Low Road First School

Inspection report for early years provision

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127837 Unique Reference Number 09 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 October 1981. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a house in Ware, close to local schools, parks and the town centre. The whole of the downstairs of the property and the main bedroom is used for childminding purposes. There is also a secure enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to provide care for a total of six children under the age of eight years and is currently minding a total of five children, three under eight years and two over the age of eight years. All of the children in attendance are part-time. The family has a dog, two cats, and a bird aviary at the bottom of the garden. The childminder drops off and collects children from local schools. She makes full use of community based amenities.

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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 suitable standard of cleanliness, food is stored appropriately and surfaces

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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 where 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

Children receive a varied, balanced and nutritious diet. The childminder is flexible in the provision of food working in partnership with parents. All meals are home cooked from fresh ingredients and consideration is given to children's preferences when planning menus. Individual dietary needs are known and complied with. Children remain well hydrated as drinks are offered frequently throughout the day.

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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 good quality resources maintained in suitable 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 of 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 high 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 and demonstrates a strong knowledge of child protection. She knows where and how to record and report concerns in line with the local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive in this stimulating and nurturing environment where the childminder completely dedicates her time, enthusiasm and enjoyment to supporting children in their learning. For example, she remains available to offer assistance and guidance and to extend language for thinking skills through the use of open ended questions such as when making snails from the play dough. A lovely extension of talking about where snails live, what they look like and how they move gave the child an opportunity to share their knowledge and to build on what they know as they learnt about the habitat of the creature and it's food source, eating the green leaves of the childminder's plants. This was further extended to talk about other living beings as the childminder asked the child about their own pet hamster, giving connection to caring and showing sensitivity and appreciation for things that live and breathe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children remain intent and highly focused on their tasks due to the positive involvement of the childminder. They are confident in voicing their thoughts and ideas such as when a child requested to change the direction of their play introducing moulds in which to make three dimensional teddy bears and to create hedgehogs with spikes. Consistent interest by the childminder allowed opportunities for incidental mathematics as the child counted the number of bears made knowing that one and another one added is two and for using tools such as scissors to give the hedgehog a haircut.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is highly intuitive to the children in her care. She knows their likes and dislikes and preferences of resources. She promotes a varied balance of practical play opportunities both within and outside of the family home. She has a sound awareness of the 'Birth To Three Matters' framework and of the pending Early Years Foundation Stage. This supports her in her delivery of a varied and balanced curriculum where significant emphasis is given to teaching through play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. 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 in 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, the childminder learnt basic sign language in order to support a child with no verbal communication skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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 lanterns and dragon pictures for Chinese New Year, sand prints for Divali and learn about people being different from topics such as looking at the different countries where people live.

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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 The childminder openly displays Ofsted's complaints poster and has devised and implemented a procedure for managing parental concerns which she has shared with parents. The complaints summary remains empty. Whilst the childminder has a system in place she has not used the annex within the addendum to summarise the content of potential complaints. This is essential in ensuring confidentiality is maintained.

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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 practise 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. Whilst a

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Organisation

vast majority of documentation is compliant with National Standards requirements some minor amendments would enhance current practice. For example, the childminder is yet to record the frequency of fire drills undertaken or develop a summary annex for managing parental complaints so that confidentiality is upheld. Overall, 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 keep a sufficiently detailed record of significant incidents and share this with parents. Children's welfare is promoted as the childminder has revised her documentation to include a record for significant injuries or concerns which where appropriate she will share with parents. She was also required to obtain information regarding child protection issues and to update her knowledge and understanding. Children are safeguarded as the childminder has gained current literature for the reporting of child protection concerns and has also instigated training in this area of her practice.

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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 cohesion of current records this refers to maintaining a log of fire drills undertaken and a summary sheet to retain confidentiality in complaints.

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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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