Clifford Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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116668 Unique Reference Number 06 September 2007 Inspection date Judith, Mary Butler 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 first registered in 1993. She lives with her husband and their two school aged and one adult child in High Wycombe. The property is close to local shops, schools and amenities. The childminder uses the kitchen/dining room, play room, and conservatory for her childminding purposes. There are suitable sleep and cloakroom facilities available within this area. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for up to six children at any one time and is currently caring for six children on a part time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools, nurseries and pre-schools. She undertakes regular outings to local parks, and toddler and childminder drop in facilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about healthy living when in the care of the childminder. They enjoy access to fresh air and exercise when visiting local parks or playing in the well equipped garden. They

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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 use and develop their large muscle skills when playing on equipment suitable for the children's ages and stages of development in the garden, including a climbing frame, bikes and sit and ride toys.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides children with a healthy and nutritious lunch. She discusses the dietary needs of the children with parents and ensures she provides a suitable range of food to meet children's needs. Some parents provide the food for their children and the childminder ensures this is stored appropriately until meal times. Children sit at the table to have their lunch. This is a sociable occasion with the children telling the childminder about their morning at their new school. Children have regular opportunities to have a drink and know they can request further drinks as they require them.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds most of the required documentation to support the health of the children in her care. However, not all parents have signed their consent for the childminder to seek emergency medical attention should she need to. Completed medication and accident reports are shared and countersigned by the parents. This ensures that parents are fully aware of any incidents regarding their child. The childminder holds a valid paediatric first aid certificate. She follows good procedures for ensuring the health of children in her care; these include wiping the table after meals and changing the towel in the cloakroom daily. Children are very independent and freely access the cloakroom facilities as they need to.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled within the clean and well maintained home. They are independent and access a range of toys and resources from the storage boxes in the conservatory. Children are aware of the toys and resources that are available and enjoy selecting their own with assistance from the childminder from the shelving unit in the garage. Toys and resources are appropriate for the ages and stages of the children attending and the childminder regularly sorts, cleans and replaces toys as required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and knows the individual children well. She feels that she would be able to identify any causes for concern and is aware of the routes she would need to follow to refer these concerns. This ensures that the children's welfare is protected at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder reduces the risks to children by undertaking a daily safety check prior to children arriving. This includes ensuring that cleaning materials are put away and socket covers are in place. Children are encouraged to play safely and the childminder explains what may happen if they do not, for example, she explains to one child that if they jump on the blanket they may slip and hurt themselves. The childminder has a procedure in place to follow should she need to complete an evacuation with the children, smoke alarms are in place and working. However, the fire blanket is not sited appropriately in the kitchen. Children remain safe when on outings, through discussion about road safety and the use of age and stage appropriate care seats and restraints.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and at home in their surroundings. They receive individual attention from the childminder who knows each child well. She provides a range of toys, resources and

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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 outings to meet the individual likes and play preferences of the children in her care. The children present enjoy role play and using their imagination and the childminder helps them to dress up in their chosen outfits. Good relationships are in place between the childminder and the children. They chat freely about their home life and events that happened with the childminder and at school.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans activities to suit the needs of the children, for example she is very aware that the children may be tired following their morning at their new school. The range of activities include active and quiet times, such as sitting playing matching games, threading tasks and playing with the play dough. The childminder praises the children and extends their learning through discussion, for example, when matching the words to the pictures in the alphabet game. The childminder undertakes a range of outings with the children and these include trips to local parks, and toddler and childminding drop in facilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into the home. They enjoy the high level of attention and support they receive from the childminder who ensures they have their own particular needs met. The childminder discusses the individual children with their parents and this enables her to identify and meet the individual needs of each child in her care. She provides verbal feedback to the parents at the end of the day and this ensures they are aware of their child's routines and activities they have been involved in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has high expectations for behaviour and she gently reinforces these through daily discussion and activities, for example, children learn to take turns and share when playing games with the childminder. Children are well behaved and are aware of the rules and boundaries in place. They develop sound relationships with the childminder and other children in the setting. The childminder offers praise and encouragement to the children in their play and this enables them to develop their self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have opportunities to meet different people and learn about the world around them through a variety of outings and activities. They have opportunititites to make and choose their own friends. There are some toys and resources in place to reflect the diverse society.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises the available space well to meet the needs of the children in her care. Children are independent and move freely and confidently around all areas identified for their use. They enjoy the range of toys, activities and outings offered by the childminder and contribute enthusiastically with their ideas for further play, for example, requesting to play with the play dough.

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Organisation

Most of the required documentation is in place. The childminder keeps accurate records of the days and times of children's attendance. All household members requiring police checks have completed them and the childminder is aware of protecting children from persons not vetted. The registration certificate is displayed at the entrance of the property for parents to view. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was requested to maintain an attendance register that contained details of the dates, times of arrival and departure of the children in her care. The childminder now records children's attendance in a book and this clearly details days of attendance, and arrival and departure times. This ensures the safety of children in her care.

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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 childminder 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 all parents have signed their consent for seeking medical attention in the event of an emergency • ensure the fire blanket is sited appropriately within the kitchen.

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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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