Marwood Church of England Voluntary Controlled Infant School, Great Ayton

Inspection report for early years provision

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121495 Unique Reference Number 28 February 2007 Inspection date Jane Lester 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 good. 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 was registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 and eight in a house in Ewell in Surrey. Children are minded downstairs where they use a dedicated playroom, eat in the kitchen area and have access to toilet facilities. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years old at any one time. She is currently minding three children, two aged six and one aged four years old, plus three children over eight years of age for a variety of sessions. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The family has two pet rabbits.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the Surrey Childminding Network. She holds a National Vocational Qualification in childcare and early years education.

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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. Children show a significant understanding of how to keep themselves healthy. They wash their hands thoroughly before eating and explain confidently that this is so they will not become ill from germs. A display based on a recent healthy living topic demonstrates their comprehensive knowledge of how they can adopt a healthy lifestyle through sufficient exercise, rest and a balanced diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Meals offered are healthy and nutritious and children chat knowledgeably about food as they help to prepare and eat a dragon made out of salad and pasta, to celebrate the Chinese New Year, and chop vegetables to make Cawl Cennin leek soup to mark St David's day. In summer they enjoy picking fruit or growing vegetables and are motivated to eat well so they can complete their '5-a-day' charts. They have free access to water and are reminded to drink during and after exercise which ensures they are well hydrated. Children continue to benefit from the childminder's excellent understanding of nutrition as she informs parents of suppliers offering healthy meals and provides clear information about the salt and sugar content of various foods.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are consistently protected from the risk of cross-infection because of a detailed sick child policy which is shared with parents and includes exclusion periods after illness. The childminder has undertaken first aid courses enabling her to attend competently to everyday injuries, as well as more detailed training so that she can offer effective care to children with some specific medical needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit greatly from an extensive range of physical activities which support a healthy lifestyle. In the summer they play hopscotch or cricket in the garden. They develop climbing skills on the climbing frame and co-ordination and muscle-tone as they jump on the trampoline. They exercise as they walk to the park to play tennis, golf and basketball and further increase their stamina when they go swimming. Children demonstrate considerable balance and awareness of others as they march, hop and skip to action rhymes on CDs. They join in enthusiastically and giggle as the childminder dances and sings with them. Children show a mature understanding of the effects that vigorous exercise has on their bodies as they feel their hearts beat faster and recognise they are feeling hot.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Risks of accidental injury are minimised as the childminder identifies hazards and takes action to reduce risks to children. She is extremely vigilant and this is supported by consistently applied rules, many of which have been compiled by the children. Children learn how to use equipment safely and clearly understand the conditions surrounding their use. For example, they know they are only allowed on the trampoline and climbing frame if the childminder is standing by them, so they accept that both pieces of equipment cannot be used simultaneously.

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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 safe to explore in a welcoming play room where they have space to play games, dress up or read in the carpeted area. A child-sized table enables them to sit safely and draw, paint or experience the malleable properties of play-dough. A huge range of clean, well-maintained toys are attractively organised in a way that enables children to freely select resources, thus fostering their independence. Children eat, cook and enjoy craft activities in the kitchen where a safety gate ensures they cannot access hazardous materials.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Extra precautions taken on outings ensure children's safety. Younger children wear highly visible clothing and all children carry an emergency contact number. The childminder evaluates places she visits with the children, assessing their safety and children's enjoyment whilst there and uses the information to plan future outings. Suitable car restraints are used and children encouraged to think about their own safety as the childminder discusses rules and appropriate behaviour prior to the visit.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children flourish in a stimulating, bright and well organised environment. Their self-esteem is fostered and they swell with pride as the childminder listens intently to them, recognises their achievements and praises their work and behaviour. In addition to the extensive range of resources freely available to them children are motivated by activities that the childminder plans, as these are linked with their interests. She evaluates activities and adapts them to ensure all children can achieve whilst still being appropriately stretched. Children are supported well and show they are keen to persist in more challenging endeavours as they whisper 'I can do it' in response to the childminder's encouraging 'listen to that little voice inside'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder adopts a 'hands-off' approach to play which enables children to choose what they want to do rather than being directed by her. She stays close to them, enriching their experiences and extending their learning by chatting with them about what they are doing and by skilful questioning. Children enjoy participating in pre-arranged craft or cooking activities where topics are explored creatively. They demonstrate dexterity as they draw and cut out intricate leaves and petals when making paper daffodils to further their understanding of St David's day. Children show they are making connections as they say 'Hello' in Welsh, point out the display of Welsh flags they have coloured and talk about the daffodils growing in the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children explore imaginatively with small world and role play equipment and co-operate exceedingly well as they take turns in games. They communicate confidently with adults as they amend the weather chart to accurately reflect the day's weather and talk happily with each other as they select favourite books to read. The childminder sits on the floor to play with the children and continues to engage them well at story time. It is a very lively and interactive experience as she reads enthusiastically and children are keen to join in with the words and use their imaginations to anticipate the ending.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's experiences in the home are significantly enhanced from a huge range of outdoor activities and outings which extend their knowledge and understanding of the world. They investigate in the science museum, construct woodland dens, compare habitats and mini-beasts

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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 and build sandcastles on the beach. They watch leaves change colour as they plot the changing seasons and study camouflage in nature.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Parents speak enthusiastically about the provision, particularly about the childminder's energy and the variety of opportunities their children have with her. Detailed admission forms and daily verbal or written feedback ensure that parents and childminder can unite to provide children with consistently positive outcomes. Colourful newsletters given to parents every two months keep them well informed about past activities and future plans, as well as providing a forum for celebrating children's achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have extensive opportunities to learn about themselves and the world around them through planned activities which explore festivals such as Diwali, Easter and Ramadan. A wealth of resources supplement their experiences and children play musical instruments from other countries, look at books and posters which are written in a variety of languages and enjoy toys which positively reflect disabilities and different cultures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour in the setting is exceptional. Children pick toys up when they see them dropped, are keen to tidy the play room before dancing and patiently await their turns in games. The childminder is a positive role model as she shows she values and respects each child as an individual, using distraction as a preferred method of controlling unwanted behaviour. Children respond positively to praise and her highly effective reward systems and enjoy selecting different stamps to put on their reward charts.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children benefit from the childminder's good organisation and commitment. She organises her routine to ensure she has optimum time to spend with them as their needs and enjoyment are her top priority. Space inside and out is organised effectively to foster children's sense of belonging and independence as they freely access resources and take pride in their work prominently displayed on the walls.

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Organisation

Children are safeguarded as all records required to promote their welfare and health are maintained confidentially, policies and procedures are clearly organised and effective systems for keeping parents informed are in place. A daily register showing hours of children's attendance is in place as required, although it does not clearly show the names of children present.

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Organisation

The childminder approaches the day in a flexible way which means that full advantage can be taken of spontaneous opportunities for enjoyment and learning. Exciting and purposeful outings are carefully planned for fine weather and a good range of activities provide a variety of experiences to allow children to build on their natural curiosity as learners. The setting meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection the childminder was asked to remove any potential hazards from the rear of the garden area. The childminder has now made this area safe for children and has carried out a risk assessment of her whole garden to identify any other potential hazards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, 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.

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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 good. 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 children's names are written on daily record of attendance

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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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