The Sibsey Free Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

120628 Unique Reference Number 10 July 2007 Inspection date Jacqui Lloyd 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 a registered since 1994. She lives with her husband and two school age children in the Jacobs Well area of Guildford. She is registered to look after a maximum of six children under the age of eight. There are currently seven children on roll.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minded children have access to all areas on the ground floor. Toileting and sleeping facilities are also available in this area. Children have access to an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have a pet dog and cat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are exceptionally well-protected from infection as the childminder maintains an extremely clean and healthy environment. She ensures that nappies are disposed of hygienically and that children's toys are thoroughly cleaned and sterilised frequently to prevent cross-infection. Comprehensive health and safety procedures are in place to ensure that the

p.2

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 childminder's dog poses no health risks to children. For example, the childminder has made provision in the garden to prevent children accessing the area used by the dog.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children's health and welfare is given optimum priority. The childminder provides comprehensive written information for parents regarding childhood illnesses and infection. This helps to ensure parents are fully informed about the signs and symptoms of illness and therefore recognise the need to exclude children when they are ill.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is extremely vigilant regarding children's hygiene. As a result, children clearly understand the importance of washing their hands after touching the dog, after toileting routines and before eating. Children understand that they must wash their hands to 'remove dirt and germs'. There are exceptional procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection, as each child has individual hand towels and face flannels. Children learn from a young age good personal hygiene routines and access tissues independently and understand about the need to dispose of them hygienically after wiping their noses, to guard against germs. This contributes fully towards helping children have an excellent understanding of how to keep themselves healthy.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are extremely well catered for. They have frequent drinks and eat healthy snacks, such as fresh fruit. The childminder has attended specialist training called 'Feed them Safe' to increase her knowledge of promoting children's dietary needs and food hygiene. Mealtimes are regarded as extremely sociable occasions. There is excellent provision to store foods safely and heat and prepare foods in accordance with children's needs. Babies and younger children sit at the table with older children and adults, to enable them to develop good habits in using table manners and develop positive attitudes towards healthy eating.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The daily routine is planned extremely well to ensure children have ample time to play in the fresh air and undertake regular vigorous exercise. Children play in the garden and frequently visit the park, enabling them to run and move around freely. Children develop balance and co-ordination as they use the climbing frame and swings. They develop muscle control as they play with an extensive selection of wheeled toys, including tricycles, pushchairs and scooters. Children play active games with the childminder, enabling them to run around in the fresh air.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder provides an exceptionally welcoming environment for children and their parents. The notice board provides comprehensive information for parents and children enjoy finding their photographs and displaying them to reflect which children are present. This is a fun and innovative way of recording children's attendance and welcoming children into the childminder's home.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from an extremely welcoming, relaxed and child-orientated environment. There is ample room for children to play and move around freely and safely. Children clearly feel safe and secure within the home. The childminder is extremely vigilant in keeping children safe and protecting them from harm. She has highly effective procedures in place to assess the risks within the home and monitors these on a regular basis. For example, she carries out safety checks on toys and resources, such as checking for any broken or damaged items and confirming they are safe and suitable for children's use. In addition, the childminder carries out regular tests to ensure the continuing safety of the home by checking smoke alarms are in full working order and reviewing the security of the premises.

