Skinners' Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

136137 Unique Reference Number 01 May 2007 Inspection date Susan Esther Harvey 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 1998. She lives with her husband two school aged children and one child under five in Yate, South Gloucestershire. Most of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding six children part-time under five and one child after school. The childminder walks to the local school to collect children. The family have a dog, two cats, two guinea pigs and goldfish as pets.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean home where they learn highly effective hygiene routines and personal care. This contributes to their good health through the diligent management of their personal hygiene by the childminder. For example, children are provided with individual towels, liquid soap and reminders to wash their hands, and why it is necessary to do this. 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 nappy changing routines are well managed. This means children are not at risk from cross infection.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a clear sick children's policy which is formally shared with parents. The childminder is fully aware of the need to inform Ofsted of any notifiable diseases, and she has a clear understanding of what to do in an emergency. Children benefit from the childminder's thorough knowledge of the correct administrative procedures to follow when they have an accident. However, the childminder does not hold a current first aid certificate, and written permission to administer non-prescription medication is not provided. Young children develop a feeling of being special to the childminder as they are able to snuggle in when feeling distressed.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy lifestyle. They have daily exercise which is part of the childminder's planned routine of the day. This includes walks to school and visiting the local park. Young children have the opportunity to develop their large muscles from a good range of clean, safe equipment in the garden. This enables children to learn about the importance of regular exercise.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have the opportunity to choose what they wish to eat from a range of healthy nutritious food, and can access drinks at all times. Children are reminded of the importance of healthy food through discussion and stories such as "The Hungry Caterpillar".

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe home where all the risks have been identified and minimised. For example, children learn about fire safety as they are involved in regular emergency evacuation procedures. Young children learn to keep themselves safe by readily tidying away toys after use, and before playing with others. Children learn about keeping themselves safe while out walking as the childminder diligently practises good road safety routines.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children freely select from a range of toys and resources available to them in labelled boxes. These free choice opportunities enable children to develop good levels of confidence and independence. Attractive displays of children's work are displayed around the walls in the childminder's home. As a result, children's art work is celebrated and appreciated.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully protected and actively encouraged by the childminder, who has a clear understanding of child protection issues and her personal responsibility to safeguard children. Childminder's child protection duties are formally shared with by parents. As a result, children's welfare is actively and effectively promoted.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children receive high quality care. Young children are extremely happy and settled with the childminder, and benefit from the opportunity to develop positive relationships with adults and each other. They readily approach the childminder for assistance or request activities, to which she quickly responds, helping children's developing self-confidence. This includes the chance for young children to build and construct an intricate rail track with the childminder's support. Every opportunity is made to enable children to learn through play. The childminder engages with the children in high levels of conversation during activities, and this thoroughly

p.3

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 supports their language development. Children are supported during activities which are planned in advance. However, the childminder allows the flexibility for children to choose what they would like to play with, and their choice is developed to take into account their age and capability.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoyed designing a display around the story of 'The Hungary Caterpillar'. All ages of children take part in the painting and craft activity. The childminder links the activities to an approach in line with Birth to three matters framework which concentrates on the development of young children. As a result, children are enabled to develop in all aspects of the framework. Young children are motivated to listen to well told stories, which capture their full attention.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy taking part in family type activities such as cooking and growing vegetables in the garden. Overall, children have a wide range of experiences which promotes their development, confidence and self-assurance.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are highly valued by the childminder. They are treated as individuals and have many opportunities to make a range of play choices which empowers them for life. This includes practical experiences such as cooking, gardening that includes growing vegetables, watering seeds and watching them grow. Young children learn to have a positive feeling about themselves through the gentle approach of the childminder, which includes negotiation and explanation. Babies benefit from emotional support and find comfort in being held close to the childminder.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have access to a good range of toys and resources which reflect positive images of diversity. This includes books and puzzles. Outings to the local library and park, enable children to learn about the community in which they live. Children are well integrated into the setting through the childminder's organised routine where each child is given individual time in order for them to develop their self-esteem.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the secure partnership between the childminder and their parents. She has a professional approach in keeping parents informed of her service, this includes a daily contact book. Parents have access to the childminder's policies and procedures which includes a process to deal with any complaints. There is a good partnership and a sound link between home, parents and the childminder, which ensures that the individual needs of the child are met.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

Organisation

Children are warmly welcomed into a family environment where the well organised available space gives them many opportunities to freely select toys and resources. The childminder is organised in all areas of her time spent in the company of children. As a result, young children and babies are provided with quality time in order to help their development and growth.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder maintains documents appropriately, and the daily register is accurately recorded showing times of children's arrival and departure.

p.4

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 Policies and procedures are maintained to a good standard in order to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. These are shared with parents who are kept fully informed of the service provided by the childminder. Young children gain from the childminder's commitment to improve her professional development, by gaining knowledge of Birth to three matters and putting many aspects of this into practice.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop a full understanding of the action to take in the event of an allegation of abuse, ensure the fire blanket is readily available in the event of an emergency and ensure the register accurately records exact times of arrival and departure of children.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Children's welfare and safety have been improved through the childminder gaining knowledge of child abuse recording and reporting procedures, taking advice from fire safety department, and maintaining an accurate daily record of children's time of arrival and departure.

p.5

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.5

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.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

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): • ensure prior written agreement is obtained from parents before administration of non-prescription medication • ensure a current paediatric first aid certificate is obtained

p.5

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

p.5

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.5