Frithwood Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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102414 Unique Reference Number 26 November 2007 Inspection date Sara Jane Frost 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 1988. She lives with her husband and teenage son within walking distance of Saltash Town. The area of the property used for childminding is a specially built extension with adjoining toilet facilities. Children do not have access to any other part of the house. 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 three children under five at various times throughout the day, and two children over five after school. The childminder walks to local schools to collect children. The childminder regularly attends the local sure start project, childminder and toddler groups. The family have one dog, to which children have supervised access.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 good. Children's health is well promoted. They are kept healthy through the childminder's attention to everyday health and hygiene practices. For example, by providing a box of tissues for children to access, and reminding younger children when needed to wipe their noses. The disposal of the used tissue appropriately minimises the risk of spreading germs. Children clearly understand the need to wash hands at the appropriate times, for example, before eating meals and after messy play. They are provided with individual hand towels, this helps reduces the risk of cross infection. The risk is further reduced as the childminder requests parents not to send their children if they have any infectious illnesses. Children’s independence is encouraged by the childminder providing additional resources such as, a small step for use when accessing the toilet facilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is suitably qualified as she has updated her paediatric first aid training. There is a system in place to record all accidents that have occurred and the childminder ensures parents are made fully aware of and countersign against entries made.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are expected to sit at the table to eat meals. The childminder uses this time as a good social occasion and encourages children to develop their conversational skills. Although parents provide children's meals, the childminder is mindful of any specific dietary needs. All food brought into the childminder's home is appropriately stored. Children's fluid levels are maintained as the childminder ensures they have regular access to fresh drinking water.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children experience a range of physical exercises both indoors and outside as they visit local play parks and sure start groups.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has given careful consideration to ensure good safety practices are in place. For example, all visitors and parents to the childminder's are invited to read the very clear and well thought through fire evacuation processes. Therefore, should there ever be an emergency adults take responsibility for themselves and the childminder is left to deal solely with the children. Ensuring children are kept safe. Doors are kept locked and good procedures are in place before persons can enter the childminder's home. Sleeping children are kept within very close proximity and are regularly checked by the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The room the children use is brightly decorated with posters. The wide range of resources provided are suitable for the age and stage of the children's development. In addition, children are able to develop their play as the childminder provides opportunities for them to freely select additional resources. For example, children confidently seek additional cars and fire engine to add to the role play at the train station. Children learn about safety through play, for example, children talked about using the bridge to cross the train track.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder promotes children's welfare; she has a good understanding of her responsibilities around child protection procedures.

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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 good. The children clearly enjoy their time at the childminder's, they are happy and talkative. Children are confident, comfortable and settled, clearly making themselves at home. They have formed good friendships with each other and the childminder. The relaxed friendly atmosphere allows children to make their own choices confidently. Children are thoroughly absorbed and happy in their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's learning and mathematical thinking is developed by the childminder through every day routines. For example, children talk about shapes and relate shapes to food such as cucumber circles. They clearly enjoy having stories read to them and relish the opportunity to cuddle up with the childminder to hear their favourite stories. By careful explanation the childminder helps develop children's understanding of new vocabulary such as what is 'scrap'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder actively supports the children in their choices, and is able to join in or leave them to their own devices accordingly. Opportunities are provided by the childminder to help children socialize with others, for example, by attending the local sure start group.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has developed a good understanding of individual's needs. For example, before doing so the childminder establishes that a child is content with the fact that she is placing their comfort blanket back into their bag. By doing this the childminder provides the child with a sense of security. Children learn about the wider world through a range of resources, and numerous posters around the room. The childminder has attended exploring cultures training, aspects she has introduced into her childminding practices.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

On the whole children's behaviour is good. Through careful explanation and guidance the childminder helps children to understand right from wrong and also sharing and taking turns. The childminder encourages children to have respect for one another and the playthings they have access too. For example, before putting any toys away the childminder seeks children's consent and then asks for their help in tidying it away. Children respond very well to praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder encourages two way communication with parents. Children's well-being is promoted by the childminder ensuring parents are kept fully informed of their child's day and their general welfare. The childminder provides an active notice board for parents displaying various types of information such as her registration certificate and fire evacuation processes.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a well organised home environment. Activities are set out before children arrive which helps children to settle and become relaxed. Children are protected as the childminder provides good supervision and ensures children are not left alone with unvetted persons.

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Organisation

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 childminder regularly seeks additional training to develop her childminding practices. By attending briefing sessions the childminder ensures she is familiar with future practices such as, the introduction of Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Organisation

Clear policies and procedures are in place to promote the welfare and care of children. All required documentation is in place and securely stored. Children's records and parental agreements are fully completed. However not all records remain confidential to each family. For example, the current process of obtaining written parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment is accessible to all parents. The childminder's record of children's attendance is kept in terms of time of arrival and departure and day and month, however the year is not recorded and therefore records are not kept fully completed.

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Organisation

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 it was recommended that promotion of hygiene practices were developed. By the childminder providing children with individual towels after hand washing, the risk of cross contamination has been reduced and therefore the recommendation has now been completely met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection/registration/1 April 2004 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 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 that documentation such as daily attendance record are fully completed and ensure all paperwork is kept confidential.

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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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