Highgate Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 145530 Inspection date 14 November 2005 Inspector Paul Martin Kitchen

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 was registered in 1990. She lives with her husband in a house in West Lavington, Devizes, Wiltshire. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 2 children under 5 all day and 4 children over 5 before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have 3 cats. The childminder supports children with special educational needs.

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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 good. Children are well protected from infections as the childminder has a good sickness policy that excludes children who are ill or sick. The children's environment is clean and hygienic, for example food surfaces are cleaned prior to food preparation. Children learn to wash their hands after the toilet, before eating and after handling animals. Nappies are changed proficiently with the correct changing mat and disposed of according to hygienic advice. The children are happy, settled and benefit from effectual interaction with the childminder to make them feel emotionally secure and valued. However Birth to three matters are not currently used. Children enjoy regular opportunities to develop their physical skills and control of their bodies, for example, as they ride on bikes and cars in the garden. The childminder takes account of the wishes of the parents and the children's choices to provide suitable meals and snacks that the children favour and meet their

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Helping children to be healthy

dietary needs. For example most parents provide meals for their children and the childminder provides nutritious snacks and fresh drinking water. Children benefit from snacks that are timed well, and not too large that it might interfere with an early lunch.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a home which is warm and welcoming, child friendly and suitable. All areas are safe, secure and in an environment which promotes children's well being. Children freely choose from a well-organised range of good quality toys and equipment that meet safety standards and hygiene. The childminder ensures that toys are safe and appropriate to the children's age and stage of development. Children are cared for in a safe and secure home, where risks have been identified and minimised, such as guards on fires, fitted stair gates, socket covers, locks on kitchen cupboards, and fenced off pond. The childminder conducts risk assessments identifying areas of low and high risk that need attention. Children are further protected from a sound fire escape plan which has been practised regularly. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate so that she would be able to act in

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the children's best interest if there was an accident. Children are well protected in that the childminder has a complete knowledge of approved child protection procedures ensuring she supervises children around persons who are not vetted. This ensures the children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. A copy of the procedures that the childminder must follow is posted in the hall for parents to view.

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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 benefit from an inspired range of play and learning activities. They walk outside everyday, visit the pre-school, toddlers group, shop and the bank. Activities include puzzles, forts, garage, cars, reading books, castles and dressing up. They play in the garden with a good range of outside toys and equipment including sand and water, cars, bikes and sacks for the sack race. Children's creative care is enhanced with painting and messy play activities which are conducted at the local pre-school. Children experience a particularly good range of books and look forward to familiar stories. Children are happy, confident and settled in the childminder's home. They form good relationships with each other and others through regular attendance at pre-school. Good manners are promoted including kindness for each other and smart table manners when eating meals. After school older children are allowed to relax and rest,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

many enjoy acting out the days activities at school. Children develop their creative skills with music, dance, and dressing up. This is further enhanced by a good range of musical instruments.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children behave well and are made to feel welcome by the childminder. She encourages positive behaviour by praising the children to develop their confidence and self esteem. All children are valued and respected as individuals. They demonstrate a strong sense of belonging as they move freely between rooms, choose resources, help choose snacks and tidy away toys. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children's home routines are not disrupted. Children show care for each other, take turns and share books. There are age appropriate rules and boundaries which are clearly learnt. Children are reminded of these in a calm and relaxed way, when challenging behaviour is displayed. This allows the child a choice of response. Children begin to learn about their local community as they visit the local village and pre-school. The childminder has a sound range of resources to help the children become more aware of the wider world and to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. A good working partnership is maintained with parents and carers and information exchanged. The childminder has not received the new information on complaints so there is no complaints policy and record available to parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease in a well-organised environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. Policies and

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. These are shared regularly with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. The childminder shows a strong commitment to improvement and development, for example she is currently engaged in working on a project with the intention of improving parents contribution at pre-school. She regularly reflects on the care she provides, reviews her resources and plans activities that take good account of what children can do and what they need to lean next. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure an accurate records of concerns about children was made. This record is now included in the accident record. In addition she was asked to ensure knives do not pose a risk to children. Knives are now locked away in a locked drawer.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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): • ensure Birth to three matters are used • ensure a complaints policy and record is available to parents

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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 procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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