Wynstream Primary School Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 149629 Inspection date 04 July 2005 Inspector Diane Mary O'Neill

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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 2000.The childminder lives with her husband and two children aged four and eight in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. All areas of the house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a cat.

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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 a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and well maintained home. Their health is well promoted due to the childminder’s effective knowledge and understanding of good hygiene practices and procedures, such as encouraging regular hand washing and cleaning of toys to prevent the spread of infection. Children's dietary and health needs are effectively met as the childminder discusses individual requirements with parents and keeps records of these. All required documentation and policies in relation to children's care are available to the parents. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of a healthy diet and meals times are a happy social occasion. Children eat well together and are learning about new tastes with a good choice of healthy fruit. The childminder takes account of parents’ wishes and provides meals and snacks that are nutritious and appealing to children, taking account of preferences and dietary requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to participate in a range of physical activities, contributing to the promotion of their good health. Children are provided with daily opportunities for outdoor activities, such as playing in the garden, walks to the local park and trips to the farm. This encourages them to develop and explore their physical skills and gain control of their bodies. Younger children are able to participate in age appropriate activities because the childminder has very clear knowledge and understanding of child development. She provides good play opportunities that support children well so they gain the confidence to try new experiences.

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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 and safe environment as the childminder is aware of risks and has taken positive steps to minimise these. She carries out informal risk assessments daily and regularly checks the equipment to ensure children's safety. Although written fire evacuation procedures are in place, this is something to be practised with the children, to develop part of their learning process. Trips to the local fire station also help with this area of their learning. Children have good opportunities to access suitable play space both inside and outside. This contributes to developing their independence skills through the choice of activities and play materials that the childminder has available to them. The childminder supervises all activities to ensure they are safe and appropriate for the age of the children. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection and has all the relevant

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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 procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safe-guarded. She has gained this knowledge by doing basic and advanced training and uses her college notes and other documents for guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very well settled and happy in the childminder’s home. They confidently choose activities and move freely inside and outside to play their games, developing their independent skills. Children are absorbed in their own games such as dancing and singing to the music on the radio, dressing and putting a nappy on a baby doll. Equally they clearly enjoy having adult support with activities such as helping to put on dressing up clothes and playing with tactile type toys together. Children have a good range of stimulating and challenging experiences, such as trips to the local park and farm and travelling by train or bus, so children beginning to learn about their community and the world around them. The activities are varied and appropriate, supporting children's development. This enables them to make progress in all areas of their learning. Children have excellent opportunities to develop their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

communication skills as the childminder converses with them all the time, helping to expand and extend their vocabulary and she uses books and pictures as another way to help their learning potential. The childminder uses Birth to Three Matters as well as the Curriculum Guidance to gather ideas for planning activities and projects she will do with the children. This ensures she is meeting and expanding the children's overall developmental needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are beginning to learn about their community and the diversity of the world around them, through the childminder's positive attitude and variety of resources she uses to help them learn. Children have access to books, trips out to the farm, going on a train, to the library and toy library, as well as mixing with other children at the toddler group. Children are accepted and valued as individuals and activities and resources are adapted to meet their needs. Children have a good relationship with the childminder and clearly enjoy cuddles and looking at books with her. She is able to value, respect and motivate the children, increasing their development of their own personal abilities and skills. The children are beginning to build good relationships with one another, they learn to share and take turns with the childminder explaining rules and boundaries in a quiet and calm

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Helping children make a positive contribution

manner. The childminder has developed secure relationships with parents which impacts again on the confidence and security of each child. She has time for each parent to discuss their child's day and involving them in their child's care. Parents are provided

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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 with ample information through her policies, procedures and practices both verbal and written.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises all aspects of her work efficiently, this contributes positively in helping children to feel comfortable and relaxed in her home. Children's welfare is safeguarded and their independence and confidence is well promoted enabling them to develop in all areas of their learning. Through very organised documented procedures, policies and general information that is openly shared with parents, which fully informs them about the care of their children. Through on going training such as first aid, child protection and completing the Hertfordshire Quality Standard Assessment, the childminder has further developed her knowledge in child care practices which enables her to successfully meet the emotional and developmental needs of children in her care. Overall, the needs of all the children who attend are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were made to ensure the childminder provided business insurance for the use of the car. The child minder has made suitable improvement to the raised recommendation, that ensure she promotes children's health, safety and welfare by having appropriate business insurance in place to enable her to transport minded children in her car.

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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 an emergency escape plan is practiced with the children.

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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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