Newbarns Primary and Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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149961 Unique Reference Number 31 May 2007 Inspection date Bridget Copson 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 outstanding. 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and eight in Merley, Dorset. The whole ground floor of the house is used for childminding, including a dedicated play room, sitting room, study area, toilet and kitchen. The first floor is only used for rest times and overnight care. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder makes use of the local facilities within the area, including parks, toddler groups, farm parks, the beach and Treats toy library.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. She is currently minding 12 children under eight years, most of whom attend on a part time basis. The family keeps goldfish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the Poole childminding network and is also a registered childminding mentor. She holds the NVQ level two and three qualifications. She has also attended many training courses and workshops related to different aspects of her work with children.

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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 outstanding. Children are cared for within a very clean and hygienic environment. The childminder has excellent systems in place to prevent the spread of infection. This ensures all rooms, surfaces and resources are clean and in very good condition before children arrive. Children are very well informed regarding good personal hygiene. For example, they understand the importance of thorough hand washing and know when to do this.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit greatly from the healthy lifestyles promoted by the childminder. She is proactive in promoting healthy eating. For example, providing younger children with picture cards to choose healthy foods at snack times and discussing healthy options with older children in line with on school promotions. Children enjoy a selection of chopped fresh fruits and salad vegetables at snack times. They also have access to their own drink bottles at all times and are reminded and encouraged to have drinks regularly to ensure they do not get thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is promoted very well through an extensive range of activities. For example, children use small and large scale slides, swings, rockers, ball games and a play house in the garden. They also enjoy music, large constructional sets and push along toys indoors. Children make excellent use of the local facilities, such as parks, indoor soft play centres, network events, toddler sessions, the beach and farm parks. This all provides additional activities within changing environments to keep children active. Activities are organised everyday to promote fresh air and exercise and are suitable to support all stages of physical development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health, medical and dietary needs are met with great care. The childminder keeps written records of any accidents, incidents, existing injuries and medication administered, for parents to sign for consistency of care. She also keeps details of any special dietary requirements and excludes foods as necessary from her provision to meet children's dietary needs in the event of any allergies. The childminder holds a first aid certificate and keeps a first aid kit available at all times. She ensures parents provide written consent to allow her to use the contents of her first aid kit. This all support her well in meeting children's needs in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's safety is of paramount importance. The childminder has extensive systems in place to protect children in all areas of her provision, including those staying overnight. Children learn about keeping safe through the many practical activities and guidance when using equipment within the house and dangers around them when on walks and trips. They also learn from specific events, such as practising the fire evacuation procedure and meeting with the fire officer to learn how to respond in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for within extremely well-maintained premises which are organised with great care and attention to meet the needs of all children. They access very well-maintained toys freely and safely from within the dedicated play room to use within the different rooms. The carefully planned environment allows children to do so safely and unhindered.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded extremely well. The childminder has a very good understanding of child protection issues and procedures, which she confirms in a policy for parents to promote

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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 consistency of care. She has excellent systems in place to ensure children are protected at all times, such as accurate record keeping, ensuring all persons having regular contact with them are suitable and supervising children closely at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children arrive very happy and enthusiastic. They play with a broad range of play provision to promote their learning, development and personal enjoyment. They focus for extended periods, combining constructional and small world sets, drawing many stencil pictures, working as a team to complete puzzles and exploring many books. Children demonstrate a great sense of well-being and belonging. For example, they proudly talk about their childminder's provision, sharing information about their favourite toys, what things are used for, what they have made and things they enjoy doing most.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children communicate with great confidence. They suggest activity ideas with enthusiasm, such as making a 'sabre-tooth tiger model'. They express their happiness through laughing and share jokes, for example making up dinosaur names, such as a 'Debbie-saurus'. Children think, question and problem solve, showing their interest and motivation. For example, fixing the marble run as a team, working together to complete large puzzles, deciding what descriptive words mean and using reference books to find out information.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's learning and development is promoted purposefully by the childminder. She interacts meaningfully to provide children with continuous and realistic challenges. She uses her knowledge of the Birth to three matters and Foundation Stage curriculum as a guide for learning and uses simple themes as a focus for linking experiences. For example, children currently use many different resources to explore dinosaurs. Within this theme, they learn new names, colours of the creatures, size and use reference books to find out more information. They also complete puzzles and games, make models, draw pictures and build a dinosaur world with tracks and figures. The childminder ensures children have extensive resources to extend their own play and learning, many of which she obtains through the local book and toy libraries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has excellent systems in place to include children and meet their individual needs. She knows the children very well and uses this knowledge to nurture and celebrate their personal interests and skills. For example, asking children with good literacy skills to read a story to the group and asking a child if he would like to help them build, because he is good at that. The childminder is aware of the need to liaise with parents and professionals regarding any further resources to support any additional needs for a child in her care. Children are developing a superb sense of belonging. They contribute ideas and suggestions continually, talk freely about home life, see photographs of themselves and their work displayed and know where to find their own possessions. They also get involved in the local community through meeting up with friends to socialise, attending clubs and network events.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave extremely well. They are developing an excellent understanding of the childminder's expectations. For example, they share well, show good manners, are very kind to each other and respond positively to her requests. The childminder promotes positive attitudes skilfully through providing continuous encouragement and praise, celebrating their successes

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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 and ensuring all children are valued. As a result, children are happy and demonstrate very good self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has established excellent partnerships with parents. They are provided with extensive information regarding her personal profile, qualifications, experience and policies and procedures relating to all aspects of her provision. Parents complete child record forms, contracts and consent sheets which ensure all aspects of care are agreed for consistency. They are kept very well-informed through close communication each day with any relating information from school or pre-schools exchanged. Parents also have the option of using a two-way home diary as well.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is proactive in improving her knowledge and skills to support her in meeting children's needs and ensuring she maintains excellent quality of care. For example, she has achieved NVQ level two and three qualifications and has attended numerous courses and workshops relating to the care and education of young children. She has established close links with the local authority through her role as childminding mentor and through registration with childminding network. She meets regularly with the Network Co-ordinator, responds positively to any recommendations, attends regular meetings and training and receives newsletters. This all supports her in keeping up to date and to further improve the quality of her care.

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Organisation

Children are cared for within an extremely well-organised family home. They make maximum use of the space and resources within the dedicated play room, sitting room, study and garden. This allows children to rest, focus, play freely in any room or the garden and complete homework without hindrance, under the childminder's close supervision. The childminder takes great care to prepare for children, ensuring high standards of health and safety are maintained and a broad range of resources are readily available to support themes and interests. This allows her to then dedicate her time to observing, interacting and supporting their development and well-being throughout the day.

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Organisation

The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

The childminder is meticulously regarding the organisation of documentation. She keeps all children's records and relating documentation in separate folder to ensure easy access and confidentiality. She updates records at least once a year with all amendments signed and dated. She also updates her own policies and procedures each year to reflect changes in regulation and her own practice. This all ensure their children are cared for consistently and according to parents' wishes in all areas.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to make sure the first floor windows and the landing banisters are made safe or inaccessible to children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has installed window locks and has replaced the banister rails with spindles to ensure these areas are no longer a potential hazard to children.

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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

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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