Ladywood Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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112681 Unique Reference Number 13 June 2007 Inspection date Michelle Ann Parham 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 since 1991. She is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently caring for four children on a full and part-time basis. The childminder lives with her two teenage children. They live in a house in a residential area of Totton in Southampton. Local shops, parks and Foxhill Infant and Junior Schools are within walking distance of the home. The ground floor area of the home is accessible to the children and there is a fully enclosed rear garden area available for outside play. The family have two pet dogs. The childminder has an NVQ 3 in Childcare and Education and further qualifications relating to Developing Childcare Practice and Extending Childcare Practice. She has achieved Quality First through the National Childminding Association, is a member of the Hampshire Childminding Network and attends groups for children on a regular basis throughout the week.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children develop an extremely positive attitude to physical exercise and thrive from regular outside play opportunity. They have access to a safe, fully enclosed rear garden area and delight

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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 in using the varied equipment such as the sand tray, trampet, tricycle or, a particular favourite, the large green tractor. Children negotiate their way well around the garden using the lawn area or patio and benefit from the good level of shade that the trees provide. They successfully negotiate the wheeled toys, showing a very good sense of space and gaining increasing control over their movements. They also enjoy regular trips to the local childminder and parent and toddler groups, visiting the library, trips to local community parks and woodland walks in the New Forest. Consequently children’s physical fitness is highly promoted and the variety of outings offered helps to extend their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s care is exceptionally well fostered. Individual and personal information is discussed with parents to ensure health and medical needs are identified, addressed and recorded thoroughly in required documentation. Children are protected from illness and cross infection because the childminder has stringent routines in place to maintain their health and wellbeing; for example, she provides an immaculate environment for children’s play and comfort, ensures resources are checked and cleaned as required and uses disposable gloves for changing nappies. Children are well protected from the spread of infection as parents are required to adhere to the sick children policy and asked to exclude those who are unwell to avoid others being exposed to unnecessary risks to health. Children thoroughly enjoy responsibilities and small tasks which help maintain their environment such as putting away the resources and sweeping any mess

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Helping children to be healthy

off the floor after craft. They learn the importance of good personal hygiene through daily routines and discussion and happily visit the toileting area to wash their hands after outside and messy play, toileting and before snack time. The childminder provides a small step and individual disposable hand towels which encourages independence and prevents cross contamination. There is a very well maintained first aid box and children receive immediate first aid treatment in the event of an accident as the childminder has a first aid qualification valid until 2010, therefore she is able to deal with accidents and ill health effectively and efficiently.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy eating through discussion, cooking activities and daily routines, for example as they help to cut up the fresh fruit for snack. They are effectively nourished as parents supply their main meals and benefit further from the healthy fresh fruit that the childminder provides for snack time. Children have regular fresh healthy drinks throughout the day which prevents them from becoming tired and de-hydrated and helps maintain their concentration.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are kept secure within the setting as effective procedures are in place to prevent them from leaving the home unsupervised or with an unidentified adult. For example the childminder secures the front door and the rear garden gate is locked. She is fully aware of who is collecting children and alternative arrangements are discussed prior with parents if situations change. All necessary precautions have been addressed to prevent hazards, such as socket covers and safety gates used, hazardous materials are kept out of reach and children’s access to the dogs is limited to ensure they can play in complete comfort and safety. Excellent fire safety precautions are in place, such as smoke detectors on all floors and an appropriately sited fire extinguisher and blanket in the kitchen. Fire evacuation is very well planned with written documentation which promotes children’s safety and efficient swift exit from the home in the

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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 Children are able to use equipment and the environment safely as furniture and resources are extremely well maintained and conform to safety standards. Toys are exceptionally well organised and appropriate to the children's stage of development, ensuring they are suitable for use and do not present a hazard. Children are kept safe on outings as the childminder has effective safety procedures in place, for example she ensures children are always appropriately restrained when travelling in the car, closely monitored and hold onto the pushchair when they are out walking. Children gain a very good understanding of road safety and practice this on a daily basis as they walk to school. The childminder teaches them how to cross the road safely and about other hazards around the environment such as the safety implications of approaching

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

unfamiliar animals and stranger danger. The childminder has excellent awareness of signs and symptoms that could cause concern in regard to child protection; she is aware of how to record and report her concerns, therefore ensuring the welfare of children is paramount.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are exceptionally well supported and thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. They develop extremely high levels of confidence, independence and become increasingly self assured, which impacts on the relationships they build. Children’s communication is clear as they engage well with the childminder and respond to effective questioning to extend their learning or express their ideas of what they would like to do next.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are highly interested in their play and show very good concentration and perseverance as they complete a number of puzzles they have emptied out at once or play on their favourite toy in the rear garden. They talk through their ideas and solve their own problems becoming autonomous learners because the childminder uses highly effective questioning techniques to encourage children to think and time to respond. Children develop their early skills in counting through structured activities and natural free play as they hand print or as they complete and compare with the number puzzles. They have good opportunity to develop communication, language and literacy through very good interaction from the childminder, excellent labelling of resources and from the childminder’s very good use of poems and books. As a result children gain in confidence and foster an enjoyment of reading for pleasure. They certainly enjoy sharing

