New Hutte Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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104434 Unique Reference Number 03 October 2007 Inspection date Heather Morgan 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 has been registered since 1999. She lives with her husband and three children in Okehampton, Devon. Children have access to the dining room and the living room on the ground floor and a converted playroom and shower/toilet in the basement. On the first floor is the family bathroom and the childminder’s own room, which is used for sleeping babies. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have a pet cat and a dog. The dog is never present while minded children are on the premises.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one. At present she cares for eight children aged between two and five years, at various times.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are developing healthy eating habits as the childminder works closely with parents to provide regular, nutritious meals and snacks. They are offered drinks throughout the day to

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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 keep them well hydrated. Children with special dietary requirements have their individual needs taken into account and are carefully supervised at meal times. Children's healthy lifestyle is further supported by regular opportunities to play outdoors in the fresh air and engage in physical exercise. They enjoy trips to the local park where they can run around in wide open spaces or develop their mobility and co-ordination on the play equipment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well cared for in the event of any illness or accidents. There are clear guidelines in place to ensure that children are protected from each other's infectious illnesses. However, if they are well enough to attend whilst still taking medication there are appropriate procedures in place to ensure that this is administered safely and information shared with parents. A clear record of accidents is also kept and shared with parents to support children's continuity of care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from the risk of cross infection as the childminder has a good regard for effective hygiene procedures. Equipment, such as the high chair and nappy changing mat are cleaned after each use and children are encouraged to develop good hygiene habits, such as washing their hands after using the toilet or before eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children's emotional well-being is supported effectively as they develop close, affectionate relationships with the childminder. Their individual needs are met well as they follow their own familiar routines for eating and sleeping during the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and secure in the childminder's comfortable home environment. They are well supervised and the childminder takes steps to minimise any potential risks. For example, access to the stairs and the kitchen is restricted by the use of safety gates, hazardous cleaning materials are stored out of the reach of children and the childminder has considered how to keep children safe in the event of an emergency, such as a fire. Children are familiar with the safety precautions in place, for example older children know that the safety gates are to stop younger children having accidents on the stairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can safely access a selection of resources from the wide range available. All of the resources are well maintained and organised effectively to ensure that children choose from those that are suitable for their stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe when they go out with the childminder as she has appropriate safety seats fitted in her car. When travelling on foot, younger children are safely restrained in a buggy. The childminder also considers how to manage children's safety in different situations, for example they do not walk alongside the river when there are several children attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare and well-being is given good priority as the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues and is fully aware of her role and responsibility in responding appropriately to any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children clearly enjoy their time with the childminder as they talk enthusiastically about different activities and play happily together. They confidently choose from a range of familiar resources

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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 and also embrace new experiences, such as using different art and craft materials. Their play is supported well by the childminder, who interacts with them sensitively, answering questions or extending their learning by asking them questions. For example, encouraging them to make size comparisons when building tall towers from cardboard blocks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to participate in many interesting and varied activities. For example, they like to bake cakes, go for walks along the river and play imaginatively using dressing up clothes and small world resources. Their play experiences are further enhanced by accessing local facilities. For example, younger children attend a toddler group where they have additional opportunities to extend their social skills and access a wider range of resources.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are encouraged to reflect on their different activities and talk about what they have been doing. For example, they discuss what they have been doing at pre-school. They enjoy lively conversations and also quiet times when they can sit and watch a favourite television programme together or look at a book.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and confident. They play well together and enjoy each other's company. All children are supported well in accessing the available resources and activities. Children are learning about diversity within society through sensitive conversations about difference and through handling resources that reflect different cultures and ethnic backgrounds.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's continuity of care is supported well and their individual needs met because the childminder has developed good relationships with parents. Good use is made of drop off and pick up times to exchange information and discuss children's developmental needs. A range of documentation is in place, such as contracts and written consent forms and these are used effectively to ensure that children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good. They respond well to the childminder's calm manner and good role modelling of appropriate behaviour, such as using good manners. They are rewarded well for the good behaviour with regular praise and encouragement. They are learning to take responsibility for their actions as they are offered clear explanations when they need to modify their actions.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care. All regulatory documentation is in place and used appropriately to exchange information with parents. However, records, such as those relating to accidents and medication include more than one entry on each page, which compromises children's confidentiality.

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Organisation

The childminder is well-organised and manages different part-time attendance patterns carefully to meet the needs of all children. She makes good use of the different areas of her house to provide a comfortable, safe environment where children can relax and enjoy themselves. Children benefit from the childminder's experience in caring for children of different ages, which is sometimes enhanced by attending relevant training opportunities. The childminder's good attention to parental wishes and individual needs results in positive outcomes for children.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection several recommendations were made to improve children's safety. Medication records are now counter signed by parents to ensure children's continuity of care. Steps have been taken to minimise risks within the house in order to keep children safe; for example, cleaning materials are stored out of reach of children and the lock has been removed from the toilet door. Confidential records have been made inaccessible to children and their welfare is now supported well as the childminder has attended child protection training to enhance her knowledge and ensure she is able to respond appropriately in the event of any concerns.

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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 that information relating to accidents and the administration of medication is recorded appropriately, with due regard for confidentiality

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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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