Worple Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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102506 Unique Reference Number 29 August 2007 Inspection date Michael Collins 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 has been registered since 1997. She lives with her husband and four school age children. They live in a detached house in a small village outside the town of Launceston. Schools, shops, parks and playgroups are within walking distance of the home. The lounge, dining area, kitchen and downstairs bathroom is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. There are currently 12 children aged between 18-months-old and 11-years-old on roll, attending at various times. The childminder holds a Diploma in Pre-School Practice and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder plans and executes a good variety of activities with the children, which contribute to their good health and physical development. With appropriate supervision, children use a variety of outside equipment, ranging from a trampoline with safety net, to ride-on-toys and a covered sand-pit. The childminder is fully aware of children’s individual ages and stage of development, and actively supports their growing co-ordination and physical skills.

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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 Through good organisation and daily cleaning routines, the childminder ensures children are cared for in a warm and clean environment. Her vigilant and consistent approach to nappy changing, personal care and hygiene helps to reduce the risks of cross-infection or contamination. Through the routines, established in partnership with parents, and the appropriate interaction from the childminder, children are able to learn the importance of good hygiene, with all older children being able to explain why they must wash their hands before eating or after visiting the toilet. This joint approach helps her to support and develop children’s growing understanding of personal care. The childminder maintains all the appropriate medical records and paperwork, and acts in the best interests of children to keep them healthy or should

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides snacks that appeal to children and meet their dietary needs. She takes into account parental wishes. For example, by providing fresh fruit, or by avoiding certain foods because of allergies or diet. The childminder further protects children around food, by ensuring she carries out daily temperature checks of the refrigerator and by following Cornwall County Council’s ‘Safer Food, Healthier Children’ guidelines. Drinks, chosen by the parents, of milk, water or juice are always available to the children in their own container, in order to maintain their fluid levels and minimise cross-contamination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides an organised, clean and child-friendly home. She identifies and minimises risks inside the home to provide safe places to play, according to the age range minded. This enables children to move around with growing independence and safety. She discusses staying safe with the children, when using equipment in the garden or reminds them to play safely with resources in the home. By taking this approach she ensures that children’s understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe is developing appropriately. However, the rear garden contains items unsuitable for access by children, and the side gate, whilst latched, is not securely fastened, and these issues compromise children’s safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children confidently self-select activities from a good range of appropriate toys and resources, which meet safety standards and are easily accessible to them. The childminder warmly supports and supervises children’s choices, making sure they are safe and appropriate. She is skilled at ensuring children use activities and resources with safety and purpose, thereby enhancing children’s learning and supporting their growing understanding of personal safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

To promote and safeguard children’s welfare, the childminder has all the required documentation in place. She holds a current first aid certificate and has a good understanding of child protection policies and procedures in line with the local Safeguarding Children Board. Also, in line with the recommendation made at the last inspection, she has developed emergency evacuation procedures for the premises and has practised this with the children to further enhance their safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder organises and plans a good variety of activities for the age range cared for. For example, she provides: countryside walks; water play; dressing up and other imaginative play; gardening; trips to places of local interest and leisure; sand play; outside play and quiet times. She takes an adaptable approach to planning, taking into account individual needs,

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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 parental wishes, and other factors such as the weather. She is the first to celebrate children’s achievements and successes, and skilfully encourages children to participate in activities, which are appropriate for their age and stage of development. All of this contributes greatly to the children’s enjoyment, growing understanding, and sense of achievement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are content, secure and very settled in the childminder's house, clearly making themselves very much at home. The friendly and calm atmosphere allows children to make their own choices confidently, and they are thoroughly absorbed and happy in their play. The childminder consistently supports the children in their choices, and is able to guide younger children towards more suitable items or activities, when their original choice is inappropriate. The childminder also has the skill and knowledge to join in or leave the children to their own devices, depending on age, ability, and need. This helps to bolster children’s independence and promotes their sense of well-being and confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children spend their time constructively and with purpose. Whether this is increasing their mobility and physical dexterity through use of the trampoline or scooting on ride-on-toys in the garden, or increasing their physical control and imagination by playing with wooden toys, art and craft materials or sensory toys indoors, they clearly enjoy their time with the childminder, benefiting from a warm, secure and nurturing environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder warmly welcomes both children and parents to her home. She collects information from parents to make sure that, parental wishes, individual need, and family background are considered and acted upon. For the age range cared for the childminder provides an appropriate level of activities and resources, to promote a positive view of the wider world. For example, she will discuss and celebrate difference at appropriate moments, she has books and other resources in the home, and activities include children learning about festivals from their own and other cultures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder knows the children she cares for well and has developed genuinely warm, caring and positive relationships with them. She treats the children as individuals and they are valued and respected by her. This encourages and supports them to interact co-operatively and develop their social and wider skills. She also assists the children to develop these skills by setting consistent boundaries and routines in partnership with both the parents and children. All of this, along with her consistent positive reinforcement of good behaviour, enables the childminder to foster and support good behaviour very well. As a result, the children feel safe and secure, and their behaviour is excellent.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in partnership with parents very well. She provides parents with informative and good daily diaries. These contain various information, including: achievements, mood, activities, naps, and events. This enables parents to be aware of their children’s activities, development and behaviours, and allows them to discuss events and achievements with their children and the childminder. The childminder is mindful of her responsibilities towards information and ensures that she maintains confidentiality. Thus reassuring parents that not only are their children cared for appropriately, but also their personal information is safeguarded.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. To ensure that children feel welcome, comfortable and safe, the childminder provides a well-maintained and well-organised environment. This makes sure that children are able to make choices and be confident to play or rest as they, or their parents, would wish.

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Organisation

The childminder consistently implements her mainly good policies and procedures successfully, to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. She maintains the majority of the required documentation very well, and information is shared on a regular basis with parents, to keep them informed of their children's activities and achievements.

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Organisation

The childminder, who makes sure she has all the information required to care for the children, caters for the children’s individual needs well. All of this contributes to the continuity and good quality of care provided for the children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has improved her provision since the last inspection by completing the one recommendation that was made. She has enhanced her ability to maintain the children's safety by developing a written emergency evacuation plan and by practising this with the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 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 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 risk assessment procedures and action planning to ensure that children cannot access unsuitable materials in the garden and that all exits from the garden are thoroughly secure at all times.

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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 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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