Monksdown Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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104558 Unique Reference Number 06 November 2007 Inspection date Janet Butlin 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 has been registered since 1992 and lives with her husband and one teenaged child in a four bedroomed, detached house in a cul-de-sac in the town of Newton Abbot. She is registered to care for up to six children under the age of eight years and there are currently five children enrolled in this age group. The family has a small dog. Minded children use the ground floor area of the house and the back garden for their play. The house is within walking distance of the park and local school.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children develop their muscles effectively and enjoy the benefits of fresh air every day. They go on walks and outings to places of interest and regularly visit toddler groups where they use appropriately challenging equipment. They are efficiently protected from the harmful effects of the sun as the childminder is rigorous in ensuring they are wearing sun cream.

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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 Children play in a pristine house where exemplary standards of hygiene are implemented. They take their shoes off when they come into the house and this ensures that the carpets are clean and fresh for crawling babies to play on. They learn about protecting themselves from germs as they wash their hands thoroughly before eating and after using the lavatory. They use liquid soap and their own, individually colour coded towels and this helps to protect them from the risk of cross-infection. They are further protected from catching each other's germs as those who are sick or infectious do not attend until they are better. The childminder observes excellent hygiene when changing children's nappies. Children are very well cared for in the event of having an accident as the childminder is qualified in first aid and has efficient systems in place

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy and nutritious, home cooked food. The childminder uses fresh ingredients and is very careful to observe any specific dietary requirements. Children eat healthy snacks, comprising of a variety of fruit and they often enjoy food they have made themselves, such as bread and pasta sauces. They remain very well hydrated as they have frequent drinks. The childminder is proactive in seeking guidance to ensure she is following exemplary practice with regard to food preparation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children choose their toys and playthings easily and safely from a wealth of excellent quality resources. All toys are clean and are in superb condition. They are presented in a very welcoming environment where children move easily from room to room, setting up their play and extending their games safely. They have ample space to play active games as well as to rest when they are tired.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept extremely safe in the home as the childminder risk assesses thoroughly and efficiently. She is extremely proactive in ensuring that children's excellent care and safety is maintained, for example, during short-term building works to the property. She ensures that supervision of the work is appropriately delegated so that she can still give her complete attention to the minded children without distraction. Excellent systems are in place to protect children during outings and all potential emergency scenarios have been thought through by the childminder and appropriate plans put in place. Children are confident in the procedure to be followed in the event of an emergency as they practise it regularly, this helps them to learn about keeping themselves safe. Children are secure within the setting as they are effectively prevented from accessing other parts of the house and are always closely supervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is further supported as the childminder has a thorough understanding of the child protection procedure. She has undertaken training in this area and has helpful, up-to-date guidance to refer to in the event of a concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have a wonderful time with the childminder. They are confident, happy and well settled and have obvious affection for her. She has a thorough understanding of the Birth to three matters framework and uses it effectively to inform her practice. She refers to this framework to identify stages of development and to inspire activities to help children progress. Young children become skilful communicators as the childminder is extremely conscientious in promoting speech and language. She repeats and reinforces their early attempts at words and

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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 sounds, and encourages them to discuss aspects of their lives and talk about their play. They become competent learners as they work out how to construct with bricks and they make connections in their play. For example, they work out how to make toys produce a noise by pressing a button. They develop extensive imaginative role-play and concentrate for substantial amounts of time as they organise, order and sort resources to support their games. Children also enjoy visiting local places of interest, attending toddler groups where they meet their friends, and going on outings. Children who attend before and after school play alongside their younger friends and siblings, enjoying activities such as cooking, manipulating play dough, undertaking craft activities and making cards.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children learn about the wider world in meaningful ways. They play with toys and look at books that have positive images of cultural and social diversity. These provide inspiration for discussions that help children to widen their awareness and understanding. Children's individual needs are known and are respected. The childminder has undertaken various courses to help her provide a supportive service to children with specific needs. All children benefit from her excellent understanding of working closely with parents, observing development, and supporting individual children as appropriate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They are polite and are reminded to say please and thank you if they forget. They play alongside each other happily, sharing toys good naturedly. They benefit from the childminder's calm manner and the respectful way she speaks to them. They respond in the same manner. Children enjoy the total attention of the childminder and appreciate the consistent expectations of behaviour that she sets.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes. Parents hold the childminder in extremely high regard and provide very positive feedback regarding her service. Children benefit from the warm welcome that is extended to their parents and the effective system of communicating with the childminder. Parents have daily discussions regarding aspects of their children's care and work closely with the childminder at all times. There are excellent systems for keeping parents informed about regulatory procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are cared for in an extremely well organised environment by an enthusiastic, reflective childminder who clearly enjoys her work with children enormously. She regularly reviews her practice and sets herself development points to further enhance the experiences of the children in her care, for example, implementing new developments in early years care. She plans and provides a range of extremely worthwhile activities that help all children to enjoy their time and develop in all areas. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

All regulatory documentation is in place and is securely and efficiently stored. An accurate and prompt register is maintained of the attendance of children. This means it is a reliable means of telling who is on the premises, for example in the event of an emergency. The childminder has a thoughtful regard for maintaining confidentiality and has obtained all the necessary consents, and established all paperwork systems, to support excellent care. She is proactive in keeping the regulatory body informed of any changes to her home.

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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 the childminder was requested to improve fire safety precautions by providing a smoke alarm on the first floor and by ensuring that a fire blanket, which conforms to BS EN standards, is accessible in the kitchen. The childminder has implemented both recommendations and this has had a positive impact on children's safety.

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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

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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