Hollington School

Inspection report for early years provision

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118961 Unique Reference Number 19 July 2007 Inspection date Hazel Farrant 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 1980. She lives with her husband and adult son in the Harmanswater area of Bracknell, Berkshire. The whole of the ground floor of childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available 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 and is currently caring for four children, three of which are under the age of five years old. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the library and local parks. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for in a home where good standards of hygiene are practised. Routines, such as, hand washing after playing outside in the garden helps children to develop an understanding of why good personal hygiene is important. The childminder holds a current first aid qualification, which ensures that she has the required knowledge to deal with any accidents that may arise. She also has the required documentation in place to record accidents and any medication that she administers. However, parental consent for emergency treatment or advice is not currently in place for all of the children in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to play in a well-resourced garden; they enjoy using the small slide and trampoline. Children also visit the local parks and soft play areas, this helps to promote their physical health.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works in partnership with parents by discussing and recording children’s diet so that individual needs are met. Currently, parents provide meals and packed lunches, these are stored appropriately in the refrigerator. Children have drinks readily available at all times during the day, they are reminded to drink regularly so that they do not become dehydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very safe environment. The childminder carries out regular risk assessments to ensure the safety of her home continues to be maintained. These positive steps mean that the children are able to play confidently. The childminder uses safety gates in her home and has stored hazardous materials, such as, cleaning fluids and medicines out of the reach of children. However, not all of the required documentation is in place. For example, written parental consent for outings has not been gained. Children are learning to take responsibility for their own safety, for example, the childminder talks to them about road safety when they are out walking. Children practise the emergency evacuation procedure so that they know what to do in the event of a real situation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from the wide range of suitable toys and resources. They are able to help themselves to the resources, which are stored within easy reach in the conservatory. Children sit at child-sized furniture as they play or they sit on the floor to carry out activities, such as, playing shops. Children are appropriately supervised by the childminder during their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a clear knowledge of the possible signs and symptoms of child abuse and the procedures to follow should she have concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and very settled in the childminder's home. They enjoy themselves as they play with an interesting range of toys and resources, for example, they load up their shopping baskets pretending they are going to the supermarket. Effective organisation of

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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 resources allows children to see what is available and enables young children to help themselves from a huge variety of interesting resources. This encourages children to be independent.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy sitting on the floor cuddled up to the childminder listening to a 'Thomas The Tank Engine' story. The children also play in the garden, they enjoy looking at snails and earwigs watching how the move and where they crawl into. They happily bounce on the small trampoline and they are learning how to take turns and to share. There is a happy, calm atmosphere in the childminder's home and relationships are warm and caring. Good settling in procedures enable children to feel secure. Children benefit from the childminder's active involvement in their play, she joins in with them, giving lots of encouragement and praise for their efforts and achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children play in a homely environment where they can take part in the wide variety of activities on offer. They make their own choices about what they want to do and the childminder respects their wishes. Children are very settled and confident in the childminder's home. The childminder supports the children well, for example, realising when they are hungry or tired. Children’s individual needs are discussed and recorded to ensure daily routines and individual preferences are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good knowledge of child development and has a clear understanding of how to support children with learning difficulties or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides a meaningful range of resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increases children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Children benefit from the childminder's calm approach to behaviour management. She remains patient in her dealings with children and her good use of praise and encouragement effectively fosters their self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Contracts are reviewed regularly to ensure up-to-date information is recorded. The childminder shares frequent conversations with parents to tell them how the day has been spent.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her home well to enable easy supervision of activities. Children receive appropriate levels of support from the childminder and very good relationships are evident. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of children’s individual needs; as a result, they receive lots of warm, individual attention, which promotes their emotional well-being. Essential documentation, such as, the certificate of registration and first aid certificate are accessible for all parents to see.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures that most of the required documentation is in place and up-to-date. These are shared with parents to ensure they are kept informed about the service that is offered. The childminder ensures that she adheres to the correct ratio of children and records children’s attendance appropriately. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has ensured that she has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow should an allegation be made to herself or others. The childminder has increased her resources that reflect positive images of diversity of the wider world we live in, so that children now learn about other people. Toiletries are now secured appropriately, therefore children's safety is promoted.

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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 that parental consent has been gained for emergency treatment or advice • ensure that parental consent is in place for outings

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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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