Sheringham Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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120851 Unique Reference Number 19 February 2008 Inspection date Christine Coram 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 1998. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and 13 years in Frimley, close to schools, pre-schools and parks. The whole of the childminder’s house can be used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five during the day, and one child over five after school. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to collect children. The childminder attends the local childminder and toddler group. The family has two dogs and three cats that live in the house, some birds in an aviary, and two guinea pigs in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted effectively through clear hygiene routines and procedures, such as washing their hands after they have sneezed or touched animals, and careful wiping of tables before meals and snacks.

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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 Children who need medication or have an accident are protected because there are suitable procedures in place. For example, the childminder has a valid first aid certificate so that she can correctly respond to incidents and promote children's health well. First aid equipment is easily accessed at all times because a kit is stored in the kitchen and another is kept in the car. If a children needs medication, their parent gives detailed instructions and consent. However, the record of the medication given is not clear, meaning that there could be confusion about what has been given.

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Helping children to be healthy

Careful precautions are taken to minimise the impact of the family pets on children's health. Children's nutritional health is promoted well because the childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating. She promotes this effectively through providing fruit for snacks and ensuring that children always have access to drinks to maintain their fluid intake.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The clean and safe premises are used thoughtfully and effectively to provide space for children to play, access toys and equipment and to promote their independence. For example, the playroom opens from the kitchen. It also provides access to the garden and the toilet is close by. This means that children have freedom but enables excellent supervision. They play in safety with equipment that is suitable for their stage of development and well maintained in good condition. Children's development and independence is promoted as they easily select and access the resources for themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe because the childminder has a good understanding of safety issues and is aware of potential risks. For example, she immediately notices when a child is at risk of getting a foot caught in a narrow space and addresses this calmly. She helps the children to learn the skills, and gain the understanding that will enable them to keep themselves safe in the future. For example, when playing with a toy pushchair, she initiates a discussion about what might happen if the straps are not fastened. She also protects the children because she has a clear understanding of safeguarding issues and procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from a wide variety of activities that stimulate their interest and promote their development. Their activities are broadened and their interest stimulated through regular meetings with other childminders for group activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children respond well to each other and to the childminder and talk constantly as they play. Their imaginative play is well developed and enhanced by the participation of the childminder. They show great interest in the resources available to them and they are very confident to choose select and access these for themselves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's experiences and development are enhanced by the childminder through frequent interaction and praise. She involves herself in their play and extends the activities through questions and suggestions, such as 'where shall we go for the picnic?' Throughout the day, she listens and responds to the children in conversation, respecting their views and ideas. When reading to children, she sits close to them and enjoys their involvement. For example, when discussing a picture book with a toddler, she makes excellent eye contact and is patient as the

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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 child works share observations. She allows plenty of time and acknowledges the end result with care and enthusiasm.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from care tailored to their individual needs because the childminder is very aware of their personalities and stages of development, and cares for them with understanding. She helps them to gain a balanced and open attitude towards diversity in society, through activities and resources. For example, the children help to make a scrapbook with a wide range of images of people from different cultural backgrounds. All the images are very positive.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is managed very effectively. The childminder is firm and able to anticipate difficulties before they become problems. For example, she distracted the children from play fighting before this became dangerous. She encourages good manners and sharing, and has a good understanding of how hard this is for young children to learn. She is gentle and very positive, using very appropriate strategies. Children grow in confidence because the childminder praises and encourages the children through verbal and body language.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The care is consistent and in accordance with the wishes of parents because the childminder works effectively in partnership with them. She communicates effectively through policies that are shared with them and written information sought from them. She provides a notebook to record necessary information about the younger children's day and has daily discussions with the parents and carers of older children. Parents are enthusiastic in their praise of the childminder and express confidence in her care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children benefit from the commitment of the childminder to updating her childcare knowledge and skills. For example, she has attended training in subjects, such as food hygiene, child protection and the Birth to three matters framework. Children are in the care of suitable adults because the childminder is clear that she never allows the children out of her sight and she has made emergency arrangements to leave children in the care of another registered childminder.

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Organisation

The childcare is well organised and the resources and premises are used effectively. The resources are stored efficiently. For example, creative play materials are stored next to the table used for these activities. The required documentation is in place and clearly completed. Information is stored in a logical manner so that the childminder can quickly accessed it. However, the medication records are not sufficiently clear. The record of attendance is up-to-date and includes accurate records of the times and dates that the children are in her care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection, the childminder agreed to develop her understanding of child protection issues and procedures and to obtain written permission from parents administering medication and seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements 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 The childminder has attended training in child protection and gathered relevant information so the children are now better protected should they suffer abuse or neglect. The required medical consents are now in place so that the wishes of parents are respected.

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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): • improve the promotion of children's health through clearer recording of any medication that is administered

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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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