Singlegate Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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102647 Unique Reference Number 30 October 2007 Inspection date Sarah Jane Wignall 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 1997. She lives with her husband and three children aged 16, 13 and 11, in a large town in Cornwall. The whole of the ground floor and designated rooms on the first floor are used for childminding. 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding 18 children, on different days throughout the week. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the local library and to the local park. The family has two dogs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Bodmin Childminding Group.

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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 extremely well protected as the childminder pays very good attention to health and hygiene on a daily basis. She undertakes visual assessments of the home to ensure it is clean and hygienic before children arrive. She follows highly effective procedures to ensure children's health is promoted when they are away from the home. Cards are carried that inform people who to contact in an emergency, ensuring that parents are quickly informed if an accident takes place. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene as they are reminded to wash their hands before eating or after using the toilet. Pictures in the bathroom remind them of this. Children are very well protected in hot weather. Hats and sun creams are provided and a recently purchased gazebo ensures that non-mobile children are well protected from the sun.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well protected as the childminder has a very good understanding of food safety. She has a designated fridge that is used to store children's packed lunches. The temperature of this is checked daily to ensure it is safe and operating at the correct temperature. The childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating and although she only provides a snack for children she ensures this includes healthy items such as fresh fruit, vegetables and toast. Children have constant access to drinks during their play and at mealtimes. Information about special diets is recorded and followed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is improved as they have daily access to the outdoor environment. Walks to and from school each day develop children's fitness. Good use of the garden allows them to access fresh air and exercise, and a wide range of equipment such as a large and a small slide, ride on toys and rockers. Children enjoy playing games outside such as hide-and-seek. Regular trips to local places of interest such as the woods and beach provide children with variety and interest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely well protected as the childminder places a very high emphasis on safety. She has organised the home and garden very well, so that children can play safely and comfortably within it. The childminder undertakes visual assessments each day providing suitable safety equipment such as safety gates and socket covers and ensuring that security is constantly maintained. Children are well protected from the dangers of fire. Suitable fire fighting and detection equipment is in place and a written escape plan displayed within the home. Children do not have access to the kitchen area and all hazardous items are locked away. Children are very well supervised as they play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures that all toys and equipment are safe and suitable and these are checked on a daily basis. Toys are very well sorted and stored in suitable storage containers. Babies have access to their own resources which are safe, suitable and age appropriate. The childminder is vigilant about the safe use of equipment and constantly reminds children to play safely, such as not to swing too high when on the see-saw, or not to climb on the sofa. She takes action to minimise risks to children. For example, by adding an extra wooden panel to the slide so that children have a broader area to stand on and ensuring there is matting placed under the rocker or paddling pool so that children do not slip.

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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 Children are very well protected as the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection procedures. She has attended training in this area and is able to recognise possible signs and symptoms of abuse. She is aware of agencies to contact for advice or referral.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive and are very happy and content in the childminders care. They actively engage in a very wide range of play opportunities each day. Children show delight as they get involved with a Halloween game they had previous helped to make, or play with the gloop, using their senses to explore its texture. Children have excellent relationships with the childminder and each other. They clearly enjoy the opportunity to play with each other and invent games such as hide-and-seek. The childminder plans games that involve all the children, such as hiding and finding items in shredded paper. All children enthusiastically participate, eagerly awaiting their turn to wear the blindfold and find the items hidden by the others. The childminder skilfully uses the game to extend their understanding and listening skills. She asks children to describe the shape and feel of the objects they have found and use their memory to recall the colours.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have easy access to the outdoors and enjoy the opportunity to climb and play outside on the wide range of equipment that is available. Weekly visits to the local childminding group provide children with an extremely varied programme of activities such as mask making, sensory play and dancing among others. Children benefit greatly from mixing and socialising with other children in this way.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from being cared for in a truly inclusive environment where all individual needs are recognised and addressed. The childminder clearly enjoys her work and places great emphasis in providing children with a rewarding and enjoyable experience each day. She skilfully plans activities that include all children such as games of hiding and finding items while blindfolded. Children who normally prefer to play alone are encouraged to join in and younger children preferring not to wear the blindfold participate with their eyes shut instead. Children have extensive opportunities to learn about their own community. For example, they visit lots of local attractions such as the beaches and woods, and planned trips to the local fire station where they will learn about fire safety. The childminder gets involved in local initiatives that are beneficial to children, such as a recent 'walking school bus', where children increased their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

fitness and learned about road safety at the same time. Children learn about the wider world through resources such as books, dolls and role play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are clearly respected and valued by the childminder who is sensitive to their individual needs. She manages behaviour in a warm and comfortable way. Children are extremely happy and relaxed in her care and respond to her in a respectful way. She encourages children to play nicely and sensitively deals with any minor squabbles that arise. She is quick and responsive and rewards success with claps, verbal praise and encouragement. Children show delight as they are praised for correctly identifying items hidden in the bucket. Children are confident to ask for things they want, use the toilet and help themselves to drinks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are extremely well supported by the well established and effective partnership the childminder has with parents. She provides them with copies of polices and procedures which help inform them about the provision. She keeps well labelled and informative photo albums

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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 where parents can see some of the activities that children have been involved in. Information is shared with parents each day on routines and activities. All children have contracts and record forms in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from the committed approach the childminder has to providing a quality service and keeping her knowledge and skills updated. She is highly committed to developing her practice and attends the local Children's Centre once a month for training events and workshops. She has attended a wide range of workshops on topics such as Birth to three matters, food safety, multi-cultural play and accident prevention awareness, among others. She is an active member of the local childminder support group, where weekly meetings and planned events provide children with an extremely wide range of opportunities and experiences. She organises her home and garden very well so that children feel secure and confident and their health and safety is effectively promoted.

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Organisation

Well organised documentation is in place which supports the safe running of the provision. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was asked to ensure that the attendance register is kept with children's full names. Children's safety is promoted as the daily register now includes children's full name.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1st April 2004 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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