Moreton Community School

Inspection report for early years provision

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104397 Unique Reference Number 11 February 2008 Inspection date Anne Legge 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 has been registered since 1989 and may care for up to six children, aged under eight years. She and her husband are also foster carers. They live with their two teenage foster children, close to the centre of Ashburton. Children play in the living room and large family kitchen, as well as the enclosed rear garden. An upstairs bedroom is used for daytime sleep. There are currently 11 children under eight years on roll, all of whom attend part-time. The family have two dogs and four cats, as well as caged ferrets. The pets can be excluded from children if required.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from eating mainly healthy snacks and meals. The childminder provides cereals for breakfast and fresh fruit for snacks. Parents supply well-balanced meals, as well as less healthy items for treats. Children have constant access to drinks, so are able to maintain good fluid levels. The childminder encourages them to drink plenty of water in hot weather. Special dietary needs are known and met. Children enjoy daily opportunities to access fresh air and

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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. They push or ride wheeled toys in the garden, run in a field, or go to a local park or for rides on a steam train. Indoors, they enjoy active singing games or crawl through tunnels and play tents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are mainly well protected from infection, as they play in a generally clean and tidy home. Pets are treated regularly for infestation and a grassed area used by the children is fenced, to keep the dogs out and protect children. However, hygiene measures are less effective when cats sleep and walk on work surfaces in the kitchen. The childminder carefully disinfects areas where food is prepared, as well as the table and children's bibs, but some surfaces are not cleaned each time the cats cross them. Dogs also sleep in the kitchen and a potty is stored and used there, reducing the effectiveness of the childminder's careful cleaning routines. Children learn to wash or cleanse their hands before they eat and older children use liquid soap and paper towels, to reduce risks of cross-infection. Children's care is good when they are unwell or injured. The childminder has a current first aid qualification and she ensures that all

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Helping children to be healthy

consents are in place. Records of accidents and medication are comprehensive and shared effectively with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in safe and secure premises. Doors are locked during sessions and the garden is fully enclosed. Children have plenty of space in two rooms, to move around freely. They choose from a wide variety of toys and resources, which are maintained in a good condition and stored carefully at low levels, so that they can select safely and independently. There are effective systems for regularly checking all toys for cleanliness and safety, as they are rotated for variety. Children are safe on outings, as they use buggies, car seats or reins, as appropriate, and they know the childminder's clear routines for walking safely near traffic.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe in emergencies, as the childminder practises her evacuation procedures, with the help of other childminders, who ring her to announce unplanned fire drills. Fire safety equipment is in place and the childminder's husband is available on site, to offer assistance. Children's safety is given a high priority in the home. All areas have been risk assessed and the childminder makes good use of socket covers and cupboard locks to protect children. She ensures that all cleaning materials and kitchen tools are inaccessible. Children are well protected from abuse or neglect, as the childminder has completed appropriate training and has a good understanding of all safeguarding issues and procedures. She has also arranged to update her knowledge, by attending another relevant training course.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good variety of activities, which effectively promote their development and meet their individual learning needs. The childminder skilfully engages children in a wide range of tasks. She talks, sings and plays with them, encouraging their language and imaginations. For example, they play singing games or role play caring for babies or talking on a toy telephone. Children use dough and cutters, discussing their models with the childminder as they work. They enjoy sharing stories and develop their understanding of numbers, as they count pictures in the books. Children discuss letters and sing an alphabet song, extending their knowledge as they play.

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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 develop their creativity, as they draw, paint or make models. They increase their physical skills, as they use scissors to cut out their pictures. They choose from a wide range of electronic and musical toys, activity centres and ball games. They design and construct, using wooden train tracks and a variety of construction sets, suitable for children at different stages of development. They enjoy outings and learn to socialise, when meeting with other childminders and their minded children. The childminder has attended training in the Birth to three matters framework and she has implemented most aspects of it, although she does not consistently provide a wide variety of materials and substances for young children to explore. She has a good understanding of children's development and plans activities which meet their individual

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

needs and interests. She is very effective in promoting children's independence, as they choose activities and resources throughout sessions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from consistent care, due to the childminder's good systems for communicating with their parents. Clear induction procedures help new children to settle easily, with initial visits and a gradual introduction to the setting. The childminder uses written policies and procedures to share information with parents and she displays advice about making complaints. Parents have daily opportunities to exchange information with the childminder, and they feel very well informed about all aspects of their children's care and activities. The childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities issues and she is effective in meeting children's individual needs. They learn about differences, as they use a range of resources, including dolls and books which reflect diversity, and when they discuss and value disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well, as they are constantly busy and engaged in their play. They develop affectionate relationships with the childminder and enjoy plenty of praise, which effectively promotes their self-esteem. They understand and respond to the childminder's clear rules, such as keeping dough on the table, which she gently but firmly enforces. Children are settled and secure in her care. Those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities receive very good support, as the childminder works closely with parents and other professionals, to meet their additional needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a very experienced childminder, who is appropriately qualified and committed to ongoing training, to keep her knowledge up-to-date, for the benefit of minded children. They enjoy the facilities of a comfortable, child-friendly family home, where space is used effectively, to provide a wide variety of interesting activities. Good attention is given to children's safety and security, and standards of health and hygiene are satisfactory. The childminder gives children plenty of individual attention and skilfully balances the needs of those of different ages. Their care is securely underpinned by all the required documentation. Records and registers are appropriately detailed and information is well organised and stored confidentially. 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 childminder agreed to improve children's safety by practising the evacuation plan. She now does this regularly, prompted by other childminders, so all children are familiar with the routine. At a subsequent visit, the childminder was asked to maintain

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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 accurate records of children's attendance. She now has good systems for keeping attendance registers up-to-date and fully detailed.

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Complaints since the last inspection

In June 2007, concerns were received, relating to National Standard 1: Suitable Person. The complaint related to an alleged breach of the childminder's conditions of registration, by caring for more children than her registration allowed. Ofsted made an unannounced visit. Numbers attending were found to be in accordance with conditions of registration, but an action was set, requiring the childminder to maintain accurate records of children's attendance at all times. She subsequently informed Ofsted that she had taken appropriate action to meet this requirement and she remains suitable for registration.

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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 children's protection from infection by ensuring that pets and potties pose no health risk in the kitchen • further develop provision for very young children by offering regular opportunities for them to explore a wide range of sensory materials.

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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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