Silverways School

Inspection report for early years provision

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148358 Unique Reference Number 23 July 2007 Inspection date Aileen Ewins 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?

This childminder has been registered since 1990. She is registered to provide care for no more than six children under eight years; of these, not more than three may be under five years, and of these, not more than one may be under one year at any one time. At present, the childminder cares for six children on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and three children, one is of school age, the other two are 21 and 23. They live in a semi- detached house in Woodley and the property is close to local amenities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder uses the downstairs of the house for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden. Children in her care have lots of opportunities to go to local parks, Dinton Pastures, Beale Park and Southlake. She enjoys spending time outdoors with the children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds a Paediatric First Aid certificate. The childminder has two cats.

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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 outstanding. Children enthusiastically learn to keep healthy whilst in the care of the childminder. Children have many opportunities to receive fresh air from playing outside in the garden with various outdoor toys through to taking walks around the lake and other local countryside parks. Children delight in playing with 'Pooh sticks' on the bridge. Children also talk to the childminder about keep themselves healthy. They discuss why walking is good for them. Children experience opportunities to keep fit through dancing which the childminder encourages whilst they are in her home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children understand the need to wash their hands after being outside or taking part in messy play, before and after eating and after using the toilet. They use a gel wash and their towel is washed daily. The childminder has comprehensive systems in place to safeguard the health of children, for example, parents complete permission forms for emergency medical treatment, sun tan screening and understand that a child cannot attend if suffering from sickness. The childminder has completed a paediatric first aid course and explains to children as they ask questions about emergency aid, the need to keep a first aid box. Children are further cared for as the childminder is aware of procedures for recording accidents. Children enjoy spending time with the family's cats which are well looked after. Children are aware to wash their hands after touching the cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

Birth to three children are kept healthy as consistent practice is adhered to in regard to nappy changes, feed and sleep times. Parents of Birth to three children supply their own nappy bag. The childminder wears latex gloves, uses antibacterial spray for the nappy mat and disposes of the nappy in a doubled up nappy bag. The childminder is thorough in her care and records these routines daily in a book which the parents keep. Very young children are checked upon every five to ten minutes whilst asleep and have their own clean bedding and sleep in a travel cot.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children also learn about how to eat healthily. Parents supply lunches for the children. Children can also have snacks which the childminder provides. Snacks consist of various pieces of fruit. Children are encouraged to eat healthily and an unwritten agreement exists and parents are fully aware to provide healthy foods, for instance, sandwiches, yogurts and fruit for their children. Children have access to fresh drinking water throughout the day. Parents of Birth to three children provide formula milk and foods once being weaned. The childminder works with the parents to ensure eating patterns for the younger children in her care, match that of home life.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play happily in the clean, large airy lounge. Children move around freely and help themselves to resources as they need them. Children also have access to the dining room, playroom and garden. Children are supervised efficiently if in the kitchen. Children benefit from being able to use the extended corridor area where further resources and toys are stored, along with space for coats, boots and shoes.

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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 Children play with equipment that is suitable for their age and ability. Regular checks are made to ensure the resources used are safe and clean. All children use car seats or booster seats suitable for their age and size. The childminder's car is regularly serviced and insured as legally required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The welfare of Birth to three children is further enhanced as all soft toys are particularly clean and children have their own play mat/blanket. The childminder vacuums each morning before the younger children play on the floor but she actively checks the floor to ensure that there are no small objects about.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept exceptionally safe in the care of the childminder who is organised in her detail. The childminder's home is well kept. She is careful to ensure that chemicals are stored in higher cupboards with child locks. Socket covers are used throughout the downstairs areas, doors and windows are locked, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors are in place; a stair gate is provided at the bottom of the stairs and the childminder always uses highchair and pushchair harnesses for the younger children. The garden is fully enclosed. There is a tiny fish pond in the garden but this has been covered in thick wire netting. Children cannot lock the bathroom door. A fire blanket is in the kitchen and radiators are controlled by thermostat. When out and about the childminder has a record of parents' emergency details. Children have been encouraged to be aware of the evacuation plan which is in place. Children enjoy learning

