Riverhead Infants' School

Inspection report for early years provision

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118453 Unique Reference Number 31 January 2007 Inspection date Deborah Jane Starr 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 was registered in 1998. She lives with her husband and three children aged 9, 14 and 16 years in Yatton, North Somerset. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a pet gold fish and hamster.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently caring for 15 children; three of whom are under five years; six of whom are aged between five and eight years and six of whom are over eight years. All children attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to and collects from local pre-schools, nurseries and schools. She attends local toddler groups and takes children to local places of interest.

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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 health is actively promoted. Children follow well-established good hygiene routines; for example, washing hands after using the toilet, before snacks and meals and after messy play. Policies and procedures that prevent the spread of illness and risk of infection are in place. The exclusion of children when unwell, appropriate nappy changing procedures and the wiping of noses and appropriate disposal of tissues. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate. The recording of accidents and administering of medication is managed appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a range of activities that contribute to their physical health and development. Activities in the garden and regular visits to local parks help children develop control and co-ordination of their bodies. Children develop throwing, batting, and kicking skills using bats and balls, climbing skills using slides and climbing frames and balance when riding sit and ride toys, a see-saw and a tunnel. Frequent walks give children plenty of fresh air. Children are able to be active and rest and sleep comfortably according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop an understanding of a healthy and well-balanced diet through snacks of fruit and light lunches that include raw and salad vegetables. Some parents provide their own child's food. Children's dietary needs are discussed fully with parents and taken account of. Drinking water is accessible throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children move safely around the well-maintained home where hazards are identified, minimised and checked; this includes plug sockets and smoke detectors. However, the childminder is in breach of her conditions of registration by failing to inform Ofsted when her daughter reached the age of eight years and she increased her number of minded children. As a result, her conditions of registration have not been changed. This has now been addressed and no further action is required. Children play with a varied range of age appropriate toys and use equipment that is regularly checked and appropriate for their individual developmental needs, such as buggies and car seats. Children are guided to keep themselves safe when outside the home. Young children hold the childminder's hand when walking and are encouraged to become aware of moving vehicles using 'stop, look and listen' prior to crossing roads. Dangers of water are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

discussed when visiting ducks at a local park. Young children stay within close proximity to the childminder when playing in the park; whilst older children play within agreed boundaries, including when walking home from school. Discussion about 'stranger danger' promotes older children's understanding further.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Policies and procedures in place, such as the collection of children, ensure children's welfare is safeguarded. The childminder's secure understanding of child protection issues and knowledge of local procedures to be followed protects children from harm. Parents are informed of her responsibilities through discussion and a written policy.

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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 good. Children are settled, happy and secure within the childminder's home. The positive relationship between the childminder and children promotes their self confidence and enables them to develop positive relationships with others and explore the world around them. For example, children confidently approach the visiting inspector, show her the pet fish and ask for assistance to dress a doll. The childminder uses her good knowledge of the children to offer a varied range of activities and experiences throughout the week. Children eagerly participate in painting and drawing activities, self-selecting from the range of colours on offer; create their own pictures and attempt to use stencils. Children re-enact their own experiences, dress dolls and place them in buggies to take for a walk. Children enjoy looking at books, snuggle close to the childminder when listening to the story and eagerly point to familiar figures in the 'Mr. Men' books. Everyday

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

experiences are used effectively to promote children's recognition of colours and as an introduction to number. Children choose different crayons and identify objects by colour, they count steps when walking and biscuits at snack time. Children construct models from Duplo and make their own musical instruments using junk. They collect sea shells during visits to local beaches, glue them to pots, fill them with plants and give them as presents on special occasions, such as Christmas. Weekly visits to a local toddler group and outings to local places of interest such as garden centres and the library extend children's experiences and help them develop an awareness of their local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are clearly identified and met. This is achieved through discussion with parents and a clear understanding of the developmental progress of each child. The childminder has a positive approach to meeting the needs of children with learning difficulties and disabilities. Effective settling-in procedures, comforters from home and daily routines help children settle and gain a sense of belonging. Children gain an awareness of the wider world and develop positive attitudes to others through their everyday experiences. Resources that reflect positive images and meaningful activities that promote their awareness of the diversity of the wider world are limited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder's use of age appropriate strategies and clear and consistent approach to behaviour management helps children understand what is expected of them. Children are sensitive to the needs of others; for example, they give a child a tissue to wipe their nose and are encouraged to take turns and share toys and resources. The childminder's use of praise and encouragement helps build children's self-esteem. Young children beam with delight when praised by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationship between parents and the childminder. Parents are welcomed into the home and informed of the childminder's policies and procedures through discussion and some written statements. A system for the recording of complaints is not yet in place.

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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 satisfactory. Children move freely and independently around the recently extended ground floor of the premises. However, the childminder is in breach of her conditions of registration by failing to request from Ofsted the inclusion of her kitchen and garden as areas to which children have access. As a result, her conditions of registration have not been changed. This has now been addressed and no further action is required.

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Organisation

Children access toys and resources from regularly rotated, organised, storage boxes. The setting out of toys at floor level enables children to participate in activities of their choice. Effective management of time and daily routines ensures children's individual needs are met, for example, the collection of children from nursery and school.

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Organisation

Most documentation is appropriate and promotes children's well-being. It is shared appropriately and maintained confidentially. 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 provider was requested to make the following improvements: to complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children. The childminder has taken action to address this issue to improve her knowledge and skills to promote children's health. The childminder now holds an appropriate, valid first aid certificate.

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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 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):

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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 • put into place a system for recording complaints • extend the range of resources that reflect positive images and offer a wider range of meaningful activities that promote children's awareness of diversity and the wider world • comply with the conditions of registration 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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