William Lovell Church of England School

Inspection report for early years provision

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120664 Unique Reference Number 11 June 2007 Inspection date Catherine Greenwood 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and seven years in a terraced house in Farncombe, near Godalming, Surrey. Children have access to the sitting/dining room and cloakroom on the ground floor. Sleep facilities are provided on the first floor. A fully enclosed garden provides an outside play space with a range of fixed equipment and outdoor toys. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, and is currently minding seven children aged one year, three aged two years, three years, six years and seven years, all of whom attend part time or during school holidays only. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Surrey Childminding Network. She holds an NVQ level 3 in Childcare and Education.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The childminder usually asks parents to provide food for their children and records what they eat in a daily food diary. In addition, she has a written 'healthy food' policy which is given to parents, to ensure children are provided with a balanced and nutritious diet. The childminder

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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 provides children with healthy snacks such as rice cakes, cucumber, celery, carrots, dried fruit and fresh fruit. Children develop good personal independence as they help to cut up fresh fruit with child safe knives such as grapes, pineapple, pear, and strawberries at snack time. They enjoy threading it onto sticks to make healthy fruit kebabs. In addition, children help to lay the table and carry the plates of food for lunch. The childminder spends time talking to children about food they like and sets a good example by eating the same food. Older children help themselves to water or sugar free squash from a jug on the table and younger children are given drinks throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder follows good hygiene practice. For example, when young children who are potty training have accidents, she immediately clears it up, washes them with their own flannel and cleans the floor. Children are protected from the risk of cross infection. For example, there is a comprehensive written sickness policy in place which is shared with parents. The childminder has completed food hygiene training. Comprehensive accident and medication administration records are in place and the childminder holds a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy outside play, and make frequent use of the childminder's garden where they learn to balance and control their movements, as they use the large fixed climbing equipment. In addition, they have access to wheeled toys, a play tunnel and basket ball net. Children develop their physical skills as they use a large parachute at playgroup and a smaller one at the childminder's home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are kept safe within the childminder's home because she completes a written risk assessment, which includes emergency escape plans and fire drill practices with the children. These are regularly reviewed and updated, for example before school holidays. Children are kept safe when staying overnight, because the childminder has created a premises safety checklist in relation to the guidance for childminding and the rooms within her home. The childminder has an excellent awareness of risks to children's safety and has taken all necessary action to make her home a safe environment. For example, the climbing apparatus has bark underneath it, and side area of the house is fenced off so that children can be seen at all times when they are using the garden. There is an excellent range of well maintained and exciting play resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings because the childminder ensures they know the rules for getting in and out of the car and crossing the road. The childminder borrows additional play resources such as large road sets with cones, traffic lights, visible jackets and stop signs which children use in the garden. Children enjoy using these resources, which also help them to learn about road safety. Children are kept safe when travelling in the childminder's car because she has seating checked by a road safety officer from Surrey County Council.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully safeguarded because the childminder has an extremely secure knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. She has recently updated her written documentation and has a system in place to record any concerns and existing injuries.

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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 outstanding. The childminder has an excellent relationship with the children. She captures children's interest by playing with the resources herself and talking with children in an enthusiastic way about what they are doing. Consequently children are happy and eager to participate in activities and events. Children have access to an excellent range of resources, particularly in the childminder's garden. They show great enjoyment as they engage in imaginative play, such as hiding in the wigwam and using the doctors set and dolls. The childminder provides a wide range of experiences for all children. For example, they learn about the features of living things as they help to plant vegetables in pots, such as peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and courgettes and help to water them. The childminder displays photographs of the vegetables on the fence above the pots.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have excellent opportunities to choose their own activities such as making fruit kebabs and using the play dough. Young children enjoy playing in the water tray, where they pretend to catch small plastic fish in a net. Activities are child led and include themes and written planning such as growing, dens, and mini beasts. Planning is used in a flexible way, according to the interest shown by children. The childminder observes younger children's play and records their individual progress in relation to the guidance for Birth to three matters. Children have excellent opportunities to develop their senses. For example, they are encouraged to smell and use play dough which is mixed with things such as lemon juice, vanilla, and chocolate. The childminder provides activities such as trays of frozen gelatine with plastic bugs in. She encourages children to use forks and large tweezers to pick up the bugs and touch and feel

