Aspen House School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 100655 Inspection date 20 September 2005 Inspector Glenda Sinclair

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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 first registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and 2 children, aged 19 and 15 years, in a 3-bedroom semi-detached house in the residential area of Longlevens, close to shops and other local amenities. She uses her lounge, dining room, kitchen, conservatory, bathroom and enclosed rear garden to care for up to 5 children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROVISION

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 to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from a great deal of physical exercise and fresh air as they play outside. They have the opportunity to bounce, swing, climb, pedal and kick and throw balls in the childminder's garden. She uses a gazebo through the hottest weather to protect children from the sun. They visit parks and other childminder's gardens where they have access to sand pits and bouncy castles. The childminder takes them swimming every week. The concentration on physical activity is promoting the children's health and fitness. They learn about personal hygiene as they are encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. The childminder provides each child with his or her own flannel and towel to prevent the risk of cross infection. She provides a good role model and uses gloves to change nappies. Parents provide lunch boxes and the children eat healthy, nutritious snacks such as fruit, bread sticks or toast provided by

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Helping children to be healthy

the childminder. Children occasionally have a biscuit if they accompany the childminder to a coffee morning. Drinks are always available to prevent children from becoming dehydrated. The childminder takes drinks with her when she takes the children out.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and secure with the childminder. She has carefully thought about her evacuation procedure in order to remove children swiftly and safely from a source of danger. Children use her kitchen for play but all dangerous substances are kept behind locked doors to protect them from harm. The garden is enclosed, play equipment is firmly pegged down and the sandpit is kept covered, when not in use, to allow children to play safely. Children are learning about road safety and a three-year-old knew about the 'Green Cross Code'. All toys and equipment are clean and in a good state of repair so that children can play with little risk. Children go swimming regularly. They wear their own arm bands and the childminder supervises them closely in conjunction with the pool lifeguard. The childminder has up-to-date child protection training. She is aware of the signs and indicators of abuse and aware of the procedure to follow if she has concerns

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have access to a wide variety of activities throughout the week. Young children are learning how to socialize with others. They make regular trips to playgroup. They are able to play happily together on a chosen activity for a lengthy period of time without adult intervention. Older children relate well to younger ones. A three-year-old child encouraged a younger one to do a puzzle. They are confident

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 about talking with visiting adults as they are used to going to visit other childminders and their minded children. They are also members of the local library. They walk there regularly with the childminder who is encouraging both physical exercise and a love of books and reading. Children chat happily to the childminder who asks appropriate questions to consolidate and extend their knowledge. They enjoy listening to taped music, singing and playing instruments to accompany themselves. They also have occasional opportunities to listen to another childminder playing the piano.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has many resources that encourage children to regard differences in people, religions and cultures in a positive way. The childminder knows the children in her care well and responds to each child as an individual. She has experience of working with children with special needs. Children behave well. They learn about boundaries through the use of some simple house rules. The childminder uses praise and encouragement instinctively to reward good behaviour and uses distraction and simple explanations to discourage unacceptable behaviour. There is a good partnership between parents and the childminder. She keeps parents well informed and talks with them informally on a daily basis about their child's progress. She has preparatory meetings with parents to go through contracts, food requirements and behaviour management. She is prepared to do a daily diary for parents if they wish.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to ongoing training. She is currently completing a simple 'signing' course to enable her to communicate with children who find communication difficult. She is also treasurer of the local childminder's group and the children in her care have many opportunities for wider social contact because of this. She organises her home and garden so that children have the space and resources for a wide variety of play activities. All of the childminder's documentation is up-to-date and reviewed on a regular basis. She has all the necessary parental permissions and her register shows the actual dates and times of children's attendance so that children's safety is suitably safeguarded. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection, the childminder was asked to develop knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities issues. She has done this well by providing suitable books and toys and by being prepared to answer questions honestly as they arise.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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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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): • continue to develop more advanced methods of communication with children.

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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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