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 The childminder has an extensive range of good quality toys and resources available for the children. The range is suitable for children of all ages. Toys are extremely well organised making it easy for children to see what is available and easily accessible. Toys are stored in transparent storage boxes, enabling children to see what is available and allowing them to choose what to play with. As a result, children confidently make their own choices and ask the childminder for their favourite toys. For example, one child particularly enjoys playing with Lego bricks and confidently requested these, which the childminder responded positively to.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have excellent opportunities to learn how to keep themselves safe as the childminder explains potential dangers to them. Children also learn about road safety and hazards through well-planned topic work. For example, the childminder has planned extensive activities relating to road safety and children have enjoyed practical activities to enable them to develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe. This has enabled children to recognise the importance of wearing seat belts by designing and colouring in their own seat belt holders.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge of child protection issues and fully understands the procedures to follow if she is concerned about a child. She has increased her knowledge and understanding further by attending relevant training to update her awareness of safeguarding issues. This fully promotes and safeguards children’s welfare within the setting.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children are exceptionally happy with the childminder. They share very close relationships with her and enjoy plenty of cuddles and very close physical contact. The childminder promotes an extremely positive and happy environment. For example, children giggle with delight as they share a 'high five' with the childminder to celebrate achievements and success. This promotes children's self-esteem and confidence and reinforces their strong feelings of self-worth.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of children's developmental needs and plans an extensive range of rich, quality play experiences. This enables children to play, learn and explore within a fun and happy environment, planned in accordance with their developmental needs.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder utilises all incidental opportunities and practical experiences within the daily routine to encourage and extend children's learning. For example, the childminder frequently discusses numbers, colours and letters with the children whilst undertaking routine activities. Children recognise their names on the 'welcome board' and the childminder discusses initial letter sounds when writing their names on art work.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder devises interesting and carefully considered activity plans, which relate to all areas of learning. This reflects the childminder's excellent regard for, and understanding of, the Birth to three matters framework and Foundation Stage curriculum. As a result, children's developmental needs are exceptionally well-catered for and closely monitored through observation, to ensure all activities provide realistic and appropriate challenge. Children's learning extends to outside activities, such as exploring the environment using their senses. The childminder has planted chives, rosemary, lavender and mint in the garden to encourage sensory play.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel extremely comfortable and 'at home' in the childminder's care as she utilises every opportunity to enable children to feel part of her family. For example, when children arrive they find their photograph and choose the appropriate weather picture to complete the weather chart. This encourages children to develop a very strong sense of belonging and emotional security within the childminder's home.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are highly valued and fully acknowledged and their personal care routines are discussed and agreed with parents. The childminder obtains extensive written information regarding children's personal likes/dislikes, routines and care needs to enable her to provide the highest level of care for children in accordance with their individual needs. This ensures that all children follow consistent routines, both at home and at the childminder's house.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is totally dedicated to adapting her care routines and the home environment, wherever necessary, to ensure she can meet all children's individual needs.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a firm yet fair approach to behaviour management and implements consistent, age-appropriate strategies to manage children's behaviour. This helps children to clearly understand acceptable boundaries and younger children quickly recognise right from wrong. The childminder uses highly effective and consistent strategies to enable children to fully understand her expectations and the acceptable boundaries. All children are treated with total respect and courtesy. As a result, children co-operate extremely well with one another and behave positively towards each other.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is extremely committed to working closely with parents in supporting them in the care and developmental of their children. Parents recognise the childminder's skills and contact her for advice and support relating to issues concerning their children. The childminder provides detailed and informative written information for parents, regarding children's daily routines. This ensures parents are made fully aware of each child's daily achievements and care routines. This enables parents to take an active interest and share in their children's daily activities, helping to promote strong partnership between the childminder and parents. The childminder has highly effective policies and procedures in place. However, not all of these are made available to parents in writing. As a result, parents may not be fully aware of all aspects of her childminding service.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

All children's care routines are discussed and formally agreed and all necessary parents' consent is on file. This ensures that the childminder cares for children in accordance with parents' own preferences. The childminder regularly provides opportunities for parents to discuss and review children's progress. She shares written observations with parents during planned consultation meetings.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder provides an exceptionally well-organised, professional childminding service. She is extremely aware of her role and responsibilities as a childminder and is keen to develop her knowledge and skills through the completion of extensive further training. The childminder has completed NVQ Level 3 training and continues to attend relevant training courses and

p.5

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 workshops to develop her knowledge and skills further. This demonstrates her commitment to high quality practice and her dedication to her role as a qualified early years practitioner. Children benefit from her commitment, drive and motivation, as she consistently reviews and evaluates her practice in order to provide the highest standards of care. As a result of this, children thrive in her extremely well-organised and relaxed childminding home.

p.5

Organisation

The daily routine is planned meticulously to cater for all children's differing needs. This ensures that children consistently enjoy a busy and varied day which is planned skilfully to meet their individual needs.

p.6

Organisation

Comprehensive documentation is maintained and is kept up-to-date. The childminder maintains extensive records to support her practice and ensure she continues to meet the needs of the children and the requirements of the National Standards. All records relating the children are stored securely to ensure confidentiality is maintained.

p.6

Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

p.6

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, one recommendation was raised. This related to maintaining a record of any physical intervention or restraint that might be used for managing behaviour. Since the last inspection, there have been no incidents that have required any such intervention, however the childminder has procedures in place to maintain records if necessary.

p.6

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 complaints 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): • continue to develop and make available to parents written policies that outline and reflect current procedures relating to all aspects of childminding practice.

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 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.7