Greenside Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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107828 Unique Reference Number 29 August 2007 Inspection date Margaret Moffat 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 registered in 1990. She lives with her two grown up children in Amersham. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder may care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding three children under five and four children over five on a part time basis. The childminder also cares for a number of children over eight. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks, the library and toddler groups. The family has a dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder has good hygiene routines in place and encourages the children in their personal care. For example, visual aids remind children to wash hands after visiting the toilet and children have their own individual towels. The childminder has considered the appropriate procedures to ensure children's welfare whilst in her care. She has a first aid

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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 certificate and all required documentation is in place to record accidents and medication administered.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular outdoor activities. They walk to school, visit the park and have daily access to play in the garden. This allows them to have plenty of fresh air and develop their physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the healthy snacks and meals provided by the childminder, these include fresh fruits for snacks and cereal and toast for breakfast. Drinks are offered throughout the day. The childminder liaises closely with parents with regard to their children's individual dietary needs and adheres to their wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a home where risks have been identified and minimised. The childminder has a good understanding of safety precautions indoors and outdoors and this helps children move around safely and with confidence. Children are developing an awareness of how to keep themselves safe. The childminder gives priority to raising this awareness by gently reminding them not to run around indoors and not to walk around carrying scissors. She uses a display board with photographs of items such as stair gates and no entry signs to increase their understanding. On outings they learn about road safety and the importance of staying within sight of the childminder when in the field.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a good range of toys and resources, which are suitable for their age, and stage of development. Whilst they are easily accessible and stored at children's level, the toys stored in boxes are disorganised. This prevents children making independent choices about what they wish to play with.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from the good understanding the childminder has on child protection issues. She is aware of the signs and symptoms to look out for and the procedures to follow is she has any concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled and confident in the childminder's home. They develop good relationships with the childminder and each other helping them to feel comfortable and valued. They enjoy a good range of activities that are appropriate to their ages. Children have access to the garden during their day and enjoy playing in the sand, water and ball games. They have good fun as they wash out the sand tray with soapy water, sponges and brushes before adding the new, clean sand. Water play provides children with opportunities to learn about items that float and sink and they enjoy helping boats go through the water. Children enjoy making up their own golf game seeing how far they can hit the ball. Children's creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as art and craft, play dough and dressing up. Children make use a range of tools when playing with the play dough such as cutters, rolling

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

pins and toy drill. They confidently ask others to watch and see what happens when they put the toy drill in the play dough and turn it round. The childminder spends time talking to the children and supporting them in their play providing an environment that allows children to respond to new challenges.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder gets to know the children well, by talking and listening to them as a result the children are treated with respect and equal concern. The childminder is aware of the children's individual needs and deals with these appropriately. Children access a range of toys and resources that promote a positive view of the wider world, such as books, dolls, map of the world and welcome poster. Children begin to feel a sense of belonging, they are made to feel welcome as the childminder treats them as one of the family and displays their art work and photographs on her wall.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn right from wrong as they become aware of the house rules and the childminder being a good role model. They learn to share and take turns during games and activities. Children are well behaved and polite and respond well to the praise and encouragement they receive from the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops good relationships with the parents. Information is shared verbally on a daily basis and diaries are used for younger children. This helps to keep parents informed about their children's care. The childminder has devised her own questionnaires which provide her with feedback from parents on key aspects of her care of the children. Parents report they are happy with the service provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. All regulatory documentation that contributes to the children's welfare, care and safety is in place. The childminder displays her certificate of registration and collates records of children’s attendance however, these are not always maintained accurately. Children feel at home and are comfortable within their surroundings. The childminder provides appropriate levels of support and supervision for the children. Good relationships are evident and as a result children are developing their own independence well. 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 update records to ensure consent was in place to seek emergency medical treatment or advice for all the children and to improve fire safety precautions by maintaining smoke alarms in working order and practising the emergency evacuation procedure with the children. Consent is in now in place and the smoke alarms on all levels of the property are in working order. The childminder has also practised the evacuation procedure with the older children. This promotes the welfare and safety of the children.

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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. 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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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 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): • improve organisation of toys and resources to help children make independent choices about what they wish to play with • ensure attendance records are maintained accurately.

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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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