Rawmarsh Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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106827 Unique Reference Number 14 February 2008 Inspection date Samantha Powis 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 outstanding. 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 1998. She lives with her husband in a garden flat in the Clifton area of Bristol. Minded children have use of all areas within the home, which includes play spaces and quiet areas for resting. Outside, there is an enclosed garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for up to three children. There are currently

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

three children on roll who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder receives support and advice from the Local Authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's ongoing health is extremely well supported. The childminder ensures both she and the children follow excellent hand hygiene routines to promote their overall health. The childminder provides a fun foam soap, which encourages the children to want to wash their hands. Each child uses a different towel or disposable wipes which helps to prevent the spread

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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 of infection. Parents are made aware of the childminder's policy regarding children who have an infectious illness. Details of recommended exclusion periods for common childhood illnesses are included to ensure that all are adhering to current guidelines. This helps to prevent children passing on germs to each other. Children learn good oral hygiene routines, they clean their teeth after meal times, getting them into good habits to promote their long term health. To ensure children's ongoing health is supported well, clear records of accidents and administered medications are kept. Children benefit from the childminder having an up to date first aid qualification and access to a well stocked first aid kit. This ensures she is able to deal with any minor medical emergency or accident promptly and efficiently. Children's overall health and

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Helping children to be healthy

fitness is supported well as they engage in activities or outings in the fresh air each day. They often visit local parks and play areas and can use the soft play ball pool indoors if the weather is not nice enough for them to go outside.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from being offered healthy snacks and meals during the day. They enjoy fresh and dried fruit and rice cakes as a snack and meals such as fresh fish and vegetables. The childminder prepares healthy home cooked meals for the children, according to their individual dietary needs. She obtains locally produced organic ingredients to support children's health further. Children have visited the allotment where the vegetables are grown, helping them to understand about making healthy choices. Children are provided with drinks of water rather than fruit juices throughout the day, to benefit their health and well-being.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in an environment where their safety is given high priority. The childminder identifies possible risks or hazards and actively takes action to ensure all areas are safe, suitable and comfortable for the children. The use of equipment such as cupboard locks and socket covers, helps to prevent accidents. Smoke alarms throughout the building are checked regularly, promoting children's safety and welfare. Children are closely supervised at all times. The childminder recognises the importance of teaching children about safety, so they can begin to understand how they can help to keep themselves safe. They are involved in practising the emergency evacuation procedure so they know what they should do in the event of an emergency. The childminder has prepared an emergency bag which is left by the main door. This holds contact numbers for the children, warm clothing, and some dried fruits, ensuring

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

she has the basic items available to support children's needs should she need to leave the building in a hurry.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children confidently select toys from the excellent range available to them. Low level shelving and accessible storage boxes are used to allow children to make choices and organise their own play. Children access an extensive range of toys and equipment which are age appropriate, safe and hygienic. Toys and equipment are regularly checked and cleaned at least weekly to ensure that children are kept very safe at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected because the childminder has an excellent understanding of child protection policies and procedures. She regularly attends training to keep her knowledge up to date and has access to written information to support her. She has a written policy which she shares with parents and carers helping to ensure a clear and consistent approach at all times.

