Hetton School

Inspection report for early years provision

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108862 Unique Reference Number 17 December 2007 Inspection date Patricia Bowler 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 outstanding. 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 2001. She lives with her husband, who is also a registered childminder, and three children aged 12, seven and four years in Bagworth, Leicestershire. The whole of the ground floor and one room on the first floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five years and two children over five years before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 outstanding. Children are cared for in a clean and tidy home where they receive excellent levels of care through exemplary working practice. Diligent hygiene methods actively prevent the spread of infection with single use gloves and aprons for changing routines and antibacterial solutions on all surfaces. Children develop an acute understanding of personal hygiene through consistent daily routines. They show a real desire to become increasingly independent in their personal care. They wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet and sing songs with the childminder during this procedure to denote the length of time required to maintain effective germ control. Children have participated in activities to promote their awareness of personal hygiene including making and displaying notices to remind them about hand washing. They use disposable towels to further eliminate the risk of cross-infection. Children eagerly clean

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Helping children to be healthy

their teeth following lunch. They identify their own brushes by colour and talk about 'cleaning away the food so our teeth stay healthy and white'.

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Helping children to be healthy

Comprehensive documentation is recorded with parents to ensure children's health and dietary needs are met. Excellent procedures ensure that any accidents children have are managed appropriately as the childminder has knowledge of first aid, available first aid equipment and clear recording systems. A travel first aid kit and emergency information is taken on all outings to ensure children's needs can be effectively met in all situations.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children access a fully enclosed garden for outside play where they experience resources to enhance a range of physical skills. For example, children develop confidence and control of their bodies as they access wheeled toys and enjoy regular visits to a local soft play facility. They develop positive attitudes to exercise as they benefit from a wealth of opportunities to engage in planned visits to local recreational facilities. These provide additional opportunities for children to run freely and climb on park equipment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Very good arrangements ensure children can rest and sleep peacefully. The childminder works exceptionally well with parents to meet children's sleep routines. Younger children use a room on the first floor so that consistency can be maintained and they are supervised through the effective use of a two way communication monitor. Older children rest according to their needs with arrangements to use soft furnishings as required.

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Helping children to be healthy

Food is hygienically prepared and children enjoy the meals provided. Innovative ideas such as 'Christmas rainbow sandwiches', consisting of ham and cranberry sauce on both brown and white bread encourage children to experience different tastes and flavours. They benefit from the childminder's training and knowledge of food hygiene. She provides organically grown foods so children develop healthy eating habits. They enjoy a variety of healthy snacks between meals including fresh fruit and drinks are readily accessible for children to have when they require them. Children regularly visit a local allotment talking to known adults as they gain awareness of how foods grow.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit as vigilant procedures, which are extremely well maintained, provide a safe and secure environment. Systematic arrangements ensure the outside play area is safe and

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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 meticulous, security ensures children are not able to leave the premises unsupervised. An effective range of safety equipment minimises potential hazards and children are encouraged and supported to achieve a balance of independence within safe limits. They use high quality equipment and resources appropriate to their age and stage of development and systematic checks ensure these remain in good order and do not pose a risk to children as they play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Babies are kept safe with the use of harnesses in furniture and pushchairs to ensure they are securely strapped in. A strong emphasis is successfully maintained to ensure their regular sleeping routines are maintained as they use first floor rooms. A monitor ensures they can be heard by the childminder at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Household furniture is very effectively arranged to facilitate children taking part in active play and relaxation. Age appropriate toys and play equipment are stored in low level units in the designated play room and kitchen/dining area to easily allow the children to select resources safely. Very good arrangements ensure those unsuitable for babies and younger children are inaccessible as these are safely stored. Children actively assist in tidying away toys before accessing others to avoid too many toys becoming a trip hazard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Appropriate fire safety equipment is available and a comprehensive written procedure is practised with children to ensure they know what to do in the event of emergency evacuation. Age appropriate discussions ensure children of all ages understand the procedure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Very good arrangements are established for walking to and from school. This time is used effectively to heighten children's awareness of road safety and they know about using pedestrian crossings. High priority is given to helping children to understand how to keep themselves safe on any outings by sensitive discussions including 'stranger danger' and holding hands. Vigilant procedures ensure the children are within the childminder's sight at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm because the childminder understands her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice if necessary. Clear information is shared with parents to ensure they are fully aware of her role to report any concerns to maintain children's welfare. Diligent arrangements ensure children are not cared for by unvetted adults to further enhance their safety and welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children make excellent progress in a vibrant and stimulating environment where they enjoy a very good and varied range of toys and play resources to make active choices about their play. They make rapid steps in their overall development through very good indoor and outdoor activities which provide levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development. Play resources and activities actively encourage confidence and self-esteem especially through opportunities to instigate and develop their own play. They engage in familiar routines and develop sensitivity towards the needs of others as they learn to share and take turns. A creative activity, to make Christmas stockings is enjoyed by children as they carefully use glue brushes to decorate them with sequins, 'jewels' and glitter. Children identify colours and size as they choose 'jewels' to stick onto the stockings. Children enjoy dressing-up using excellent role play

