William Levick Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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112541 Unique Reference Number 04 October 2007 Inspection date Catherine Louise Sample 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 1989. She lives with her husband and children aged 19, 15 and 11, in the village of Anna Valley near Andover. There is a shop and a park within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. There are currently four children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has an early years qualification. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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. Children are learning about good hygiene practice. They know that they must wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. They also use antibacterial gel to clean their hands when they are on outings. Children look at books about washing their hands.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's hygiene needs are met well. They are protected from the possible health risks associated with the childminder's dog. The childminder checks for dog mess before children play in the garden and the dog is treated for fleas and worms. Younger children's needs are met through effective nappy changing procedures. The changing mat is cleaned after every use and the childminder wears gloves to prevent the spread of germs. The kitchen is cleaned regularly with antibacterial spray and the childminder washes her hands after wiping children's noses.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have healthy food and drink. They can help themselves to drinks of water at any time and enjoy snacks of fruit, cheese and crackers. They bring packed lunches which are stored in the fridge. The childminder advises parents of healthy contents for lunchboxes. Children are learning about healthy eating. A child explains that chocolate and biscuits are not good for you but that bananas and yoghurt are.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected well from illness and infection. The childminder has a full sickness policy that includes a 24 hour exclusion period for sickness and diarrhoea to prevent cross infection. It also specifies infectious illnesses that the childminder will not care for. Children are helped to keep fit through regular exercise. They walk the dog, go to the park and use apparatus, such as a trampoline in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are learning about how to stay safe. They know that young children must not have toys with small parts and a child puts away the puzzles so that a toddler cannot put the pieces in their mouth. Children learnt about fire safety when fire officers visited to fit smoke detectors. They look at books about road safety and about feeling safe. The childminder teaches them that they can say 'no' if they feel uncomfortable in a situation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can move about the setting safely due to effective measures. These include covering all electrical sockets and keeping all hazardous items out of reach of children or in locked cupboards. Children take part in regular fire drills and know what to do in an emergency situation. Toys are regularly checked to ensure that they are safe and the childminder monitors the toys that are out to ensure that they are age appropriate. Children's safety outside is ensured by keeping the garden secure at all times and keeping dangerous materials in the garage which is inaccessible to children. Children's car seats are regularly checked to ensure that they remain safe and the childminder carries emergency contact details and a mobile phone with her on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected through the childminder's sound understanding of child protection issues. She has a child protection policy which she shares with parents. She has a good awareness of the possible indicators of abuse and knows what to do if she has concerns about a child in

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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 her care. She would discuss the situation with parents in the first instance and then make a referral to the Local Safeguarding Children Board if she was still worried.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident. A child chats to adults about the animals in a book and about what he likes doing at the childminder's house. Children's self esteem is high as a result of praise and encouragement by the childminder. She tells a child how clever they are and praises them for correctly identifying different animals. She offers high levels of support to children. She cuddles a toddler and explains to an older child how to sort out the pieces of a puzzle. Children are becoming independent. They go to choose toys and help to set out their snack. The childminder encourages their independence by asking them to do things by themselves. For example, a child is encouraged to find the right piece of jigsaw puzzle by themselves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to make choices. They have lots of opportunities for free play which allows them to choose what they want to play with. There is a wide range of age-appropriate resources to choose from including books, puzzles, art materials and outdoor toys. Children benefit from a range of stimulating activities. They enjoy feeding the ducks, collecting leaves and cooking. They also enjoyed a recent visit from the fire brigade. They are learning through their play and through discussion with the childminder. They talk about the colours of fruit and vegetables in the supermarket and develop their social skills by going to toddler group.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children actively contribute to the setting. They help to set out their snacks and tidy away the toys. They are involved in planning what activities they would like to do and often ask if they can cook. Children are involved in the local community. They use local facilities such as the library bus and the leisure centre. They have positive relationships with one another. Children cuddle one another and a child asks if they can help another with a puzzle.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. They share toys and older children handle young children gently. Children's behaviour is managed effectively. The childminder uses different techniques depending on the age of the children. She uses strategies such as time out and distraction. She also uses plenty of praise and sticker charts to reward desired behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning about wider society. They look at books showing positive images of diversity and celebrate festivals such as Diwali. Their individual needs are respected. For example, the childminder plans more complex activities for older children when younger children are asleep. The childminder has some experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has a sound understanding of the importance of working closely with parents and other agencies to ensure that children's particular needs are fully met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from an effective working relationship between the childminder and the parents. The childminder shares information with parents through written diaries and discussion. She also has a portfolio which she shares with them. This includes information about her family and her policies and procedures. All parents are given written details of how to contact Ofsted. The childminder uses a child profile booklet to collect relevant information about the children and their requirements.

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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. Children benefit from a well organised environment. They use the sitting room which provides plenty of play space and can also use the dining room for table top activities. The environment is welcoming with displays of the children's work and colourful child-sized furniture.

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Organisation

Children's care is enhanced by the childminder's experience and commitment to professional development. She has been caring for children since 1989. She has completed an NVQ Level 3 in early years care and education and has attended a variety of other training. She is booked to attend training on the new early years Foundation Stage.

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Organisation

Children's welfare is enhanced through the keeping of all necessary records. The childminder keeps records of accidents and medicines administered. She is aware of the need to record any written complaints and share them with parents. She keeps an accurate record of attendance that shows the exact times of children's arrival and departure. However, the register is not signed by the childminder or the parents to confirm that the entries are correct.

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Organisation

Overall the provider 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 required to keep records of medication and significant incidents and to provide parents with a written statement of how to contact Ofsted. She now keeps full records of medication administered and of any significant incidents and these are signed by parents. She has given parents written details of how to contact Ofsted. These measures enhance children's welfare.

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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 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 that the attendance register is signed by the childminder and parents to confirm the details

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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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