St Martin's CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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140347 Unique Reference Number 06 February 2008 Inspection date Karen Pretty Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 outstanding. 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. She lives with her husband and two children aged 25 and 22 years old in the Turnpike Lane area of London, within walking distance of the tube station. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. She attends the local parent and toddler groups and takes children to the local park and library.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of a local childminder support group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health is excellently promoted through a wide range of comprehensive policies which are proactively shared with parents. An extremely informative and up-to-date exclusion policy

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 ensures that children are not at risk of cross-infection. Children's understanding of personal hygiene is promoted extremely well as informative posters, appealing toiletries and fresh paper hand towels encourage children to wash their hands. The childminder talks to children to help them develop an understanding of germs and the importance of hand washing. Exceptionally well thought-out procedures are in place to ensure children receive the best care should they become ill or have an accident. The childminder has an up-to-date first aid certificate and records any accidents for parents to sign; subsequently children's health is not compromised.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children can rest and sleep according to their needs, younger children can use a travel cot which is placed in a quiet well-ventilated room with clean comfortable bedding. Children enjoy the daily benefit of fresh air which is enthusiastically promoted by the active childminder. They walk to the local park and have regular access to the secure well kept garden. Children's understanding of the benefit of good fresh food is greatly increased through the provision of healthy and nutritious snacks and meals. The childminder actively encourages children to try new healthy foods. Children are involved in excellent first-hand experiences where they have opportunities to cook and grow their own food. Furthermore, posters are displayed around the eating area to reinforce healthy eating. Younger children are encouraged to enjoy meal times and gain independence as they hold cups and eat finger foods. Children have constant access

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Helping children to be healthy

to drinks to ensure they do not become dehydrated and younger children have their beakers replenished regularly by the childminder. Further drinks are encouraged during meal times and after exercise. Children's individual dietary requirements are very clearly recorded in written agreements and are sensitively catered for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are kept very safe in a cosy, spotlessly clean environment that is warm and welcoming. The ground floor areas are used for childminding, these areas are maintained to a very high standard and arranged to enable children to eat and play together extremely comfortably. Resources and toys are stored at child height; this enable children to self-select from the attractive boxes labelled with words and pictures. Children enjoy an excellent balance of resources that clearly meet their needs and are appropriate to their age. All toys and equipment are regularly cleaned and checked to ensure they remain high quality and of a good standard for use by children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is maintained extremely well through stringent and robust steps taken by the childminder to minimise all potential risks. Informal risk assessments are conducted and the environment is extremely secure. Preventative fire safety precautions are proactively taken such as a fire blanket and smoke alarms. The childminder has developed a successful evacuation procedure which is regularly practised with children, developing their understanding of what to do in an emergency. Children are taken on local outings with written permission from parents. Each child's developmental needs are considered and equipment is provided to ensure individual safety is fully promoted, for example, safety harnesses and pushchairs are used. The childminder exceeds all requirements to ensure that children's safety is paramount at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected from potential harm as the childminder has an excellent understanding of her role and responsibilities in safeguarding children. Recent training and a very detailed policy with relevant up to date information ensures the childminder is confident and competent in following correct procedures. Parents are fully informed of procedures prior to admission and an incident book is provided.

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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 outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy an excellent range of play opportunities provided through stimulating toys and activities. All resources are attractively arranged to enable children to self-select, creative labels and pictures help children to find resources of interest and assist them to confidently tidy away when finished. The childminder draws on her skills and knowledge to maintain and create resources that provide interest and challenge, for example, moving coloured magnetic balls around the maze. Children build confidence and self-esteem through the development of warm and close relationships with the childminder who is very intuitive of their needs. She is quick to notice their interests and provides resources and activities to support and develop them, for example a child who enjoys mixing is given a pan, wooden spoon and play food. The childminder constantly gets down to the children's level and joins in with their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

