Rainham Village Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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102324 Unique Reference Number 04 October 2007 Inspection date Linda Janet Chauveau 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 was registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and three children in the city of Truro, in Cornwall. All areas of the childminder’s house apart from the top floor are used for childminding and 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 and is currently minding ten children, on a part-time basis on different days throughout the week. The childminder walks to the local school and nursery to take and collect children. She attends the local childminding support group and takes children to the local library and park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the Cornwall Childminding Association and the National Childminding Association. She is an associate member of an approved childminding network.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from being cared for in an extremely comfortable, clean home and thrive because the childminder follows very good practice to keep them healthy. They gain an excellent understanding of personal hygiene and are developing independence in self-care. Older children are encouraged to use the toilet and wash their hands without help, benefiting from the use of individual hand towels and flannels, which reduces the risk of cross infection. Younger children learn the importance of cleanliness through shared experiences such as hand washing. Children are encouraged to become independent, for example by putting on their own coats and shoes before going outside. Comprehensive documentation, such as clearly detailed accident and medication records and the very sensible procedures followed by the childminder to maintain good standards of hygiene, promotes children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder actively promotes healthy eating. Children choose from a variety of healthy snacks and drinks, such as apricots, cranberries and rice cakes. Children learn that vegetables are good for you as they explore the contents of the organic vegetable box. Children learn about keeping healthy through regular exercise. They enjoy easy access to the garden and enjoy playing in the fresh air; they regularly walk to and from local schools. Children benefit from planned visits to local playgrounds and the nearby nursery school where they are able to exercise and develop their physical strength by using larger pieces of equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are welcomed into a very secure but child-centred home. The childminder is diligent in making sure that children are completely safe and secure in her care. Children are protected from hazards by the careful use and positioning of safety equipment, such as stair gates. Children are very well supervised by the childminder in a manner that is appropriate to their age and level of development. Older children are allowed to try to do things for themselves, such as learning to negotiate the steep stairs whilst being carefully monitored by the childminder. Younger children are conscientiously supervised during their play and when moving around the house, being gently reminded not to run when moving from one room to another. As a result, children develop an awareness of their own personal safety in a secure environment. Children learn to keep themselves safe by being taught about road safety when walking outside

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and by taking part in emergency evacuations inside the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy easy access to an extensive range of very high quality toys and equipment. Resources are very well organised into low-level storage baskets and shelving units. Children can confidently make safe and independent selections. Younger children participate in carefully thought-out activities that present no harm. All toys are in very good condition; they include resources made from natural materials and artefacts from around the world.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from harm by the very conscientious attitude of the childminder. She has a very good understanding of child protection procedures. She is confident in her ability to take prompt action in order to deal with any concerns, to ensure that children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She has a written child protection policy in place, access to relevant support guidance and publications and is aware of the need to make written records of any concerns.

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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 with the childminder. They benefit from carefully planned weekly activities provided by the childminder to engage their interest and promote their development. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Birth to three matters framework and the Foundation Stage curriculum, which she uses to help her planning. As a result, the childminder provides a stimulating environment in which children flourish. Parents can see how their child is progressing and developing though the imaginative photographic records made by the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children participate with enthusiasm whilst acquiring new skills. For example, they develop an understanding of number and technology as they punch buttons to program an electronic toy. The childminder provides excellent levels of interaction with children, entering into small world activities, playing with farm machinery and road mats, to help develop language and imagination. Children enjoy craft activities, using dried leaves to make trees and mixing paints with their fingers to paint a road for a wall display of their local environment. Whilst riding bikes in the garden children learn to negotiate and respect each other's space; the childminder introduces children to real life by teaching them to respond to the 'stop and go' colours associated with traffic lights.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's natural curiosity as learners is encouraged; fresh vegetables are explored with wonder as the childminder peels back the green husks to expose the sweet corn inside and children are delighted to see the 'dirt' covering the feathery tops of carrots. They have opportunities to grow fruit and vegetables in tubs and planters and see the fruit grown from trees in the garden. The childminder plans regular trips outside her home; children have their own library cards and visit to choose books and listen to stories. They visit the local museum and attend regular sessions to meet and socialise with other children at the local nursery school.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children have warm and very close relationships with the childminder. She has an excellent understanding of their individual needs. Children react instinctively to her calm and caring manner and, as a result, are happy, relaxed and very confident. Children respond positively to the childminder, happily carrying out requests to help her, for example, by tidying up, and picking up balls after playing in the garden. The consistent praise and engaging attitude shown by the childminder helps to promote good behaviour and develop self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have a good variety of opportunities to appreciate different cultures and lifestyles; they are exposed to artefacts from around the world, such as artwork and musical instruments and have access to a range of books and puzzles depicting people who are different and similar to themselves. The childminder develops children's awareness of their local community by visiting local museums, library and schools. She helps to support children's transition to nursery and primary schools. Children's work is valued and appreciated by the childminder; it is displayed in her home and photographic examples are shared with parents in children's record books. The childminder is experienced in looking after children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder's excellent understanding of children and the comprehensive information she obtains about them helps her to respect parents' views and provide high levels of individual

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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 care. Relationships with parents are excellent. The childminder includes parents fully by providing regular feedback on their child's progress through daily written journals, verbal exchanges of information and developmental files. A recently created newsletter for parents continues to develop her systems for sharing information about her practice.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from the childminder's extensive knowledge and skills and her commitment to providing high quality childcare. She is a highly experienced and motivated childcare professional; she uses this experience to provide an exemplary child caring environment. Children thrive in the warm and artistic atmosphere created by the childminder. A very good balance and structure to the day provides children with a wide range of engaging experiences.

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Organisation

Well-organised and very comprehensive operational documentation is in place. This is used very effectively by the childminder to support the care and welfare of children. Paperwork is detailed and includes very good information about the childminder's practice, which is clearly presented to parents. Records are shared with parents and their views are respected and valued. 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 childminder was asked to improve her record keeping relating to the administration of medication and the recording of children's injuries. The childminder now uses paperwork provided by the National Childminding Association which ensures that children's health and safety is promoted, by the use of comprehensive and relevant record keeping systems and parental permissions.

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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

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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