Elliott School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

101060 Unique Reference Number 12 March 2008 Inspection date Shirley Ann Jackson Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1995. She lives with her husband and two teenage children in the Robinswood area of Gloucester. The whole of the house is used for childminding, with most childcare taking place on the ground floor. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The family have a pet dog. There are currently seven children on roll, aged one to seven years.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds relevant childcare qualifications. She has completed the Council for Awards in Children's Care and Education Certificate in Childminding Practice as well as first aid and child protection training. She is currently working towards the Foundation Degree in Early Years and Education. The childminder attends the local toddler group on a regular basis. She travels to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the Gloucester Children Come First Network.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children become aware of good hygiene practice as they follow well-established daily routines. For example, they take their coats and shoes off when they are playing indoors and wash their hands before eating. Individual flannels are provided. The childminder explains to the children why they need to wash their hands before they eat, helping them to understand the importance of this. They see the childminder cleaning the table after messy activities. Personal care for younger children is carried out promptly, for example, noses are wiped as necessary. This ensures the comfort of the children. Children's health is promoted, as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and a first aid box is available. The childminder ensures that the risk of cross-infection is minimised, as parents are aware of the importance of keeping sick children at home.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered healthy, balanced and nutritious meals and snacks during their time with the childminder. The childminder takes into account any dietary requirements the children have when planning meals. They sit together to eat, developing their social skills and manners. The childminder is well organised, as meals are prepared when the children are not present. Parents are made aware of the meals and snacks offered through the information booklet which the childminder gives to them when their child first starts. Drinks are freely available to children throughout the day, and the childminder regularly reminds children to have a drink.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children move confidently within the available space, for example, moving between the lounge and the conservatory. The childminder regularly takes the children outdoors to enjoy fresh air and exercise. They visit the nearby park and use the childminder's garden. The childminder also takes them on visits further afield to parks, soft play facilities and local farms.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play safely within the childminder's home as she has minimised most potential risks to children's safety. For example, the front door is secure to prevent unauthorised access and to prevent the children leaving. The childminder carries out regular fire drills with the children and smoke alarms are checked frequently. These procedures help to keep children safe and ensure that they know what to do in an emergency. However, the water and food bowls for the pet dog are left within reach of the children. Children are kept safe when in the childminder's car, as she ensures they all have suitable car seats.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are offered a good range of toys and resources to play with. These are good quality, well maintained and meet safety standards. Some resources are stored in a trolley which is easily accessible to children. The childminder monitors children's choices to ensure that self-selected resources are suitable for their stage of development. The childminder extends the range of resources offered by using the toy library.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards the children in her care as she holds a current child protection training certificate. This ensures that she has a sound knowledge of the indicators of abuse and neglect. She is aware of the correct procedures to follow if she has any concerns about a child in her care. The childminder has produced a written policy to cover this area. These documents are shared with parents via the childminder's information folder. She is aware of

p.3

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 procedure to follow if an allegation is made against her. This helps to protect children's welfare and well-being.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are offered a good range of resources and activities to play with, some of which are easily accessible to them. This develops their independence and gives them choice in their play. Children settle well and are comfortable in the childminder's home. The childminder knows the children well and is aware of their individual routines. This ensures consistency of care and helps the children to feel secure. Children's early communication skills are promoted as the childminder talks to them constantly during their play. She listens to their noises and interprets them confidently. The childminder introduces vocabulary as children play, for example, talking about strawberries and what they need to grow.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder encourages children to become interested in the world around them. Children visit local farms, where they can feed the animals and help with the milking, or buy eggs which the childminder cooks for lunch. The childminder helps children to develop a love of books by making the bookcase easily accessible, and she incorporates story time into her daily routine. Children snuggle up with the childminder as they look at books together. The childminder uses the local library to provide a greater choice of books. Children's creativity is fostered as they have regular access to craft resources.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's early maths skills are promoted as the childminder uses maths language during their play. For example, they count the numbers of eyes they need for their collage rabbit. The childminder promotes children's imagination and creativity, as she offers cooking and role play activities, along with music, arts and crafts. Children's artwork is displayed on a washing line in the conservatory, giving children a sense of belonging.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children become involved in the local community, as they regularly visit other childminders and toddler groups, the library, and drop-in sessions at the nearby Children's Centre. The childminder helps to raise children's awareness of diversity by providing a suitable range of resources which reflect positive images of the wider community. Children's individual needs are met as the childminder discusses their home routine with parents. Children build positive relationships with the childminder and her family. They seek her out when they are unsure or need reassurance. This gives children a sense of belonging and security. The childminder is keen to offer an all inclusive setting and to support children with disabilities or learning difficulties.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are given the opportunity to choose which resources they would like to play with and to take part in daily routines. For example, they all help to tidy toys away and try to put on aprons before messy play. Children are encouraged to share and take turns. The childminder is a positive role model for the children. She has a calm and reassuring manner, which is reflected in the children's good behaviour. A written behaviour management policy is in place and is shared with parents.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the detailed information which the childminder shares with parents. This contains the childminder's policies and procedures, details of the service she offers and

p.4

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 information on the childminding network. The childminder chats to parents at the end of each day to share all relevant information. If this is not possible, the childminder will telephone parents to share any information with them. In addition, she completes a daily diary which details what the children have done and how they have been. Letters from parents in response to the inspection are all positive, and suggest that parents are very happy with the care the childminder offers. Children benefit from this strong partnership.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is experienced, motivated and keen to develop her knowledge further. She has attended numerous training courses since her last inspection and is currently working through an early years degree qualification. This not only aids her professional development but improves the care offered to children. The childminder is a member of a quality assurance scheme and she receives regular monitoring visits to ensure she meets their standards. These visits are used to reflect on and improve the service offered to children and their parents.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder organises her home effectively to encourage children to play freely and to access a number of resources themselves. Children move confidently from one area to another depending on which activities they are taking part in. Children are well supported, as the childminder is on hand to extend and develop their play.

p.5

Organisation

All legally required paperwork is readily available for inspection. The registration and insurance certificates are displayed in the hall for parents to see. The childminder has produced comprehensive written policies to reflect her daily practice. These are shared with parents to ensure that they are well informed about the provision. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to: extend the range of adult-directed activities and play opportunities to provide sufficient challenges to increase children's learning and interests; increase her awareness and understanding of effective ways to manage children's behaviour which are clear, consistent and developmentally appropriate; obtain all recommended contact details; and provide parents with information on how to contact Ofsted if they have a complaint.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder loosely plans what she offers to the children to ensure that they have access to a range of opportunities and experiences which challenge and stimulate their interest. Children's behaviour is well managed, as the childminder has attended a training course to support her in this area. The childminder obtains all recommended contact details for parents and the contact details of the regulator are freely available for parents if they want them.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

Complaints 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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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 the food and water bowls for the dog do not pose a risk to minded children

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6