Chatsworth Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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102473 Unique Reference Number 08 January 2008 Inspection date Sarah Jane Wignall 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 1989. She lives with her husband and two children aged 20 and 16, in a large town in Cornwall. The whole of the ground floor and designated rooms on the first floor are for childminding. 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 eight children, on different days throughout the week. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local library and the local park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the Cornwall Childminding Association and National Childminding Association. She is also a member of the Bodmin and District Childminding Group.

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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 as the childminder places a high emphasis on health and hygiene. The home is clean and well organised. Effective systems are in place to teach children about personal hygiene. Posters are placed over the sink to remind children to wash and dry hands thoroughly. Children are provided with hand wash and individual flannels to limit the risks of cross infection. The childminder ensures food is stored safely and the temperature of the fridge is checked daily. Parents are kept fully informed of any accidents and permission to administer medication is sought from parents. The childminder has easy access to a well stocked first aid kit.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to have a good knowledge and understanding of healthy eating. The childminder engages them in projects about healthy foods and they help prepare soups using healthy ingredients. After school children are provided with a good range of snacks such as breadsticks and fresh and dried fruit. Children staying all day bring a packed lunch which is served appropriately. Children have easy access to drinks of water throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from daily access to fresh air and exercise. They walk to and from school each day and make use of the garden when the weather permits. Good use is made of local attractions such as the park and playing field. Children enjoy using the large climbing equipment when visiting these play areas.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit as they are cared for in a safe and secure environment. The childminder takes steps to ensure the home is safe before children arrive checking that equipment such as socket covers, safety gates and fire guards are in place and secure. The kitchen is well organised with hazardous items kept out of children's reach. Children learn about fire safety as they participate in occasional fire drills and there is a suitable fire evacuation plan in place. Fire fighting and detection equipment is regularly checked for ongoing suitability. Children are well supervised by the childminder who monitors their use of the play area and offers support and supervision as needed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are provided with a good range of toys and resources which are maintained in a suitable state of repair. The childminder assesses equipment to ensure it is safe for children's use and small items are removed when babies are present. Children are well secured when using booster seats to sit up to the dining table.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection and attends regular training to keep her knowledge and skills up to date. She has a policy in place and is aware of agencies to contact if concerned about children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and settled in the childminders care. They arrive happy and keen to play with the available resources which have been set out ready for their arrival. Young children

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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 show good levels of concentration and interest as they use paper and pencils to make marks in the role play area. They enjoy settling down with the childminder to listen to stories. The childminder encourages their understanding of numbers and counting as they count the number of birds on the page. Children learn to recognise colours as they correctly identify that the truck is red.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses weekly planning sheets to ensure that a suitable range of activities are planned for children. She monitors their progress so that more challenging activities can be offered when children appear ready to move onto the next steps in learning. The childminder is skilful in harnessing children's interests, for instance when children show an interest in the torch she draws their attention to the different coloured lights and how they are brighter when shone against dark objects.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very well included and involved as they learn about different cultural festivals and traditions. A warm welcoming poster is displayed on the entrance door offering the welcome message in a range of different languages. Children have access to dolls, books and small world play where they learn about difference and diversity. The childminder provides posters and pictures about Hindu festivals and she plans activities such as kite making to support children's understanding. Children have lots of opportunity to participate in local community groups. The childminder takes children to regular group sessions and soft play activities where they have opportunities to mix and socialise with others. They regularly attend the local library where they enjoy story time sessions. The childminder ensures she is aware of any specific needs when caring for children with learning difficulties/disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. They are clearly confident and happy in the childminders care. Simple house rules such as looking after and respecting each other, have been put in place. The childminder provides children with an interesting and stimulating play environment ensuring they are busy, occupied and content. Children receive lots of verbal praise and encouragement from the childminder and occasional stickers are used to reward specific behaviours.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit as the childminder has a very good relationship with parents. They are kept well informed about their children through the use of comprehensive daily diaries and verbal feedback. New parents have access to an informative folder containing policies and procedures and qualification certificates. Appropriate contracts and record forms are in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very well cared for by a childminder who is well organised and places a high emphasis on keeping her knowledge and skills updated. She holds an NVQ 3 and has attended many courses and workshops on a range of topics such as child protection, Birth to three matters, inclusion and multi cultural play among others. She is an active member of the local Childminding support group and regularly attends meetings and events. She organises her home well so that children can play safely and comfortably within it. The daily attendance register is not clearly written, making it difficult to see actual times of arrival and departure.

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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 has well organised documentation which is stored securely. She regularly reviews policies and procedures to ensure they are up to date. Overall 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 ensure that the rear outside play area does not pose a hazard to children. Children are protected as the childminder has put safety measures in place, such as safety gates to prevent children's access to the upper garden, and she checks the garden each day before children use it.

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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 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 daily attendance records clearly show times of arrival and departure of all children.

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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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