Prospects College of Advanced Technology

Inspection report for early years provision

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141084 Unique Reference Number 11 July 2005 Inspection date Samantha Powis Inspector

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Integrated Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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.

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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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1991. She lives with her husband, three of their four grown up children, their daughters partner and the childminders newborn grandson. The home is located in the town of Sturminster Newton in North Dorset. Minded children have use of the lounge and the play room, the kitchen and a bedroom for sleeping. All areas used for childminding are on the ground floor. The enclosed rear garden is accessed via the conservatory.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under the age of eight years. There are currently 14 children on roll aged from 1 to 11 years of age.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association and of a local childminding group. The childminder has completed a Trailblazers Quality First assurance scheme through the childminding group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through the daily routine. They understand the need to wash their hands before snacks and after toilet and older children do so independently. Children's health is promoted by good procedures which prevent them from being exposed to infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop physical control during daily indoor and outdoor experiences. They develop a positive attitude to physical exercise and attend a gym club on a weekly basis. They use climbing equipment competently and manoeuvre wheeled toys with increasing skill and agility.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about a healthy diet through discussion with the childminder. They have access to drinking water at all times, so they can make choices about when they need a drink. The childminder encourages children to enjoy the healthy options in their lunch box, before they have any treats. She is aware of children's individual dietary needs and complies with them to ensure children remain healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident and settled within the secure and welcoming family home environment. They have access to a broad range of safe, well maintained resources. Children's safety and independence are compromised due to the poor organisation of the playroom. Children often have to climb over items to access a chosen toy or book.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are generally safe, due to some effective measures within the home, such as stair gates to prevent access to stairs. However, the childminder does not carry out regular risk assessments on the areas used by the children, which means that their ongoing safety cannot be assured. For example, a loose washing line hanging down at child height had not been identified before the children were using the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a basic knowledge of child protection procedures which supports her in her role of keeping children safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident and take part in activities with enthusiasm. They have a relaxed relationship with the childminder and interact well with unfamiliar adults and other children. They are developing good self confidence, independence and self esteem, due to the childminders positive interaction and sensitive support. The childminder respects individual routines and needs, to ensure each child is happy and comfortable.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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. The quality of teaching and learning is satisfactory. The childminder has an adequate knowledge of the foundation stage curriculum and plans a sufficient range of activities, although not all areas of learning are covered equally. She uses a range of different methods to help children learn, including open ended questioning to help children think. She listens carefully to what the children have to say and responds appropriately. Observations are used to record children's development, however, on-going assessment and monitoring of children's progress is not effectively identifying the next stage in children's learning. This results in insufficient challenge being offered.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Overall, children are making satisfactory progress in their learning. Children are confident and develop increasing independence. The childminder offers good support to the children, which eases their transition from her care into school. Children speak with confidence to each other. They enjoy stories and recall the content when engaging in related activities. They are beginning to recognise and write letters that are familiar to them. Children regularly count real objects during their play, and are beginning to have confidence to suggest the answers to simple problems. They compare size and look at shapes during a variety of activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are learning how to care for the environment. They assist the childminder and take their banana skins to the compost bin. They then use the resulting compost when they help with gardening. They are gaining confidence in using equipment such as computers and an electronic dance mat. They regularly enjoy creative activities and have opportunities to use different media such as paint, dough and craft materials.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's awareness of diversity and the wider world is promoted through the provision of positive images and relevant activities, for example, taking part in a music session using musical instruments from Russia. Children learn about respecting each other and sharing through the childminders approach to behaviour management. Children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s behaviour is good. The childminder uses effective strategies to help children understand right from wrong. She establishes clear boundaries, and older children help to develop the golden rules on display, giving them ownership.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good. Children's individual needs are met due to the effective systems in place to keep parents well informed. They receive written information about the childminder and her practices and have opportunities to talk to the childminder on a daily basis. A detailed two way diary system ensures they are provided with detailed information about events and activities which their children have experienced during the day.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the childminders positive approach to training. She regularly attends courses and workshops, and is part of an accredited network. The childminder has a sound

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Organisation

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. knowledge and understanding of child development. She uses guidance such as the birth to three matters and the foundation stage framework to help her plan an interesting range of activities for the children.

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Organisation

The premises are welcoming and comfortable, and children feel relaxed and secure. However, available play space is not maximised, due to toys and equipment not being stored well. Indoor and outdoor space is made available to offer children a range of play opportunities.

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Organisation

Some legally required documentation, which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being, is not available.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has addressed the safety issue in the garden, which means that children are now secure when using the garden. However, the childminder does not regularly carry out risk assessments on the premises, which leads to children's safety being compromised.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She has increased the range of resources she has that offer positive images of diversity. These are now used on a daily basis, to promote children's awareness and understanding of others.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory.

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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): • obtain written consent from parents, regarding seeking emergency medical attention and or advice. • ensure regular risk assessments are carried out, to maintain children's safety at all times.

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The quality and standards of the care

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.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • develop planning and assessment systems, to make sure that all areas of learning are covered, and that activities provide sufficient challenge to encourage all children to reach their full potential.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

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 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.

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