Dallam Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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150824 Unique Reference Number 14 February 2007 Inspection date Deborah Page 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 outstanding. 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 1991. She lives with her husband and young adult child in West Totton, Southampton. The whole of the premises is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor activities. The childminder is registered for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children. The family have two pet rabbits. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is part of the childminding network. The childminder is also a support childminder providing guidance for other childminders.

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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 outstanding. All children benefit extremely well from the excellent routine activities in place to protect children from germs and cross infection. For example, children wash their hands before meals using anti-bacterial soap and disposable towels. They know as they clean the table before lunch that they are, "cleaning the table because of germs." Children's independence is supported as they fetch a tissue to clean their nose and immediately dispose of it. Children learn how to prevent germs as they are reminded to cover their coughs. Excellent nappy change procedures include the use of disposable gloves and, making sure the mat is clean in between changes. Thorough and effective procedures keep parents and carers well informed about sickness and accidents. The childminder is an excellent role model as they regularly wash their hands and keep areas clean using anti-bacterial solution. Children are provided with their own separate

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Helping children to be healthy

sleeping facility and, their own freshly laundered bedding. Individual sleep patterns are respected in a warm, caring and relaxed environment. Children benefit extremely well from information shared with parents and carers such as, reasons to keep children's finger nails short and, nutritious meals for young children. Children's growth and development is extremely well nurtured with the encouragement for parents and carers to provide nutritious food and drink. Meals include, a meat sandwich, cheese, yoghurt and fresh fruit. Drinks are regularly replenished. The childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of how to work closely with parents to make sure individual dietary needs are met. Children learn about nutritious food and drink as they prepare their own fresh fruit snacks and healthy picnics. Children's general fitness is well promoted as children have regular exercise and fresh air. All children dance and

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Helping children to be healthy

enjoy music. One child bobs up and down and smiles as an older child uses the space to create their own dance. Children have regular opportunities to use physical equipment such as climbing and balancing including regular visits to the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The children are extremely well protected in a secure, child orientated environment with colourful posters, photographs and children's own creative work. Children benefit well from the well maintained equipment. They have easy access to appropriate equipment that is regularly rotated. Children are exceedingly well protected as their age and stage of their development is regularly assessed and potential risks dealt with. For example, how safety gates are used to restrict access to the stairs. Children are safe as they sleep, areas are risk assessed and, children are regularly checked. Excellent fire safety procedures include a visit from the fire officer to discuss fire safety, a written fire escape plan and a record of when they practise. Children are extremely safe on outings as each child is provided with their own new car seat and, there are excellent procedures in case of emergencies. Children learn about safety as the childminder discusses

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

scenarios with them and uses books to support their learning such as, 'look out at home' and 'look out stranger.' The childminder has a excellent knowledge and understanding of child protection issues which contributes to children being well safeguarded from harm or neglect. .

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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 outstanding. Children are extremely happy and settled. They have an excellent relationship with the childminder who knows the children well and provides excellent care. Children are eager to start activities as they arrive. A younger child rushes to the gate of the play room, turns and waits as the childminder responds to their smiles and, opens the gate. Children have an extensive range of developmentally appropriate activities provided by the childminder. Children press buttons and pull levers on interactive activity centres and, make connections between animals and sounds. Children benefit from the excellent interaction from the childminder as she encourages younger children to communicate. Some of the time is provided for quieter activities such as looking at books. Children feel the different textures of the woolly sheep and the shiny pond and, lift flaps to see what animal is hiding. One child enjoys playing with the telephone

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and, with a smile on their face, they stand back and rub their chest. They are proud of their achievement as they very carefully replace and balance the handset. They are congratulated. Older children enjoy story sacks with books and toys relating to the story, such as, 'The old lady that swallowed a fly.' One child is able to match the different creatures to each verse. Children are able to sort bears of different size and colour. They learn about biggest and smallest. They are able to count the bears and the childminder encourages them to make different patterns. There is an extensive range of creative resources that are easily accessible to children in a low level storage unit.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the needs of children in her care. She works closely with parents to make sure individual children are well cared for. Children learn to understand and respect different backgrounds through the positive images reflected in the resources. For example, books and dressing up clothes. Children's curiosity about gender roles is responded to positively with discussion. For example, when children show an interest in nurses. Children's awareness of the wider world is promoted as they learn about different countries and products from around the world in books such as, 'The world came to my place today.' The childminder has an excellent approach to the managing of behaviour. She regularly uses praise to encourage children, including, when children co-operate as activities change. Other methods used include, the use of stickers and behaviour charts. Older children learn to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

resolve their own disagreements with the childminder close by to offer support. The children are happy to share and remember good manners. The excellent partnership with parents and carers contributes to children being extremely well cared for. Parents and carers receive numerous policies and procedures to ensure they have a thorough understanding of how their children are cared for. They are kept informed of daily activities in individual diaries. Parents and carers have opportunities to comment about the care. Comments include, excellent service, wide range of activities and, children are taught to respect each other.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The outcomes for children are outstanding. There are excellent procedures and organisation to ensure the children are well cared for. Children are closely supervised at all times and protected from persons not vetted. The childminder is pro-active in developing her skills and is now qualified in the care of young children. She continues to attend regular training events. Most activities, including meal times, take place in the conservatory which is organised well to meet the needs of children. The lounge is used for quieter activities and, sleeping facilities are available on the first floor. Safety gates are used to restrict children's access to different areas. The childminder has excellent organisation of documentation to ensure children are extremely well cared for and parents and carers are well informed. 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 agreed to make sure the daily attendance record clearly records when both childminders are present and identifies which children they are responsible for. The situation no longer applies as the childminder now works on her own. There is a clear record of children's attendance.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there has been no complaints made to Ofsted 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 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 outstanding. 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

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

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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 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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