Angel Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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100419 Unique Reference Number 22 February 2007 Inspection date Lorraine Sparey 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 1995. She lives with her husband who at times is her assistant, son aged 10 years and her foster child aged five years. The whole of the ground floor and one of the bedrooms is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A maximum of six children may attend at any one time, and there is currently one child on roll, who attends on a part time basis. The childminder attends the local toddler groups, and structured groups run by local childminders. The family have two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding network.

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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 learn about healthy eating and lifestyles through discussion and activities. They enjoy making homemade pizzas and cakes, whilst talking about healthy foods. Children benefit from healthy snacks such as toast and fresh fruit. Children have regular drinks throughout the day and the childminder reminds them of the importance of keeping their fluid levels up. Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills and to exercise in the fresh air. They regularly attend a mini gym where they practise balancing on the beam, and go swimming at the local swimming baths. Children benefit from visiting the local park and wherever possible walking rather than going in the car. They visit the dentist with the childminder, promoting their awareness of keeping their teeth healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's general health and well-being is well supported through the childminder implementing effective procedures. Children generally follow good hand hygiene practices and are encouraged to promote their own health. The children use liquid soap and paper towels to reduce cross infection. However, sometimes children forget to wash their hands, for example prior to snack. The childminder promotes putting your hand over your mouth when coughing, and at times children do not remember. This means their health is not fully promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected in the event of an accident or requiring medication because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has all the appropriate documentation to support children's health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming and safe environment. They benefit from the childminder providing a designated play room and a secure environment. Children can safely move between all the play areas increasing their choices in their play. There is a broad range of quality toys and equipment that children can safely select from the low-level storage units. The childminder implements effective procedures to ensure that the toys and equipment are clean and well maintained, ensuring their continued suitability. Children learn about safety issues through play, for example as the children use the pretend cooker and barbecue the childminder talks with them about the dangers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children develop a good awareness of maintaining their safety whilst on outings. They learn how to cross the road safely. Children tell the childminder 'We cross when the green man is showing' she replies 'well remembered'. They regularly talk about how to evacuate quickly and safely which increases their awareness of what to do in an emergency. The childminder implements effective procedures such as risk assessments to ensure that the premises remain safe and well maintained at all times.

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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 The childminder has completed child protection training. She demonstrates clear knowledge and understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse and procedures to follow in the event of a concern being raised. This means children are protected from harm and neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder. She plans and provides a broad range of activities that stimulates their interest and promotes their development. Children enjoy opportunities to develop their imagination using the good role-play resources. Children pretend they have a shop and restaurant and enjoy buying food, using the electronic till and then cooking on the pretend barbecue and cooker. The childminder actively joins in and asks if the children could make her a cup of tea. They talk about food they are going to buy, choosing a purple cabbage, beef burger and some peas. The childminder extends their play by suggesting they could cook her lunch. Children enjoy experimenting with paint using various brushes and rollers, mixing the colours.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's language develops well, in addition to talking with the adults they regularly look at books and enjoy stories. One child looks at a book about 'Our world' they talk with the childminder about the various animals that live throughout the world. They move on to talk about the countries that they have visited on holiday. This leads to a discussion about different types of boats and how they move in the water, such as sailing ships and large ferries.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy regular outings promoting their physical development and socialisation. They attend several structured toddler groups where the children paint, sing rhymes and play with a range of toys. They also visit local places of interest such as a children's farm, heavy horse centre and the beach. Children can freely choose from a broad range of toys, including a computer with age appropriate programmes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's behaviour is good taking into account their age and stage of development. They know and understand the boundaries and expectations because the childminder gives good explanations. She promotes their understanding of sharing and taking turns. Children respond well to her constant use of praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are well catered for. The childminder implements effective procedures to ensure that their interests are incorporated into the activities. Regular visits in the community increases children's awareness of the wider world. The childminder provides a range of resources to support children's understanding of diversity, including puzzles, dressing up and small world play. Children's self-esteem and confidence develops because the childminder values their achievements and displays photographs of them involved in various activities at child height on the playroom wall.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationships developed between the childminder and their parents and carers. She regularly discusses children's progress and provides new parents with

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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 a parent pack. This provides them with quality information on her policies and procedures and useful information.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She is well organised in her routines, that means that she is able to spend all her time playing and talking with the children. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to training to increase her knowledge and skills in childcare. The space and resources are used effectively to support children's individual needs. They can freely move around the welcoming and child friendly environment. The childminder implements a range of policies and procedures to support her good practice. However, the procedures to promote children's health are not always effective. The childminder has all the required regulatory documentation and has produced a parent's pack which is updated on a regular basis. Documentation is well organised and stored securely to maintain confidentiality.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to review the planning of activities for the children to ensure that wide variety of experience is offered each day. The childminder has devised daily routine and weekly plans to ensure that children have a wide range of different play opportunities such as swimming, free play, painting and visits to the park. This means the children's interest and enjoyment is promoted.

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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):

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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 • continue to develop children's awareness of promoting their own health by reducing the risk of cross infection

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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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