Fairfield Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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112131 Unique Reference Number 09 May 2005 Inspection date Clare Moore Inspector

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Integrated Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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.

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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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are outstanding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1989. She lives with her husband in West Totton from where she walks to the local park, shops and school. All areas of the property are available for the children, however it is mostly the ground floor that is used. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder helps to run a local carer and toddler group for minded children, which runs weekly. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is also a member of the New Forest childminding network and is in receipt of funding for nursery education for 3 and 4 year olds. She works with an assistant. She holds a National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in Early Years Child Care and Education.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy range of activities which contribute to excellent health and physical fitness. They practise throwing and catching when they play with hoops and balls. They visit local parks and use the equipment to climb, swing and balance which helps them to develop physical skills and fitness. They develop fine motor skill through using crayons, pencils, threading beads and playing with small world figures. Younger children join in the activities enthusiastically because the childminder makes very good use of the Birth to three matters framework. Her clear understanding and knowledge of individual children ensures they have excellent levels of support and encouragement to develop new skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are cared for in a home which is clean, well ordered and well maintained. They learn the importance of good hygiene through daily routines and older children wash their hands at appropriate times. Drinks are offered at frequent intervals and when children ask. Meals are a social occasion and the family eat and converse together which helps social development and language skills. Children develop knowledge about healthy eating through games, discussion and when they are offered a variety of fruit at lunch times.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and she has a first aid kit readily available in the home and the car. She has excellent procedures for the administration of medication which ensures children's welfare is effectively managed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children's safety is promoted through careful supervision, attention to minimising risks, and very well written safety procedures. Children are encouraged to be aware of safety issues, for example looking and listening when they cross the road, checking everyone is present with head counts and being careful about people who are strangers. This helps them to develop an understanding of personal safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures toys and equipment are safe through the purchase of good quality equipment and continuous monitoring. She uses safety equipment such as a baby monitor, and stair gates to minimise risks. Children are very well protected because she has a secure knowledge of child protection procedures and issues around confidentiality.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are eager to attend, relaxed and happy at the childminders house due to carefully considered settling in procedures and attention to individual needs. Children are confident and demonstrate a sense of belonging as they select their toys and use the facilities. They listen to and take part watching a DVD with the childminder, singing and joining in enthusiastically with actions to songs including "Five Little Ducks". The childminder uses the Birth to three

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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. matters framework to make notes and records about progress, and adapts activities such as making marks with crayons, singing and conversation to promote younger children’s development. Children spend their time purposefully in an exciting variety of activities which helps them to concentrate and maintain interest. They are sometimes active, sometimes restful, enjoy books, games, a computer toy, music and cooking. They go on outings to the park and thrive in each others company.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding. The childminder has an extremely good understanding of the Foundation Stage and of how children learn. She knows the individual children very well which helps her to plan a full range of themed activities and topics across the areas of learning to interest them. As a result children are highly motivated and make links in their learning, for example when they saw butterflies emerging from the chrysalis they did butterfly paintings and enjoyed the story of The Hungry Caterpiller.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident speakers and good listeners; they enjoy books, rhymes, stories and conversations with the childminder and other children. Their vocabulary is extended through the use of new words such as “chilly” and “breezy” when talking about the weather. Children’s additional home language is valued. Children learn about number through rhymes, games, and practical activities such as counting pieces of fruit at snack times. On outings they observe shapes in the environment and explore shape further when they fit geometric shapes together to make patterns and houses.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make excellent progress in their learning. The childminder works closely with parents and other provision to ensure continuity. Records, photographs and written observations clearly show achievements and areas to be targeted for the next steps of learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children’s behaviour is exemplary and they are very co-operative. The childminder is an excellent role model. Children emulate her when they say thank you when toys are exchanged. This helps them to form good relationships. Children show care and concern for each other when they take turns and share resources which helps them to feel good about themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder’s detailed knowledge of individual children helps her to tailor the care to their needs, for example making sure children have their comfort blanket when they are tired, or have a sleep. She also knows about their interests and builds on these when presenting activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about diversity through the varied range of resources which reflect the wider society and themes such as families when they talk about their different families. They learn about the local community when they go to groups for example toddler group, music group, and visits to local parks, library and the theme park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is outstanding. Parents receive comprehensive information about the policies and procedures, and are encouraged to share any concerns with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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. the childminder. Progress records are shared for all ages. Parents have an easy comfortable relationship with the childminder and chat and exchange information at drop off and collection times. This helps to build trusting relationships with families and children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder meets the needs of the children who attend and very effectively promotes the welfare of children. The environment is very well organised with adaptable spaces that can be separated so that older children and babies can sometime have their own areas. This enables older children to, for example construct and use toys with small parts and babies to have free floor space to move around in. Storage for toys is managed so that all available space is used efficiently. All records for education and care are up to date and well ordered. Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare and development of the children and are shared with the parents.

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Organisation

The childminder is pro active in updating her skills and knowledge and attends numerous workshops and courses that help her to enhance the quality of care and education that she provides for the children. She liaises with the Childminding Network and the co-ordinator which helps her to promote the stepping stones and areas of learning to effectively support children’s learning.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection parents are provided with comprehensive well set out written policies and procedures. Parents read these, sign for them and are able to discuss them with the childminder.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are outstanding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND 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.

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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 nursery education

recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of nursery education are outstanding.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

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 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.

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