St Peter's Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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100839 Unique Reference Number 06 September 2007 Inspection date Zahida Hatia 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 registered in 1996. She lives with her husband and their five children aged between four and 16 years. Their home is a five-bedroom, semi-detached cottage in Brimscombe, on the outskirts of Stroud. The whole of the downstairs area and one upstairs bedroom are available for childminding purposes. There is a garden to the rear of the property which is available for outside play. There are shops and local amenities within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Care is offered on a full or part-time basis throughout the year. Before and after school care is available for children attending Brimscombe School. At present there are three children on the roll, aged between three and six years. Children are taken to a local parent-and-toddler group and on regular outings to a nearby park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder promotes good hygiene practices as children routinely wash their hands before eating and are given gentle reminders to do so after visiting the bathroom. Children have daily

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 physical exercise playing with wheeled toys, balls and push along toys in the garden or going on local walks. This helps them to understand the need for regular exercise as part of a healthy life style. Children have opportunities every day to play in the fresh air and the childminder extends art and craft activities such as chalking, painting and model making into the garden. Children who are infectious do not attend and when they are taken ill, their parents are contacted, preventing the spread of contagious ailments. Parents and carers are fully aware of this procedure as they receive a written policy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished because the childminder has a good knowledge of the nutritional content of food and often advises parents on what to give children in their lunch boxes. Children benefit from eating healthily as they choose what they wish to eat at snack times from a selection of nutritious food. For example, the childminder generally offers children a choice of fruit or raw vegetables. Older children have easy access to drinks when they are thirsty and younger children are given help because the cups are left on the table.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a warm and friendlily environment and are comfortable in their surroundings. They have independent access to a very good range of equipment. The play provision is suitable and safe for the children's ages and stages of development. The children's safety is ensured because the childminder makes regular checks on all furniture, equipment and play resources which forms a part of the daily and ongoing risk assessments. Children are well protected and safeguarded from harm because the childminder has a good knowledge of child protection procedures should concerns be raised and has good recording keeping practices in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is ensured because the childminder is vigilant. She places a high importance on ensuring informal and formal risk assessments are implemented daily on all areas used by children. Consequently, children benefit from being able to wander freely and safely around the childminder's home. They learn how to keep themselves safe in an emergency situation because the childminder has developed written evacuation procedures and shares these effectively with the children. Children practise this procedure ensuring they are fully aware of the routine. Written procedures outline how children's safety is ensured in the home and on outings.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are extremely confident and happy and thrive in the childminder's care. Younger children move with confidence, they pull themselves up and reach out their arms for a cuddle displaying a strong sense of self assurance. They become skilful communicators, they point to pictures in the book as they share stories whilst having a cuddle. Children are competent learners showing great excitement when they paint pictures on a mirrored easel, they skilfully smooth plain paper to make copies from the easel to take home. Interaction between the children and the childminder is good. Children interact with the childminder and with each other with ease, they join in with familiar stories predicting what happens next and getting excited about turning the pages in the book. They benefit from these activities because the childminder sits on the floor and plays with them. Children develop high levels of independence and curiosity as they

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

freely select toys from the array of resources.

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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 Children can freely select and show increasing independence as they choose and make individual choices. They benefit from activities that allow them to explore, express and use their imaginations, for example digging in the soil and painting. Children's work is valued and displayed sensitively within the home. The childminder's informal use of the Birth to three matters framework results in younger children experiencing activities that allow them to explore, discover and imitate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children gain increasing self-assurance through a positive relationship with the childminder. Their views and beliefs are valued and appreciated. They are encouraged to persevere and make personal choices. This results in children who are well behaved and tolerant of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children's care is further enhanced with the strong relationship developed between the childminder and parents and carers. Parents receive clear information about children's daily routine using a contact books and sharing information about their children's progress through verbal feedback. However the childminder has not been active in encouraging parents to read through her policies and procedures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's understanding of diversity is well promoted through the positive images range of resources used within the setting. Children become aware of the differences and similarities between themselves and others as they talk to the childminder about their individual family circumstances, share stories and involve themselves in a range of planned activities and experiences. For example children have opportunities to play with dolls, dressing up clothes and both boys and girls are actively encouraged to join in.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from clear routines and a well organised environment. They are supported in a warm and caring home, which supports their growing social confidence allowing them to be valued and appreciated.

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Organisation

The childminder is aware of her responsibility to ensure that documentation is up-to-date and she has the required procedures in place. Appropriate systems are in place to record times of children's attendance. Parents are kept informed of children's development through the use of contact books; the childminder regularly hold consultation meeting with parents and carers to discuss their children's progress.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps herself well informed of current childcare practices by attending a good variety of training courses, to ensure her knowledge and skills are up-to-date. She is continuing to build on her own knowledge and skills by developing and adapting information from Birth to three matters framework. Children enjoy their play and are stimulated by the varied activities provided to promote individual progress. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection the childcare inspector identified one recommendation relating to standard 13, child protection. The childminder has a clear knowledge of how to implement

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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 local child protection procedures should concerns be raised and has a good understanding of the procedures to follow. This issue has been addressed resulting in positive outcomes for children.

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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): • Improve partnership with parents by maintaining and sharing records

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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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