Valley Road Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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108777 Unique Reference Number 18 July 2005 Inspection date Karen Louise Prager 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 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been a registered minder since 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight years, and four years, in Swindon, Wiltshire. The family have two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the house is registered for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She occasionally attends the local toddler group and takes children to the library and to local parks. There is good access to local bus routes.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding seven children all of whom attend on a part time basis.

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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. The childminder has a relevant childcare qualification. She is an accredited member of Trio Childcare Connections and currently has three children in receipt of funded nursery education. She regularly attends meetings for childminders and their children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from healthy snacks and meals provided by the childminder. Drinks are offered regularly to all children. Older children are able to ask for a drink when they are thirsty. Children have their health and dietary needs suitably met because the childminder works well with the parents, for example sun hats are regularly used to protect children on sunny days.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are effective procedures and policies followed by the childminder to protect children from illness and infection. The toys and play room are kept clean with good levels of hygiene and cleanliness. The cats do not pose a risk to the children as their feeding bowls are unavailable during the day and they are not generally around the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children regularly walk to the local school and back and the garden is easily accessible form the play room, enabling frequent out door play. This enables both spontaneous and planned activities in a safe setting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children experience a suitably safe and secure suitable playroom and garden which is warmly welcoming to them. They demonstrate a sense of belonging in familiar surroundings, settling well when they arrive and accessing toys freely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has well-thought through processes in place to keep children safe, for example closely supervising the children’s play in the garden. Premises and equipment are in excellent condition. There is a wide range of appropriate equipment and toys for young children and furniture is provided in child size which further enables children to experience a child friendly environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected. Parents are clearly informed about the childminder’s legal duty to report child protection matters. Children are safe from fire, with efficient fire safety procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy and learn from a variety of activities within the home. There are differences between the quality of experiences offered to children under three and those provided for older children.

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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. Babies benefit from routines which are consistent with their experiences at home, for example sleeping in the buggy. However, outside this time they receive little attention. Early communication skills are not built on as there is little interaction with them. Activities are not planned at present although the childminder is aware of toys that are preferred. Babies learn to make connections through the senses and movement and benefit from their contact with older children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children increase their physical skills through planned activities from the childminder for instance, cutting and painting activities that develop hand and finger controls. They play happily together sharing and enjoying a wide range of toys and play materials. Exploration with paint, glue and sand helps children represent their experiences and ideas in a variety of ways.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is good. Knowledge of the foundation stage is sound and used in the planning of daily activities which are varied according to the ability of the child. Children’s achievements are effectively noted and used to inform future planning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show a strong sense of belonging as they interact well with each other and known adults. They are generally engaged in their play as they select and carry out activities and they assume responsibility for personal care. Children are friendly and show care and concern for others. They are beginning to count and recognise different shapes. However children’s thinking is not extended through appropriate activities or conversation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed and valued as individuals. The childminder encourages the children to be independent in their personal care, though selective choice of toys and activities is restricted. Successful use of praise and encouragement is used to build the child’s self-esteem and promote good behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is satisfactory. Comprehensive feedback to parents is maintained and information is shared about the activities of the child, however written information is not supplied to parents of the older children outlining their progress in the Foundation Stage. Parents of the youngest children receive comprehensive written information daily.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children experience regular outings into the wider community promoting the development of their broader interests and knowledge of the local and wider community. They are introduced to the wider world by images of other cultures in books and through activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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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Organisation

The organisation is good. All documents relating to the childminding are in place and effectively used to enable the smooth running of the setting. Confidentiality is highly regarded and maintained.

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Organisation

Children benefit from highly effective organisation which ensures that the children and happy and settled and kept safe. The childminder is calm and able to manage requests of drinks, toileting, calmly and cheerfully.

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Organisation

Leadership and management are good. Continual observation of the children ensures that the childminder knows them well and is able to provide suitable activities and support their development. The childminder has a high regard for furthering her childcare knowledge through training and is continuing to develop this knowledge.

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Organisation

Children benefit from good resources, which meet their needs effectively. Toys are regularly rotated. Children are well protected in that persons not cleared do not have unsupervised access to them and the childminder is familiar with the relevant child protection procedures. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection it was recommended that the variety of craft activity for younger children was improved. New activities have been introduced which enable children to explore and discover further promoting their competency as learners.

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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 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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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): • extend activities and communication with children under three

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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): • provide more opportunities for older children to make decisions and choices to extend their thinking • ensure parents are informed of their children's progress and are encouraged to share their own knowledge of their children to inform planning

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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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