Thorpe Hesley Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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106850 Unique Reference Number 21 December 2007 Inspection date Carol Cox 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 1999. She lives with her partner and two children aged 19 and four years in St. Annes, Bristol. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house and a bedroom and bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children and is currently minding three children under eight years. She attends the local parent/toddler group and takes children on outings. The family has two cats. The childminder belongs to the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The childminder ensures that children's health and well-being are very effectively promoted through her excellent practice. For example, should children require medication, she maintains meticulously detailed guidance and information from parents and carefully records all medication administered. These records are signed by the childminder and parents to verify their accuracy.

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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 Children are encouraged to learn good self help skills in accordance with their home routines. For example, children are reminded to put their hands in front of their mouths when they cough.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular fresh air and exercise through their daily walks and visits to parks where they enjoy large climbing equipment and other local amenities. These walks help children gain a sense of belonging to their local community and help them understand their world. The childminder ensures that her paediatric first aid certificate is current and so is able to attend to any minor injuries appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy snacks and meals which are provided by parents. The childminder has an excellent knowledge of how to ensure food safety, which is enhanced by her current Food Hygiene training. The childminder helps children develop an understanding about a healthy diet through activities, such as harvesting strawberries in her garden and gathering blackberries and apples from the hedgerows on their walks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive in the homely environment where they happily move around, develop confidence and choose their own toys and games. Children's work is proudly displayed demonstrating the childminder's high regard for each child. There is an abundance of appropriate toys and resources which stimulate children's learning and support their play. The childminder carefully considers which toys to set out according to children's interests and stages of development, for example one child loves to play with dolls and buggies, another loves exploring books.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is vigilant in preserving children's safety through sensible supervision and at the same time encouraging them to learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, on daily walks children are taught how to cross roads safely and to stay away from the water's edge when feeding swans. There is an excellent emergency plan in place which includes two local childminders who are willing to offer cover when necessary. The children already know these childminders and their parents have met them and hold their phone numbers. Thus should the childminder have to take emergency action in a serious event parents are secure in knowing that their children will be well cared for at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a thorough understanding of child protection issues and the action to take should she have serious concerns about a child. She shares her policy and procedure with parents. Thus, children's safety and well-being are further safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy the close and warm attention given by the childminder who obviously enjoys their company and values each child as an individual. Children are secure and settled in her care and seem very much at home. Their learning and development is stimulated and enhanced in all areas by the range of exciting activities which the childminder plans.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

She helps children advance their learning through everyday play and outings. For example, when on a visit to the local supermarket children learn about recycling, count cars, recognise shapes and colours and observe nature and wildlife. This learning is further reinforced by the plentiful supply of books which children love to use freely. For example, during a discussion about walking along the river bank to feed swans, a two-year-old child fetched a book to find

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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 an illustration of the sort of swan she had seen. Children learn to play together well and become careful of each other. The relationship between the childminder and the children helps develop excellent language skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well cared for by the childminder who has a close and warm relationship with each child. She obviously thoroughly enjoys the time she shares with children who in turn glow with joy at her attention. She carefully identifies each child's needs through detailed discussion with parents whose partnership she highly values. Children have abundant opportunities to learn about their world and the community they belong to through regular outings to local amenities. They discuss their observations and celebrate the differences between people they see and meet. Families value the consistent care offered and the careful attention paid to each child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well in the childminder's calm and gentle care. They learn to share games and toys and benefit from her excellent role modelling. The childminder sets sensible boundaries and house rules which children quickly learn. For example, children learn to help clear away toys when they have finished playing with them. Parents enjoy regular verbal and written information about their children's progress and especially benefit from emailed photographs of their children's activities and achievements.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children thrive in the extremely well organised home which offers them a wide range of exciting opportunities to explore their world. The childminder is well qualified and uses her experience to provide an exceptionally high standard of care. Children's learning and development needs are effectively met through an abundant range of activities based on their individual interests and needs.

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Organisation

The childminder has detailed and comprehensive policies and procedures in place to provide safe and consistent care. She makes all records and policies easily available for parents with whom she builds close relationships. All necessary records and documentation are in place, clearly detailed, shared in confidence with parents and made easily accessible for inspection. She keeps clear records of the individual needs of all children and obtains consents from parents where required. Overall, 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: ensure that parents sign the medication book to confirm administration and a record is maintained of all children's dietary requirements; and share information about child protection procedures with parents. There is now a meticulous system in place to record all medication administered and specific dietary requirements, thus children's health and well-being are further safeguarded. Parents are made aware of the child protection procedures and all records are shared with them.

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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

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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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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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