Kimpton, Thruxton and Fyfield Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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116375 Unique Reference Number 01 October 2007 Inspection date Jane Plested 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 registered in 1991. She lives with her husband and grown-up child. Their house is in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire. It is in walking distance of local shops, pre-school and schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for minding and the first floor available for rests and to access toilet facilities. There is also a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years. There are currently three children that attend the setting.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to the local pre-school and attends a toddler group on a regular basis. The family has a pet dog.

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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. Outdoor activities and outings support children’s good health. They have regular access to the secure garden and local parks. In the park children can play on a variety of large apparatus. Children have access to smaller equipment in the garden and can also use wheeled toys. They remember jumping in puddles in wet weather and taking part in gardening activities. Children's fine manipulative skills are supported during activities such as cutting and sticking, drawing and manipulating dough. As a result, children are developing increasing control of their bodies and keeping fit.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children stay healthy because they are encouraged to follow good personal hygiene routines. They wash their hands after toileting and know that they are completing these routines “because of germs”. They have their own towels and this practice acts to prevent germs spreading. The childminder keeps her first aid skills up-to-date. In addition, sound procedures and generally good records are in place to manage sickness and minor accidents to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder’s awareness of healthy eating and the food provided by their parents is stored with good food hygiene in mind, this will minimise the risk of contamination. The childminder works in partnership with parents to support dietary preferences, like an organic diet for children. Children are able access drinks freely so that they do not become thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have access to a suitable range of play resources. These are varied and age/stage appropriate. The childminder uses her resources very well to support children’s learning and development. Consequently, they are busy throughout their time in the setting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from the generally good procedures for health and safety. The childminder’s home provides suitable spaces for play and is a secure environment. Most risks to children have been identified. The childminder uses safety equipment within the indoor environment to minimise dangers. The childminder manages children’s access to the dog well. Her close supervision also acts to prevent any accidents. However, equipment in the garden poses a minor hazard to children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety when walking outside the home is a high priority for the childminder. She uses strategies such as handholding and transporting younger children in a buggy. The childminder also has a good awareness of the importance of teaching children road safety. This means that children are aware of clear safe routines for crossing the road and know to “look and listen” for traffic. This will act to minimise the risk of a road traffic accident.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The house and grounds are secure. Children know emergency evacuation procedures and the recommended fire safety equipment is in place and the childminder tests this equipment monthly to ensure it is in working order. She has a good understanding of procedures to protect children and ably describes the signs that would cause her concern. This strong practice will act to safeguard children.

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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 outstanding. The activities for children are absorbing, well planned and adapted to meet individual needs. The childminder shares her planning with children so they can look forward to their time in the setting and she includes them in the development of her ideas to make these more exciting. She links her curriculum to themes, such as flowers or transport, and plans stimulating outings to support the topics. For instance, children remember a recent visit to a florist to smell the flowers and they become excited by the prospect of an outing to meet a mechanic and to see a fire station, to help them learn about vehicles.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

In the home, the childminder supports learning by planting flowers and growing vegetables. Together they play with cars and other small world resources and this allows the childminder to cleverly support children’s learning of colour and to successfully develop their counting and matching skills. The childminder expertly encourages talk with children about different buildings in their locality and they discuss different modes of transport as they play together with the road mat. She cleverly extends their vocabulary and thinking during chat about car engines, steering wheels and safety helmets, as they look at relevant motoring magazines. In addition, she supports their conversation skills by correcting minor grammatical errors as they speak and she ensures that both children present participate in the discussions and exchanges. As a result, children increase their knowledge and understanding of the world and enhance their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

mathematical development and confidence in speaking.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s learning and development also benefit significantly from the childminder’s ability in using the art activities to support colour recognition together with the development of creative ideas and pencil control. For example, children enthusiastically create very detailed drawings of cars and aeroplanes. They are encouraged in carefully and imaginatively adding details, such as wheels, passengers and steering wheels. They know the colours they are using in their artwork, are developing good pencil control, and can name familiar letters as they attempt to trace their names on their work.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder ensures she knows children’s individual needs and favourite activities. She is effective in developing and supporting children’s independence and good access, by setting out resources so they can reach them. Children are aware of the needs of their peers and happily share play resources. The childminder is pro-active in helping and encouraging children to participate and learn.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children experience a satisfactory range of activities that help them learn about the wider world. For example, they have access to some resources to develop their awareness of diversity. They have excellent opportunities to learn about their local community through local visits during outings to support the activity theme, by exchanging books at the library or attending toddler groups to socialise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder states that any children with learning/physical disabilities are welcome; during discussions she demonstrates an awareness of how to support individual needs and to offer support to parents. Children behave very well, they share and laugh together during the inspection and happily help tidy away. Children know the house rules. The childminder aids

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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 and develops a sense of self-worth as she praises them after successful counting and imaginative drawing. As a result, children are confident and at home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shares information about her service with parents through discussion and her portfolio. She plans supportive admission procedures to aid settling. A range of written agreements are in place ensuring children’s care is fully understood by all parties. The childminder explains good verbal systems for sharing each child’s day care. The childminder sustains long-term relationships with families and written references in her portfolio from several past parents are very positive. The childminder has a written complaints procedure and log. However, the Ofsted telephone number is incorrect in the policy and some aspects of recording complaints require review.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home within an effective childcare setting and as a result are very confident and actively involved in meaningful play. The activities for children are planned to be interesting and challenging, and are adapted to meet individual needs. As a result, children are busy. They have plenty of very positive support during their activities from the childminder, so that they feel confident and secure within the setting.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder’s interest in keeping her first aid skills and knowledge about changes to the regulations for childminding up-to-date. She is developing skills for self-assessment; this will help her become a more reflective practitioner.

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Organisation

Recording practice is generally good and storage of paperwork assures children’s confidentiality. Day care records are in place for each child and there are effective systems for sharing records of incidents, such as accidents, with parents. 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 ensure there is adequate floor space available for play and make sure the toys and equipment are clean and well maintained. She also agreed to understand and implement the Area Child Protection Committee procedures and ensure that a correct record is kept of children's attendance and of any accidents. In addition, the childminder agreed to keep detailed care records on each child.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There is appropriate space for children’s small world play and construction activities take place on the floor in the lounge. The toys and equipment seen at inspection are of good quality, well maintained, and set at the correct level so children can access them and make some choices. The childminder has a good understanding of the signs that cause concern regarding a child’s well-being and she has reference materials to support her knowledge and work in protecting children. The childminder keeps all recommended records. Those referring to attendance note the times of arrival and departure and day care records hold detail to support the care of each child. The childminder completes records of accidents and parents sign to confirm receipt of this information, but occasionally those relating to minor injuries lack specific detail, for example, the site of an abrasion. Therefore, these provide less effective information for future reference

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Improvements since the last inspection

about minor injuries sustained by children.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

In September 2006, Ofsted received one complaint relating to National Standard 6: Safety. This involved a concern relating to the transportation of children. Ofsted carried out an unannounced visit where we interviewed the provider, made observations and reviewed various documentation. As a result, of the visit Ofsted set two actions, one under National Standard 6 and a second relating to National Standard 14. Ofsted received a full response to the actions on 11 October 2006. Ofsted was satisfied that by taking these steps the provider met the National Standards and remained qualified for registration at the time the investigation was closed.

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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): • update the procedures kept relating to complaints • further minimise minor risks to children's safety in the garden.

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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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