Newbiggin Middle School

Inspection report for early years provision

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122342 Unique Reference Number 12 September 2007 Inspection date Janet Marie Thouless 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 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and ten in Ashtead Surrey. All of the ground floor and sleeping facilities on the first floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed rear garden which provides a range of fixed outdoor play equipment. The childminders home is within walking distance of local shops, schools and Ashtead railway station.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children under eight on part time basis. She is also registered to provide overnight care for one child under eight years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children are taken to local parks and places of interest and the childminder 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 satisfactory. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene and self-care skills through daily routines. For example, hands are washed before and after meals, after nappy changing routines and when returning from outings. Children have access to individual sponges and towels which help minimise the risk of cross infection. Good nappy changing routines are implemented and young children are able to sleep or rest according to their individual needs. The childminder acts in the children's best interest when they are ill and cares for them sensitively until they are collected by parents. The childminder demonstrates good knowledge on how to administer first aid in an emergency to ensure the children's wellbeing. However, the first aid certificate has just expired.

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Helping children to be healthy

At present parents provide all meals and snacks. However, the childminder does offer a range of healthy food options should they be required. During snacks and lunch children sit at the table together and chat sociably to the childminder whilst they eat. Good table manners are encouraged and children say 'please' and 'thank you'. Children are able to help themselves to their cups when they require a drink, ensuring they do not become thirsty or dehydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

The daily routine enables children to participate in physical play activities, such as regular visits to the park and soft play centres. Children also use a range of physical play resources in the garden, such as swings, slides, trampoline and ride on toys. This enables them to develop their gross motor skills and improve their co-ordination.

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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 well organised home. This means they can move around freely and independently and choose resources that are suitable for their age and stage of development. These include a wide selection of cause and effect toys, role play resources, musical instruments, inset puzzles and books. The children know what is available and have independent access to whatever they wish to play with developing their independence and self-confidence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder knows about potential hazards and has a number of safety measures in her home to protect children from harm. These include, smoke detector, fire blanket and safety cage on trampoline to ensure children's safety. Baby monitors are also in place to gage sleeping children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an emergency evacuation plan. This means the childminder knows the routes she would use to evacuate her house in an emergency. The childminder has established clear routines where children learn how to keep themselves safe through sensible guidance such as not walking across the sofas.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected because the childminder understands her role in safeguarding children. She is fully aware of appropriate procedures to put into practice if necessary.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and settled within the childminder's home. The childminder has established good relationships with the children because she is responsive to their individual needs and participates in their play. Children are supported well by the childminder and benefit from a good range of resources and activities. Toys and play equipment are age appropriate and meet the developing needs of the children being cared for.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show interest and enjoyment in their play, in which they express their ideas and acquire new skills. For example, when constructing with building blocks and completing inset puzzles. They thoroughly enjoy imaginary play using small world figures and delight when using cause and effect resources. They stomp their feet when using the funky foot print musical mat and happily sing favourite rhymes when shaking the musical instruments. Children enjoy looking at books with the childminder often repeating the names of favourite animals over and over again. They smile and clap happily showing a great sense of achievement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the warm and supportive relationship they have with the childminder. The good interaction and conversations enable children to learn to communicate effectively and to build friendships. Children are listened to and their communication skills promoted as the childminder positively responds to their gestures and questions. She has a good understanding of how children learn and refers to guidance, such as Birth to three matters and child care publications to meet children's individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. They are very well supported, because the childminder is fully aware of children's individual needs. Children benefit from the good partnership the childminder has with their parents and regular exchange of information. Parents are kept fully informed about their children's care and progress through daily discussions, which include care routines and activities participated in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about their local community as they visit places of interest, such as, local drop in groups, parks and organised trips to the farm. The childminder provides a broad range of resources to promote the children's learning about the wider world and increase their awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. The childminder has a positive approach to caring for children with a range of different needs and abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well with the childminder as she manages them consistently and by providing clear guidelines on the house rules such as no walking across the furniture. Children are encouraged to be considerate of each other by taking turns so they all have the same opportunities, develop good relationships and friendships. The childminder constantly reinforces their good behaviour with lots of praise, smiles and cuddles Children are able to grow in confidence and develop self esteem as they learn about co-operation with others.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from an organised daily routine which is planned around their individual needs. They are relaxed, happy and at ease in the childminder's home which means they are confident

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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 to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Children benefit from the childminders commitment and enthusiasm to her work and parents value the service she provides.

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Organisation

The childminder has developed all mandatory records along with clear comprehensive policies and procedures that support her childcare practice. The childminder has high regard for children's well-being and their personal development. Her good practice promotes opportunities for children to be effectively supported in all aspects of their care, learning and play.

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Organisation

The provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, three recommendations were made to devise an emergency escape plan, extend resources to provide positive images of disability and obtain written parental consent for the taking of photographs. An emergency escape plan is now in place with clear evacuation procedures. The child minder has obtained a range of resources that depict positive images of disability and has integrated them into everyday play. Parents have now given written permission for the taking of photographs. All these measures ensure children's safety, well being and overall development.

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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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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 a first aid certificate is maintained, which includes training in first aid for infants and young children.

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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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