Green Lane Primary Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 136326 Inspection date 02 November 2005 Inspector Valerie Anne Curotto

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1999 and is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She lives with her family in a house in the Staple hill area of South Gloucestershire. She has three children, aged 10, 14 and 16 years. There are some local shops, a park and a pre-school within walking distance. Childminding takes place on the ground floor, which includes toilet facilities. A first floor bedroom is available to rest minded children and an enclosed rear garden for outside play. The family have a selection of pets including a dog and rabbits. The childminder has been a member of South Gloucestershire's childminding network since 2001 and the NCMA's 'Children Come First' quality assurance scheme since November 2004. She

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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 is an active member of the local childminding support group. The childminder is registered for 6 children under 8. There are 6 children under 5 currently on roll, attending on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from a range of activities which promotes their health and physical development. These include regular music and movement, use of large equipment on park trips and soft play activities. They learn about healthy eating through discussion and use of food puzzles during play. The childminder uses her recent training in food hygiene and healthy eating to ensure children enjoy healthy snacks and balanced meals. Information is routinely sought from parents about their children's health and ongoing discussion enables the childminder to meet their needs. Procedures to limit cross infection and protect children from sickness are shared with parents and children develop routines, like handwashing, to promote their own health. Effective pet management and appropriate cleaning routines ensure that areas used by children are hygienically maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Two rooms are used effectively to provide different environments where children play safely. Children enjoy comfortable areas for stories and relaxation and open space for constructing train track and pushing buggies around. Children are protected from hazards in the kitchen and other areas by use of suitable equipment, such as gates and careful supervision by the childminder. A range of written policies and procedures are in place which support children's safety; including checks on fire-fighting equipment and drills which ensure children are familiar with evacuation procedures. Emergency procedures include a back- up carer, who the children see regularly, and ensures continuity of care if necessary. Children learn about road safety during walks in the local area which the childminder supervises appropriately. The childminder has undertaken additional training in the last year in first aid and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

child protection, which further safeguards children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good balance of home-based and outdoor experiences. Activities within the setting include free play, stories and regular craft opportunities. Children initiate their own play to an extent, confidently using equipment already set out in two rooms. Young children excitedly stamp and chant 'playdough' together as they anticipate a favourite activity. Planning is informal and flexible, as the childminder effectively rotates a wide range of toys and equipment to take into account children's

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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 moods and interests. However, this does not consistently identify challenges for individual children. Children learn to cooperate together, taking turns with favourite toys as the childminder encourages fairness and consideration of others. They develop an understanding of colour and number as the childminder supports their play well and introduces new vocabulary. Children share their achievements with the childminder and are given time and encouragement to talk about their own experiences. Children socialise in larger groups each day at local childminder or toddler groups which offer a wide range of meaningful activities and outings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are secure in a warm and caring environment where they are offered a high level of adult support. They settle well on arrival as the childminder welcomes them and engages them with activities. Settling-in periods for new placements are flexible to take into account individual children's needs. Children learn expectations of their behaviour as the childminder explains sensitively why some behaviour is inappropriate and effectively dissolves minor disputes. Young children gain confidence as they investigate their surroundings and with support, become independent in toileting. Resources, such as multicultural play figures, support children's understanding of difference and they develop an understanding of festivals, such as Divali and Chinese New Year, through themed activities at the local childminding group. A prospectus is available to parents outlining information about

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Helping children make a positive contribution

the setting and a number of written policies and procedures provide useful information about their children's care. Details about the children's day is shared between the childminder and parents, through daily diaries and informal discussion.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder ensures that placements are organised to provide children with effective care and supervision. Children have a regular routine which provides them with a variety of positive experiences within the setting and at local groups. Good use is made of the toy library and other resources in the area. Equipment is extensive and is stored conveniently in the main play area, which has been extended since the last inspection. However resources are not yet organised to promote children's independent access. Documentation such as the register and contracts are well organised to support children's care and provide information to parents. The childminder is committed to developing her provision through contact with the network coordinator and attending training courses to acquire new skills. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has taken positive steps to address issues raised at the last inspection. She has improved record keeping arrangements for noting incidents and

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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 the administration of medication, and appropriate formats are now in use. She continues to develop resources to reflect positive images of disability, including the use of items from the local toy library.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since April 2004. The provision 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): • ensure planning consistently provides challenge for individual children • review the organisation of resources to promote children's independent access.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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