Waltham Toll Bar Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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136268 Unique Reference Number 07 December 2006 Inspection date Hilary Elizabeth Tierney 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 lives in a three bedroom, semi-detached house in the rural village of Wickwar, close to Yate and Wotton-Under-Edge. She shares her home with her husband and their two children aged 10 and 12. The whole house is available for childminding. This consists of a lounge, playroom/dining room, kitchen, downstairs toilet, three bedrooms and a bathroom. There is an enclosed rear garden for outside play. The house is close to a park, toddler groups and the school. The family have three cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may provide care for six children under eight years. She currently provides care for nine children during the week.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has completed child protection training, Developing Childminding Practice and Extending Childminding Practice courses. She is a member of the local childminding network.

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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 learn good hygiene practices and the childminder is a good role model. A clearly written health policy is effectively used by the childminder. Children understand the need to wash their hands. They instinctively do this after using the toilet, playing outside and before snacks and meals. All children have their own towel and face cloth, that is labelled by their photograph above the peg. Children develop their independence by being able to use the toilet independently and understand to respect others' privacy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Detailed written health and safety policies are used effectively. There is a clear understanding between parents and childminder that their child does not attend when ill and she contacts them immediately if their child becomes ill when at her home. The childminder has all parental contact numbers easily accessible, so there are no delays in an emergency. All necessary accident and medication books are in place and entries are shared with parents on the day. The childminder obtains written prior permission from parents before administering medication and has parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. This ensures that children's health is protected.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have excellent opportunities to learn about healthy eating. They sit with the childminder during meal and snack times and talk about what they are eating. Children are offered an excellent variety of food during meals and snacks, most of which they help shop for, these include fruit and vegetables. Sample menus of all food provided are shared with parents. The childminder has an excellent understanding about each child's individual dietary needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities for outside play. Regular walks to school, playgroup and the shops are amongst the outings children take part in. Trips to other places of interest include Slimbridge, the seaside, museums and the local park. Photographs taken of these outings are regularly used by the childminder to discuss what they did and when they can go there again.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a well maintained, caring, child friendly environment. There is a play room that is brightly decorated with children's work, and the walls are painted with a variety of characters from children's story books. This helps children feel at home and relaxed. The superb range of resources are in good condition, of high quality and easily accessible for all children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

High priority is given to the safety of children. The child friendly home is secure and all necessary precautions have been taken to minimise risks to children as they play. The childminder supervises children extremely well. The childminder carries out risk assessments daily on the premises, equipment and activities. She has a detailed emergency evacuation plan in place which is regularly practised with children. Working smoke alarms are in place and records kept of when they are tested. All necessary parental permission are in place to ensure children's

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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 safety. The childminder has a clear outing procedure and a well thought-out range of equipment such as first aid kit, mobile phone, additional contact numbers, spare clothes and drinks are taken on outings. The childminder has in place detailed procedures to follow in the event of a child being lost or uncollected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted by the childminder's comprehensive knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures. She has completed child protection training, and has a clearly written child protection procedure in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are settled, relaxed and happy in the environment. They enjoy their time with the childminder and other children. They have access to a wide, varied range of activities, which are well chosen. Activities offered to the children are planned in advance and allow for spontaneity and to be child-led if necessary. For example during the inspection as the children and childminder play and interact together one child decides to change a dolls nappy and wants gloves to be like the childminder. These are given to them by the childminder and this instigates questioning and comparing how big and small their hands are and why they will not fit in the gloves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children's learning is extremely well supported by the childminder as children play. She spends considerable time talking and playing with children. She asks questions and encourages them to think and try things for themselves. The childminder is aware of activities and resources children like and plans around their individual needs. For example one child arrives back from playgroup to find the play kitchen, pans, pots and dolls with high chairs and real food, ready for them to play with. This activity is used effectively. The childminder uses the activity well to help the child in counting, adding, and taking away. She uses it to help to compare objects such as green and red grapes. They talk about what type of food the ducks like when they go to feed them. One child says that "ducks don't like our food". The childminder replies with "so will they not eat Spaghetti bolognaise like we do". The child laughs and says "no they eat

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are excellent interactions between children and childminder as they play. She constantly speaks to them about what they are going to do, have been doing at home and going to do later. Children show concern for each other asking where the others are who are not present. All children spend their time engaged in meaningful, stimulating and interesting activities. They explore using their senses through activities such as painting, craft activities, cooking, imaginative play, outdoor play and construction.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's understanding of culture and race is enhanced through high quality resources and well planned activities. For example, tasting different foods to celebrate Chinese New Year and Halloween. They have access to a good selection of books. They go for walks in the community

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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 and talk about animals at the zoo and parks. Children talk about their families and home life. Children have made their own cards with photographs of members of their family on, these are used to help them talk about their family. Children's individual needs are met extremely well by the childminder. Activities and outings are arranged around sleeping and feeding routines and collecting older children from school or playgroup.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are extremely well behaved and are rewarded with praise and encouragement from the childminder. She has a caring, calm, enthusiastic approach with the children. She obviously enjoys being and interacting with the children. This reflects in the children's attitude when they are with her. The childminder has clearly written behaviour management policies which include an anti-bullying procedure which are shared with parents before care commences. Verbal agreements regarding the need for consistency between home and childminder are obtained from parents. Children are polite and show respect for each other as they play, they use 'please' and 'thank you'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An excellent partnership with parents contributes significantly to children's wellbeing. Policies and procedures are documented. Time is taken to share these as well as activities, routines, children likes and dislikes before care commences. Daily diaries are used to share information about the child's day, these include photographs of what they have done and also indicate what the child has achieved and learnt according to the Birth to three matters framework. Newsletters keep parents regularly informed about what is coming up in their child's and childminder's life for example outings, training and holidays. Children's records including notes and photographs of their development are all kept in folders, which are regularly shared with parents. There is a compliments book so parents have a regular opportunity to comment, if they wish, on the care the childminder provides. From this book it is evident that parents are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

very happy with their child's development and care the childminder provides.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder has well organised paperwork and effective policies and procedures ensure the children are safe when on the premises. She monitors visitors and keeps records of their attendance, and does not allow people in the home she does not know.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote children's welfare, care and learning of children. These are shared with parents to keep them informed of their child's day and the service provided. The childminder has a complaints record in place should a parent wish to complain, she also keeps a record of any compliments parents may have about the care she provides.

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Organisation

Children are relaxed and play happily in the well organised environment. They are confident and initiate their own play through good supervision, very accessible resources and well planned space.

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Organisation

All required documentation is in place, this contributes to children's health and wellbeing. This is regularly reviewed and clearly set out. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment and dedication to future training and development.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The provider had one recommendation from the last inspection. This was to complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children before the next inspection. The provider has undertaken the appropriate first aid course and is now confident in dealing with any minor injuries children may have.

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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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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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