Snape Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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148824 Unique Reference Number 07 January 2008 Inspection date Margaret Moffat 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 registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and five children, who are aged 15, 13, 11, nine and four years, in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The childminder uses the whole of the house for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently minding one child under five on a full-time basis. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks, the library and toddler groups. The family have a dog and a rabbit.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a warm and clean environment where they learn the importance of personal hygiene. For example, the childminder gently reminds the children to wipe their noses and to hold their hands over their mouths when they are coughing. Children are becoming independent as they deal with their own care needs and ask the childminder for help if needed. There are appropriate procedures in place to promote children's health. For example, the childminder

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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 discusses her sick children policy with parents and checks her first aid box to ensure all items are in date.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities to exercise and have fresh air as they take the dog for a walk and play in the local park. The children also have access to outdoor play in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

While parents currently provide packed lunches for the children, the childminder demonstrates an awareness of healthy eating by providing snacks of fruit and yoghurt and ensuring drinks are readily available for children at all times. The childminder discusses children's routines, allergies and dietary needs with parents and adheres to their wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a safe environment where the childminder has taken precautions to minimise risks. She has a variety of safety measures in place, such as stair gates and socket covers, and ensures parents have given written permission for children to have access to the swimming pool and children wear life jackets during this activity. The childminder has written permission for children to travel in a vehicle, however, not all car documentation is maintained accurately to further ensure the safety of children. Children are beginning to understand how to keep themselves safe as the childminder talks to them about road safety and they practise the emergency evacuation procedure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select resources from the range available. These are of good quality and are suitable for the ages of the children who are present. The childminder regularly checks toys and resources to ensure they remain clean and safe for the children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is adequately protected through the childminder's knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of the signs and symptoms to look out for and the procedures to follow if she concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy, content and at ease in their environment. They have access to a variety of activities, such as imaginative, creative and messy play, and the childminder uses these activities to extend children's colour recognition, counting skills and vocabulary. For example, when playing with the supermarket, the children name the items they have in the shop and the childminder re-iterates the words the children are saying. The childminder asks the children the colours and names of the fruit and vegetables as they put them in the shopping trolley. She praises the children for their efforts. Children clear up toys and activities when they have finished playing with them before choosing others. They confidently ask the childminder for help to find items they are looking for or to help remove the lids from the play dough tubs. Children enjoy playing with the play dough and accessories rolling the play dough, using the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

shape cutters and squeezing through tubes. Children have opportunities to socialise with others through attending local activities such as toddler groups. The childminder develops good relationships with the children and she spends time talking and playing with them and being involved in their play, helping them to learn.

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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 satisfactory. Children are treated as individuals and the childminder ensures she meets their individual needs through discussing these with parents and by spending time getting to know the children in her care. Children feel a sense of belonging as they are treated as one of the family and make choices and decisions about what they want to play with. Children have limited access to toys and resources that reflect positive images and diversity, however, the childminder does provide children opportunities to learn about their local community through routine outings to the park, library and other local activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a written behaviour management policy, which she shares with parents. Strategies used are appropriate and take into consideration the age and maturity of the children. Children are developing an awareness of the house rules as they tidy toys away before they choose others, they do this without prompting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops friendly relationships with parents. She ensures they receive information regarding their children through verbal daily feedback and notes in the diary, helping to maintain continuity of care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has compiled a brief document with all policies and procedures which are shared with parents to ensure the promotion of children's care and welfare. However, not all documentation is accurately maintained or readily available for inspection, for example, public liability insurance. Children have sufficient space to move around and play comfortably in the childminder's home where they confidently initiate their own play. Children receive appropriate support and attention from the childminder who enjoys their company and knows them well. 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 previous inspection the childminder was asked to complete a first aid course, ensure Ofsted are made aware of any significant events or changes and ensure smoke alarms are in working order and a fire blanket is fitted in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has completed a first aid course, smoke alarms are in working order and a fire blanket has been fitted in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. This promotes the safety and welfare of the children. The childminder is aware to inform Ofsted of any significant events or changes that may occur.

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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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Complaints 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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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): • increase toys and resources to reflect positive images and diversity • ensure documentation is maintained accurately and available for inspection at all times.

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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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