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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. Children are very happy and settled in the company of the childminder. Music plays in the background as the children play, making them feel relaxed. They sometimes join in with the songs they hear and dance along, showing their enjoyment. They are motivated, eager and actively participate in the activities and experiences offered to them. Children are reminded to water the cress they have planted, and talk about how they will be able to eat it when it has grown. Children are extremely confident and self assured because of the excellent support and encouragement they receive from the childminder. For example, they take an active part in role play, pretending to make cups of tea for the adults present, as the childminder actively joins in with them. The childminder is enthusiastic and experienced, she uses her wealth of knowledge to plan a stimulating range of opportunities and activities for the children to enjoy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder's ability to know when to support children and when to stand back. She encourages the children to explore independently, supporting them by providing easily accessible resources and equipment to allow them to carry through their activities on their own if they choose. The childminder frequently takes them to toddler groups, the library and local leisure facilities to further enhance their experiences and give them additional opportunities for socialising and learning. They enjoy picnics in the park and trips to the city farm to see their favourite animals. Children feel confident in the daily routines and feel very much part of the household. They wave excitedly to the post lady as she arrives, running to the door to collect the post.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are highly motivated as the childminder involves them in fun and practical activities. The childminder talks to the children constantly as they play, supporting their communication skills. She demonstrates a very clear understanding of individual children's learning and development needs. Children's learning is supported as the childminder involves them in helping her. A minded child explains that they have mended the fire engine by using the screwdriver to put new batteries in. This makes them feel proud and demonstrates that they are starting to understand about the world around them and how things work.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are made to feel very welcome and included as the childminder creates a home from home environment where their contributions are valued and their individual needs fully respected. The childminder develops an excellent understanding of each child's needs, encouraging parents to visit several times with the children, so she can get to know about routines, preferences and personalities. This helps to promote consistency in the care offered to each child which means they feel settled and secure. Children's art work and photos are displayed in some of the play areas, helping them to feel included and giving them a strong sense of belonging. Children are encouraged to think about others. They use a wide range of resources which offer them positive images of diversity and encourage them to consider the needs of others. For example, they share books about other families, talking about the different

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Helping children make a positive contribution

members of the family and relating these to their own experiences. The childminder adapts the environment and her approach to meet the needs of all children attending. She is keen to attend training to increase her own skills to meet the needs of any child she cares for.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved because the childminder is clear about the need to promote positive behaviour. Children's self-confidence is clearly evident, this is very well supported as they

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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 receive lots of positive praise and encouragement from the childminder resulting in their enjoyment and contentment. Children's behaviour is managed very well by the childminder. She is calm and quiet in her approach and encourages sharing and turn taking through gentle reminders and support. She has some simple house rules, which she shares with parents and explains to children. This helps children to understand boundaries and expectations. The childminder shares with parents her policy regarding behaviour management, which helps to ensure a consistent approach for the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit greatly from the excellent relationships established with parents and carers. Children's individual needs and requirements are discussed carefully and in detail with parents and carers prior to children starting. Information is shared regularly as children develop new skills and achieve milestones in their development. Successful relationships with parents and carers support the children's care very well. The childminder obtains written feedback from parents about the service she is providing for the children in the form of simple questionnaires, which supports her in developing her own practice to better support the children's and families needs. Daily exchange of information ensures the childminder and parents are kept very well informed about particular needs. Parents and carers are provided with detailed information on the childminder's practices and procedures in the form of policies and notices on the parents

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Helping children make a positive contribution

information board in the hallway. The childminder also makes a range of leaflets about health issues, support groups and activities available to parents, further supporting them in their family life.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are cared for within a very well planned and organised environment. The childminder is very clear about her role and responsibility and has an extremely professional approach which benefits the children's all round care. She has a wealth of experience and continues to undertake appropriate training to enhance her existing good knowledge, enabling her to provide high quality childcare.

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Organisation

Children access toys, equipment and activities which are well planned and prepared prior to their arrival. This allows the childminder to devote her time to supporting the children in their care and learning needs. Daily routines ensure that children feel secure and settled and their requirements are fully met. Children benefit from a range of activities at home, as well as having lots of experiences within the local community, such as when they visit the city farm and zoo.

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Organisation

All legally required documentation and records relating to the minded children are retained and are used extremely well to support children's care and development. All documentation including personal information relating to individual children is stored securely, ensuring that confidentiality is maintained. 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 asked to increase the range of resources to encourage imaginative play and to introduce ways to promote equal opportunities.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children have access to a broad range of dressing up and role play resources, and are actively involved in role play using their imaginations during the day. Equality of opportunity is very well promoted as the childminder provides a wide range of freely accessible resources which

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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 offer positive images of diversity, and regularly changes this range by making good use of the local book and toy lending libraries.

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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