Milford Infants' School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 123724 Inspection date 18 May 2005 Inspector Alison Reeves

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 was registered in 1997. She lives with her two children aged six and four in Bishops Stortford. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks or travels by car to local schools to take and collect the children. She attends a local toddler group, takes the children to the library and the park.

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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 three children at any one time and is currently minding three children who attend on a part time basis. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contribute to their good health. Each day there are outdoor activities to help them develop control of their bodies, for example, as they run about in the garden and climb up the climbing frame. Garden games and regular visits to local parks and playgrounds improve children’s physical skills. They become increasingly aware of the way activity affects their bodies and know when they need a drink or a rest. The younger children join in the activities enthusiastically because the childminder supports their participation helping younger and older children to play together. Her good understanding about appropriate types of activities and levels of support gives them confidence to try out new skills, set their own limits and know when to ask for help. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Their clear understanding of why they must wash

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Helping children to be healthy

their hands after using the toilet and before eating reduces the risk of cross contamination. Children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They help themselves to drinks throughout the day. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and the children’s choices to provide nutritious meals and snacks that appeal to the children and meet their dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder identifies and minimises risks for children in her well organised home. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children’s safety outside the home. Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards and reflect diversity. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children’s choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder safeguards and promotes children’s welfare and has all the required procedures and documents in place. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee 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 good. Children settle well at the childminder's house. They enter confidently and make themselves at home on return from nursery. They relate well to each other and have developed close, supportive relationships with one another and their childminder. Children become independent as they choose between a variety of toys and activities, which appeal to all. These activities promote children's learning and encourage creative expression. The childminder uses the children's school experiences and builds on them to help the children develop their understanding of the world. Children spend their time purposefully. They enjoy exploring a wide range of activities, which contribute to their creativity, such as dancing, drawing, dressing up and acting out scenes and using the small world figures. Children's opportunities for learning are maximized in most areas as the childminder has a sound understanding

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of early years practice and how to extend children's play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a meaningful range of resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children’s awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, including play figures which promote discussion about disability and ethnicity. Children learn about their local community through activities in school. This is followed up by the childminder so children are able to develop their understanding and reinforce their learning. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder meets the children’s needs well; they follow their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents. Children show care and concern for each other, and play together harmoniously. They behave very well. Children make themselves at home, confidently deciding what to do, helping themselves to drinks and independently visiting the toilet. They have time to relax as well as be active. Children respond well

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Helping children make a positive contribution

in pictures and spoken words to what they see, hear, taste and feel. The provision promotes children's understanding of right and wrong. Children benefit from the effective parent partnership that has been established. Regular communication and flexibility of arrangements support children's changing care needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children are settled and relaxed in the well-organised environment. They are therefore comfortable and confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder has all the required paperwork, however some aspects lack

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 detail. She effectively uses the policies and procedures to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. She shares them regularly with parents to ensure they know about the service provided and what their children are doing. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care. Children make good progress because of the childminder's sound knowledge of early years practice and the National Standards. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to attend training to update her knowledge of first aid techniques. She attended a course and holds a current certificate. This up to date knowledge ensures children are given the correct treatment and that the childminder will take the appropriate course of action in the event of an accident.

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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 accident and medication records contain sufficient detail • enhance activities for the under 3's. For example, taking account of the birth to 3's framework

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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

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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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