Abbey Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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148382 Unique Reference Number 03 March 2008 Inspection date Anne Jeanette Faithfull 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 was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and their adult child in Woodley, Berkshire. The whole of the ground floor of childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and she is currently minding two children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children. The childminder takes children to the local park. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are aware of health and hygiene issues because, the childminder reminds them to wash their hands and she is a positive role model for example, they watch her as she cleans the table and washes her hands before preparing their snack for them. The childminder has a first aid qualification; this enables her to manage any accidents effectively. Detailed records of accidents are clearly recorded and shared with parents. Consent forms for specific aspects of care, for

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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 instance, emergency medical treatment permission, are in place. The childminder shares her policy regarding sickness with the parents so they are aware if their child becomes unwell, they have to come and collect their child. These measures reduce the risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides a range of healthy snacks including fruit and is aware the children may be hungry and thirsty after an energetic day at school. Children can access a drink when they require and snack time is a sociable occasion with all the children and the childminder sitting together talking about their day at school. Children have the opportunity to enjoy physical activities as they stop at the park on their way from school to play football or use large outdoor play equipment. Their fine motor skills are promoted as they learn to thread a needle and use scissors and other craft tools.

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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 bright and welcoming home. There is plenty of space for them to move around freely, choosing their own activities. All the resources are stored in easily accessible labelled storage boxes, this enables the children to self select the ones they wish to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is very aware of safety issues for example, she completes a visual safety check each day before she collects the children from school and ensures the playground they use in the park on their way home from school is safe for them to use. The childminder discusses her emergency evacuation procedure with the children, to inform them of the steps they should take however; she has not yet practised the procedure with the children. The childminder encourages children to think about their own safety as she reminds them of road safety and how to cross the road safely and to watch their fingers when using scissors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is protected as the childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities regarding safeguarding children. She is well aware of the procedures to follow if she has any concerns about the welfare of the children in her care and has recently attended training organised by the local authority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has been caring for children for many years and uses her knowledge and experience gained to provide a wide range of activities and experiences for the children. She takes into account the children have had a busy day at school and may just want to relax and chill out for a while. The childminder responds to the children’s interests and requests for instance, the children requested a film they wished to see so the childminder taped the film for them to watch. Children enjoy lots of art and craft activities for example, sewing different pictures using a range of templates. Some children have asked the childminder to teach them to knit so she has already purchased some knitting needles to teach them how to knit.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children readily comment to the inspector how much they enjoy coming to the childminder and playing with their friends and the resources they like to use, such as the Lego and sewing. The childminder talks to the children about their school day and their achievements or concerns. She encourages the children to continue to develop whilst in her care by asking them to count the number of stitches and rows they are sewing. The childminder is very aware to offer children appropriate challenges which are fun and interesting and offers support and guidance when appropriate.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are well behaved and have a good understanding of right from wrong. They cooperate well and are thoughtful, considerate and well mannered, for example they offer to share their snack with the inspector. The childminder provides a positive role model; she is calm and polite and offers praise and encouragement when appropriate. Children are very aware of the house rules in place as they have helped to devise them and they are displayed for everyone to see.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are treated with equal concern and their individual needs are valued and well catered for. The children have access to a range of resources, including books which explain about diversity, different cultures and festivals. They notice any changes to their local community and environment on their walks home from school. The children talk to the childminder about their siblings and other family members and the childminder readily helps a child who wishes to make a present for their grandparent and talks to the child about which grandparent and where they live. This gives the children a sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The relationship with parents is good. The childminder gives daily verbal feedback and any concerns are shared. Parents comment on the calm, safe and caring home the childminder provides for their children. Parents’ appreciation of the childminder's care is recorded in thank you cards they give when their child leaves.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very settled in the well organised environment, they have opportunities to use different areas of the home to rest and relax or participate in a variety of activities. The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities and has a range of written policies and procedures in place. Detailed information in the childminder’s portfolio and informal discussion enables parents to be well informed about the childminder and the service she provides. Parents are aware of the procedure should they wish to make a complaint, however the complaints procedure does not contain the address of the regulator.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps an accurate record of children’s attendance and her registration certificate is displayed for parents to see. She understands the importance of maintaining and storing all documentation in a confidential manner. She attends training to update her knowledge when relevant to the ages of the children she cares for. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to obtain the local child protection procedures, to gain a first aid qualification and to ensure all areas used by the children are safe. The childminder has obtained the local child protection procedures, has completed a first aid course and has made sure all areas used by the children are safe. These measures taken further promote the safety of the children in her care. The childminder was also asked to review and update all her documentation, she has reviewed all her documentation to ensure parents are fully informed of her policies and procedures she has in place.

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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

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. 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): • further improve the children's safety by practising the emergency evacuation procedures with them • update the complaints procedure to contain the address of the regulator

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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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