Salmons Brook School

Inspection report for early years provision

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149100 Unique Reference Number 06 November 2006 Inspection date Julie Whitelaw 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 has been registered since 1998. She lives with her two children age eight and 12 years, in a two storey house on the outskirts of Kings Langley, Hertfordshire. It is within walking distance of the village shops, library, parks, schools and the common. All of the ground floor is used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding 10 children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There is a fully enclosed garden which is accessed through the kitchen. The childminder regularly attends a local toddler group and is an active member of the NCMA. She supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has attained the Hertfordshire Quality Standards.

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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 benefit from a clean and warm home. The childminder ensures that her housework is done before children arrive so that they have her full attention. Children's health is promoted as they are encouraged to wash their hands after messy play, going to the toilet and before meals. Appropriate procedures are followed when nappy changing, the childminder wears disposable gloves and the soiled nappy is immediately put in the outside bin. This helps to reduce the risk of the spread of infection. The childminder follows the policy and procedure that is in place to exclude sick children. This promotes the health of all the children who attend.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from nutritious meals and snacks such as fruit and rice cakes. Children develop an understanding of healthy eating through discussion. The childminder is aware of children's dietary requirements including allergies. This information is recorded on their contracts and the childminder adjusts her menus accordingly, to take these into account, ensuring their individual needs are met. Water is always available which ensures children stay hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder understands the importance of physical development in promoting children's health. Children enjoy a range of activities that help to improve their physical skills. They are challenged by the childminder as they balance bean bags on their heads, hop, skip and pedal bikes. Children proudly show the childminder they can do a forward roll. They enjoy the benefits of fresh air as they play in the garden and visit the park. Children's health is promoted as they are encouraged to walk rather than being driven in the car. Indoors, children dance and exercise to music. Their fine motor skills are improved as they use scissors, paint brushes and crayons, and build with construction toys. These experiences encourage children to develop a positive attitude to physical activity and promotes their health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a safe and secure environment. This is because the childminder has minimised potential risks within her home. High priority is given to the security of the house. A high lock is on the front door so that children cannot leave unsupervised. Children can move freely indoors because it has been made safe through the use of finger protectors on the door and socket covers. The banister has been replaced so that children do not fall through the gaps and low-level glass has been replaced with safety glass. Outside, the garden shed is kept locked and there is a bolt on the back gate. This allows children to play independently. The childminder places high importance on the safety of the environment and each month completes a risk assessment of the premises. The daily visual check of the house ensures the environment is safe for the children who attend.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys and resources conform to British Safety Standards and are regularly cleaned and checked to ensure they are safe. The childminder ensures that they are appropriate for the children who attend and that small toys are not left out for younger children. Children learn about personal safety as the childminder explains how they should cross the road, why they must not touch

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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 the cooker and the dangers of hot water. The childminder carries out a fire drill several times during the year. This develops children's understanding of what to do in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because of the childminder's sound knowledge of first aid and her clear understanding of the procedure she would follow if she suspected a child was being abused.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit as the childminder organises her day to allow children time for free play, planned activities, rest and outside play. They enthusiastically participate in a wide range of activities and learning experiences that promote their development. The childminder is led by the children's interest and reads a favourite story when requested by a child. Their learning is extended as they compare spider's webs in the pictures to those in the garden. Some of the resources are stored in boxes that are stacked on top of each other, so children cannot independently access some of the toys.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy role play and can name and use a stethoscope appropriately, as they pretend to be doctors. The childminder supports children as she pretends to be a patient and extends their learning as she asks open-ended questions that encourage them to think. As children paint they are given sufficient time to practise skills just learned, such as painting over circles drawn by the childminder. Children confidently say that they want to do more paintings and name members in their family, who the paintings are for.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn to play happily together and understand there are rules for acceptable behaviour, such as sharing toys and taking turns. Children's self-esteem is promoted well as the childminder ensures she makes time to listen to them and they therefore feel valued. Children make progress because the childminder has a sound understanding of what stage they are at and is able to move them onto the next stage in their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The flexible settling-in procedure that takes account of children's individual needs, ensures they soon feel secure within the childminder's home. There is a wide range of resources that reflect children and families from different cultures, such as finger puppets, books, small world toys and dolls. Children learn about other cultures through books and discussion. They enjoy listening to the story called Handa's Surprise and share food such as honey cake, supplied by parents, whose families live in Holland. Children enjoy listening to music that demonstrates instruments from around the world. Their learning is extended as the childminder explains how the instruments are played. This means children develop positive attitudes to diversity and the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. Young children are polite and say 'please' and 'thank you'. Children respond positively to the clear consistent boundaries the childminder sets. The focus on praising positive behaviour promotes children's self-esteem and confidence. The childminder discusses any ongoing concerns with parents, so that there is consistency as everyone works together

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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 to resolve unacceptable behaviour. The childminder has a sound understanding of child development. She observes children and notes the progress they are making. Any concerns about a child's development would be discussed with parents. She understands when caring for a child with special needs she may need to adapt her activities or obtain different resources to enable children to reach their potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the excellent way the childminder and parents work in partnership. Parents receive informative information about the care she provides and are fully informed of her daily routine. They receive copies of all the policies, which they are invited to sign. These are updated yearly. The daily journal that she completes for each child, keeps parents fully informed of the day's events and the progress children make. Numerous thank you letters from parents praise the care and attention children receive and the progress made during their time with her. Through this effective partnership children's needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the numerous courses that the childminder has completed and her willingness to update her knowledge through further training. She is planning to complete training on observation and assessment to further develop her practice. Her sound understanding of child development and how children learn ensures that children experience a wide range of activities and learn through play. Children benefit from the individual attention the childminder gives them and her ability to extend and challenge them, to move on to the next step in their learning.

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Organisation

Children are busy and engage in activities through the effective organisation of her home and the daily routine. They are protected because the childminder ensures that all documentation is in place and well organised. The regular exchange of information with parents ensures that children's needs are met. Up to date policies and procedures are used to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children who attend. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, recommendations were given to continue to promote safety within the setting by risk assessing the premises, recording any existing injuries and reviewing contracts to ensure emergency contact details are included.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now completes a written risk assessment which identifies any potential hazards in the premises which are then addressed. She maintains a record of any injuries children arrive with which is signed by parents. Contracts have been updated to include emergency contact details. All these recommendations have improved the safety of the children who attend the setting.

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Improvements 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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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. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by the 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): • further develop the organisation of toys and resources so that children can make choices and access these independently.

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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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