The Nelson Thomlinson School

Inspection report for early years provision

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112397 Unique Reference Number 14 June 2007 Inspection date Beth Kingsland 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 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 1989. She lives with her husband and one child aged fourteen in Blackwater, Camberley in Surrey. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside 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 there are currently three on a rota basis. The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local childminding group. The family has five cats, four rats, two rabbits and nine guinea pigs. The house is in walking distance of local shops, schools and parks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder implements highly effective health and hygiene procedures to prevent the spread of infection, for example when changing children’s nappies. They learn the importance of following good personal hygiene routines as they wash their

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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 hands before meals and snacks and understand why this is important. Children’s health is well maintained because the childminder knows how to deal with accidents appropriately and implements effective procedures to ensure information is recorded and shared with parents. Their health is assured in an emergency situation as written details are obtained from parents relating to their medical history and parental consent is obtained to seek emergency medical treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their understanding of healthy eating as they are introduced to a range of fruits at snack time. Flexible arrangements are in place to meet parental wishes with regards to meal times and individual dietary requirements and preferences are fully met. They eat a range of healthy food, including fresh vegetables and fruit ensuring they receive a healthy balanced diet. Regular access to drinks ensures they remain healthy throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Discussions around healthy eating help children to fully recognise the importance of taking care of their bodies. Children benefit from regular physical activities helping to increase their awareness of the importance of exercise as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Babies develop their physical skills using a range of equipment to help them learn to crawl, balance and walk unaided. Older children have access to an enclosed garden and visit local parks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children’s safety is ensured because the childminder is vigilant and places high importance on ensuring informal and formal risk assessments are implemented daily on all areas used by children. Consequently, children benefit from being able to wander freely and safely around the childminder’s home. They learn how to keep themselves safe in an emergency situation because the childminder has developed written evacuation procedures and shares these effectively with parents and children. They talk about safety when crossing roads and when on outings helping to increase their understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Written procedures outline how children’s safety is ensured in the home and on outings and written consent has been obtained from parents for children to be transported in the childminder’s car. This contributes to ensuring children’s safety at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from the warm and homely environment and are extremely comfortable in their surroundings. They have independent access to a very good range of equipment and play provision suitable and safe for their ages and stages of development. Children’s safety is ensured because the childminder makes regular checks on all furniture, equipment and play resources, which is included as part of the daily and ongoing risk assessment. Children are well protected and safeguarded from harm because the childminder has a good understanding of her role with regards to protecting children in her care. She knows how to implement local child protection procedures should concerns be raised and has a good understanding of the records to be kept. Appropriate systems are in place to record times of children’s attendance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are extremely confident and happy and thrive in the childminder’s care. Babies pull themselves up and reach out their arms for a cuddle displaying a strong sense of self assurance. They become extremely skilful communicators bouncing up and down joining in with songs and pointing to pictures in the book as they share stories whilst having a cuddle. They benefit because the childminder sits on the floor and plays with them. Children develop exceptionally

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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 high levels of independence and curiosity as they freely select toys from the vast array of resources.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children flourish in the vibrant and stimulating learning environment and benefit enormously because the childminder has an excellent knowledge of child development and recognises how young children learn most effectively. She recognises the importance of play in a child’s development and provides an exciting and stimulating rich range of activities and experiences suitably matched to children’s individual needs and abilities. However, the childminder has not obtained the Birth to three matters framework. As a result, she is unable to put the framework into practice. The childminder is very eager to learn and will adapt her practice to fully incorporate the framework. The childminder allows children to learn for themselves and achieve their individual potential during the time they spend with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very much valued as individuals and consequently develop high levels of self assurance and belonging. Young babies cuddle in to the childminder showing a strong bond and sense of trust. Children learn to value themselves and their peers, sharing and co-operating with one another and this is very much promoted by the childminder. They are extremely well behaved and have an excellent understanding of what is expected of them. This is enhanced because the childminder encourages children to develop house rules, which are discussed and displayed in pictorial and written form illustrated by the children themselves. The childminder talks to children about why it is important to take turns and introduces these concepts to babies and young children from an early age.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s understanding of diversity is exceptionally well promoted through the positive images displayed around the physical environment and the range of resources used within the setting. Children become very aware of the differences and similarities between themselves and others as they talk to the childminder about their individual family circumstances, share stories and involve themselves in a range of planned activities and experiences. For example, the childminder uses symbols and photographs and plans activities around special events and cultural festivals increasing children’s understanding of a range of different religions, including Buddhism, Judaism and Islam. Written procedures and explanations as to how multicultural play is valued and equal opportunities promoted helps parents to fully understand how this is introduced within the setting. The childminder has an excellent attitude towards caring for children with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

specific requirements and learning difficulties as well as those with English as an additional language, and has much experience in this area. Effective systems to obtain familiar words used by children and the implementation of visual aids help ensure children are able to communicate effectively with the childminder and their peers. This helps foster secure positive relationships between children and their peers, celebrate and value their home language and raise children’s awareness of diversity between themselves and others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit enormously from excellent working relationships between the childminder and their parents. Exceptionally strong links are in place between home and the setting, which ensures highly effective communication takes place on a daily and ongoing basis. Informal daily discussion and the use of daily record sheets ensure parents are fully informed about their child’s day, including information about feeds, sleeps, changes and the experiences they have been involved in. Wonderful systems are in place to ensure children settle and parents are happy and reassured to leave their child in the childminder’s care. Registration and induction procedures are flexible and the childminder encourages a number of visits enabling her to really

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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 begin to build good solid foundations with both the parent and child. Detailed information, both informal and formal is obtained from the parent, for example around children’s routines and home and family life, which ensures the childminder is fully able to meet their individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are provided with a prospectus, receive regular letters and benefit from detailed information displayed on a parent notice board. This helps them fully understand how successful outcomes are promoted across the setting. Children’s early development is significantly enhanced because the childminder uses discussion, shares children’s developmental records and includes written information presented in a detailed portfolio helping parents to recognise how their child learns through play. This very much enables parents to play a full and active role in their child’s early learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is able to show that all adults living at the setting have undergone checks to establish their suitability. The registration certificate is displayed and the attendance register confirms that the childminder complies with the conditions of her registration.

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Organisation

All the required documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the setting and for the welfare and care of children is maintained. The daily routine is balanced to include, quiet times, active times, rest, meals and outings. As a result, the children are secure and settled in the care of the childminder. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint and obtain written permission from all parents for transporting children in a vehicle and for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. All this documentation has now been obtained to ensure that parents are well informed and children remain safe.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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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Complaints 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

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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): • further develop knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework.

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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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