Mawney Infants' School

Inspection report for early years provision

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102298 Unique Reference Number 29 November 2006 Inspection date Christine Slaney 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 lives in an end terraced house in Wadebridge. She shares the house with her partner and two children of secondary school age. The childminder has been registered since 1994 and may care for up to six children under the age of eight years at any one time. There are currently seven children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The children have use of a lounge and dining room and upstairs bedrooms by invitation. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The family have one pet cat.

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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 appropriate hygiene practices are observed, for example wet wipes are used after craft activities. Children are protected from infection, and suitably cared for if they become ill or have an accident. This is because there are systems in place to respond appropriately, for instance all necessary consents have been obtained and the childminder has a current first aid qualification. In addition she is aware of infectious illnesses.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have the opportunity to enjoy suitably healthy snacks, which are prepared by the childminder. These include fresh fruit or vegetables, although the times and frequency of snacks can be restricted due to older children attending additional services, like pre-school, in the afternoon. In addition children are offered water at snack times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to enjoy the fresh air and develop their large muscles on suitably challenging equipment. They visit local swing parks where they can enjoy climbing and balancing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a suitability organised environment. They move from room to room easily, for instance craft activities, like play dough, are enjoyed in the dining area and construction activities, such as small building bricks, take place in the lounge area. Children can play in a secure back garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with a satisfactory range of toys and games, which are in good condition and are generally easily accessible, although some equipment has been packed away because the childminder is due to move house soon.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Overall children are kept safe as the childminder is aware of potential hazards, for example children are firmly told to sit still while eating. The childminder has given thought to an evacuation procedure, however it is not practised and does not include emergency contacts for children. Children's safety is enhanced by the childminder's sound understanding of child protection procedures, although existing injuries are not presently recorded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a suitable range of activities, which overall meet their individual needs and interests. Children interact appropriately with each other and also demonstrate a warm relationship with the childminder, for example younger children enjoy cuddles and hugs. However, young children are not sufficiently challenged because the childminder has yet to receive information about the Birth to three matters framework. This would ensure younger

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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 children have more suitable activities, as the childminder would have the opportunity to develop a greater knowledge and understanding of younger children’s play and development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have opportunities to interact with wider groups through their attendance at local pre- schools and visits to local swing parks. This helps them to interact socially with each other and different playmates.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Overall children's individual needs are known and respected, although they do not have the opportunity to learn about their own, as well as other, cultures because there are no resources or positive images of diversity, which children can easily access. In addition the childminder does not use information about children’s own background to further enhance and support children and families. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities would receive appropriate support as the childminder has some experience. In general children behave well, they respond to the childminder’s firm instructions to sit down when eating. This limits the opportunities for accidents or incidents to occur.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes and a there is a suitable system of communication, for example parents share information about the children informally at the beginning and end of the day. In addition children’s information details are clearly recorded. This ensures that parents are kept appropriately informed regarding their children's daily activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children play in a suitably organised environment. As a result they can access their own toys and games and overall remain interested in the activities. The childminder has updated some training including first aid. All regulatory documentation is in place. This includes a register which gives details of children's actual times of arrival and departure, nevertheless some entries are not always promptly made. There are relevant procedures in place, for example medication and accident forms are completed. However, existing injuries are not presently recorded and fire safety procedures do not include emergency contact information.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains safety by ensuring supervision at all times, including the garden area, and has completed all required vetting procedures.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom he provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was requested to obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children. This is now in place and ensures children's health needs are supported because there are suitable systems in place to respond appropriately.

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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

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection 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 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): • record existing injuries • ensure fire safety procedures are practised regularly and include emergency contact details • increase knowledge and understanding of the Birth to three matters framework • increase children's access to positive images of cultural and social diversity.

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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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