Grimes Dyke Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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107924 Unique Reference Number 04 December 2006 Inspection date Jean Williams 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 been registered since November 1996. She is registered to care for three children under five and one child between the ages of five and eight. There are currently four children on roll who all have part time places.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and their three school aged children. They live in Seer Green in Buckinghamshire, close to local amenities and the open countryside. The whole of the ground floor of the premises is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have two dogs that are kept separate from the minded children. The family also have a hamster in a cage.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends a local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She has a current paediatric first aid certificate.

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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 are cared for in a warm, comfortable environment where the childminder has good standards of hygiene and cleanliness. Children are becoming aware of good personal hygiene practices through the daily routines that the childminder has established with them. The childminder has positive procedures in place for nappy changing when she uses a changing mat and ensures it is cleaned after each use, this reduces the risk of cross contamination for young children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate and has a well equipped first aid box within easy reach, this enables her to give appropriate emergency care if required.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works in partnership with parents when feeding the children, she is aware of their individual dietary needs and preferences. Children are well nourished with healthy and nutritious foods they are offered dried fruit to eat for snacks and dishes such as pasta with fresh vegetables for main meals. Children have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they walk to and from school and when playing outdoors in the garden. They have regular visits to parks and toddler groups where they can run, climb and play games safely.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has appropriate systems in place for the recording of accidents and medication administration.

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Helping children to be healthy

She has obtained prior written parental consent to administer medication and to seek emergency medical treatment should it ever be needed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from being cared for in a home where the childminder has taken positive steps to remove potential hazards. Appropriate safety precautions are in place, such as the front door is kept locked and the key is stored by the side of the door out of the children's reach. There are also safety gates in place at the entrance to the kitchen door and the bottom of the stairs. Children are well supervised during their play. Children are learning safety when out walking through the childminder talking to them about the safe way to cross the road. Children have access to a good range of play equipment that is safe and well maintained. Toys and resources are well organised and stored where children can help themselves and make choices about their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a clear awareness of child protection issues and the reporting procedures to follow if she had concerns.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. She has formed good relationships with the children and knows them well. They are well supported in their play. The childminder sits with the children encouraging them to post the shapes through the relevant holes in the shape sorter and then helping them to unlock the lid to repeat the process, there is lots of praise and encouragement given. Children have the freedom to explore and develop their independence by choosing what they wish to play with from a wide range of interesting resources. The childminder interacts positively with the children, she is aware of their individual needs and is proactive in meeting them, such as the shy child who played from the safety of the childminder's lap whilst she sat on the floor.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans an interesting day for the children, she takes them out to meet their friends at the toddler group, they go for walks to the park and meet with other childminders and their children to play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are respected and valued as individuals. The childminder discusses their needs, such as diet and sleep patterns with parents which ensures that their needs are met and children receive continuity of care. The warm and affectionate care given by the childminder enables the children to feel secure and confident within her home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning about different cultures and festivals through reading books and stories with the childminder. There are toys and resources that reflect positive images such as small world people, books and puzzles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children receive positive praise and encouragement to enhance their self esteem and confidence. Age appropriate strategies such as gentle reminders and distraction are used to manage any behaviour difficulties.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has formed good working relationships with parents. Daily verbal discussion and clear communication ensure that information is shared to ensure that children are cared for in accordance with their parents wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The environment is comfortable and organised to meet the children's needs and as a result children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. The childminder organises the day to include quiet times indoors and busy times for children to socialise at toddler groups and when visiting other minders. In addition children benefit from the individual attention they receive throughout the day. However, the childminder is currently exceeding the number of children she is registered to care for and has not displayed the registration certificate as is required.

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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 has well organised documentation and records in place, which includes policies and procedures that are used effectively and contribute to children's welfare and safety.

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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 last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that she had an understanding of the conditions of registration so that registered numbers are adhered to at all times. The childminder had taken advice from the visiting Child Care Inspector and had interpreted it incorrectly. She was under the impression that she was adhering to her conditions of registration. The childminder now understands that she must confer with Ofsted over the numbers of children that she cares for and that these must be stated on her registration certificate.

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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. 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): • ensure that the registration certificate is displayed • ensure that the new registered numbers are adhered to at all times.

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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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