St Peter's CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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126005 Unique Reference Number 30 July 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 1998. She lives with her husband and four children aged 12, 13, 16 and 17 in Paddock Wood, Kent. The whole of the childminder's house is 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 four under five and two over five. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local childminding and toddler groups. She supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning to understand simple hygienic practices as they wash their hands before eating. The childminder contributes to their good health by providing individual towels, anti-bacterial soap and aids, such as a step stool, to help them reach the basin. Children are

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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 protected from infection by the childminder who ensures that the animals are clean and that the dog has its yearly worming and inoculations. Children extend their physical abilities by playing on the variety of apparatus in the garden. They rest and sleep according to their needs in comfortable large travel cots where the linen is changed for each child.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished by the childminder who provides nutritional snacks such as slices of apple. The childminder ensures that children receive five portions of fruit and vegetables each day by providing suitable lunches and dinners. Children leave their drinks on the table following snack time and help themselves to water whenever they are thirsty. The childminder ensures that children have their special dietary needs met by discussing individual requirements with parents and noting any particular concerns.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are looked after in welcoming, secure, child-friendly and clean premises which are suitable for the purpose. They use age-appropriate equipment which helps to give them confidence and join in all the activities. The childminder provides a range of strategies to help children avoid accidental injury. For example, the childminder uses a non-slip table cloth, a stairgate and ensures that sockets are covered. Children are unable to exit the premises unaided because there is a high lock on the front door. The childminder supervises children carefully in the garden so that they do not hurt themselves on the high climbing frame or bounce off the trampoline. However, sometimes the garden hose is left out so that children are exposed to potential danger. Children's welfare is guarded by the childminder who has a sound knowledge of child protection procedures. She promotes their security by recording existing injuries and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder uses appropriate methods to help children settle and become happy in the setting. Children play confidently as they investigate the easily accessed range of toys such as musical instruments, dolls, prams and building bricks. They are learning about time and the weather as the childminder helps them to change the date chart each time they visit her. Children interact and speak clearly as they talk about their families whilst cutting out 'people' shapes from the playdough. The conversation flows as children and the childminder also converse happily and freely on a number of other relevant subjects. For example, they talk about the colours and flavours of ice-pops as they then roll the playdough into pretend food. Children are learning about colours, number and shape as the childminder takes every opportunity to ask questions which stimulate their interest and understanding. Children's knowledge and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

ability is extended by the childminder as she encourages them to make decisions about what they want to play with. They are encouraged to be independent as they become engrossed in imaginative play such as when looking after dolls. Children enjoy playing outside and indoors where they sometimes cuddle up on the comfortable sofa to have a story read to them. They also exercise on the apparatus in the garden and when they go on outings to the park, the hop farm, and the childminding or toddler groups. All children join in the activities according to their own abilities, including the youngest whose imagination and creativity is expanding because the childminder adapts her resources to enable her to take part.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued, respected and included as the childminder implements her equal opportunities policy. Children's individual needs are met and they benefit from activities and resources which help them to value diversity. For example, they assimilate an awareness of other languages from the poster which is clearly displayed and play with appropriate toys such as puzzles, multi-racial dolls and international pretend food.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have their specific needs met by the childminder who works in close partnership with parents and professionals. Although the childminder is not experienced in caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities, she is prepared to research on the internet to find out how to meet the needs and requirements of each child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning to respond to appropriate expectations for their behaviour because the childminder offers praise as often as possible. She uses positive reinforcement in order to adapt children's behaviour so that they appreciate the clear limits that are set. For example, children are expected to share, clear up and say please and thank you. Children are becoming aware of their own needs and respect the needs of others as the childminder interacts with them on their level and teaches them how to work harmoniously together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are secure because the childminder works closely with parents to make sure that their continuity of care is enhanced. For example, the childminder ensures that parents are fully informed about the service she provides and completes a daily contact book recording children's achievements and activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's security and development is enhanced because the childminder has a clear sense of purpose and provides for them according to their individual needs. Children are well cared for by the childminder who is endeavouring to access a qualifying course in order to renew her first aid certificate. Children thrive in the setting because the childminder has a good knowledge of child development and ensures that everyone living in the premises are suitable to be near children. Children's enjoyment, achievement and ability to take an active part in the setting is enhanced by the childminder who arranges her time and space so that she supports their care, learning and play.

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Organisation

The setting is organised well so that children are actively engaged in a number of activities and enjoy playing in the childminder's home. They also have fun when the childminder arranges trips to a variety of places such as the local hop farm. Children's well being is enhanced because the childminder gives high regard to putting her policies and procedures into practice in order to promote children's health, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. The childminder promotes children's welfare by ensuring that all records are suitable, up-to-date and confidentially stored.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to review the details kept in the register. She has now done this and meets regulations by ensuring that she has the names of the 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 with a record of the times children enter and leave. Children's welfare is maintained because the childminder ensures that she keeps individual files for them containing all relevant, appropriate information. The childminder was asked to review the provision of resources promoting equality of opportunity and has now obtained a number of activities to help children value diversity.

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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): • ensure safety in the garden especially with regard to the hosepipe • ensure that first aid training is up-to-date.

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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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