Hatherleigh Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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113251 Unique Reference Number 18 December 2007 Inspection date Catherine Greenwood 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 1993. She lives with her husband and child aged 16 years. The property is close to local schools and amenities and there is a park nearby. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children under eight years, all of whom attend part time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children have access to a playroom, kitchen, utility room, downstairs cloakroom and the sitting room for sleeping purposes only. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family keep a hamster as a pet.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is an accredited member of an approved childminding network, Children Come First. She attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder provides food for all the children, which includes fresh fruit and vegetables as well as homemade soup, cake and bread. Consequently, children are not given food which contains preservatives and therefore have healthy well balanced diet. There is a written menu displayed for parents to see.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from the risk of cross infection because the childminder has a good awareness of health issues and has developed her knowledge of how to prevent the spread of infection. In addition, there are several written policies and procedures which are shared with parents, such as health and hygiene and sickness. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop skills in climbing and swinging during visits to local parks, and enjoy woodland walks and running freely in nearby fields. In addition, the childminder occasionally takes younger children to soft play areas. All children have regular access to the garden and are taken on outings throughout the year. Consequently, they have good opportunities to develop their gross motor skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. There is a good range of age appropriate play equipment which the childminder checks for safety, and repairs if needed. Children are well supervised and the childminder ensures they don't run around in the house. They are only allowed to play in the rear garden which has been made fully secure. Children have appropriate seating when travelling in the car and older children are taught about road safety. Younger children have wrist straps or harnesses.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has completed a comprehensive written risk assessment of the premises, and has clear procedures for getting children in and out of the house. This means they are not at risk from potential hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children know what to do in the event of a fire because the childminder has a written fire safety policy in place and includes them in evacuation practises.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is an emergency action plan which parents sign and agree. This includes details of other registered childminders who will help the childminder if there is an incident within the home. In addition, the risks to children's safety on outings are reduced, because the childminder carries their contact numbers in the car, in the event the emergency services need the details. Children's welfare is fully safeguarded because the childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection procedures, although not all current documentation is available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children show very good independence as they help themselves to toys such as Bob the builder, from the playroom cupboard. They enjoy playing together, and laugh with enjoyment as they use the resources co-operatively. Children have access to creative activities where they use

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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 paint, glue and scissors and take part in lots of cooking activities, where they also shop for the ingredients. For example, they make miniature Christmas cakes, Diwali sweets and bread. Children feel proud of their achievements because they take home what they have made.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder says children like using the musical instruments and listening to stories. She aims to provide a good home from home environment with consistent care. Consequently, children enjoy being in the childminder's home and going on weekly visits to toddler groups where they socialise with others. They develop good personal independence as they are encouraged to put on their own coats and shoes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Photographs show evidence of children engaged in activities such as making necklaces with beads, using hand puppets, dressing up, and going on visits to soft play areas. The childminder also takes children on special visits, for example, to the pantomime and out for lunch. Consequently children have a good range of experiences and are included in all activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children behave well and play together very co-operatively. This is because the childminder says she has a calm approach and ensures they learn to share the toys, and know the house rules. If there are any incidents the childminder uses time out and talks to children about what they have done, so that they learn right from wrong. Children are at home and at ease in the childminder's home and feel confident to ask for her help with their personal needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is not currently caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disability. However, she is fully committed to working with parents and other agencies to help all children make developmental progress, and reach their full potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder talks to children and helps them to understand and accept differences. There is a good range of resources and books to support this learning, for example, disabled play people in the dolls house, and books that reflect positive images of culture and beliefs. However, not all of these resources are made easily accessible. The childminder does cooking activities to introduce different foods to children in relation to any themes, such as Japanese fruit bread sticks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationships the childminder establishes with parents. For example, she ensures they make joint decisions about when to introduce changes related to children's development such as potty training. References from parents include positive comments such as 'the childminder is very sensitive to the children's needs', and 'the childminder provides a happy, safe and caring environment for my child'.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The environment is very warm and welcoming and therefore children are relaxed and at ease. Documentation is exceptionally well organised and includes an extremely comprehensive range of written policies and procedures which are shared with parents, who sign to say they have read and agreed them. These are regularly reviewed and updated in relation to children's care. All record keeping systems are in place, for example, the childminder clearly records the hours of children's attendance so that she does not exceed the numbers of children she is registered to care for. In addition, she completes a weekly written record of planned activities and outings

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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 for the children, and uses her observations to inform the planning. This is supported through the use of photographs.

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Organisation

The childminder attends additional training and uses the information she has gained to enhance her childminding practice. Since the last inspection, she has attended courses such as baby communication, the Early Years Foundation stage, Epipen training, and child protection. Consequently, she is consistently reviewing and updating the quality of care she provides for children. 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 agreed to ensure children have access to sufficient space to meet requirements. Children have use of the kitchen, playroom and garden, which means they have enough space to move around freely.

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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. 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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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): • make a wider range of resources that reflect positive images easily accessible to the children at all times

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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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