Newbridge School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 401830 Inspection date 25 May 2005 Inspector Alison Weaver

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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 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 good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1989. She lives with her husband, adult son, and teenage daughter. They live in a house in a residential area of Willingdon close to local shops, schools, and parks. The whole of the ground floor, including a downstairs bathroom, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has guinea pigs as pets.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding three children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through effective everyday routines. For example, washing their hands after feeding the guinea pigs. The children enjoy close and supportive relationships with the childminder. The toddler enjoys being with the childminder and responds well to the new experiences she presents to him. The children's individual sleep routines are met. Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy and balanced diet. They enjoy a variety of nutritious snacks and meals depending on parents wishes. The childminder adjusts the menu to take into account any dietary requirements that individual children have so they always eat appropriate foods. Each day children enjoy outdoor activities in the garden and local park to help them develop control of their bodies and improve their physical skills. Toddler's physical

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

skills develop well as they use a range of equipment to explore different movements. They enjoy playing with pegs and posting them through holes in a toy car transporter showing good fine motor skills. They successfully push toy buggies around the room using large motor control. The effective procedures for the care of sick and injured children ensures that their welfare is given high priority with one written parental consent missing. Parents are kept fully informed of any health concerns or accidents by well maintained documentation.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a safe and secure indoor environment where they are easily supervised. Risks are regularly reviewed and any hazards minimised by the childminder. This ensures that the children move and play safely in the home. Children learn how to keep themselves safe, particularly as they role play a fire drill in the home. They also learn about road safety. Children make their own independent choices from a range of easily accessible good quality toys and equipment which meet safety standards. The childminder checks that the toys are appropriate for the age and stage of development of the children present.

p.3

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 The childminder has the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is promoted. For example she holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure knowledge of what to do if she suspects a child is being abused.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, confident, and settled. The children play well together and enjoy the activities that they have freely chosen. They feel at home and frequently ask for other toys, going with the childminder to find them. They experience a good range of activities including playdough, imaginative play, and puzzles. They enjoy being with the childminder and have warm, affectionate relationships with her. They enjoy cuddling up on her lap and looking at books together. The toddler joins in pointing to the pictures and making sounds of animals. Children's independence is growing as they invent games on their own but they also gain from good adult support when necessary. For example, the childminder helps them find the correct pieces for a puzzle. She encourages children to try things for themselves. Effective interaction from the childminder ensures children are challenged and stimulated. She extends their language skills as they chat together

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

about what they are doing. The children learn to recognise letters, shapes, and colours as they play. The childminder promotes their self esteem as she displays their pictures on the wall. Young children enjoy exploring using their senses. Children's creative skills develop as they explore painting and craft activities. They enjoy socialising with other children through regular visits to toddler groups. They benefit from exploring growing activities.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's awareness of the wider world is partly promoted by the use of a small range of story books and resources, some of which include images of disability. The childminder chats to the children about differences in a positive way but there are few activities where children extend their understanding of the ways other people live. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder works closely with parents to support children and meet their individual needs. There is a daily verbal exchange of information about the child's day. The written care diaries keep parents informed of activities the child enjoys each day. The childminder shares verbally about her overall childcare practices and procedures. There is some written information which gives new parents a basic outline of her childminding. The childminder has no experience of working with children with special needs but has a

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

satisfactory awareness of the importance of ensuring children receive appropriate care and support.

p.4

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 Children behave well together, learning to share and take turns. They benefit from the praise and encouragement given by the childminder. Children respond well to the clear and consistent guidelines set by the childminder. The children develop an understanding of appropriate behaviour as the childminder explains about right and wrong to them.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children benefit from a reasonably well organised environment and day. Children receive good adult support and attention which helps them feel at home and part of the family. The children are supervised appropriately to ensure they are protected from unvetted persons however not all adult household members have been checked. Generally the childminder has effective procedures in place to ensure that the welfare of the children is promoted and parents are kept informed. The majority of the relevant and required documentation is in place and well maintained. One form of written parental consent with regard to emergency medical treatment is lacking. The childminder tries to keep up to date with her practices by attending courses such as first aid. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection the childminder has improved her records relating to children's safety. She now ensures that parents countersign any records of accidents and of any medication given to children whilst they are in her care.

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 good. 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):

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 • obtain written parental consent for emergency medical treatment • ensure that all adult household members complete suitable clearances

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.6

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.6