Priory Green Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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104337 Unique Reference Number 09 October 2007 Inspection date Julie Neal 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 lives with her husband, who is also a registered childminder, and their two teenage children. The family live in Sampford Peverell, mid Devon. The area is rural, and has a primary school, doctor's surgery, and pre-school within one and a half miles of the family home. Care is provided on the ground floor of the childminder's home, and there is a large enclosed garden suitable for outdoor play. The childminder has been registered since 2000. When working alone she may care for a maximum of six children under eight years. When working with another childminder, a total of eight children under eight years may be cared for. Overnight care is not provided. The childminder has two pet dogs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well protected from illness and cross infection. The childminder has good routines in place that ensure a clean and well maintained environment where children play without risk to their health, for instance babies and very young children play safely and happily on the clean

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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 floor. Children learn well about personal hygiene. They wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet, and individual towels are provided daily for each child.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that parents have a clear understanding of her policy regarding the care of sick children, in order to protect all children from the risk of contagion. Children's individual health needs are met well, the childminder works very effectively with parents to ensure any medical requirements are fully understood and implemented. All medicines given are clearly recorded, and accidents to children are logged and shared with parents. The childminder has a suitable, current first aid qualification. However, the first aid box contains out of date dressings, which present a possible risk of infection if used, as they are no longer sterile.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy meal and snack times. Most children bring packed lunches, and the childminder encourages parents to provide a balance of healthy items and treats. Children are encouraged to eat plenty of fruit as the childminder provides a choice of two or three different items each snack time. Children minded after school are welcomed with a healthy snack of fruit and sandwiches, which include, for example, wholemeal bread with salad and cheese. Children have their own bottles and beakers which are easily accessible and kept topped up with water or juice, and the childminder encourages them to drink regularly in order that they do not become dehydrated. Babies are fed according to their age and stage of development, the childminder working closely with parents to support their changing needs and appetites.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the health benefits of fresh air and exercise. They play outdoors each day, making good use of the childminder's large garden as they run and play. They enjoy bike rides with the childminder, and regular walks in the countryside.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and child friendly environment. Good use is made of space and resources to provide a welcoming and inviting place for children to play. They are safe and very secure. For example, access to the premises is restricted by entry-phone at the gates to the garden, these are controlled from the house by the childminder so no-one is able to enter without permission. Overall, systems and routines that support children's safety are good. For example, sleeping children are checked frequently; toys and equipment are checked daily to ensure they remain safe and hygienic. There is a written risk assessment of the home and garden where notes are made of any actions taken, and daily checks are generally effective, for instance ensuring there are no trailing wires, and plug sockets are not accessible to children. However, cleaning fluids were left within children's reach in the bathroom, presenting a potential safety

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about aspects of personal safety. For example, they learn the fire drill and this is practised with them, and they are encouraged to wear safety helmets when riding their bikes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a very good understanding of child protection issues and her responsibility to safeguard children, and has completed appropriate training in this area. She is very clear about what she should do, and the appropriate procedures to follow, if she has concerns regarding the abuse or neglect of children, in order to keep them safe. This supports their safety and wellbeing while in her care.

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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 immensely enjoy the activities they take part in that promote their individual development. The childminder uses her extremely good understanding of how children learn and develop through play to ensure activities provide good levels of challenge and stimulation for each child. She uses the Birth to Three Matters framework well to identify the next steps for children and to inform ideas for activities that will promote these. Her excellent awareness of the individual needs of children in her care ensure that activities are inclusive, and different ages and abilities can play together. For example, children select Lego and similar building materials from the very good range of easily accessible resources and discuss the house they want to build. The childminder encourages older children to discuss how big it will be and where the windows will go, and to count the bricks; younger children are included as the childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

asks them to help sort bricks by colour, using repetition well to support their developing communication. Children enjoy activities that take them out into the local countryside, for example they talk enthusiastically about walks and feeding the ducks. They make very good use of the childminders garden, choosing when they want to play outside and using a variety of equipment. Children enjoy the benefits of the co-childminding arrangements where they learn to interact with a larger group of children and develop very good social skills. For instance, meal times are used extremely well to encourage good manners and communication skills as children enjoy the family atmosphere promoted by the two childminders, babies and younger children sitting up at the table in their high chairs along with older children and being fully included.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely happy and content because their individual needs are met and their self esteem is promoted very well. The childminder promotes an extremely inclusive environment where the specific needs of individual children are recognised and respected. Children learn to understand each other's differences and accept these. learning to value each other. The childminder has very good experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities, and works closely with parents in meeting their needs. Children benefit from the excellent implementation of equal opportunities in practise, as the two childminders work together in a mutually supportive fashion. This encourages children to understand, for instance, that caring is not an exclusively female role, and they learn from example that boys and girls can do the same things, if they wish.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved and are kind and considerate to each other. They share and take turns well, and older children are helpful and supportive to younger children. They benefit from the extremely good role models provided by the two childminders working together. They are very consistent in promoting good behaviour among children and have ensured they are in total agreement regarding appropriate boundaries. This results in a calm environment where children know what is expected of them, which supports their self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works extremely well with parents to meet the individual needs of children. They are very well informed about all aspects of the childminder's practice. Parents meet with both childminders, because with the two working so closely together, aspects of children's care will be shared between them. Therefore, the childminder ensures that agreements and consent forms allow either childminder to intervene appropriately, for example to seek emergency treatment in the event of an accident. The childminder ensures that she is extremely well

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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 informed regarding the individual needs of children and provides care that is consistent with home routines. For example, she discusses and notes the feed and sleep times of babies, monitoring these with parents as children grow and develop and modifying them according to changes at home in diet and routine. This ensures that children remain happy and content.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care. She is well organised, working extremely effectively with another childminder to provide good levels of adult support for children. Daily routines are managed well between them, for example, the organisation of mealtimes and activities, contributing to the relaxed and happy environment enjoyed by children. Systems that support children's health and safety are effective overall, although there are no routine checks of the first aid box, and some cleaning materials were within children's reach, that neither childminder had identified. Documents relating to children are well ordered and maintained by both childminders. Records of attendance clearly identify which children present are registered with the childminder, and which with her co-childminder; the times of children's arrival and departure are recorded. The childminder has written policies

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Organisation

and procedures supporting the care of children, which she keeps in common with the co-childminder, and these are shared with parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, it was agreed to ask parents to provide written permission to seek emergency medical treatment for children, if needed; and to ensure that the registrations system clearly indicates which childminder looks after which children. These have been addressed. All children have written consent from parents to seek medical treatment in an emergency. Registration systems clearly identify which children are formally cared for by which childminder; jointly maintained records of attendance have a simple and effective method of quickly identifying which children present are registered to which childminder.

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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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Complaints 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

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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 items in the first aid box, such as dressings, are checked to ensure they are within date and so remain sterile; and ensure that any cleaning fluids used are put out of children's reach.

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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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