Sackville School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 119007 Inspection date 20 June 2005 Inspector Hazel Farrant

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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 has been registered since 1989. She lives with her husband and three grown-up children in Sandhurst, Berkshire within walking distance of local schools, shops and amenities. The whole of the house is used for childminding. Toilet facilities are provided on the ground and first floor with sleeping facilities in a downstairs playroom or in a first floor bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time

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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 and is currently caring for eight children who all attend on a part time basis. The childminder drives or walks to local schools and nurseries to take and collect children. The childminder takes children to the library, carer and toddler group and local parks. The family have several pets, including two dogs, guinea pigs, and a rat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s health is promoted as the childminder has a good standard of hygiene throughout most of her home. Children show a good awareness of self-care skills, as they are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. Good policies and procedures are in place for first aid, accidents and medication, which ensures children, are well cared for. Children are protected from unnecessary illness, as they do not attend if they are contagious. They have opportunities for playing safely out in the garden on a sunny day. For example, children wear hats, have sun protection applied and are able to play in the shady areas of the garden. Meal and snack times are sociable; children sit at the table with the childminder. Children are provided with a range of healthy snacks, which includes fruit, this encourages them to develop healthy eating practices. While parents currently provide

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Helping children to be healthy

meals for the children, the childminder demonstrates a good awareness of healthy eating practices. She encourages parents to provide healthy options so that children's health is promoted. Children are motivated and interested in a broad range of purposeful and developmentally appropriate indoor and outdoor activities which provide good levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development. For example they have daily opportunities to climb, balance and slide on outdoor play equipment. They also enjoy regular outings to the park and local toddler groups where a wider range of physical activities are available.

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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 home where risks are identified and minimised, 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. For example, children discuss road safety with the childminder. Children show a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe and healthy and how to behave, they are aware of dangers outside the home.

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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 Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards and are age appropriate. The childminder has all required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of child protection in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. Children are protected from possible abuse or neglect, the childminder has attended recent training and shows a good understanding of the procedures to follow with any concerns. She is fully aware of the types of abuse, signs to look for and has a copy of 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused'. Children are protected from unvetted persons as the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder supervises the children when they are playing giving a high standard of supervision at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well settled and very at home in the childminder's house. They enjoy a good variety of activities that are appropriate to their age and stage of development. They are happy and confidently choose toys and resources for themselves. The interesting and worthwhile range of activities and outings provided help children learn a great deal about the world in which they live in. Children learn about nature on their regular trips to the park and develop an awareness of looking after small animals as they help to care for the guinea pigs that the childminder has in an enclosure in the garden. The children enjoy playing with large foam jigsaw puzzles in the garden; the childminder asks questions about colour to develop their language skills. Children's creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as art and craft, painting, music and pretend play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is extremely warm and affectionate making children feel comfortable and valued. Children form good relationships with the childminder and enjoy her company. The childminder spends a lot of time talking and playing with them; consequently, children are well supported in their play and are making good progress in their development. Children have good opportunities to socialise with a wider group of children, they regularly go on outings. Children respond with enthusiasm to new challenges, for example using the garden slide for the first time. The childminder gives very good support to them in their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are highly valued as individuals. They develop a positive attitude to others and gain a good understanding of the wider world we live in through planned activities celebrating other festivals. Children have access to a good range of play resources which show positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. They learn about their local community by visiting parks and woodland walks.

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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 share resources; the childminder ensures that popular toys are used fairly and whenever possible providing more than one so that children play co-operatively. Children benefit from a good partnership between parent and childminder, continuity of care is maintained. Children's activities are flexible to accommodate children's individual needs. Children's activities and achievements are shared daily with parents through verbal exchange and a daily diary for young babies; it includes information about diet and nappy changes. Children's individual needs are met very well; they follow their normal daily routine as discussed with their parent. Relationships are being forged and social skills developed with support from the childminder, children are becoming aware of the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

needs of others. Children behave well, they begin to understand right from wrong through consistent boundaries, praise and age appropriate methods used by the childminder. They are polite and use 'please' and 'thank you' appropriately. They have time to relax as well as being active. The childminder forms good relationships with the children and values their contributions as a result children are developing their own personal independence well.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home in the well-organised environment. The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of caring for young children, which means their welfare, care and development needs are met very effectively. She is warm and affectionate towards the children who are relaxed and happy in her care. The childminder is very organised and the children benefit from a variety of outings to the park and pre-school groups where they are able to socialise with other children and widen their play experiences. The childminder is keen to develop her knowledge and skills to benefit the children, for example, by using the Birth to Three Matters framework and maintaining her first aid training. Children’s overall care, learning and welfare are enhanced by the information shared between parents and the childminder. Written policies and procedures are put in to practice to ensure children are well cared for. This also supports good working

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Organisation

relationships with parents. Most parental consents are in place; however, outings permission is not consistent for all the children currently being cared for. The childminder places a strong emphasis on building good relationships with parents so that she carries out their wishes when providing good care of their children. Overall, the needs of the children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last Children Act inspection, the childminder was required to provide more resources to provide positive images of the wider world we live in. Children now benefit from a selection of toys and resources and have opportunities to develop their knowledge through planned activities.

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Improvements 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 The childminder was also required to practise her evacuation procedure with the children; this is now done on a regular basis.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints since the last inspection.

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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 good hygiene procedures are consistently in place to prevent children from cross infection • ensure parental consents are consistent.

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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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