Aycliffe Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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118449 Unique Reference Number 09 January 2008 Inspection date Deborah Jane Starr 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 satisfactory. 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 their three sons aged 17, 15 and 12 years in Nailsea, North Somerset. Designated rooms within the home are used for minding. 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. She is currently minding three children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder attends local toddler groups and visits local places of interest.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is promoted through established good hygiene routines. Policies such as the exclusion of children when unwell, prevent the spread of illness. Appropriate procedures for instance, when changing a nappy minimise the risk of cross-infection. The childminder holds a valid paediatric first aid certificate. Systems in place for the recording of accidents and the administering of medication are appropriate. Children's health is not fully safeguarded as written

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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 parental acknowledgment is not obtained when medication is administered and records when medication is administered are not accessible at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from activities that contribute to their physical health and development. Visits to local parks and use of the garden provide opportunities for children to develop control and co-ordination of their bodies. A low-level slide, climbing frame, tunnel, see-saw, swings and sit and ride toys promote children's balance and co-ordination. Bats and balls help develop throwing and batting skills. Walks to a local toddler group provide opportunities for fresh air. Children are able to sleep comfortably in a cot according to their needs, as required.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are discussed with parents and taken account of. Children's understanding of a balanced diet and healthy choices is promoted through snacks of fruit, light lunches and home prepared meals accompanied with fruit and yogurts. Some parents provide their own child's food. Children drink water throughout the day from easily accessible cups.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children move safely around the well maintained home where hazards are identified, minimised and checked; these include plug sockets, stair gates and cupboard locks. Children play with and use a suitable range of toys and equipment that are regularly checked, age-appropriate and meet their developmental needs. Children's personal safety is sufficiently promoted within the home and when on outings. For example, young children are strapped into a high chair and when on outings wear reins or a wrist strap and hold onto the buggy in which younger children are secured. However, children's safety is not fully assured within the home as children do not practise evacuation procedures. Children develop an understanding of road safety when walking and play within close proximity of the childminder in enclosed areas at the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Policies and procedures such as, the safe collection of children by authorised persons protect children's welfare. However, children's safety is not fully assured as written parental permission to transport children in a vehicle is not obtained. The childminder's clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and good working knowledge of local reporting procedures protects children from harm. Parents are informed through discussion and access to written materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The warm and positive relationship between the childminder and children promotes their self confidence and enables them to begin to explore the world around them and develop relationships with others, such as the visiting inspector. The childminder responds well to young babies babbling; making good eye contact at these early attempts at communication. Children are secure and relaxed with her and happily climb onto her lap when looking at books and listening to stories. Older children enjoy looking at pictures and follow the story line, identifying some familiar letters and words. Children happily initiate their own self-selected play from toys placed at floor level from organised storage boxes or on the dining table. Children are fascinated by friction toys and eagerly try out this new experience following the clear instructions of the childminder as how to create movement. Younger children are interested in press-response

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

toys, such as a play mobile phone and activity centres. They attempt to balance cups on top of each other, taking pride in their achievement when creating a low-level tower. Activities that offer young children and babies a varied range of experiences that stimulate their senses

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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 through textural or messy play are infrequent; limited within the home to pre-designed resources such as feely/touchy books. The childminder knows the children well and through her intuitive good understanding of child development knows how and why she offers resources that support children's development. Children over one year enjoy manipulating dough with their hands, creating shapes using a variety of cutters and persevere when pressing dough through a moulding machine. Children use scissors effectively to create a variety of effects and explain confidently to the inspector how and why they are threading beads. Children act out their imaginations, giggling with the childminder when they all put on a range of wigs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Weekly visits to a local toddler group, alongside occasional trips on the bus and visits to local green spaces such as Backwell lake extend children's social experiences and offer opportunities for them to develop their awareness of the local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Effective settling-in procedures and the use of comforters; such as a dummy at sleep times, promotes children's sense of security and well-being. Children's individual needs are clearly identified and met. This is achieved through regular discussion with parents to ensure consistency of approach and a positive attitude to working alongside parents. Children develop a strong sense of belonging; confidently talking about and recalling events when in the care of the childminder. Resources that reflect positive images of diversity and help children gain an awareness of people who are different from themselves are limited to some books and puzzles. Children do not participate in meaningful activities that promote a positive attitude towards difference and an understanding of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder effectively balances the individual needs of the children in her care. Children's self-esteem and sense of well-being is promoted through her calm, clear, respectful and consistent approach. Frequent praise, encouragement and use of age-appropriate strategies help children understand what is expected of them. Children are respectful of others and behave well; they are encouraged to share and take turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationship between parents and the childminder. Parents are very supportive of the childminder and appreciative of care given to their children. Discussion about most policies and procedures at the start of the arrangement, copies of some documentation and daily discussion alongside a comprehensive daily diary and photographs, ensures parents are well-informed of their child's day-to-day experiences and welfare. The childminder ensures parents are well-informed of changes to regulations for example, through a written statement should they wish to make a complaint.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are at ease and relaxed within the childminder's home. The layout of the play areas gives children space to move safely and independently. Children access and self-select toys and resources set out on the floor and from well-organised, storage boxes and low-level shelving. Effective time management, routines and flexible planning of the day supports children's developmental needs and ensures their individual needs are met. For example, their need for sleep.

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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 Most documentation is accessible, accurate, organised, clearly displayed and stored confidentially. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding overall of the National Standards and this is reflected in most areas of her practice, policies and procedures and appropriate use of documentation that promotes children's well-being. For example, she ensures that appropriate suitability checks are completed on all persons 16 years and over living in the household.

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Organisation

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 requested to make the following improvements: to retain on file, copies of the countersigned records for administration of medication.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This recommendation have been considered and some steps taken to improve the provision. Records of written parental permission to administer medication are in place and easily accessible. However, as identified during this inspection, the current system of recording when medication is administered is not always accessible as this is recorded in children's individual daily dairies which are kept at the child's own home overnight and when the book is full. Therefore, this aspect of record keeping remains an issue.

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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 satisfactory. 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 that all records when medication is administered are accessible and that written parental acknowledgment is gained • obtain written parental permission to transport children in a vehicle • practise evacuation procedures with children • offer a wider range of sensory activities that stimulate and build upon young children's natural curiosity • increase resources that reflect positive images of difference and offer regular meaningful activities that promote children's awareness of diversity and the wider world.

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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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