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the ice. Consequently children are beginning to develop their hand and eye co-ordination.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy organised art and craft activities. For example, they make Father's day cards where they use a range of resources such as wax crayons, glue and collage materials and photographs of themselves. The childminder helps children learn to use scissors. They take part in a range of activities such as hand painting, sponge painting, outside painting with brushes and water, and flower arrangements in oasis using things they have collected from the woods. Older children take part in activities such as making plaster casts of their hands and feet. Children go on regular outings to the local park, library, music groups, playgroups, pet shop and allotment. During the school holidays children are taken on walks in the woods, pond dipping, and to the fire station.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder dedicates her time to meeting children's individual needs and actively includes them in everything she does. She consistently asks age appropriate questions and talks to them about what they can see and know, for example, when emptying food waste into the compost container they talk about the worms. Consequently children feel included and are extremely happy and settled. They enjoy cosy times where they sit with the childminder and listen to stories. Children learn about the roles of people in the community such as the dentist and take part in community events such as re-cycling, for an art project where they collect local rubbish and made a sculpture out of junk.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are provided with continuity of care, because the childminder forms excellent relationships with parents and shares information about children's individual needs. They make good progress, for example, with potty training, because the childminder and parents discuss

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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 agree when children are ready to move onto the next stage of their development. The childminder has a comprehensive range of written policies and procedures which she gives to parents. She gives parents six monthly newsletters which includes general information and asks them to complete questionnaires about the care and education she provides for children. These questionnaires include very positive comments such as 'a great range of organised activities', 'superb range of resources and play equipment', 'fantastic care of the children'. Parents are kept well informed through daily communication and the use of a notice board in the entrance hall. The childminder completes daily diaries which she shares with parents, that include comprehensive details of each child's day. In addition she gives parents written information

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Helping children make a positive contribution

about the objectives for children's learning in relation to the activities she provides.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a patient and caring approach towards the children. Children feel good about themselves, because the childminder consistently praises them, for example, for their creative efforts and potty training. They are co-operative and well behaved because the childminder gets down to their level when talking about what she expects, and sets clear boundaries. The childminder is not currently caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disability. She provides support and advice to parents about children's progress, for example, with speech and language development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about other cultures and beliefs through using resources such as a toy wheel chair, puzzles and books. The childminder organises activities at the play group to celebrate different cultural festivals such as Chinese new year, the Queens birthday, Halloween, Christmas, Diwali and Easter. Record forms include details for parents to complete in relation to any festivals they would like the childminder to celebrate and any religious or cultural issues they would like her to be aware of.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The environment is exceptionally well organised. A wide range of well presented resources are made easily accessible both inside and outside. Consequently children develop good personal independence as they move freely between both areas. Children make good use of the garden all year round because the childminder provides an area for them to play in the shade on the patio area.

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Organisation

The childminder takes an active part in a childminding network service and regularly gets together with other childminders. This means that children benefit from the childminder consistently reviewing her own practice and introducing new ideas to enhance the care and education of the children. In addition, children benefit from social opportunities when they meet at playgroups and for other outings.

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Organisation

There are exceptionally well organised record keeping systems in place which include all necessary details. Each child has their own records which include their progress and development. These are shared with parents on a regular basis. The childminder has created her own written policy for overnight care which includes a questionnaire for parents to complete in relation to children's individual needs, such as special bed time routines. Written policies and procedures which are shared with parents include care learning and play. This includes details of the childminder's aims for providing children with a stimulating environment. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to keep an accurate and up-to-date record of children's immunisations available at all times. Contract details now include records of children's immunisations. This means that details regarding children's health have been improved.

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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. 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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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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