Hextable Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

118256 Unique Reference Number 12 February 2007 Inspection date Rachael Williams Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since September 2000. She lives in a three bedroom terraced house in Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset with her husband and daughter. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor is registered for childminding. There is also a large, secure rear garden. The house is within walking distance of parks, shops, schools and the beach.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years. At present, she has eleven children on roll who attend for a variety of sessions. She also cares for children over eight years old.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends local toddler groups and receives support from the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from developing hygienic practices through clear routines. For example, children wash their hands independently, using liquid soap, and drying them on an individual towel to prevent the spread of infection. Wet wipes are used to clean hands after painting and before eating snack. There are good arrangements to ensure hygienic nappy changing, for instance hands are washed appropriately and nappies disposed of effectively.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are well protected as the childminder has attended appropriate first aid training and maintains a fully stocked first aid box. Medication and accident records are completed effectively and shared confidentially with parents in order to maintain children's well-being. Most consents have been obtained from parents, however some consents to seek emergency treatment or advice have been omitted, which puts children at risk in an emergency.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are introduced to a healthy lifestyle. There are regular opportunities for them to be outside in the fresh air and to be physically active through regular walks and visits to the park. There is a wide range of equipment to develop children's physical skills, such as ride-on toys and a ball pool.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Healthy eating is promoted effectively, children benefit from healthy and nutritious snacks and home made meals which meet their dietary requirements. The meals are prepared in a hygienic environment and food which is supplied by parents is stored and reheated appropriately according to their wishes. Drinks are readily available and offered regularly to younger children to ensure they remain hydrated.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's well-being is fully safeguarded as the childminder has excellent knowledge of child protection issues. She has good knowledge of the possible signs of child abuse, including physical and emotional signs, and has effective procedures in place to follow if such an event should occur whilst children are in her care. Relevant literature is readily available to ensure children are extremely well protected.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming, homely environment. The family home is organised effectively to enable children to move freely for their comfort and development. The play space is clean and well maintained which encourages children's independence. A wide range of toys and resources, which are safe, hygienic and developmentally appropriate, are stored neatly to enable children to access them independently. A good range of equipment is available to effectively support children's development, such as a baby walker to encourage mobility and inclusion.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children thrive in the safe and secure environment as the childminder is vigilant, ensuring that possible hazards to the children are identified and steps are taken to reduce the potential risk.

p.3

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 For instance, a wide stair gate is used to prevent children accessing the kitchen whilst the childminder is cooking. A role play area has been established in the hall so that the childminder can closely supervise the children while she is cooking and children can engage in similar activities, such as testing the food to make sure it is not too hot to eat. Children's well-being is safeguarded at collection as effective arrangements have been established to ensure suitable adults collect the children. Children are well cared for in an emergency as parents have been informed of alternative care with a registered childminder to ensure their child's safety.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy and achieve as close relationships have been established. The children are very good communicators as the childminder is interested and keen to engage them in meaningful conversations. For example, a baby's 'babble' is listened to and responded to very well by the childminder. The childminder is very supportive and interacts extremely well with the children. She ensures all activities can be adapted to ensure all children are included. For example, whilst painting the childminder encourages the children to mix new colours, she talks through the process and supports children's development of fine muscle skills through using a range of tools, such as paint brushes and rollers, which the children used confidently. The youngest child is encouraged to imitate the older ones to create marks on the paper which he is praised for.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The wide range of resources motivate and challenge children's learning. For instance, the childminder is aware of children's interests and spontaneously rotates the toys and resources to further engage children in activities. Children are involved in a vast range of excellent play opportunities both inside and outdoors. There is a good balance between child initiated, such as playing musical instruments, and adult led play, such as painting. Children's social skills are further developed through regular attendance at toddler groups with a network of local childminders.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are settled, confident and happy in the well organised, homely environment. Children are positively supported by a caring childminder who has good knowledge of their interests and needs. Close relationships have been established which encourages children's very good behaviour. The children are clear on expectations and boundaries. For instance, younger children are aware that if they run they may fall and hurt themselves. The childminder is good at valuing children's achievements as she creates a scrapbook to share with parents. Children's birthdays are celebrated together with minded children all being involved in cooking a cake to share. There is a very good range of resources to promote the diversity in our society, such as dolls, figures, books and dressing up clothes, which are supplemented by those borrowed from the toy library.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The local environment is used well to encourage children to look at the wider community. For example, children benefit from regular visits to the library, local toddler groups and shops.

p.4

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 understanding of the natural world is proactively developed through regular nature walks where children collect natural objects for their creative development. The childminder provides a fully inclusive environment where children's learning difficulties and/or disabilities are positively supported through good knowledge of how to identify and assess children's needs. The childminder has regular contact with the local children's centre where she can access health professionals to further support her childminding practices.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents receive a wealth of relevant information, such as well written and informative policies and procedures. Good relationships have been established to ensure the regular exchange of information, for instance on babies' routines, to positively support children's care and development.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The premises, toys and resources are organised well to encourage children's independence within the setting enabling them to move freely within a safe environment. The local environment is used effectively to provide children with a wide variety of stimulating play opportunities to promote their enjoyment and achievement.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder's effective use of comprehensive and relevant policies and procedures ensures children's health, safety and learning. An accurate attendance record ensures children are closely supervised and ratios are maintained. The childminder shares all documentation in confidence with parents and ensures all records are stored securely. The childminder has been proactive in ensuring Ofsted have been informed of any changes in her childminding practices, such as her request to mind the two children under the age of one year old.

p.5

Organisation

Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder had recommendations relating to equal opportunities, organisation and health. These have all been effectively addressed.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has been proactive in extending her use and range of resources to promote equality of opportunity for children. Children select resources that interest them and are effectively supported in their choice. There is a wide range of resources to reflect the diversity in our society.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

A daily diary ensures that children are closely supervised as it records their actual times of attendance in order to maintain ratios.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has completed an appropriate paediatric first aid course and is aware of updating this every three years to ensure children's well-being.

p.5

Improvements 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

p.5

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.

p.6

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 complaint record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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 consent to seek emergency treatment or advice is obtained from parents for all children

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6