Globe Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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100902 Unique Reference Number 31 August 2007 Inspection date Angela Cole 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 satisfactory. 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 2000. She lives in a four-bedroom, terrace property in a cul-de-sac in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. She shares her home with her husband, adult daughter and son aged twelve years. The whole of the downstairs is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. There are several pets including two dogs, two rabbits, guinea pigs and an aviary of birds in the garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. She is currently minding three children under five years on a part-time basis and one child over five years before and after school. The childminder also cares for children over eight years of age and offers holiday care. She supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Local amenities within walking distance include the town centre facilities, a park, a school, an early years centre and a toddler group. 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 good. Children have good opportunities to learn the importance of physical activity in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. They freely access fresh air and exercise in the garden where smaller equipment is stored. They regularly walk to a park and toddler group to develop climbing and balancing skills on larger play frames. Babies have good freedom to roll around and be active and young children are well supported to become potty trained.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children’s health is well promoted in the family home where a good standard of cleanliness is maintained. They learn the importance of good personal hygiene from a young age through well-planned routines, such as hand washing after toileting or stroking the dog. Children benefit from consistency of care supported by the recording systems for accidents and medication. Arrangements for sick children effectively protect them from infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have free access to their drinking beakers and are encouraged to drink regularly so they do not become dehydrated. Their individual dietary needs are most effectively met by the childminder, who is patient with them and shares her expertise on eating with parents. Older children are offered nutritious food, such as fruit for their snacks. Younger ones eat a balanced diet as the childminder encourages them to eat the varied foods provided by parents, including fruit and vegetables.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play safely in the childminder's home that is made welcoming with their artwork clearly displayed. All equipment meets the needs of the children and is age appropriate so they can use it safely. For example, toys for younger children are placed on the clean mat, and small pieces, such as construction bricks, are kept out of a baby's reach.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is satisfactorily aware of potential hazards and takes steps to reduce the danger to children through close supervision. Children are sufficiently safe outdoors; the garden is enclosed with a low, bolted gate and the dog barks when a member of the public uses the path to the rear of the property. They are suitably safe indoors, though household tools are in a drawer that is accessible to children. Sleeping children are often checked by the childminder so they are safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children begin to think about their own safety as they use road crossings and hear reminders not to climb on the furniture. They are satisfactorily protected because the childminder has a current first aid certificate and some understanding about how to respond in event of a concern about a child in her care. However, her knowledge does not include details of local child protection procedures to safeguarding the children’s welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children are happy in the childminder's care. They follow an appropriate routine based around pickup times and their care needs that includes quiet and active times. The childminder uses photographs to keep a record of some of their responses so these activities can be repeated

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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 help the children develop. The children enjoy outings to visit friends and to the park when they begin to explore by looking for insects under stones and frogs in a pond.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are interested and want to play with what is available, such as a construction set with intricate pieces. They are involved in a satisfactory range of activities to make progress in all areas of their development, such as books, puzzles, imaginary play and small world toys. Children suitably develop their early language skills as the childminder continuously talks with young ones to help them use new words and say them correctly. They think as they use small numbers in general conversation and compare the sizes of bricks with those at home. The children have ample time to use their imagination as they play with small models and enjoy role play, for example, to set out meals for dolls.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder takes an interest in what children say and do and responds positively to their requests for specific activities, such as cars. She sometimes encourages them to develop their creative skills as they use crayons and glue, or paint on a roll of paper provided outside. Young ones learn through exploring the childminder's home and, for example, are fascinated by the vibration and noise of her washing machine.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are known well as individuals so they gain confidence and self-esteem. They have good opportunities to make choices as they choose what to play with and for how long. For example, they decide to buy model butterflies from the shop and see two on their way home so they talk about what they are interested in. The childminder provides resources that positively represent children who attend as well as giving them experience of people from different backgrounds This helps children develop a positive attitude to others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children behave well and respond to the childminder's encouragement through praise so they learn to be polite. Their social skills are encouraged as older children help younger ones to play. They make visits within the local community to children's groups so they learn to share and take turns. Children with additional needs are highly supported. This is because the childminder works closely with their parents and other professionals, discussing strategies and supporting the family as well as the child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit highly from the personal relationships that the childminder develops with their parents. They are well looked after in accordance with their parent’s wishes as these are discussed in detail so their care is consistent with that at home. Families are well informed about her provision as the childminder liaises closely with them before care commences. Parents exchange much information about the children's care and activities; and consequently are well informed about their progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She has many years of experience of childminding and attends all required training to provide care for children. She makes sure that children are appropriately protected from those who have not had clearance and has made appropriate arrangements for cover in an emergency.

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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 The childminder maintains basic documentation that satisfactorily supports the children's welfare. Her diary shows a clear record of children’s attendance and she has appropriate systems to record aspects of the children's health. She has sheets to set up a complaints log and this is compliant with Ofsted's requirements.

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Organisation

Children are happy as they make suitable use of space and play resources. Adult to child ratios are maintained at all times and the childminder suitably organises her time so that children of all ages have appropriate support during the day. Parents are reassured as their children settle in the relaxed atmosphere and benefit from the childminder’s flexible support for their well-being.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the previous care inspection, the childminder was required to improve procedures to keep written records of medication given to children. She was recommended to request permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and to record children's arrival and departure accurately. The childminder now keeps a written record, signed by parents, of medication given to children and has proof that she asks parents for written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. As a result, the care for the children's health has been improved. The childminder now ensures that the children's arrival and departure is recorded accurately in her diary. This has improved the organisation of the care so that the children are safer.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • assess the risks to children in relation to kitchen tools and take action to minimise these • ensure that the child protection procedure complies with those of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB).

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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 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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