Caedmon Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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147433 Unique Reference Number 30 January 2007 Inspection date Maggie Thorp 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 1995. She lives with her husband and three children, one who is two years old and two who are in full time education. The family live in a three bedroom terraced house.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children play in the three rooms downstairs and in the garden. The childminder may care for a maximum of three minded children under eight at any one time. Currently she has one child aged six and an older child aged eight. They attend after school in term times only.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family have no pets.

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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's good health is promoted very effectively by the childminder who takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection. The kitchen, bathroom and children's toys are all kept very clean. Parents are given clear guidelines about not bringing children with infections and what are sensible exclusion periods. Children understand essentials of keeping healthy. They automatically wash their hands before eating, they help wipe the tea table and clear up after meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well cared for if sick, needing medicines or first aid. The childminder has maintained an up to date first aid qualification. She keeps careful records of medicines administered and provides a quiet place for children to rest if they are feeling unwell.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy very well balanced meals. Tea time is a very social occasion. Children sit around the tea table chatting about their day and obviously enjoying the food provided. Tea always includes freshly prepared food and fresh fruit and vegetables. Children like to make their own sandwiches from the wholemeal bread and ingredients set out and to pour their own drinks. Children's tastes have developed to include a wide variety of foods since being with the childminder. They enjoy both European food and the tasty home cooked Asian meals she prepares.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have sufficient exercise whilst in the childminder's care. They walk home from school, and have use of the garden, weather permitting, where they play ball and other lively games.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder because they have plenty of space for play and suitable furniture and play materials. There are three rooms that children can use - the front room dining room and conservatory. These provide a bright welcoming environment. They are made attractive by children's art work and posters. Children sit comfortably around the large dining room table for meals and to do homework or art activities. The settee provides a cosy spot to relax and watch television or read. Children enjoy using a wide variety of play materials that are in good condition. These are sufficiently accessible to provide younger children with choice and foster their independence. However, older children do not have such easy access to their play resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to play safely because the childminder has a good understanding of risk assessment and keeping children safe. Hazards such as cleaning materials, low level glass and electrical cables have all been made inaccessible to children. Good fire safety in is place. The childminder has taken advantage of advice from the fire service and she has planned escape routes should she need to evacuate children in an emergency.

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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 Children are safeguarded by the childminder's sound understanding of the signs of possible child abuse. She has obtained and read the local guidance and additional information and contact numbers and so is well prepared to take the appropriate action should she have concerns about a child's wellbeing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children have a good relationship with the childminder because she makes time to listen to them and takes their opinions and requests into consideration in what she provides. Children enjoy using the art materials available and children's paintings are displayed on the childminder's walls or taken home. A child who made a picture from rolling stones in paint and then on paper speaks with pride about this and describes in detail how he did it.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children come to the childminder straight from school and so the childminder sets time aside for children to do their homework. Children talk to her about what project they have to complete and she offers support where it is needed. Children involved in a production at the school discuss what to wear. The childminder offers to help find suitable clothes and says she will come and watch them. Children have plenty of time for free play or can choose to watch television for a while. However, this is not left on all afternoon, children just select particular programmes they want to watch.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are lots of board games for children to play with together and children name their favourites. These are all set out where children can see them. However, they have to ask for them as they are stored too high for children to reach them independently. Children have lots of books to choose from and these are readily accessible. The childminder makes time to read to children and she further encourages their interest in reading by making good use of the local library. In the summer children spend time planting with the childminder in the garden.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very settled and at home in the childminder's house. They chat freely to her and move around her home confidently. She knows and understands the children well. This close relationship is aided by the childminder seeing the minded children are part of her extended family, and birthday parties for children of both the childminder's and the minded children's families include each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's different backgrounds are acknowledged in very positive ways. Children who speak languages other than English are helped to feel proud of this and other members of the family learning to speak this language are encouraged to do so by the minded children. Children enjoy a wide selection of fiction and factual books that reflect many different cultures and disability positively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. They help to set the table for tea and they ask politely for what they want. The childminder has what she calls her 'ground rules' and children refer to this as a guide

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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 for how they should behave. Children are learning to respect each other and listen to each other through the role model the childminder provides.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are made very welcome and they receive very comprehensive information about the service. This includes the childminder's approach to helping children learn through play, child protection, and how good behaviour is encouraged. Although the information they are given about contacting Ofsted is not up to date. Children's needs are met well because the childminder obtains detailed information about their likes, dislikes and any particular needs they may have from parents before they start. Parents are able to chat to the childminder about their children on a daily basis. What children eat and significant information or messages from school are recorded and passed on to parents. The childminder asks parents for written feedback on how they feel about the service she offers and this is very positive.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy, relaxed and confident in the childminder's care. All the appropriate records are kept to promote children's health, safety and wellbeing. However, although most aspects of her provision are good, the childminder has had a baby since the last inspection and she did not inform Ofsted of this change in her circumstances. Whilst the impact on minded children is minimal as she has not exceeded the required adult child ratio, this is a regulation. Therefore the judgement of the childminder's organisation and the overall judgement is satisfactory. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has implemented the recommendation made to further encourage children's health and wellbeing. She ensures she has signed consent from parents to administer medicines.

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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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Complaints 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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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): • inform Ofsted of any significant changes within 14 days • update information for parents to show the correct address for any parent wanting to contact Ofsted • provide older children with more opportunities to make choices and help themselves to play resources

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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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