The Dales School

Inspection report for early years provision

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122388 Unique Reference Number 25 June 2007 Inspection date Helen Deegan 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 has been registered for 11 years. She lives with her family on the outskirts of Walton-on-Thames in Surrey. Children have access to three rooms on the ground floor plus the kitchen and enclosed back garden. Toilet facilities are also provided on the ground floor. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children on a part time basis. She drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder also attends a local childminding group, toddler group, parks, soft play and Jumping Jacks on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Healthy eating is a high priority for the childminder. She has produced a healthy eating policy and keeps a daily menu diary with details of all food provided for the children. Fresh fruit and vegetables are provided daily and children enjoy delicious home cooked meals such as chicken casserole and fish pie which are healthy and nutritious. Snacks include fruit, yogurt, scotch eggs and sandwiches made with wholemeal bread. Children have fresh drinks available to them

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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 at all times in non spill beakers and any special dietary requirements are recorded on their child record form so that their individual needs are met. The childminder provides daily written information for parents about what their children have eaten.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides a clean, well organised and well maintained environment. She ensures that children wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet so that they develop good personal hygiene routines. She provides paper towels for hand drying so that the risk of cross infection is reduced. She has a clear sick child policy which asks parents not to bring children with infectious illness so that they are protected from the spread of infection. She records thorough details in her accident, incident and medication record book and requests parents to sign where appropriate to ensure that they are fully informed about their children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that children enjoy daily physical exercise. She has a safe and securely enclosed back garden with an appropriate selection of outdoor play equipment and takes children to physical play groups such as soft play and Jumping Jacks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has attended training on child protection and has a good knowledge of the indicators of abuse. She has an excellent understanding of her responsibilities with regard to the procedures to follow should a concern arise. This ensures that children's safety and welfare is protected. She keeps a child protection information leaflet on her notice board for easy reference and to ensure that parents are aware of her child protection responsibilities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has taken appropriate steps to ensure safety in all areas of the premises. For example, she uses a safety gate to ensure that children cannot enter the kitchen unsupervised and has smoke alarms and a fire blanket in place. She has produced a written fire evacuation plan which she practises regularly with the children and records in her diary. She has a current first aid certificate so that children's safety is promoted. The childminder obtains written permission from parents to take children on outings and ensures that children are safely transported in her car using the appropriate safety seats for their age.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a warm comfortable environment. An excellent range of age appropriate play equipment is stored at a low level which allows children independence and choice in selecting their own activities. A child sized table and chairs are available which helps the children to develop their self help skills and independence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has attended training on the Birth to three matters framework. She uses information from the framework to keep developmental records for all children in individual files. She records written observations and uses photographic evidence of the children's achievements to show how they are progressing. This enables the childminder to provide age appropriate activities and sufficient challenge for children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder sits with the children to join in with their activities. She constantly talks to them, asking questions and providing help and encouragement as necessary so that children are supported in gaining the most out of the activities. For example, the childminder sits at the

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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 child sized table to supervise and support the children as they enjoy a sticking activity. She helps them to use the glue sticks appropriately and asks the children to tell her about their pictures as well as commenting on how lovely their art work is. She also invites the children to stick their pictures in their scrap books. This shows the children that she values their work. The childminder takes every opportunity to praise the children's efforts and achievements so that they are relaxed, happy and confident in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play purposefully whilst in the childminder's care. They choose toys for themselves from resources which are stored at child height so that they can develop their independence and decision making skills. The range of resources and additional planned activities that the childminder provides ensures that children remain well occupied and stimulated in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder demonstrates an excellent level of commitment to working in partnership with parents. She provides an information pack for enquiring parents with details about her policies and practice. She also has an in-depth portfolio with more detailed policy information and evidence of training attended so that parents are well informed about her childminding provision. She provides written feedback for parents about their children's progress in a daily diary which is exchanged between them so that parents can also record messages for the childminder. This ensures good communication so that children's needs are thoroughly met. The childminder produces information newsletters for parents to make them aware of any important issues relating to her practice such as holiday dates, impending inspections or training that she will be attending. She uses a parent questionnaire to request regular feedback which she uses to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

evaluate and improve her provision. She uses a notice board to display useful documents for parents such as information on how to make a complaint, her certificate, qualifications, fire evacuation details, Birth to three matters and child protection information.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed warm relationships with the children in her care. She positively reinforces good behaviour using verbal praise and reward certificates so that children feel secure and behave well for her. She has produced a behaviour management policy and a set of house rules so that children receive consistent messages and are clear what is expected of them. This helps to promote their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive attitude towards equal opportunities and special needs issues. She promotes anti-discriminatory good practice by providing resources such as books, puzzles and dolls which reflect diversity including different race, age and ability. This ensures that children gain a positive awareness of the diversity within today's society. The childminder obtains information about children's individual needs from their parents and uses the information to ensure that their needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder has attended many childcare training courses and workshops. She has achieved an NVQ level three qualification in early years child care and education and is a member of the local childminding network. This demonstrates her commitment to ongoing improvement and development of her provision.

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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 Written policies and procedures, along with thoroughly maintained regulatory documentation guides the childminder in her daily practice to ensure that children's needs are met.

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Organisation

The childminder's home is very well organised to allow children to play, rest and sleep safely. Children benefit from a warm, welcoming environment where they receive excellent adult support to help them feel secure and confident.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to provide a sick child policy and to make parents aware of the procedure to follow if they want to make a complaint. An appropriate sick child policy is now in place and a poster is displayed for parents which informs them of the complaints procedure including the contact number for Ofsted.

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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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