play, consolidating and extending their language and curiosity with open ended questions. They attend a number of children's social groups which enhances their social skills extremely well. Children interact and ask questions as they share play opportunities with the childminder. They are motivated to learn and interested in what they do because the childminder provides a fantastic range of planned activities starting with the children's interests. Children relish their time as they enjoy sharing stories, rhymes, small world play and a wide range of construction materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A dynamic and exciting range of planned and spontaneous activities enable children to develop excellent physical skills, for example, trips to the local park and playing in the childminder's garden. Equipment is replaced and rotated regularly to maintain interest and challenge. Children are very dextrous as they have many opportunities to draw and manoeuvre small world play equipment. Children are actively encouraged to tidy away activities before starting something new, this encourages children to take responsibility for their actions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children's needs are exceptionally well met by the warm and gentle childminder who plans exciting activities and reflects all aspects of the 'Birth to three matters' framework in her outstanding practice. Babies have access to natural resources which they can use to explore textures, thus developing their curiosity. The childminder encourages their communication skills by patiently listening and responding to their questions so they know their views are valued. She is very alert to their need for consistency and believes in offering plenty of one-to-one time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children and their families are very warmly welcomed and made to feel part of the childminder's home. Children's pictures and craft are displayed providing a child-friendly environment that has a personal meaning to each child. Children's achievements are shared with parents, consequently children feel extremely valued and have an excellent sense of belonging. Children have very good opportunities to care for each other and the wider community, they are able to make decisions about how to spend their time in an environment which reflects and celebrates diversity. The childminder strongly believes in providing a secure environment in which all children will flourish and that valuing each individual will make them feel good about themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a very good range of valuable experience regarding children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has considered how the environment and activities could be adapted to ensure inclusion. The childminder has an unmistakable understanding of the

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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 importance of working closely in partnership with parents to provide individual care required to promote children's welfare and development. She is confident to work with other agencies to further increase her knowledge and would undertake precision training to accommodate an individual child's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Effective, clear and simple house rules enable children to have an excellent understanding of behaviour. Sensitive and consistent boundaries are maintained in a gentle and firm manner. Children are included in decision making and setting boundaries giving them a genuine understanding of expected behaviours. Regular communication with parents enables any behavioural changes to be shared and ensures a consistent approach is maintained.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An excellent written agreement details all children's requirements and gives parents a comprehensive overview of the childminder's practice. Children are consistently looked after according to their parents wishes. A positive, friendly, yet professional, relationship is built with parents from the beginning, as children spend time settling in with their parents. Information is actively exchanged on a daily basis to ensure children's needs are met and to provide continuity of care. Each year parents and children, past and present, receive an invite to a party which provides an opportunity to share information and celebrate all achievements, as well as an overview of any forthcoming events and all the exciting future planned activities. The childminder has worked very hard to ensure relationships with parents flourish and this is supported by many letters from parents detailing different aspects of her outstanding practice

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and the 'high quality care she unconditionally gives'. She regularly asks for parents comments and feedback to enable her to reflect on and evaluate her practice to ensure she is fully meeting the needs of all concerned. The childminder makes parents aware how they can make a complaint and is aware of her duty to log complaints, should she ever receive any.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are cared for extremely well by a motivated and experienced childminder who organises her day superbly in order to provide a rich balance of activities both inside and outside. Children are very happy and secure as they receive outstanding care and levels of support from the dedicated and knowledgeable childminder. The childminder has attended a wide range of relevant training to support her registration and develop her practice further, her commitment was recently recognised by her local authority when she was nominated for carer of the year in 2007. Children thrive in this brilliantly organised child-friendly environment; they are secure and confident and clearly benefit from the individual care and attention given.

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Organisation

The childminder has an extremely good understanding of the National Standards and her responsibility to comply with these and the details of her registration. Extensive and honest self-evaluation allows the childminder to reflect upon her own practice. Accurate checks are in place to ensure children are cared for by a suitably vetted person and children are never left alone with any person not vetted.

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Organisation

Recent updates have been comprehensively understood with relevant information displayed and made available to parents. A register is maintained, accurately showing children's actual hours of attendance and all required documentation is available for inspection. All children's details are stored securely and confidentially and the childminder ensures children are cared for in accordance with their parents wishes.

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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 the last inspection, to improve the standards of care, the childminder was required to ensure that a daily record of attendance is kept, updated and departure times are recorded. The attendance record is now completed as soon as children arrive and depart and was fully complete at the time of this inspection. Children's safety and welfare is now fully promoted through the accurate documentation kept.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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