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

about road safety and have visited the 'Hedgehog' website and practised what they have learned when on various trips outside. Children understand to press the button at the crossing and wait for the green man before crossing the road, holding the childminder's hand.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are further kept safe as the childminder has an exceptional understanding of child protection issues. The childminder makes all parents aware of the policy relating to this issue. The childminder also ensures that both she and her family are safeguarded against false allegations.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children explore and experiment happily whilst in the care of the childminder. Children can access resources easily and do so confidently. Children have opportunities to play with cars and a roadway, kitchen and play food, puzzles, tents, Duplo, board games, dolls and buggies, large cars, small world play, dinosaurs for example. Children also have a plentiful supply of art and craft materials and participate often in messy play such as painting and water play in the garden, play dough, cutting and gluing, drawing and colouring inside. Children play together confidently and independently regardless of age or gender.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children get on well with one another and the childminder. Children settle securely when they arrive or wake up. They all treat each other with a mutual respect. Children are inspired to think for themselves and help one another to enjoy and have fun. The childminder offers lots of encouragement as children play imaginatively, for example children are inventive with a large, empty vacuum box making it into a space ship. Children later cut out and colour in paper swords and wear armour, resembling that of Roman times that they made last week from cardboard.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Birth to three children are responded to well. Their needs are seen to immediately. Whilst sleeping Birth to three children are watched over by a confident childminder, who delights in giving the younger children cuddles. Younger children have a plentiful supply of soft toys and resources, such as musical toys, building bricks, a drum, a telephone and large cars to help aid

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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 their development. The older children offer the younger ones security in that they are happy to let them join in their games and talk to them as they gurgle and smile. Birth to three children have songs, such as Pat-A-Cake sang to them. The childminder has a solid understanding of Birth to three matters and uses this knowledge during the day, for example introducing building towers for younger children to knock down, introducing new toys and experiences, talking to and responding to children's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are treated with respect and offered equal chances to play with toys and resources regardless of age or gender. All children are offered the same chances to take part in outings whatever time they are minded, for example all children have regular trips to the park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are valued. The childminder offers children opportunities to learn about the wider world around them. Children are encouraged to watch Blue Peter for instance and learn about different cultures and festivals. A previously minded child was from Pakistan and therefore children joined in celebrating Eid and became aware of her culture. Children have opportunities to make things through art and craft relating to various festivals throughout the year's calendar. The childminder is aware that certain children have particular needs and difficulties. She works alongside parents to help children get the best from life, for instance working with a parent to rule out foods which made a child's emotional and behavioural attitudes more complex.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is exceptional. The childminder is an excellent role model and speaks calmly and appropriately to the children in her care. In turn children feel valued and respected. The childminder tries to ignore bad behaviour and deal with this through distraction, whilst she praises good behaviour. Children have a warm relationship with the childminder and one another.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works alongside the parents of the children in her care and responds to their wishes. When new children start they are offered a settling in session and she takes time to go through the policy and procedure documents with parents. Birth to three children's parents have a record book completed daily. The childminder talks to parents at the start of sessions to ask how the child is and reciprocates this at the end of session. The childminder also passes on details to parents from pre-school and school. Parents are aware that they must inform her if someone different from normal is collecting their child. A password system is in place for each child if someone different to normal should be collecting a child. Parents are aware they can contact Ofsted should they have cause for a complaint.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children flourish from their time with the childminder and develop well personally, socially and emotionally. Children are happy and have a high attention span. Children are kept busy and behave exceptionally well. The childminder is organised and thorough in her approach. The childminder promotes a calm and positive atmosphere within her home and children in her care are treated well by all the family. Children are listened to and their individual needs are met thoroughly.

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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 Good use is made of space, time and resources. All legally required paperwork is in place and effective practice is used in regard to accident, emergency contact and register procedures. The childminder has completed first aid, behaviour awareness and child protection training. The childminder has received many letters thanking her over the years for her hard work, support and care for the children.

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Organisation

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 following recommendations were made. These recommendations have been addressed by the childminder in the following ways:

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to ensure that outdoor equipment is safe and children cannot use the equipment unsupervised. This recommendation related to a climbing frame which the childminder later removed from the garden. Children do not play outside unsupervised and the childminder no longer has this climbing frame. Children are therefore, safely supervised in the garden.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to gain knowledge of child protection issues. The childminder has attended a course and has produced a policy relating to safeguarding the children in her care. Children are kept safe as the childminder is aware of procedures to follow should she have a concern. She is also fully aware to keep herself and members of her family safe from false allegations. All parents of the children in her care are made aware of the child protection policies and procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to provide parents with written information about the childminding service. The childminder has produced a letter detailing personal statements about her and family. She also gives information to parents about how she will supervise children and keep them safe; and allow them to have fun whilst in her care. All parents are given this letter and provided with a copy of all the policies regarding the childminding service.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Also, the childminder was asked to record last dose of medicine given by parents. No children minded at present need to be administered with medication, but the childminder is aware of recording all medicine given by herself and parents and is also aware to record batch number of inhalers and medicine for instance.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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 complaint 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 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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