Gifford First School

Inspection report for early years provision

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126843 Unique Reference Number 20 August 2007 Inspection date Jackie Liffen 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 1991. She lives with her husband and adult son in Paddock Wood, Kent. Her husband is registered as her assistant. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house, plus two bedrooms upstairs, are 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding six under five on a part time basis and three over five out of school. The family have two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding group.

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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 good. Children quickly learn to understand simple good health practices as they are taken upstairs to the toilet and wash their hands in the adjacent bathroom, using anti-bacterial soap and separate towels. They also systematically learn hygienic routines when they wash their hands before sitting down to eat their food in the kitchen. The childminder diligently cleans all surfaces with anti-bacterial wipes to ensure that children are consistently protected from infection. She ensures that children do not suffer from the spread of germs by making sure that sick children do not attend the setting. Children take part in regular physical activity and extend their abilities when the childminder takes them out to experience a number of suitable challenges at childminding groups and on other outings. They also have opportunities to play on wheeled toys and balls in the garden. The childminder helps children to develop appropriately by

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Helping children to be healthy

reviewing their health records every six months and checking with parents that they are up to date. Young children sleep upstairs in a travel cot, where the childminder changes the sheets each time it is used. Older children rest comfortably on the leather sofa.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished because the childminder has a good knowledge of the nutritional content of food and often advises parents on what to give children in their lunch boxes. Children benefit from eating healthily as they choose what they wish to eat at snack time from a selection of sustaining food. For example, the childminder generally offers children a choice of fruit or raw vegetables. Older children easily help themselves to a drink when they are thirsty, although younger ones are generally given some help because the cups are left in the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well looked after in the welcoming, secure, child-friendly, clean and safe premises which are suitable for the purpose and risk assessed. They use suitable and safe furniture and equipment which is age-appropriate and helps all children regardless of age or stage to comfortably join in all the activities. Children have free access to a very wide range of resources. They easily help themselves to the toys which are stored in the playroom. Children are helped to avoid accidental injury by the childminder who carefully risk assesses the premises on a daily basis. However, sometimes the kitten affects children adversely when she interferes with their play. The childminder takes positive steps to help children avoid danger by ensuring that all dangerous materials and medicines are out of reach and she uses a range of strategies such as stair gates to help them avoid potentially harmful situations. Children's welfare is safeguarded

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

because the childminder has a good knowledge of child protection procedures. She uses appropriate documentation and knows whom to contact for advice; as a result children's well being is enhanced.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children very quickly settle and become happy in the setting where they confidently investigate and explore a very large range of easily accessed activities which are on the floor and around the room of the playroom. Children interact, speak clearly at an early age and soon become proficient in recognising their own needs and requesting assistance if necessary. For example, a two year old assertively asks a number of relevant questions which the childminder responds

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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 to in an appropriate way. Children's memory is developing as the childminder asks them to recall different events in their lives. Children are confident to make decisions, explore and investigate in the homely surroundings and easily seek out suitable toys to play with irrespective of their age or stage of development. The childminder encourages children to make choices in all aspects of their play. For example, a two year old self-assuredly chooses to play with some dolls, asking relevant, intelligent questions as she plays. Children are developing and progressing extremely well and some are beginning to move through the stepping stones as they undertake pre-maths and pre-reading/writing exercises. Younger children are included in all the activities as the childminder uses her excellent knowledge of Birth to three matters to extend the provision

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

appropriately. Children are encouraged to become independent and even though some children automatically ask for help when trying to achieve something, the childminder patiently encourages them to attempt things themselves first, which raises their self-esteem. Children are exposed to many stimulating experiences especially when the childminder takes them on excursions. For example, they enjoy learning about animals at the zoo or developing their physical abilities when playing on the apparatus at the park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are highly valued and respected by the childminder who makes sure that everyone is included in all activities irrespective of their age or ability. Children are given equal concern as they all sit up to the low level table to join in activities. They are learning about other religions and cultures as they celebrate a number of festivals such as Diwali, Hanukkah and the Chinese New Year. Children benefit from a number activities and resources which help them value diversity. For example, they play with multicultural puzzles, read a variety of books, and enjoy dressing up or imaginatively playing with dolls of different nationalities. The childminder also helps them assimilate a knowledge of other customs and languages by displaying appropriate posters and photographs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in close partnership with parents and professionals to ensure that children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities have their specific needs met well. For example, when children need special help or manipulation, the childminder seeks training from parents so that she contributes to children's health and well being. The childminder also researches on the internet as well as the library; she continues to improve on her knowledge in any way possible so that children receive optimum care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour within the setting is consistently of a high standard as the childminder ensures that all children are kept stimulated and have plenty of activities to hold their interests. Children are learning to respond to appropriate expectations because the childminder sets clear boundaries and raises their self esteem by using positive reinforcement and praise whenever possible.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder makes a great deal of effort to keep parents informed and involved and as a result children's continuity of care is enhanced extremely well. Parents are exceptionally satisfied with the care that the childminder provides and are particularly pleased because their children look forward to visiting her, especially because of her warm and caring approach. Children are secure because the childminder is calm, confident and nurturing. She writes daily diaries and produces photographs of different activities, so that children benefit from their parents' pleasure at being involved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's security and development is enhanced because the childminder has a clear sense of purpose and a commitment to continual improvement. For example, she is a support childminder and attends a number of courses some of which are leading to a recognised qualification. Children's good health is promoted and the childminder ensures that her first aid training is always up to date. She is aware of the importance of maintaining children's security by making sure that everyone over 16 who lives or works on the premises has appropriate checks. Children thrive in the setting because the childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of child development and caters well for their individual needs. The childminder spends a long time producing careful, detailed records, a risk assessment and a programme of events so that children's care is significantly enhanced by her exceptional organisation. She puts a great deal

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Organisation

of effort into making sure that children benefit from all aspects of excellent childcare and spends time researching to ensure that all of her records and information are up to date and of a high quality. The childminder is fully committed to ensuring that all children receive the highest quality care and education and actively reviews all her documentation, policies and procedures on a regular basis.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of the 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 the children's hours of attendance were recorded; she is now using her register in order to write down children's times of arrival and departure. The childminder was also asked to request written permission from parents to seek emergency treatment and ensure effective procedures for hand drying are in place in order to ensure that children do not suffer from the spread of infection. The childminder now has comprehensive permission slips from parents and children use individual towels to dry their hands.

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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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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): • ensure that the cat does not affect children adversely.

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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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