Lordswood Boys' School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 145120 Inspection date 07 July 2005 Inspector Rachel Edwards

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since 1990. She lives with her husband and grown up son in a house in Devizes, within walking distance of schools, shops and parks. The family do not have any pets. She is registered to care for 6 children under 8 years, of whom 3 may be under 5 years. When the childminder is working with an assistant she can care for 6 children under 5 years. She currently cares for 4 children under 5 and a 7-year-old. The childminder regularly attends local toddler groups with the children. She is a

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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 member of Devizes childminding group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a warm and very clean home. Toys and equipment are routinely cleaned which reduces the risk of cross contamination. The childminder has an agreed sickness policy with parents that effectively protects children from illness and infection. Older children wash their hands before eating and after visiting the toilet but younger children have their hands wiped by the childminder so they do not learn how to wash their own hands or the importance of personal hygiene. Children sometimes have nappies changed on the floor without a mat, which is less hygienic and more uncomfortable for them. All the required records are kept that promote children's health, such as accident and medication records, which are signed by parents. Parents supply all their children's food and the childminder encourages children to eat a balance of what has been provided for them. The very youngest children sit in a

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Helping children to be healthy

high chair for meals and older children sit on the kitchen floor. The childminder sits with the children but does not eat with them. This arrangement does not allow children to develop good social skills. Children are able to help themselves to their drinks throughout the day and the childminder regularly reminds them that these are available. Children are very settled in the childminder's home. They are relaxed and confident in the presence of the childminder and her husband, who occasionally acts as an assistant and both show the children warmth and affection. Children's emotional needs are well met. Children develop a positive attitude to physical activity through regular outdoor play. They enjoy a range of activities in the childminder's garden, such as playing with balls or wheeled toys and they also regularly visit the nearby park, which has a good selection of appropriately challenging larger equipment, such as climbing frames.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a secure and safe environment. The front door is kept locked and the garden securely fenced so that children cannot leave and unwanted visitors cannot come in unnoticed. The childminder regularly checks her home for potential hazards and takes positive steps to minimise the risk of accidents. This means that children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder carefully supervises children's choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate to their age and development. She has thought about how to evacuate the house in case of fire but does not practice this with the children, so they do not have the opportunity to become familiar with the routine.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 helps children recognise possible dangers and keep themselves safe inside and outside the home. For example, they learn about road safety whilst walking into town and that they must not bounce on the sofa, in case they fall and hurt themselves. The childminder is a very good role model in this respect, as she constantly explains to children why she does things, for example, puts hot drinks where they cannot be spilt. The childminder is clear about her responsibilities regarding children's welfare and has attended child protection training. She has a good understanding of the procedures she must follow if she has concerns about a child and shares this with parents. She holds a current first aid certificate and could act in the children's best interests if there were an accident.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled and generally enjoy their time in the childminder's care. They enjoy a range of activities and outings. They socialise with other children as they regularly attend toddler groups or meet with other childminders and their children. They often go to the nearby park, feed the ducks or go into town. The childminder has a good range of toys but due to storage arrangements, children are unable to access these themselves. They are able to ask for toys but younger children in particular do not know what is available or may be unable to make their wishes understood. This leads to children becoming bored and restless at times. The childminder interacts very well with the children. She listens carefully to what children say and encourages them in their early communication skills. They have interesting conversations and she is skilled at asking questions that make children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

think. Children are helped to listen carefully and to play with sounds, for example listening to and imitating a ticking clock. The children play imaginatively as the childminder encourages them to develop their story. Children are able to enjoy messy play, such as painting, when they visit toddler groups, but at the childminder's home they do not routinely benefit from enjoyable sensory experiences such paint, sand and water play. The minded children enjoy each others company and even the youngest children play co-operatively most of the time and show concern for one another.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are made to feel welcome by the childminder and she shows concern for their welfare and happiness. She spends time talking to parents to make sure that their wishes and the children's needs are met. For example, she plans her day so as not to disrupt children's home routines for sleep and eating. Parents receive good information about the care she provides.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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 children demonstrate a sense of belonging, as they cheerfully greet members of the childminder's family, collect the post and tidy away their shoes in the shoe rack. They are relaxed and feel confident to move freely between rooms and to seek support when needed. Children behave very well. The childminder helps the youngest children learn to share and take turns. She firmly but gently explains the consequences of unwanted behaviour and praises and encourages them when they behave well. As a result children are learning to be responsible for their actions and to be aware of the needs of others. Children are unable to fully develop their independence as they cannot easily select their own resources nor freely choose what they would like to do. They are not involved in routine daily tasks such as laying

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the table or preparing drinks and snacks. Children begin to learn about their local community and how to interact with others as they meet other children and adults at toddler groups and friends' houses. They enjoy the bustle of the weekly market and visiting the fishmongers and as a treat having a snack in a local café. This leads to lots of conversation. There are some play resources that help children become aware of the wider world but the children do not have enough opportunities to learn about and appreciate differences and how others live.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's health, safety and well-being are satisfactorily promoted by the generally good organisation of the childminder. All the legally required documentation is in place and most policies and procedures are followed effectively. Parents are well informed, including how to make a complaint if necessary. This helps protect children's welfare. Ofsted do not have a record of all the relevant checks and clearances having been carried out on the childminder's sons. The childminder plans her day well to take account of children's individual needs and provides an interesting range of activities that help children make progress and enjoy their time with her. Children feel at home and are confident to initiate play, however the way that toys are stored prevents children from freely choosing appropriate resources, which limits their play. The childminder regularly attends relevant training to increase her knowledge of

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Organisation

childcare. For example, she has recently attended a session on Birth to three, which will help her develop her care of the under threes. The childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to keep a record of any incidents and share this with parents. She now has a system in place to record significant incidents, should this be necessary, which keeps parents better informed and promotes children's welfare.

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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 She was also asked to make sure that the rockery stones could not fall on children. These have now been moved and are no longer a hazard.

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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): • re-organise meal times, so they are enjoyable social occasions for children, when they have the opportunity to learn about healthy eating and develop their social skills • ensure that all people over 16 years old, living in the house, have had the relevant checks and clearances carried out • further improve the care of children under three, for example, by following a suitable guidance such as the Birth to three framework • improve the organisation of play materials to enable children to self select from a range of resources

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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