Shadwell First School

Inspection report for early years provision

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127847 Unique Reference Number 05 July 2007 Inspection date Paula Durrant 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 good. 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 registered in 1990. She lives with her husband and three children, two adults and a 13 year old in a quiet residential area on the outskirts of the town of Ware. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding purposes in addition to the upstairs bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for a total of six children and is currently minding four children, three under eight years and one over eight years. All of the children currently in attendance are part-time. The childminder attends various toddler groups and also makes full use of other community-based amenities in Ware. The family has a dog and two guinea pigs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from infection and are well taken care of if they have an accident as the childminder rigorously adheres to environmental health guidance. For example, the premises is maintained to a high level of cleanliness, food is stored appropriately and surfaces where

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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 food preparation takes place is cleansed with antibacterial solutions prior to use. Comprehensive written health and hygiene procedures support the childminder in her practice. For example, children who are unwell or display symptoms of communicable diseases are discouraged from attending in line with stipulated exclusion periods. Children wash hands in line with the daily routine. They understand the purpose of why they complete this task as discussions about bacteria and germs are frequently held. This means that the potential for cross-contamination is effectively minimised.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is flexible in the provision of meals, working in partnership with parents and carers. Current practice is that all parents provide a packed lunch which is stored by the childminder in her fridge until required. Children learn about healthy eating as the childminder encourages children to eat savoury food prior to sweet items. She talks to the children about the food they have and their likes and dislikes. Should a child not eat what has been provided then the childminder will supplement parent's provision. She has a clear understanding of individual dietary needs. Children receive regular drinks throughout the day. Water is preferential as the childminder is aware that it is a healthier option that does not damage their teeth or affect their diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in regular physical activity. They have access to a secure and safe garden area which is suitably equipped with a range of challenging resources. Children also participate in regular walks in and around the local community and access other amenities such as parks and activity centres frequently. This supports increased development of control and coordination of large muscle movements. Children rest and are active in accordance to their needs. Younger children sleep in line with home-care routines whilst older children sit quietly looking at books or watching child-centred television programmes to recuperate their energy levels.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe family home where all necessary safety precautions remain in place. The childminder is highly vigilant, undertaking daily checks of the home prior to children's attendance. Children remain in sight and hearing at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access a wide range of high quality resources maintained in good repair. The childminder abides to manufacturer's recommendations, providing age-appropriate equipment that holds a recognised safety kite mark. Good organisational forethought, such as the use of differing locations in the home when younger and older children are in attendance, means that all children access a range of stimulating equipment and activities they enjoy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children stay safe as the childminder is vigilant in her practice. She gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children’s safety outside the home. For example, children know to adhere to the 'house rules' such as not climbing on the furniture as they may fall and hurt themselves. They know to listen and obey the instructions of the childminder when out, such as keeping safety restraints fastened in the pushchair and holding hands when walking. Although children are aware of the fire evacuation procedure in compliance with the written policy, monitoring of the frequency of drills is not evident as there are currently no formal systems in place to document drills undertaken. This is a minor area for improvement.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is priority in this household. They are cared for by a suitable adult who has a clear understanding of child development. The childminder has completed vetting checks

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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 and demonstrates a strong knowledge of child protection. Although the childminder is aware of the lead agency to share her concerns with she does not currently have in place the revised procedures for the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are extremely content and happy in this setting due to the stimulating and enticing activities and the effective support provided by the childminder. For example, although younger children potentially flit from one activity to another in line with their age and stage of development, the childminder purposefully retains their interest and perseverance in a task as she effectively uses open ended questioning to guide and extend potential learning outcomes. For example, children make their own selection of a story book they wish to read. They then remain involved in the process as the childminder offers them the opportunity to turn the pages when prompted and to find the characters or objects from the pictorial illustrations. This provides plentiful opportunities to extend language for thinking skills and to challenge thought and understanding. Children quickly rise to the challenges set as they are keen to share their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

knowledge and to gain affirmation of their achievement knowing they will receive reward through praise of their contribution.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are highly confident in voicing their thoughts and opinions. Whilst younger children have limited vocabulary they are still able to make their wishes understood through verbal utterances and non verbal gestures. For example, children dictate when they have finished an activity as they stand up and move away. They know where equipment is stored and use their body language such as pointing their hands to gain further resources that they wish to play with. For example, a child relocated themselves to the hallway pointing at the shelves to ask for the building blocks. These were promptly gained by the childminder whilst the child quickly sat back on the floor in readiness to commence their play with the equipment, a favourite choice of toy to the child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is very skilled at taking her lead from the children and in implementing incidental learning. She has a sound knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and is beginning to use this to guide her practice with younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs take high priority in this home-from-home provision. A strong working partnership with parents supports the individual care needs and delivery of service. Mutual respect, love and understanding all play an integral part of the childminder's practice. Children are exceptionally polite, courteous and respectful of the childminder and her home. They know the house rules and use social graces such as please and thank you without prompt. Children with defined needs are warmly welcomed and supported within this nurturing environment. The childminder is extremely supportive of every child's individuality. For example, when discovering she was caring for a child with a language disorder she deepened her awareness of the condition through access to literature and websites so that she could provide appropriate care. She now knows to wait patiently and not to complete the sentence of the child who has

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Helping children make a positive contribution

a stammer, maintaining her interest in what they are trying to articulate without placing any pressure or time restriction for them to finish what they are saying.

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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 Children play an active part in their own learning. They make independent decisions in their play and the activities that they wish to participate in. They have positive levels of self-esteem and respect the opinions and actions of others because the childminder consistently praises their efforts and re-affirms their achievements, guiding their social and moral development. Children learn about the wider world as they access resources that reflect positive images, participate in cultural celebrations throughout the year and undertake activities related to diversity. For example, children make Chinese lanterns for Chinese New Year, paper mache eggs for Easter and learn about people being different from topics such as looking at the different jobs people do and different countries where people live.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder openly displays Ofsted's complaints poster and has devised and implemented a procedure for managing parental concerns in line with current legislative changes which has also been shared with parents. The complaints summary remains empty.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a conscientious practitioner who has a secure understanding of child development and the way that children learn through play. She makes full use of her life skills as a mother, short courses and childcare literature such as the 'Birth to Three Matters' framework, to implement practical age-appropriate activities that appeal and stimulate interest and a desire to learn. For example, she provides a balance of focused adult-led activities in addition to promoting free choice in order for children to reaffirm and practice their skills. Children very much feel part of an extended family and are comfortable in this well organised and inviting environment. They confidently make independent choices in their activities and extend their own play and learning in an imaginative way. The childminder effectively uses her written procedures and routines to promote the welfare, care and learning of all the children. Overall,

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Organisation

the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to ensure children's safety with regard to their accessibility to potential hazards. This referred to the work on the garden. Children's safety is maintained as the work has now been completed and the childminder supervises children at all times when outside. She was also required to increase knowledge of child protection issues and ensure awareness of procedures to be followed if abuse is suspected. This remains an ongoing area for development.

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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 good. 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that children's welfare is maintained, this refers to the undertaking of regular fire drills and a record of their frequency and updating of the current procedures for referring child protection concerns.

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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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