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

resources to become firemen, chefs and doctors. They play out familiar roles 'performing' procedures for administering injections, listening to heart beats and checking ears. They makes links with home as they talk about the impending birth of a sibling for a minded child as they 'deliver' babies from tummies.

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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 Close and caring relationships increase children's sense of trust and communication skills are significantly enhanced by sensitive verbal interaction. Children express their thoughts and feelings and talk eagerly about their play. They ask questions confidently and listen intently to the answers given.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to attend training, such as 'Birth to three matters' and the Foundation Stage to enhance plans for their learning and development. The childminder uses her experience and initiative to provide a stimulating range of play opportunities to capture children's curiosity and enhance their concentration skills. They explore and experiment with a range of creative materials and take pride in their finished work as these are displayed within the home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children thoroughly enjoy a range of planned outings and talk eagerly about past visits to local parks and soft play areas.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop very good social interaction and have warm relationships with known adults. They respond positively to the childminder's use of praise and encouragement and receive cuddles, hugs and close contact to provide reassurance and increase their sense of worth.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Very effective relationships with parents ensure the childminder knows the children well and they receive care appropriate to their individual needs. Comprehensive written and verbal methods and a confidential web site are used effectively to discuss and record their individual needs. Children receive warm cuddles and affection and build trusting relationships with the childminder, contributing to their sense of belonging. There is a strong commitment from the childminder to ensure all children are included giving considerable consideration to any additional needs. Children with speech and language delay use activities such as a karaoke machine to encourage their confidence to practise and develop spoken language.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children make active decisions about their play. They develop an awareness of the needs of others as they engage in a range of activities including role play. They play confidently alone and socially and ask for appropriate help if required. Children are learning about the community in which they live as they engage in local walks, outings and various activities. A range of excellent play resources provide opportunities for them to develop an awareness of other cultures, disability and the wider world in which they live.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is excellent. They listen intently and gain high levels of self-control as they develop skills to negotiate and resolve some issues. They respond positively to the childminder's high expectations as she sets age-appropriate and consistent boundaries. Diligent use of praise and encouragement promotes positive behaviour and children have been proactive in setting and maintaining simple house rules.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Excellent partnerships are established with parents. Children receive consistent care appropriate to their needs in line with parental wishes. Parents are kept very well informed about children's progress through written, verbal and on line communication. A comprehensive parent information file clearly sets out business arrangements and informs them of policies, procedures and daily working practice.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder has high regard for the well-being of children. She has attended various training events in order to provide excellent care for children. Innovative planning and organisational skills are very effectively implemented to promote and maintain children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Space and resources are organised successfully, and spontaneous and well-planned activities provide children with interesting experiences to broaden their overall development.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's enthusiasm, commitment and enjoyment and spend their time purposefully at activities to support their play, learning and individual needs. She is highly motivated and regularly monitors and improves the quality of her care through written and verbal feedback from parents.

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Organisation

Comprehensive documentation is established to ensure children's specific needs are fully recorded and consent arrangements are maintained. Confidentiality is rigorously maintained, whilst ensuring parents are fully informed and involved in the care of their children.

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Organisation

Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to improve her knowledge of notifiable diseases. She has established a comprehensive sickness and exclusion policy, which is included in the parent prospectus. This clearly identifies infectious and notifiable diseases so that children's health and welfare can be maintained.

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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