Cranford Community College

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

102540 Unique Reference Number 24 January 2007 Inspection date Christine Powlesland Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1992. She lives with her husband and three children aged 16, 15 and 12 years in a three bedroom terraced house in the town of Launceston. The lounge, hall and downstairs cloakroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five and seven children over five, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and nurseries. Children also visit the library and local town. The childminder has one dog, one cat, two rabbits and three guinea pigs.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is working towards a level three National Vocational Qualification in childcare. She currently supports children with disabilities and is a member of the National Childminding

p.2

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 Association and a member of the 'Children come first' childminding network. She regularly works with her husband who is an assistant childminder.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive because the childminder follows highly effective procedures and practices, which meet children's physical, nutritional and health needs. The exceptional adult support and guidance helps children gain an excellent understanding of hygiene and a real desire to become increasingly independent in their personal care. Children know that it is important to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. They confidently use liquid soap for washing and then dry their hands on disposable paper towels to prevent cross infection. The childminder minimises the spread of infection and further promotes the health of children through very high standards of hygiene evident in the home. For example, she closely follows a statement she has written about the family pets, which is shared with parents. It includes details of how adults always accompany children to the outdoor pet enclosure, all animals are kept clean and

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

up-to-date with inoculations and their feeding utensils are kept out of the reach of children.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children explore and develop physical control in stimulating daily indoor and outdoor experiences, such as exploring different ways of painting with hands and feet. They enjoy healthy, nutritious and well-balanced meals with vegetarian options. These are prepared freshly each day, with plenty of fruit and vegetables included. Mealtimes are sociable and enjoyable occasions as the childminder, her assistant and the children sit together at the table to enjoy their lunch. Individual children's dietary needs, likes and dislikes are met. For example, children chose yoghurt and fresh mango for pudding but one child did not like the mango so was offered a choice of raisins instead. Children take part in discussions and activities which reinforce healthy eating. They have access to fresh drinking water throughout the day.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is extremely well supported because of the childminder's meticulous approach to documentation. She has written a procedure to follow if children are sick and has a veterinary passport detailing treatment administered to the dog. All the necessary documentation such as accident, incident and medication records and consents, as well as information provided by parents, is carefully and clearly maintained.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are vigilantly supervised at all times by the childminder and her assistant, who undertake daily risk assessments to reduce potential hazards. Fire safety is a clear priority and the procedure is displayed in the hall. Fire practices are regularly undertaken and a song learnt by the children about what to do if there is a fire, so that children are growing quickly in their understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Children learn about the need to play safely, for example discussion takes place regarding the importance of sitting on chairs correctly. Children use high-quality equipment appropriate to their age and stage of development. There is an

p.3

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 exceptionally large range of good quality toys, books and resources that are age appropriate and regularly cleaned.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Regular communication with parents contributes to children's safety. A display rack of leaflets on safety matters, including details on meningitis and the new childcare seats law, is used by the childminder for advice and is available in the hall for parents to freely access. This helps promote safety in the minded setting and fosters closer links with safety provided in the parent’s homes. To ensure the safety of children when outside the home the childminder and her assistant each carry a wallet with photographs and details of themselves, family members and each minded child. These include contact details for emergency use. Children play in the garden, which is thoughtfully organised with the safety of children in mind. They are very well supervised when they go out as an adult is always present.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected by the childminder who has a clear understanding of child protection policies and procedures. A careful record of existing injuries is maintained and parents signed to acknowledge these. The childminder and her assistant have attended training courses in child protection and give top priority to children's welfare.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. A close and caring relationship exists between the childminder, her assistant and the children. The childminder is quietly spoken, exceptionally calm and full of praise for children's achievements. As a result they settle easily and are secure in her care. Her husband works as her assistant. They work well together as a team ensuring the ratio of adults to children is extremely good. Children enjoy a varied range of purposeful and interesting activities, such as cooking, painting, collage making, practising their ball skills and taking the dog for a walk. All these activities are underpinned by the childminder's considerable knowledge of how children progress and as a result each activity becomes an opportunity to learn. For example, children chose which toppings they will put onto a pizza the next day when they bake. They look at pictures of an Italian market, which shows different vegetables and discuss ones they do not

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

recognise, such as dragon fruit. They talk about which toppings will be healthy and then cut out their choices and glue these onto a paper plate. The childminder continually encourages and praises the children who concentrate extremely well.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There is a good balance of adult led and child initiated activities. Children are learning, through encouragement, to help with the daily routines such as tidying away after lunch. The close relaxed relationships increase the children's sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self. Communication skills are extremely well supported through high-quality adult child interactions. Children enjoy snuggling up on the sofa to listen to a story with the childminder's assistant who uses an excellent range of questioning to extend the children's thinking skills. Children enjoy access to a good range of toys and resources that the childminder uses in order to further promote their development. Their independence is well supported as they self register when they arrive at the childminder’s, putting their name card onto an easel. All children play together extremely well, happily taking turns as they share a new game of

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

tumbling monkeys. The childminder has a good understanding of the Birth to three matters

p.4

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 framework and continues to extend her knowledge, for example by obtaining booklets to record the development of young children.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's individual needs and stages of development are carefully considered by the childminder. Their progress and development is recorded in the daily diary and an individual folder contains examples of their art work to be shared with parents. Children are outgoing and converse with adults in a confident manner, discussing geometric shapes in a jigsaw with a visiting adult. They become engrossed in their play and are self assured in the routines of the day. The children are supported in taking responsibility for their own behaviour with praise used consistently to reward. Any disputes are settled quickly and amicably. Good manners are valued and encouraged, and the childminder with her calm and clear approach is a good role model for children.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have excellent opportunities to learn about diversity and the wider world. There is a broad range of interesting books, which stimulate children's interest in other cultures. They also enjoy poems about differences in children and regularly take part in activities relating to diversity. The childminder goes to a great deal of effort to ensure that the individual needs of the children in her care are met. Children with disabilities enjoy effective support as the childminder's practice is underpinned by her secure knowledge of inclusion and her continuing attendance at relevant training. An excellent partnership with parents contributes significantly to the children's well-being. Recently completed parental questionnaires reflect this. Parents are encouraged to be involved in the care of their children, through awareness of the childminder's written policies, regular written information in the daily diary and daily verbal

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

feedback. Children benefit greatly from the involvement of their parents in projects, such as the safety leaflets provided for parents to read, which contribute to their good health, safety, development and learning.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She carefully organises her home and resources to provide a variety of experiences for children. She has a good understanding of the regulatory requirements within which she operates. For example, all legally required documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is in place and is kept in an orderly fashion for ease of accessibility. The childminder has written individual policies and procedures and these fully support her knowledge as a highly skilled practitioner. Copies are given to all parents to keep them informed of her working practice. Children further enjoy high-quality care as the childminder organises her own and her assistant's time effectively so that they are fully available to support children while they are in her care. Their enjoyment is further enhanced as the childminder enthusiastically pursues her own

p.5

Organisation

professional development through ongoing training.

p.5

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

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to seek written permission before giving medication and to ensure parents signed to acknowledge medication had been given. Her assistant was to complete a first aid course for infants and young children and the vehicle insurance was to specify business use.

p.6

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has improved her procedure for recording medication. Parents now give written permission for her to administer short-term or long-term medication and she ensures they always sign to acknowledge whenever she administers this. The assistant childminder has completed a paediatric first aid training course and the vehicle insurance now includes business use. These measures improve the safety for children.

p.6

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6