Prescot Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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104425 Unique Reference Number 13 September 2007 Inspection date Janet Butlin 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 has been registered since 2000 and lives with her two secondary-school aged children in a three bedroomed mid-terraced house, situated in a residential area on the outskirts of Newton Abbot. She is registered to care for up to six children under eight years and at present there are four children enrolled in this age group. She is also registered to provide overnight care for one child under six years. Children play downstairs and on the enclosed lower patio, they may access the upstairs to sleep. There are no family pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy extremely nutritious, home prepared food and the childminder gives strong emphasis to ensuring that they eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Children who have specific dietary requirements are carefully and thoughtfully catered for so that they do not come into contact with anything that would trigger an allergy. The childminder ensures that food is prepared and stored under optimum conditions as she has undertaken training in

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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 this area and taken guidance from the local environmental health department. Children access a drink whenever they want one and this ensures they remain well hydrated at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well cared for in the event of having an accident or becoming unwell whilst at the childminder's, as she regularly updates her first aid qualification. Highly effective documentation is in place to record accidents and the administering of medication. Accident books are used thoughtfully, for example, to identify patterns of occurrence. Children learn very effectively how to protect themselves from germs and keep healthy. They wash their hands using liquid soap and individually colour coded towels, clearly labelled with their own name. This protects them from cross infection. They are prevented from catching each other's germs, as those who are sick or infectious are requested not to attend. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the importance of communicating promptly with parents to ensure all are protected from infectious illnesses.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from playing in the fresh air, for example outside on the childminder's patio, where they are protected from the sun by the shade of a gazebo. They also go on healthy walks as the childminder is very aware of the benefit of exercise. Regular visits to activity groups and outings further promote children's physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a welcoming environment where they have good space to play active games, develop role-play or rest quietly. They enjoy exploring their toys in a dedicated playroom and access the toilet facilities easily and safely. They select their playthings from a good range of toys, all of which are clean and in very good condition. The childminder has all the necessary equipment to provide good care for children. Children's outdoor play takes place only in the securely fenced and enclosed rear patio area as the extensive back garden is awaiting work to make it suitable.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder risk assesses her home each day to ensure it is safe for children to play. The home is undergoing improvement projects and the childminder takes care to ensure that minded children's safety is not compromised in any way by planning works to be carried out when they are not present. Children's safety is promoted, as all are confident in the procedure to be followed in the event of having to make an emergency evacuation of the premises. This is practised regularly and recorded in helpful detail. Children are kept safe on outings as the childminder has thoughtful systems in place to ensure contact details are accessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is further supported by the childminder's secure understanding of the child protection procedure. She has a helpful and comprehensive policy and up to date information to guide her in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder. Young children explore and investigate the toys and games, often developing extensive role-play situations. Their play is thoughtfully supported by the childminder. They become skilful communicators as the childminder repeats their early attempts at words back to them. They become competent learners as they, for example, work out that the toy washing machine will only take a finite number of items before the door will not close. The childminder helps them to discover that, by taking some things out, they will

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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 solve the problem. She uses mathematical language to do with quantity, shape and space and helps children to work things out for themselves. She is aware of the Birth to three matters framework, but does not yet use it consistently to inform her practice or plan for children's progress. Older children enjoy activities that are slightly adapted to provide appropriate challenge for their individual stages of development. All children enjoy an interesting range of activities, including frequent trips to the zoo, local toddler groups and outings to nearby places of interest.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children develop an understanding of cultural diversity in meaningful ways. They play with toys, books and puzzles that depict positive images of cultural diversity and these are used to support discussion. Children develop an excellent understanding of the needs, feelings and beliefs of their playmates and the childminder helps them to reflect and widen their awareness. Children's individual needs are known and respected. Children who have specific needs benefit from the childminder's excellent, conscientious attitude to meeting their needs and ensuring they enjoy their time with her. She has undertaken training in this area and is experienced in working closely with parents to ensure she plans appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are polite and well behaved. They respond well to the childminder's effective and appropriate strategies. They receive constant, positive attention and understand the reasons for rules and codes of behaviour. They develop a respect for her and show consideration to others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes. They benefit from the close working relationship that exists between the childminder and their parents. Daily discussions ensure parents are kept up to date with all aspects of their child's care. Continuity of care is excellent, as all consents are in place and recording systems completed to ensure that parents are kept up to date. There are very good systems in place to keep parents informed of regulatory procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a very well organised home by a childminder who has a conscientious regard to her job and values the importance of working with children. She ensures that all who come into contact with the children are suitable to do so. She organises her home so that essential works do not impact adversely on the care of children. She plans a range of activities that help children to develop in all areas. Children benefit from the childminder's enthusiasm for undertaking additional training to enhance their care. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. All regulatory documentation is in place, although the registration system is occasionally inaccurate. A clear and extensive operational plan contains comprehensive, helpful policies to support the good care of children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was requested to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and ensure that written agreements are made with all parents. She has attended training in child protection and established secure written agreements with parents. This has improved outcomes for children.

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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

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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): • give increased attention to ensuring the register is maintained accurately • develop use of the Birth to three matters framework.

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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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