Westcliff High School for Boys Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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136272 Unique Reference Number 24 September 2007 Inspection date Kay Roberts 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 first registered in 1996. She lives in a three bedroom house close to a main route through Little Stoke, South Gloucestershire. There are two children in the family aged nine and two years. The whole of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Registration is for a maximum of three children under eight years and currently there are three children on roll, two of whom are under five years.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is actively promoted. They play in a clean environment and know that they should take off their shoes before entering the childminder's home. The risk of infection is minimised as the childminder follows hygienic procedures, for example, providing individual towels, flannel and bedding. The policy for excluding children who are sick is shared with parents. If a child becomes ill whilst with the childminder, parents are also aware of the need to collect their children as soon as possible. Children learn the importance of hygiene through the daily routine as they wash their hands before snack. The provision of a small step facilitates

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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 children's independence in reaching the wash hand basin. Personal hygiene is also reinforced as children participate in action rhymes such as 'Here we go round the Mulberry Bush' and pretend to brush their hair and teeth. There are good procedures in place for managing both accidents and medication so that children's welfare is promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

When thirsty, children help themselves to a drink from their clearly distinguishable bottles. Children develop some understanding of healthy eating as they colour in pictures of fruit and the childminder explains what foods are good for them. On a weekly basis, children accompany the childminder to the green grocer to select fruit for snacks. If children say they do not like a particular fruit they are encouraged to try it so that they become familiar with the taste. Children do not go hungry as they are offered more. After they have eaten, children show some independence by taking their empty bowls to the childminder. At lunch time children eat a healthy packed lunch provided by parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities to play in the fresh air and are protected from the elements. In summer sun screen is applied and in winter children wrap up warm in coats. They wear Wellington boots when they visit places, such as Westonbirt Arboretum, so they can have fun splashing in puddles. In the garden children use large muscle skills as they climb up the steps of the slide and jump up an down on the trampoline. They move around in sit and ride toys and peddle a tricycle. As children try to throw a ball they begin to develop co-ordination. Children's large muscle skills are extended on regular outings to soft play and parks. Indoors children continue to take exercise as they participate in action rhymes, such as 'The Wheels on the Bus'. Younger children learn the names of parts of their body as they follow the actions and touch different parts of their body to 'Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes'. Young children

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Helping children to be healthy

do not get over tired as they are able to sleep peacefully in a room away from their peers, so they are not disturbed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children relax as they receive a warm greeting from the childminder and knowing that the range of clean, safe toys, are always available. Children's interest in the resources is sustained as the toys and books are regularly rotated with those stored elsewhere in the home. The home is decorated and maintained to a good standard throughout and in the hallway the childminder displays her registration documents and information for parents. Children have a sense of belonging as photographs are displayed in the kitchen. They move around freely between the lounge and kitchen/diner, and as furniture is placed to the side of the room space available for play is maximised. Organisation of the home provides space for play, physical activity and relaxation. Children also benefit by having direct access to outdoor play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in a secure environment. There are safe procedures in place so that children are only released to authorised adults and are protected from people who have not been vetted. Children have few accidents as the childminder has addressed all potential hazards by completing a risk assessment. The childminder is vigilant, for example, when children go up and down stairs the childminder ensures they are not carrying anything in their hands so that they can hold onto the banister. As children finish playing with toys they are encouraged to tidy them away, so the number of trip hazards are reduced. Children begin to understand how to keep themselves safe as the childminder talks to them about road safety and the danger of water as they play with a car mat and toy vehicles. In the event of a fire children know how to evacuate the premises safely as they practise the drill on a monthly basis. Children are further protected as

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the childminder is knowledgeable about local safeguarding procedures.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children say they enjoy being with the childminder and are emotionally secure in the daily routine. Communication skills are encouraged well through the childminder's gentle interaction and questioning. She introduces children to new words, such as aubergine. As they play with a road mat children are encouraged to name the different vehicles and use hand-eye co-ordination as they pretend to drive the vehicles around keeping to the roads. They line the vehicles up and explain they are going round a corner. Children enjoy listening to stories as the childminder uses expression in her voice and children explain that in one picture the owls are sitting in a tree. Young children become familiar with numbers as they count the number of balls and two year olds accurately count five cars. The childminder encourages imaginative play as she participates in children's games, and when they select a shopping trolley she asks them

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

if they can buy her some fruit juice and milk from the shop. Children are given the time and opportunity to develop independence as they try to put on their own shoes before going outside. Problem solving skills are used as children place wooden pieces of jigsaws into the appropriate slots on a board. Children are motivated to learn as the childminder follows through on their interests and provides many first hand experiences, for example, visiting parks, the library for story time and Bristol Zoo. Children's social skills are extended by regular attendance at a toddler group. The childminder has recently begun to use Birth to three matters to observe children at play and recognises that she needs to develop this further to plan for children's development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children new to the provision are helped to settle as there is a gradual introduction to their new carer and her environment, and they are encouraged to join in the fun. Babies are emotionally secure as they have their comforter from home and the childminder follows their home routine. There is a relaxed relationship between parents and the childminder so children are emotionally secure. Good communication between parents and the childminder ensures that children's individual needs are met on a daily basis. Parents are well informed about the childminder's practices as they have a copy of her policies and procedures, and the well presented folder of information is readily available in the hall. Fully detailed contracts ensure that all parties are clear about their remit.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop confidence knowing they are all valued and included. The childminder also has experience of meeting children's additional needs by working in partnership with parents and other professionals. Activities are pitched at an appropriate level so that all children can achieve and are praised for their success, sometimes being rewarded with a sticker. They have a sense of belonging as they see their photographs displayed in the kitchen. As a result of the childminder providing clear guidelines about behaviour expectations, children are polite, well behaved and learning to take turns. They show a respect for their environment by helping to tidy away toys they have finished playing with. Unwanted behaviour is sensitively managed by distraction.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about the wider world. They begin to understand the local community as they visit shops, parks and the beach with the childminder. A love of nature is fostered when children see animals at both Bristol Zoo and Avon Valley Country Park, for which the childminder has season tickets. They go on nature walks at Westonbirt Arboretum where they compare the size of leaves, which they later use for leaf rubbing. Children develop a positive attitude to difference

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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 as they play with readily accessible resources reflecting positive images of diversity. They learn more about their own culture as they look at lights amongst the trees at Christmas. At Halloween they dress up and go on a treasure hunt in the park. Children begin to understand that there are other cultures as they acknowledge celebrations, such as Diwali.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She is appropriately qualified and enthusiastic about her work. Keen to extend her practice she has undertaken further training since the last inspection and reads a pertinent monthly magazine. Documentation complies with both regulatory requirements and the National Standards. Paperwork is well organised, confidentially maintained and regularly updated. The childminder provides a clean, welcoming environment where children have space for relaxation, play and physical activity. Children make good progress as the childminder knows how to encourage learning by becoming actively involved in play herself, following on from children's interests, providing many first hand experiences and pitching activities at an appropriate level so that all children achieve success.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to meet two recommendations. Children now receive appropriate care in the event of a serious accident as there is written parental consent to seek advice or treatment in the event of a medical emergency. Children are now safer when they go up and down the stairs as a handrail has now been fitted.

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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): • continue to develop observations and planning.

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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 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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