All Saints Church of England Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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136142 Unique Reference Number 15 December 2006 Inspection date Kay Roberts 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 satisfactory. 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 has 25 years experience of caring for children. She lives with her adult son in a three bedroom, semi-detached property in Patchway, South Gloucestershire, close to Conniston Primary School. Minded children have access to the lounge/diner and large conservatory on the ground floor and the small front bedroom on the first floor. Bathroom facilities are located on the ground floor. The fully enclosed back garden is suitable for outdoor play. Registration is for a maximum of six children under five-years and currently there are six on roll and of these four are under five-years.

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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 satisfactory. Children play in a clean environment and know that they should take off their shoes before entering the home to keep the carpet clean. They recognise when things are dirty and after they have finished painting use a wet wipe to clean the paint pots. Children follow hygienic procedures. They place their hand over their mouth when sneezing and know they must wear aprons to paint. As children wash their hands after craft activities and using the bathroom they are independent as the bowl of water is placed at child height. They understand the need to be thorough because of germs. The risk of infection is reduced as parents are aware of the childminder's policy for excluding children who are ill and the childminder follows hygienic procedures. Children's health is promoted as the childminder has suitable arrangements in place for managing accidents and medication. In summer children are protected from the sun as sun

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Helping children to be healthy

screen is applied and they play in the shade of the apple tree and covered area close to the house.

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Helping children to be healthy

In summer children have many opportunities to play outdoors and remain interested in playing in the garden as the childminder has a broad range of resources. Children enjoy crawling through the inflatable tunnel, riding bikes and playing in the sand. They regularly visit parks where they climb up a large spider's web rope climbing frame and balance as they walk along a wobbly bridge. In the winter months children continue to take exercise as they skip and roll over indoors. They visit indoor play centres and a farm to see horses. Babies do not become overtired as the childminder follows their home routine for rest. They sleep undisturbed by their peers in a bedroom on the first floor.

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Helping children to be healthy

When thirsty, children confidently ask the childminder for a drink. Children eat a light lunch of sandwiches or something on toast and in the evening have a cooked meal. The childminder is aware of children's special dietary requirements and sensitively takes these into consideration. Children are beginning to understand about healthy eating through discussion with the childminder. They are able to name different fruit and vegetables and realise that eating too many crisps is not good for them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a child focussed environment. The large conservatory has an array of colourful educational posters. Some toys are displayed on the window sills and other resources are placed to the side of the room and children confidently help themselves to the broad range of clean, safe resources which cover all areas of learning. Children are comfortable on the child sized furniture and are able to relax on the easy chairs. There is a bubble tube light in one corner. Children have a large area in which to play as furniture is placed to the side of the room. They move freely between the lounge/diner and conservatory. Children benefit from having direct access to the fully enclosed garden and a separate room for sleep.

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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 play in a secure environment and are protected from people who have not been vetted. There are suitable arrangements in place so that children are only released to authorised adults. Indoors the risk of an accident is minimised as the childminder has a written risk assessment of areas accessible to minded children. The childminder uses suitable equipment and places potential hazards out of reach. Although the childminder has appropriate fire safety equipment in place she is unable to remember when the drill was last practised and therefore children are not fully protected in the event of a fire. Although the garden is fully enclosed and the pond covered with strong mesh and surrounded by temporary fencing there is still the potential for children to be placed in danger. Risk assessments have not been completed for potentially

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

hazardous activities, such as playing in the paddling pools or using the large trampoline, and in addition there is no written parental consent. Suitable arrangements are in place so that children remain safe on outings. Children are further protected as the childminder is aware of local safeguarding procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Minded children are extremely confident and comment that they enjoy being with the childminder. They are keen to show the childminder their new t-shirt and aware that print has meaning tell the childminder what it says. Developing knowledge of the wider world they talk about the small treasure chest and look at the jewellery inside. Children explain that it must be placed above the treasure indicated on the map. Aware of numbers they count four toy pirates and able to accurately divide the figures between two children. Pencil control is developed as children paint pictures. They are able to name the colours and notice that the purple paint looks silver on the purple paper. They explore mixing colours on paper to make brown and pink. When children ask the childminder to draw a face she encourages them to do so themselves and praises their achievements so that they develop confidence. The childminder points out

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the facial features and asks what colour shoes the person is wearing so that children include detail in their paintings. Children are proud of their achievements and ask others to look at their picture because it is "beautiful". Fine muscle skills are developed as children roll out the play dough and cut it with a knife. They create a snail by coiling around one piece of play dough and then adding another piece for the head. As they do so children show an awareness of size as they talk about the biggest and the fattest. They have good concentration and remain at each activity for some time.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is aware of how to encourage learning and provides a wide range of appropriate resources. There are opportunities for children to extend their social skills as the childminder regularly meets with a colleague who cares for similar age children. However the childminder does not monitor children's progress or plan for their next stage of development. She has read Birth to three matters and has yet to fully implement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Babies new to the provision are emotionally secure as the childminder follows their home routine. Children are reassured as they are already familiar with the environment having

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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 previously visited with their parents and the length of their stay gradually increased. This also provides parents with an opportunity to view and discuss the childminder's practices. There are suitable contracts in place so all parties are clear about the remit of the childminder. Parents are verbally updated about their children on a daily basis.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop confidence as they are praised for their achievements and the childminder gives time to each child. Children are polite and very well behaved. They are able to share and older children often show consideration to those who are younger. Children learn to appreciate difference through discussion and as they play with readily accessible resources reflecting positive images of diversity. A respect for nature is nurtured as they study the wild life in the garden; they watch the blackbird eating an apple and talk about the fox they have seen. Children regularly visit a farm in Almondsbury where they feed bread, apples and pears to the horses. They particularly enjoy seeing the foals and kittens.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has extensive experience of working as a childminder but is not proactive in seeking further training. Children are provided with a child-focussed, welcoming environment with space for play, physical activity and rest. Children have access to a broad range of resources and activities. The childminder does not however risk assess activities where there is an element of risk, such as those in the garden. She plans outings so that children learn from first hand experience as they visit the farm and parks, but does not plan for children's next stage of development on a day to day basis. The childminder works in close partnership with a colleague so that opportunities to socialise are extended and at holiday times, if there is sufficient space, they are provided with consistency of care. Documentation is suitably organised, confidentially maintained and where appropriate shared with parents. The childminder has received the

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Organisation

October 2004 revision to the National Standards and although aware that a complaints log is required her knowledge is limited. The childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made good progress against the three recommendations agreed at the last inspection. Children's safety has been improved. The register accurately records the times of children's arrival and departure on a daily basis. The storage area to the rear of the garden is now fully secure and the gate fastened with a bolt placed out of the reach of children so they are not exposed to potential hazards. Children are no longer able to access the garden pond as the childminder places temporary fencing around the edge.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • undertake a risk assessment of all activities which are potentially hazardous and ensure that all measures have been taken to minimise the risk to children • improve fire safety by regularly practising the emergency evacuation procedure with children • further develop planning for all children and in particular those under 3 years using Birth to three matters as a guideline • further develop your knowledge and understanding of a complaints log.

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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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