Tibberton Community Primary School and Early Years

Inspection report for early years provision

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151065 Unique Reference Number 12 March 2007 Inspection date Lynn Reeves 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 has been a registered childminder since 2001. She lives with her husband and their three children in a residential area of Gosport in Hampshire. The property is within walking distance to schools, parks and shops.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for six children aged under eight years and is currently minding three children aged under eight years on a part time basis. The minded children have access to the ground floor, with toilet and rest facilities on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden which is available for the children's use. The family has cats. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder has good procedures in place to keep children free from infection, for example, not accepting sick children into her care, cleaning all toys and play equipment on a regular basis and ensuring appropriate procedures are in place for nappy changing. Children are cared

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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 for in a clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene procedures through discussion and routines. Children talk about why it is important to wash their hands before eating and after toileting, for example to keep them free from germs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from gentle exercise when walking to school and playing over the park. Their large muscle control is promoted when they play on swings and slides, and they develop control of their bodies as they skip, ride the sit-on-toys and dance to music. Children demonstrate good control of their small muscles as they play with rolling pins and cutters with the play-dough. They are given opportunities to use a range of utensils and tools through various planned activities, for example, cooking, threading beads, building with bricks and during art and craft. The childminder has a very good understanding about appropriate types of activities and promotes a healthy lifestyle with exercise, fresh air and healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a range of healthy options and nutritional snacks; they enjoy a selection of fresh fruit and/or breadsticks, and juice or water to keep them hydrated. Lunch boxes provided by parents have their contents checked and stored appropriately. The childminder promotes healthy eating and has completed a food handling course to ensure any preparation of food is completed effectively and safely. Opportunities are maximised for children to talk together about the foods they enjoy, for example, during cooking activities when they make and decorate cakes and biscuits, dip apples into chocolate and taste different foods. The childminder has procedures in place for recording accidents and administering medication; she has a suitable first aid qualification in place and obtains the required parental signatures to support children's health and well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to move freely and safely around the allotted areas and well organised home. Children have access to a fully enclosed garden and are provided with a good range of toys and play equipment for both indoor and outdoor activities. Children are able to make their own choices as the childminder ensures that toys and play resources are easily accessible, for example, these are stored on low shelving or in storage boxes, encouraging children to make their own choices. The childminder keeps the children under close supervision and carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has identified and minimised any potential risk to the children to ensure their safety. For example, all hazardous materials are locked away, stair gates are in place to prevent access to the stairs and the premises are kept secure. There are good procedures in place for the safe collection of children, as parents/carers are provided with passwords and the childminder has introduced a lost child policy to ensure the correct procedures are followed in an emergency. Children are made aware of dangers through general conversations, daily routines and gentle reminders. They discuss road safety issues when walking, reminded to hold hands and not to run off. Children learn about fire safety through discussion, however, evacuations from the premises have not been implemented to ensure their overall safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures; she has recently updated her training in this area and is fully aware of whom to report any concerns to. Any injury a child attends with is recorded and a written policy and procedure is in place and shared with parents to make them aware of the childminder's responsibilities.

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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 enjoy their time at the setting as they have many opportunities to develop an extensive range of skills. They move from activity to activity with great confidence and independence, selecting what they want to play and making their own choices. The childminder fully supports the children by chatting to them about what they have been doing at the weekend and school, taking a keen interest in what they have to say. For example, children talk about their visit to Marwell Zoo and seeing the various animals. They laugh and giggle excitedly about the snakes and spiders they saw and delight in showing the childminder what they had bought at the souvenir shop. Children are very happy and settled in their environment, which is stimulating, exciting and interesting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a wonderful range of activities and experiences suitable for their ages and individual abilities. Photographic evidence shows them cooking, face painting, having picnics in the garden, dressing up, making things with collage materials, playing with role-play resources, completing puzzles and looking at books. The childminder is aware of children's individual needs and capabilities and provides activities that extend their learning. For example, as children play with an assortment of cars and trains, they recognise the ambulance, car and bus and the childminder asks them to repeat the name of the combine harvester to help develop their language skills. They happily talk about the various colours of the cars, count the wheels and recall that their mummy is buying a new car.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children confidently talk and play with the childminder's own children when they come in from school and enjoy the company of the childminder as she plays and interacts with them, for example, making shapes with the play-dough. Children are very happy and settled in their environment; the childminder is affectionate and responds well to children's needs, knowing when to stand back to let their play develop.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop their social skills and social interaction when visiting the library for story time, attending the parent and toddler groups and meeting with other childminders and their children. Children thrive because the childminder has an excellent knowledge of child development and recognises the importance of play in a child's learning. She has obtained information regarding the Birth to three matters framework and has started to implement play provisions to support younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are constantly praised for their efforts, promoting their self-esteem. The childminder gets to know the children and their families well and ensures that all children can participate in activities that they choose. Activities are adapted to ensure that younger children can participate ensuring they too feel valued. Children access toys that reflect diversity, for example, dressing up clothes, ethnic figures, books and puzzles to help develop their understanding of the wider world. Children have opportunities to visit various places of interests and learn about their local community and environment as they visit the beach to collect collage materials and watch the boats alongside the shoreline. They feed the ducks and swans at the boating lake, and grow cress and sunflowers from seeds. The childminder maintains a positive approach to caring for children with special needs and works closely with parents to ensure individual needs

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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 behave very well and develop a clear understanding of what is right from wrong as they are reminded of the golden rules of the house. The childminder remains calm and consistent in her methods and teaches the children to share, take-turns and respect each other's space. Children are constantly praised and given clear explanations in a language they understand, which help promote their good behaviour. Strategies used are recorded and fully discussed with parents to ensure a consistent approach.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops professional relationships with parents; children's individual needs are discussed during arrival and collection time. All required written consent, documentation and the childminder policies are signed by parents. Daily activities and routines are monitored and reviewed; evidence of children's work is sent home and photographic material is made available regarding the children's activities and achievements.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her home and business very well, which helps support the care and well-being of the children she cares for. The children are confident, happy and relaxed in their environment; they move freely around the setting, accessing the good range of toys and equipment available to them. The childminder has a good knowledge of child development and children benefit from a well organised, safe, secure and stimulating environment.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good range of written policies and procedures which are implemented effectively to ensure children are supported. All the required documentation is in place and available for inspection. All paperwork is kept secure to maintain confidentiality. Children enjoy their time with the childminder because resources and activities are planned well and provide significant challenges; as a result, 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 asked to ensure the daily registers, existing injuries and incidents are recorded with the required details. Since the last inspection the provider has introduced systems to ensure the daily registers are maintained appropriately and the existing injuries and incidents are recorded with the required details, which help safeguard children.

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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. 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): • further develop the procedure to keep children safe in the event of a fire

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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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