Greenfields School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 131307 Inspection date 07 June 2005 Inspector Carole Gronow

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1990. She lives with her husband and adult son in a house in the Lordshill area of Southampton. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and children only access the upstairs when they have a rest. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time but this can be increased to seven when the assistant she works with is also present. The childminder is currently minding two children under five, one for five days a week and the other for two days and she also minds three children over five after school.

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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 The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler groups, takes children on bus rides and to the local parks and the library.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has a dog. The childminder holds a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in Child Care and Education at level III and is a member of the Southampton Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and welcoming environment where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Established good hygiene routines along with clear explanations by the childminder increase children’s understanding of the importance of washing their hands before eating which helps maintain good health and minimise the risk of cross infection. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They are encouraged to eat fresh fruit as snacks and are regularly offered drinks such as water, juices and milk shakes throughout the day. Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contribute to their good health. The childminder plans outdoor activities daily. These include walking to visit different groups for preschool children, trips to the local parks and going to feed the ducks. Children’s individual needs are catered for as the childminder works well with parents

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Helping children to be healthy

in order to meet each child’s specific requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder minimises risks and hazards for children within the home that she identifies. This means that they are able to move around safely, freely and independently within the main play area. Children, however, have not practiced the evacuation procedure and the childminder has not considered whether a cleaner used in the toilet bowl is safe, both of which could put children's safety at risk. Children talk about and practice road safety procedures with the childminder and are developing an understanding about how to keep themselves safe when they are outside the home. Children independently select activities from a range of toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. They are kept safe from accessing unsuitable toys which may cause a hazard to them as the childminder carefully monitors and supervises children’s choices to make sure they are safe and age appropriate. The childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safeguards and promotes children’s welfare and has all the required procedures and documents in place. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate

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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 and she has a good understanding of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well settled at the childminder's house. They relate well to each other, play together and share toys. They are given the opportunity to mix with other children through regular attendance at local toddler groups. Children's self esteem and confidence is developed through the childminders frequent use of praise and encouragement. Children’s language is encouraged and their listening skills developed by the childminder who is constantly talking to the children and asking them questions in order to expand their vocabulary and their comprehension. The childminder’s good understanding about appropriate types of activities and levels of support gives children confidence to try out new skills, set their own limits and know when to ask for help. Children are involved in a range of purposeful activities including a range of things that contribute to their creativity such as listening to music,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

painting, gluing, printing and baking. Younger children benefit from the childminder's use of the Birth to three matters framework which she refers to in order to adapt activities to promote their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a good range of activities and resources such as glove puppets and small world figures which include figures of a wheel chair user and people with walking sticks. This promotes a positive view of the wider world and increases children’s awareness and understanding of others. For example the children talk about how blind people manage and how a guide dog can be trained to help them. Use of books also helps children become aware of diversity. They learn about their local community and they travel on public transport to visit places of interest such as a farm. They also go to feed the ducks as well as going on routine outings to the library and local parks. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder meets the children’s needs by following their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents when she first starts caring for them. For younger children the childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

writes in a care diary which is sent home daily so that parents are kept well informed about how their child has been. Children learn to understand behaviour boundaries through the childminders use of positive strategies for managing their behaviour. Children are polite. They learn to show care and concern for each other, they play well together and they help each other for example with taking their shoes off and by passing younger children their drinks.

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Organisation

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 benefit from the childminders commitment to ongoing training, she holds an NVQ level IIIin Childcare and Education. The childminder uses the policies and procedures to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. She initially shares these with all parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities and parents of preschool children are given copies to keep. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care. The childminder holds all the required documentation and necessary consents in order that children's needs are well met and they are cared for in accordance with their parents wishes. The childminder, however does not record the regular attendances of a family member who is aged under eight. Children play downstairs and are able to freely access the play room where they are

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Organisation

able to make independent choices about what toys to play with. The children feel at home and at ease at the childminder's house and this in turn means that they are very confident to initiate their own play and learning. The walls of the playroom are decorated with pictures the children have made, which helps them feel that their work is valued therefore enhancing their self-esteem. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to keep a detailed record of any significant issues and to ensure that written records were kept of any medicines administered to children and were appropriately signed by parents. The childminder was also asked to adequately maintain accident and medication records and retain them on the premises for inspection. All this has now been addressed which contributes to maintaining children's good health.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • improve children's safety by practicing the emergency evacuation procedure and by ensuring that there are no potentially hazardous substances accessible to children. • ensure that the record of attendance kept includes all children aged under eight on the premises for whom the childminder is responsible

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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