Sacriston Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 144953 Inspection date 12 July 2005 Inspector Catherine, Louise Sample

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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 has been registered since 1993. She lives with her husband and two teenage sons. They live in a terraced house in the Harnham area of Salisbury, within walking distance of local schools, parks and shops. All of the property is available for childminding, and there is an enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a total of six children at any one time. There are currently six children on roll. The childminder attends local toddler groups and meets up with other childminders

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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 from the local area. She also takes children on a variety of outings.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning about the importance of being healthy. For example, they talk about the need to wear sun cream to stop burning in the sun and are aware of when they need to sit in the shade. They are learning about why they need to wash their hands and follow thorough hand-washing procedures. Babies and younger children have their hygiene needs met well through hygienic nappy changing procedures. For example, the childminder wears disposable gloves and uses a clean nappy changing mat. Children are kept healthy through positive measures to prevent cross-infection. For example, children use colour coded hand towels and the childminder has a 24 hour exclusion period for children that have had sickness or diarrhoea. Children's first aid needs are met through the childminder's knowledge of first aid treatment and a well-stocked first aid box. Children have easy access to healthy drinks. Cups of water are kept out so that

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Helping children to be healthy

children can help themselves at any time and babies are offered frequent drinks. This ensures that they do not become thirsty. Children can choose from healthy foods such as fruit and fromage frais. The childminder discusses healthy lunchbox options with parents. This ensures that children have healthy meals. Children get plenty of exercise which helps them to stay fit. They are encouraged to walk to and from school and into the city centre from a young age. They also visit a soft play facility for physical play in the winter.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning how to stay safe. For example, the childminder frequently reminds them not to climb on the wall in case they fall off. Their safety in the home is promoted through a range of suitable measures including the use of stair gates to deny access to the stairs and kitchen. However, children's safety is compromised by the plastic bags used to store toys inside one of the toy boxes. Children are suitably protected from fire through appropriate steps that include a fire evacuation procedure and occasional fire drills. Children' s safety outdoors is promoted well. The garden is fully enclosed, the gate bolted and the shed locked. These measures ensure that there are no risks to the children. Children's safety is also effectively promoted on outings. For example, the childminder uses appropriate restraints to keep younger children safe. Children are learning about road safety and why it is important to sit in car seats.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted through the childminder's thorough understanding of child protection issues. This ensures that the childminder is able to recognise

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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 possible signs of abuse and knows what procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are learning through a wide variety of stimulating activities. These include music and singing, cooking, water play, role play, drawing, reading and social events such as trips to the toddler group. They also enjoy frequent outings to places such as the beach and farm park. They show a lively interest in the activities offered. For example, they enjoy exploring the new tent which is shaped like a ladybird. Children are learning through discussion and questioning by the childminder. For example, the childminder asks if they can identify particular colours of bricks. Children have some opportunities to explore creative materials. For example, they draw in wipe-off books and do craft activities at the toddler group. This is an area which the childminder has identified for further development. Children have easy access to a wide range of resources. For example, toys are stored in large toy boxes and books are kept on low

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

shelves. This enables children to make choices about what they want to do and to help themselves to resources. Children are confident. For example, a child asks the inspector to watch what she can do. Children are praised for their achievements which helps to build their confidence and self-esteem. For example, the childminder praises the baby for shuffling to the water play by herself. Children play an active role in the provision. For example, a child tells the childminder that she will help her to set up the water play. They benefit from a warm relationship with the childminder who chats to them and supports their play. For example, she talks to them about when they went strawberry picking. Children's differing needs are recognised and met. For example, the childminder explains to the children that the baby is scribbling because she is still learning. Babies are cared for effectively using the Birth To Three Matters framework.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

For example, the childminder has started providing babies with resources such as wooden spoons and fir cones to allow them to explore different textures and materials. Babies are encouraged to develop new skills such as clapping and waving through encouragement from the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well-behaved. For example, they remember to say please and thank you and are learning to share. Good behaviour is acknowledged and praised. For example, children receive reward stickers. Children's behaviour is managed well through a variety of effective methods including discussion and time out. Children are aware of the house rules through regular discussion and reinforcement. They play well with one another. For example, two children enjoy playing in the water and singing together. Children's self-esteem is fostered by the childminder offering frequent praise. For example, she tells a child he is clever for finding the right coloured brick. Children benefit from good adult support. For example, 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 childminder fetches the dolls for them when they want to play with them in the garden and has regular cuddles with the baby. As a result children are content and settled in her care. Children have good opportunities to learn about wider society. They regularly use multi-cultural toys and resources such as books and dolls and discuss different skin colours and faiths. Children are all treated as individuals and their different needs recognised and met effectively. For example, the childminder arranges a lot of outings to keep a particularly energetic child well-occupied. All children are fully included in activities. For example, the baby happily joins in with water play. The childminder has no experience of caring for children with special needs but has a clear understanding of issues surrounding their care. For example, she would work

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Helping children make a positive contribution

closely with the parents and offer extra support to the child as necessary. Children benefit from a good working relationship with the parents. The childminder keeps them fully informed about the children's welfare through daily contact sheets. She also keeps parents well informed about the provision through a detailed portfolio which includes policies and procedures. These measures help the parents and the childminder work together to fully meet the needs of the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from a well organised environment in the home and garden. For example, the large sitting room is arranged to provide plenty of uncluttered floor space and the garden provides hard standing for water play as well as a grassed area for general play. Children have easy access to well organised resources which are stored in low shelves and in large toy boxes. Children benefit from the adult-child ratio being met at all times. This enables the childminder to provide enough attention for all the children and ensures that there is sufficient play space for them. Children's welfare is promoted through the keeping of all necessary records and comprehensive policies and procedures. These show how the provision operates and include details such as the procedures to follow in the event of a child becoming lost. The childminder has an information pack which she shares with parents that includes leaflets about illness and details of her weekly

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Organisation

routine. This helps to keep parents well informed. The childminder has a strong commitment to training and professional development. She has attended a variety of relevant training and used it to develop her practice. For example, she has extended her knowledge of the different areas of learning and uses this to ensure that children have access to a balanced range of activities. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of children that attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to provide an appropriate range of

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Improvements 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 activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity. She was also required to keep the attendance register up-to-date and to acquire a copy of the Area Child Protection Committee's procedures to ensure her awareness of what to do in the event of concerns about a child. The childminder has made good progress. She now has a range of resources that promote equality of opportunity which children play with on a regular basis which helps them to learn about wider society. She keeps the attendance register up-to-date and records accurate times of arrival and departure. She now has a copy of the Area Child Protection Committee procedures and is aware of what to do in the event of concerns about a child.

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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 children's safety with regard to plastic bags. • continue to develop activities that allow children to experiment with creative materials.

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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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