Hillside School Limited

Keeley Palmer Inspection report for early years provision

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117024 Unique Reference Number 23 February 2007 Inspection date Caroline Hearn 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 1996. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and 12 years in Tilehurst in Berkshire. The whole of the property is used for childminding and 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 at any one time and is currently minding eight children both full and part time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect the children. The family has two cats and a dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about good hygiene practices and clearly understand why they have to wash their hands. The childminder has a good understanding of issues around children’s health, such as how to identify various childhood ailments. This knowledge allows her to effectively minimise the spread of infection. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and is aware of the appropriate ways to deal with minor accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Parent’s requests with regard to their children's dietary needs or preferences are adhered to. The childminder adapts food choices to ensure these wishes are taken into consideration. The children settle quickly into the care of the childminder and retain a feeling of continuity between home and the childminder. This is due to the childminder following the babies' home routines such as feed times. The Children enjoy daily vigorous outdoor activities such as walks to the park with the family dog.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have freedom to play and explore their environment. This is due to the careful consideration which the childminder has given to safety. They independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. Babies have a safe place to roll, crawl and sit with support due the layout of the play room.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about how to keep themselves safe in different emergency situations. To support them with this the childminder invited the fire service to undertake a safety check of the house and the children met them and saw the fire engine. The childminder used this visit to introduce the children to basic safety measures in a fun way.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder understands her responsibilities for safeguarding children's welfare and has a good selection of current literature about this.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children take part in a wide variety of interesting and fun activities both inside and outside the home. They are involved in planning these activities, which greatly increases their interest in them. They have undertaken topics about taste, touch and the weather. The childminder has a good awareness of children’s developmental needs and how to support these. She ensures that children can extend their learning by asking them open ended questions about activities such as why do the puzzle pieces fit together. This careful questioning encourages children to think through problems for themselves and become independent learners. Children's age and stage of development are taken into account and activities are appropriately varied according to children's individual abilities. This level of planning allows all children to gain the most from the activity on offer.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children present were confidently undertaking activities and a warm relationship was observed between childminder and minded children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about diversity and different cultures through a range of activities such as looking at Chinese New Year. The childminder develops children's interest in these activities by looking at aspects such as which year each child was born in and the animals linked to their birth year. The childminder welcomes all children, including those with additional needs, although she has no experience in this regard.

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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 Children's behaviour is managed sensitively and the childminder makes good use of distraction to divert younger children from disagreements. This ensures that the children understand the boundaries and are generally well behaved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the close relationship which the childminder has developed with their parents. Time is set aside each day for discussion with parents. This level of communication allows greater continuity of care between home and the childminder for the minded children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is committed to developing her childminding practice. She attends relevant training to build on her existing good practice. She understands her responsibilities for protecting children from persons who have not been police-checked.

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Organisation

The childminder organises her home and time well for childminding purposes. Space is used effectively. She manages her time so that all children receive individual attention. Ratios are met.

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Organisation

All of the required documentation relating to the care of the children is in place and stored securely. Children’s records are updated regularly, which ensures they continue to receive appropriate individual care. The childminder fully understands her responsibilities for investigating any complaints parent and carers may have. The childminder does not have all of the most recent amendments to the National Standards and other Ofsted publications. Although, without this information she still has a good understanding of children's needs and promotes positive outcomes for children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was required to address one area of her documentation following her last inspection. This related to seeking emergency consent to seek medical advise or treatment. The childminder has obtained this consent for all minded children. As a result, children’s health and safety is better promoted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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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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 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 an effective system is in place to keep up to date with new childcare information.

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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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