St Stephens Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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111946 Unique Reference Number 28 September 2007 Inspection date Catherine Louise Sample 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. She lives with her husband in Andover. The whole ground floor is used for childminding. 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 six children at any one time. There are currently six children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are learning about good hygiene practice. The childminder talks to them about wiping their noses and explains that they cannot eat food that has fallen on the floor. Children use wipes to clean their hands before eating and cover their mouths when they cough. Their hygiene needs are met well. The childminder washes her hands after wiping a child's nose and before applying teething gel. She uses an antibacterial spray to clean the tray of the highchair before

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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 children eat off it. Children use paper towels to dry their hands to prevent the risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have healthy food and drink. They eat snacks such as grapes and yoghurt coated raisins. They can help themselves to drinks of water at any time and each child has their own cup to avoid spreading germs. Packed lunches are stored safely in the fridge which has a thermometer to ensure the right temperature is maintained. Children are learning about healthy eating. For example, they talk about different foods as they help the childminder to put away the shopping.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected well from illness and infection. The childminder has a detailed policy in place which specifies that she will not care for children that are unwell. The policy gives details of illnesses that she will not care for children with due to the risk of infection. She also has a detailed medication policy to ensure that medicines are administered safely. She has a current first aid qualification. Children are helped to keep fit through regular exercise. They go to junior gym club once a week and also go out for walks and trips to the playground.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are learning about how to stay safe. The childminder frequently reminds them about personal safety. She points out that if a child fell off the chair they could bump their head. She asks questions such as "What happens when you throw things inside?" to encourage children to think about safety issues.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can move about the setting safely due to effective measures. These include switching off all kitchen appliances at the sockets when children are present and having secondary locks on doors to prevent children opening them. The childminder has fire procedures in place and carries out regular fire drills with the children. She is vigilant at all times. For example, she checks what a child is doing when they go into the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety outside is ensured through positive measures. The garden is fully enclosed and children cannot open the sheds or the garden gate. There is no poisonous or standing water. Children's safety on outings is enhanced by the childminder's vigilance. She ensures that younger children wear a wrist strap or hold on to the buggy and older children know that they must always remain within sight. She carries a notice stating that she is a childminder and giving emergency contact details for each child in case of emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected through the childminder's sound understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of possible indicators of abuse such as changes in behaviour, inadequate clothing and unexplained injuries. She is aware of the importance of recording her concerns and knows how to go about making a referral to the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident. They move around the setting by themselves and run freely in the garden. They have good self esteem as the result of frequent praise by the childminder. She tells the children how clever they are and acknowledges when they behave well. For example, she tells a child that they are kind for bringing another child's drink through from the kitchen. Children are becoming independent. They help themselves to drinks and then put away the

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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 cups. They are learning independent skills such as putting on their own shoes and using cutlery properly. The childminder provides high levels of support and affection to young children. For example, she cuddles a toddler that is becoming tired.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a stimulating range of activities. These include regular trips to junior gym, feeding the ducks and arts and crafts projects such as making cards and parrots. The childminder uses the Birth to three matters framework to ensure that she provides suitable activities for younger children such as exploring treasure baskets. Older children particularly enjoy reading and role play. Children are learning through a wide range of activities. They sing alphabet and number rhymes and identify animals in a book.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to make choices from a wide range of age-appropriate resources. The childminder sets out toys on the floor for younger children so that they can access them easily. Older children discuss what they would like to do when they get back from school. The childminder rotates the toys to maintain the children's interest. There are toys for all ages including construction sets, games and books for different ages and abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children actively contribute to the setting. They help to tidy away activities and older children help to set house rules such a not jumping on the sofa. Children have positive relationships with one another. They sit together to have a snack and a child fetches a drink for another.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. They are learning to take turns and share and a child tells another "You've got to share". They share activities such as playing with the farm and give toys to one another. Children's behaviour is managed well. The childminder makes effective use of distraction when a child repeatedly tries to climb on a chair. She also uses discussion. She asks a child who tries to kick another whether they would like it to happen to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning sufficiently about wider society. They regularly use a small range of toys that promote diversity including books and dolls. The childminder is actively seeking resources that show positive images of gender. Children do not, however, have any other opportunities to learn about different cultures and beliefs. The childminder does not plan specific activities to increase children's awareness of diversity. She has not had any experience of caring for a child with learning difficulties and/or disabilities but has attended training in Makaton sign language. She understands the importance of working closely with parents and any other agencies to ensure that the child's particular needs are fully met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from an effective working relationship between the parents and the childminder. The childminder uses contracts and child record forms to set out the terms of the arrangement and collect information. She shares her policy document with parents and also has a notice board showing her certificates and complaints policy. She exchanges information with parents through daily discussion and regularly takes photographs of the children which she shares with them.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from an appropriately organised environment. They use the sitting room and kitchen which provide sufficient play space. Colourful child-sized furniture and a small display

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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 of the children's work help to create a welcoming atmosphere. Toys and equipment are stored in a large cupboard and the childminder brings out different activities every day to ensure children's needs are met.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to professional development. She has attended courses on food hygiene and heuristic play and is booked to attend training on child protection and the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Organisation

Children's welfare is enhanced through the keeping of most necessary records, policies and procedures. The childminder has drawn up a policy document that includes procedures for dealing with parental complaints and a behaviour management statement. The register is kept accurately and shows the exact times of children's arrival and departure. The childminder keeps a record of accidents and medicines administered. However, parents do not always countersign the record of medication which could lead to confusion about dosage.

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Organisation

Overall the provider 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 required to fit a fire blanket that conforms to BS EN safety standards. The childminder now has a suitable fire blanket which is wall mounted in the kitchen. This enhances children's safety.

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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): • provide more opportunities for children to learn about different cultures and beliefs • ensure that parents always sign records of medication administered

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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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