with other children. The childminder provides an exiting, relaxed and vibrant atmosphere, enabling children to enjoy themselves, make new friends and feel settled and secure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children engage in purposeful activities, enabling them to be stimulated and confident in the childminder's care. Children enjoy activities which are suitably planned to cater for their different developmental milestones and are at times linked to themes. This week the children are talking about the Halloween celebrations. They enjoy challenges and develop confidence to try new things and gain new skills, as the childminder allows them to explore and experiment and develop interest and curiosity. The childminder provides the children with a large selection of creative materials including, brightly coloured sequins, feathers, pom poms, crayons, glitter, glue, scissors and sticky shapes. With excitement they involve themselves in creating interesting pictures such as, bats and pumpkins. The childminder actively involves herself in their creations, offering assistance as required. She helps the children to draw the jagged mouth on the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

pumpkins. The children share the materials and tools well and talk eagerly about their pictures to each other. The children are proud of their completed work and are delighted when the childminder praises them for their efforts and refers to their pictures as " absolutely beautiful". The childminder asks each child to write their names on their work which encourages them to take pride in their efforts.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children form positive relationships with the childminder and enjoy close interaction. The children's learning is extended by the childminder's skill of questioning and talking to them about the activities they are engaged in. Children enjoy close and loving relationships with the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 childminder. She engages in play with them and enjoys their company. Children kneel down with the childminder and they negotiate together how the different pieces of the jigsaw puzzle fit together. They benefit from the childminder's close attention. They dance and sing together as the Disney video begins to play creating a very warm and loving atmosphere.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has completed the Birth to three matters training. She demonstrates an understanding of stimulating children's development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop good levels of confidence and self-esteem. They feel listened to and clearly understand that their needs will be recognised. They feel valued as members of the childminder's family, enabling them to be relaxed, happy and secure in the childminder's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about diversity within the wider world, as they play with resources which reflect society. The childminder celebrates some festivals such as Firework Night and Halloween. They see positive images of gender and cultural diversity, enabling them to develop positive attitudes towards equality.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with special needs are welcomed into the childminder's home. She is willing to adapting her care routines and the home environment, wherever necessary, to ensure she can meet all children's individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They understand acceptable boundaries and younger children quickly recognise right from wrong. The childminder uses effective and consistent strategies to enable children to fully understand her expectations and the acceptable boundaries. Children are treated with respect and courtesy. As a result, children co-operate well with one another and show care and respect for their peers and play materials.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are valued and acknowledged and their care routines are discussed and agreed with parents. This ensures that children follow consistent routines, both at home and at the childminder's house, to enable them to feel settled and secure. The childminder ensures that she fully understands each child's individual routine, including sleep patterns and personal preferences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures parents are made aware of each child's daily achievements and care routines. This enables children to talk about and share their day with parents and promote partnership between the childminder and parents. Comprehensive written information regarding the childminding service is maintained and parents are made fully aware of all aspects of care. The childminder supports parents in the care and development of their children and is committed to working in close partnership with them. She values parental feedback and demonstrates a proactive approach to ensuring good quality care at all times. Written comments from parents include, "my child is really happy and is cared for in a loving and homely environment. He is always tired after a good days play. The childminder does a brilliant job!"

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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. Children benefit from the well-organised, professional childminding service. The childminder is aware of her role and responsibilities as a childminder and is keen to develop her knowledge and skills through the completion of further training.

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Organisation

Children are protected at all times as the childminder ensures that all adults living in her home, have been fully vetted. The childminder has a clear understanding of the National standards. This ensures that children receive good levels of care and the conditions of her registration are adhered to at all times.

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Organisation

Children's toys and play materials are organised well. This enables children to access them easily and safely and enhances their opportunities to develop independence. The daily routine is planned well to cater for all children's differing needs. Each day is flexible and includes ample time for school runs, toddler groups, outings and visits, mealtimes and children's sleep routines. Comprehensive documentation is maintained and is kept up-to-date although, parents have not given consent for the childminder to seek emergency treatment. Effective storage arrangements enable children's details to be stored confidentially and securely.

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Organisation

The childminder is energetic and professional in her approach to caring for children. She aims to support both children and their families and is motivated to undertake further training to enhance her knowledge and skills. As a result of this, children thrive in her well-organised and relaxed childminding home.

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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 previous inspection three recommendations were raised. These related to the range and availability of resources for older children, knowledge of child protection and the development of written policies to support the quality of the service being offered. The recommendations have been fully addressed. There are a range of suitable resources to accommodate the older children including, a selection of board games, opportunities to use the home computer, play station, books and a large selection of creative materials. The childminder has acquired the departmental of health up to date child protection booklet which highlights the correct procedure to follow if she is concerned about a child's welfare. A comprehensive and detailed portfolio is readily available which supports the quality of the childminders service being offered.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 parents give consent for seeking emergency treatment

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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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