Frettenham Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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120809 Unique Reference Number 04 July 2007 Inspection date Joanna Scott 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 was registered in 1990. She lives with her husband and two children aged 20 and 17 in a residential area of West Horsley, near Guildford in Surrey. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, with sleeping facilities provided upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time, and is currently minding three children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends toddler groups, and takes children to the library, parks and areas of natural beauty. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). The childminder has a dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a healthy and well maintained environment. The childminder has regular routines which ensure that the premises are clean and suitable for the children's arrival. Children learn good personal hygiene skills. The childminder acts as a good role model, she

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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 washes her hands at key times, and encourages children to do so too. Older children begin to take responsibility for this themselves, volunteering to wash their own hands as they get in from school because they are dirty. Good practice such as teaching children to blow their own nose and dispose of tissues in the bin is in place. These systems help to protect children from illness and infection. The childminder has up-to-date first aid training, and this enables her to have the knowledge and skills to treat children appropriately in case of accidents. Medication records and permissions to administer are in place, although lack some detail and do not always indicate that they have been shared with parents at the end of the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy a range of healthy meals which the childminder provides. Parents supply food for children under one year of age, and this is stored and served suitably which protects children's good health. Children learn to make links between health, development and food through planned activities provided by the childminder. They grow mustard and cress seeds, and cut and stick pictures of fresh meat and fish, fruit and vegetables onto paper plates as they focus on healthy food groups. This helps children to make good choices.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children play actively every day. The childminder plans lots of opportunities for children to be outside; they play in the garden, walk in local horticultural gardens and other areas of natural beauty, and play in the park. The children develop control of their bodies as they climb and swing and slide on the equipment, and benefit from being outside in the fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children play in an environment where most risks have been identified and are minimized. For example, there are gates in use to block access to the stairs and kitchen, cupboard locks in use, and socket covers in place. The garden is secure, although the gate which is bolted does not prevent access from outside so there is a risk of unauthorised access. The childminder supervises the children very well, and this helps keep them safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning how to keep themselves safe. They talk to the childminder about road safety when they are out walking, and this builds their awareness of traffic dangers. They practise evacuation from the house, which ensures they are familiar with leaving quickly and safely in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder selects a wide range of suitable toys and resources for the children to play with. Older children understand that they must use the table to play with toys with small parts such as Lego, as this keeps them away from babies in case they put them in their mouths and choke. Sleeping babies are monitored, and physically checked regularly to ensure they are settled and comfortable.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder regularly updates her skills and knowledge by attending child protection training. She has a clear procedure to follow should she have a concern about a child. This helps to safeguard children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are happy. The childminder follows their home routines which helps them to settle well, and feel secure. The children are occupied with the activities and play resources that the childminder makes accessible to them. For instance babies play with a wide range of colourful

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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 and noisy toys, many made of different textures, which appeal to their senses. They respond visually and vocally as they hit and squeeze the toys, and enjoy catching sight of themselves in the mirror; "peek-a-boo, it's you" the childminder calls, creating a game. The childminder ensures that non-mobile babies have a change of perspective, she puts them on her lap to look at books, sits them on the floor with her to look at toys hung from a gym, then moves them to another area where they reach for toys on the floor. This provides fresh interest, and promotes their physical development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder implements the Birth to three matters framework, which ensures that routines and activities are suitable and well planned. Some records of children's development are made in line with this. The childminder encourages children's speech and language development. She constantly talks to the children about what they are doing, which increases their vocabulary. She responds to younger children's body movements and expression, and encourages early vocalisation. The childminder is very focused on the children; they receive lots of praise and encouragement as they play, and this promotes a feeling of well-being and builds confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop in a stimulating environment. The childminder plans a range of activities suitable for all the children in her care, including art and craft at home, walks in the countryside, and visits to the park. They make regular trips to toddler groups where children mix with a wider group of children and adults and develop their social skills and interaction. Children are able to be active, and have periods to rest in line with their needs, including those attending after a busy day at school.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are valued. The childminder treats children with equal concern. She knows the children well, and they enjoy a warm and nurturing relationship. Children use some resources which reflect diversity, such as different coloured skin tone dolls, and books with positive images. They look at the map to see countries know to them, such as holiday destinations. This builds children's awareness of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children behave well. From an early age the children understand how the childminder expects them to behave. She has a pictorial list of house rules which prompts them to remember, such as being kind and sharing. The childminder has a very positive approach which reinforces wanted behaviour, and she has the skills to manage and redirect children appropriately, for instance through distraction and explanation. She ensures that children are meaningfully occupied, so do not become bored and restless.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Systems are in place to ensure that the relationships with parents are strong. There are a set of detailed policies and procedures in place which reflect the service provided. Information is shared verbally, and the use of diaries for younger children means that parents know about their child's care and development. This ongoing sharing of information allows the childminder to continue to meet the needs of the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children thrive here, and are happy and settled. They are cared for in a well organised environment, by a childminder who manages her time carefully to meet the needs of the children

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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 in her care. Her interaction with the children helps them to be confident. The childminder is proactive in accessing training, which develops her skills and knowledge.

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Organisation

Required adult to child ratios are maintained at all times, which means the children are supported. The set of detailed written policies and procedures shared with parents ensures they are well informed about the service provided. The childminder keeps up-to-date with requirements, for instance she has a complaints procedure for parents to follow should they have a concern, and she ensures children are protected from cigarette smoke. All record keeping and organisation of documentation is maintained and stored appropriately, which promotes children's welfare and safety. Overall, 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 ensure that all persons in the household over the age of 16 years were vetted. Household members have completed checks. She was also asked to obtain written consent that specifies the type of medication to be administered. As a result she has developed a medication policy, and a permissions slip for parents for non-prescribed medications, although this still lacks some detail.

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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): • develop further the detail in the permission to adminsister medication to ensure clarity, and ensure that the record of any medication given is shared with parents on collection • ensure any risk assessment of the garden takes full account of security.

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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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