Stockley Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 134797 Inspection date 13 September 2005 Inspector Sandra Laura Bates

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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 originally registered in 1989 with her local authority. The registration subsequently transferred to Ofsted. She is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding five children, three of whom attend on a full time basis and two part time after school. The childminder lives with her husband and adult son in a detached bungalow situated in a quiet residential cul-de-sac which is part of the Goldsworth Park estate near Woking. There are local amenities, schools and pre-schools nearby and Woking town centre is a short drive away. Most of the rooms in the house are accessible to

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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 minded children and there is a securely enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder also makes regular use of local play venues and groups. The childminder is a member of the National Child Minding Association. The family have a pet dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder maintains her home and equipment in an extremely clean and hygienic manner. She manages children's personal hygiene needs very well ensuring that they enjoy privacy and use appropriate equipment that helps them to learn independence. Children are protected from infections through the childminder's sound understanding of the need to exclude sick children. Children move freely around the play areas and use the resources and equipment in an active manner that promotes their physical wellbeing. They stand up using strategically placed furniture for support and show great satisfaction with their achievements. Children enthusiastically eat a range of healthy meals and snacks provided by the childminder. They sit in comfort in age appropriate high chairs and enjoy helping themselves to fresh fruit and bread sticks for instance. Children enjoy the social aspect of the mealtime routines in which the childminder participates by talking with

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Helping children to be healthy

them in an encouraging way. Mealtimes are a fun experience. The childminder records what children eat to ensure that parents are well informed. She caters with care and understanding for special diets.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a warm, welcoming and child orientated home where children feel safe and secure. A risk assessment of indoor and outdoor areas means that children play, learn and explore in safety. The childminder identifies all potential hazards and minimises risks to children by ensuring that age relevant safety features are in place. Fire safety precautions promote children's welfare although not all of these are fitted in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. Children use a range of scrupulously clean and well maintained play materials and nursery equipment which are attractively arranged to allow children to access them easily. They move safely between play areas, sleeping and toilet facilities that are all provided on one level. Children benefit from the childminder's thorough understanding of child protection issues and current referral procedures. She is confident in her ability to recognise any

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

signs or symptoms of abuse or neglect. She ensures that parents are made aware of

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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 her role and responsibility in respect of their children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle very well and are happy in the childminder's care. They inter-act with one another in a positive way showing care and respect for each other. Children confidently move around the home selecting play materials and exploring various ways of using them. The childminder facilitates the children's personal preferences in the choice of resources. For instance some children hugely enjoy making music with drums and rattles and dance to favourite nursery tunes. Children gain confidence as the childminder shows delighted appreciation for their achievements. Children of all ages enjoy activities that help them to learn and develop new skills. The childminder offers gentle encouragement to extend children's thinking as they play. She gives direction only where necessary, allowing children to achieve their aims in their own way.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident and sociable individuals. The childminder treats the children with affection and close attention helping them to feel secure and cared for. Children respond with smiles and positive body language to her support and gentle encouragement. Parents value the service provided and give very positive feed back. They contribute relevant information about their children, that is carefully recorded, which enables the childminder to ensure that all their children's individual needs are recognised and provided for. Parents receive written and verbal information about how their children have spent their day which recognises the partnership between parents and the childminder. The childminder has a comprehensive understanding of equal opportunity issues and a positive personal attitude to social diversity. She ensures that children are presented with a variety resources that reflect all aspects of diversity. This helps

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children develop an awareness of their own, and other, cultures and life styles. Children with special needs are well supported due to the childminder's experience and accommodating attitude towards this area of care. Children behave very well. The childminder encourages them to show respect and care for one another, and is an excellent role model. She manages their behaviour in a gentle, unobtrusive manner to which the children respond positively. The childminder sets out sensible, achievable house rules which are discussed with older children and shared with parents.

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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 The organisation is good. The childminder organises the space and resources well to ensure that children play and rest in comfort and safety. Children have established routines for meals and snacks as well as outings to local play venues. The childminder's commitment to on-going training ensures that her practice is up to date and relevant. The childminder protects the children from harm by ensuring that all persons who may come into contact with the minded children are suitable to do so. The childminder has a business-like approach to her childminding and maintains her records very well. She implements a full range of written personal policy statements relating to the National Standards, to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. Children benefit from the continuity of care achieved through close liaison

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Organisation

with parents. The childminder fully understands her role and responsibility towards the children, their parents and the regulating authority. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Although the last inspection was conducted at the childminder's previous address, the recommendations agreed at that time related to practice and not to premises. These were: to develop the range of resources to reflect positive images of disability; and to obtain written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. Both of these recommendations have now been addressed in an entirely satisfactory manner as evidenced at this 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 that the fire blanket is sited in the kitchen and fixed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

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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 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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