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

books with the childminder as she reads stories and encourages them to discuss what they can see together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is highly effective in the way she uses children’s play and daily routines to extend their learning and build on their existing knowledge. Children enjoy a wonderful range of activities and experiences suitable for their ages and individual abilities, which are often linked to themes such as ‘all about me’ where children cover likes and dislikes, use puzzles to look at different jobs, talk about holidays they are going on, pets they have, where they live and do self portraits. Older children benefit from the childminder planning activities that cover the six areas of learning of the Foundation Stage and using records of achievement to plan for their next stage of development. Consequently they are provided with a balanced, fun and interesting curriculum and enjoy activities such as making pancakes, collages from items they have found on woodland walks and planting tomato plants where they proudly show others

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

their achievements. Babies and younger children benefit from the childminder making exceptionally good use of the Birth to three matters framework. She is confident with the components and uses tracker records extremely well to plan for children's next steps which ultimately encourage and support younger children to become strong, healthy children who are skilful communicators and competent learners. Activities are stage appropriate, for example,

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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 babies and younger children benefit from the childminder providing fun feely bags for their exploration and heuristic play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children thrive because the childminder has an excellent knowledge of child development and recognises the importance of play in a child’s learning. Interaction between the childminder and children is superb and she sits on the floor playing with the children, extending their individual learning and fully involving herself in play. Consequently children are extremely happy, settled and relaxed in the home and have their care and learning needs exceptionally well met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's needs are very well met as the childminder develops excellent relationships with parents and ensures information and records accurately record children’s personal requirements. Parents are fully informed about the setting as the childminder supplies a wealth of information, for example parents are given a full prospectus which outlines aims, qualifications, working practice and polices. They also have access to a comprehensive portfolio which displays certificates of training and further information about childminding. Parents are kept informed on a daily basis as they are welcomed into the setting and through the use of a diary which contributes to good sharing of information from both parties. They are able to view records of achievement whenever required and are informed of themes and activities which ensure they are involved and can contribute to their child’s learning. These measures thoroughly promote

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Helping children make a positive contribution

partnership with parents and help parents feel included in their child's time at the setting. Parents are extremely happy with the care and learning opportunities their children receive evidenced by the varied number of thank you letters and references in support and high regard for the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop high levels of self esteem which is unmistakably fostered in all aspects of the provision. Their work is displayed prominently so they can see how their contributions are valued. They develop a good sense of themselves because the childminder provides an environment of inclusion and where they are welcomed and thoroughly encouraged to participate in all activities. Children are highly valued as individuals because the childminder has an excellent understanding of equal opportunities. Their needs are well met in accordance with any special requirements or additional needs they may have. Positive images and activities that promote diversity are in place as the childminder has a good selection of books, small world play, dolls and puzzles that portray positive images of all members of society. Consequently children become aware of a wider society and develop great self-esteem and respect for others. All

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children are fully included, treated with equal concern and are encouraged to value each other, which ensures all children feel important and included.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children thrive on the praise and encouragement they receive. Any odd occasions of unwanted behaviour are successfully handled with a minimum of fuss and upset using positive methods such as distraction, gentle discussion and explanation and time out to think if required. Children love the opportunity for having responsibility or a special job such as helping to prepare snack or being the postman and collecting the post which has a positive impact on their very good behaviour. They learn acceptable behaviour because the childminder is an excellent role model as she encourages good manners, sharing and being kind. They understand the simple house rules and parents are well informed of how behaviour is managed in the setting.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children receive outstanding quality care enabling them to thrive and develop self assurance and confidence because the childminder is highly effective in promoting positive outcomes for children. They benefit enormously because she has a qualification in child care and continuously strives to self evaluate her practice and build on her professionalism and expertise through further training and workshops. She has an excellent understanding of child development and of how children learn through play and many years experience of working with young children. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the requirements of the National Standards and meets the standards exceptionally well. Written policies and procedures enable her to effectively share her practice with parents ensuring they are fully aware of her roles and responsibilities. All documentation is in place and maintained to a high standard to support

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Organisation

children’s care, learning, safety and well being.

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Organisation

Children benefit because the childminder is highly organised and plans her day well to ensure all their individual needs are fully met and routines respected. She makes excellent use of time, space and resources to provide a stimulating and vibrant learning environment where children have wonderful opportunities to enjoy and achieve and are safe and well protected. Highly effective systems are in place to plan activities ensuring children of all stages benefit from their time with the childminder. As a result, children make very good progress in all areas, are offered sufficient challenge and have a wonderful time in the childminder’s care. 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 required to record actual times of children's attendance in the register and seek written parental permission for emergency medical treatment. The childminder now records children's actual attendance at the setting on a daily basis and has written parental permission for emergency medical treatment. These improvements have a positive impact on children's health, partnership with parents and overall organisation.

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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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Complaints 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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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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