Stockton Wood Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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104579 Unique Reference Number 05 February 2008 Inspection date Anne Legge 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 2000 and may care for up to six children, aged under eight years. She has a relevant Level 3 child care qualification. She lives with her husband and three children, aged between nine and fifteen years, close to the centre of Ashburton. Children have use of the ground floor rooms, as well as occasional use of bedrooms for sleeping. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently four children on roll, all of whom attend part-time. The family own a working dog who is kennelled outside and does not enter the house. Birds of prey are kept in a secured shed, which is inaccessible to children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are very well protected from infection. They play in a spotlessly clean environment, where floors and all surfaces are disinfected daily. The childminder is meticulous in washing her own hands regularly and in ensuring that children's hands are clean, when they eat. She

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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 uses liquid soap and paper towels, to prevent the spread of infection. Nappy changing facilities are very hygienic and the changing mat is sterilised after each use. Children receive sensitive and effective care, when they are unwell or injured. The childminder has a current first aid qualification and records of accidents are comprehensive. Copies of medication records are given to parents, but they do not sign the records after administration.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from eating well balanced snacks and meals. The childminder supplements meals provided by parents, with extra portions of fresh fruit. She works closely with carers, ensuring that all children eat a balanced diet, throughout the day. Children take plenty of fluids, as fresh drinking water is always available in their individual cups. Special dietary needs are carefully met and the childminder sometimes supports parents in dealing with children's dietary issues. Children enjoy daily physical activities and regularly access fresh air. They go for walks, such as to see the floods and experience splashing in puddles. They take part in outings to the park, zoo and other local attractions or they play in the garden. Indoors, young children have plenty of space to crawl or walk, and they enjoy pushing or riding wheeled toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a very safe and secure home. The outside doors are always locked during sessions, with keys readily available, in case of emergencies. Children have ample space to move around safely. They choose from a very wide range of toys and resources, which are maintained in excellent condition. The childminder regularly checks all equipment for cleanliness and safety, and she ensures that older children do not leave items at low levels, which might pose a risk to younger children. Children are safe on outings, as they use buggies, car seats or restraints, as appropriate. The childminder is vigilant in public places, such as parks, checking carefully that equipment is safe and that children do not play near moving swings or on slippery surfaces.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of safety issues and she risk assesses her home regularly, ensuring that all hazards are addressed. For example, she checks that electric sockets and wires pose no risk and she places towels over doors, to prevent children squashing their fingers. Cleaning materials and kitchen tools are stored safely at high levels. Children are safe in emergencies, as the childminder has appropriate fire safety equipment and she practises her evacuation procedures regularly and without warning, at the instigation of other childminders. Children are well protected from abuse or neglect, as the childminder has attended relevant training and has a clear understanding of safeguarding issues and procedures. She also plans to update her knowledge, by attending further training in the near future.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy an excellent variety of play experiences, which very effectively promote all aspects of their development. The childminder has undertaken training in the Birth to three matters framework and she has a comprehensive understanding of the developmental needs of young children. She interacts with children in an extremely skilful and enthusiastic manner, encouraging them to try new experiences and develop their understanding. Children successfully develop their sense of self, as they use mirrors to look at their facial expressions. They develop a very good sense of belonging, as they examine photographs of themselves and the childminder's family, and listen to her careful explanations about who each person is.

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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 Children enjoy a wide range of sensory experiences, which successfully foster their curiosity. They play with dough, glitter, sand, cornflour and water, and they paint with different parts of their bodies. They engage in lively imaginative play, using finger puppets or when making calls to family members on a toy telephone. Children develop an excellent love of books, as the childminder shares pictures and stories with them, effectively conveying her own enthusiasm for the text. They play with musical toys, sing familiar songs, listen to CDs and recite nursery rhymes. Children develop their independence, as they choose freely from the childminder's extensive range of toys and resources, which are stored at low levels, for their easy selection. They enjoy outings to toy libraries and go for walks or to the park. They make excellent progress,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

due to the childminder's dedication and skill in meeting their individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are nurtured in a loving family environment, where their self-esteem is very effectively fostered. They enjoy copious praise and affection, and the childminder uses very good strategies to manage their behaviour. She distracts very young children, offering alternative toys or activities, and cuddling them when they comply. Children are very settled and content in her care. All families are welcomed and included and children's individual needs are met. The childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities issues and a positive approach to valuing differences. Children use resources, such as books and dolls, which help to foster positive attitudes to diversity. There are no children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities on roll, but the childminder is confident that she could work successfully with parents, to meet any child's additional needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's care is mainly consistent, as the childminder has good systems for communicating with their parents. She has effective induction procedures, including initial visits and trial periods. She shares her written policies and procedures with parents and discusses all aspects of children's care, although complaints procedures are not always fully documented. The childminder spends time exchanging information daily with carers and shares all records, although some are not signed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a very well qualified, experienced and competent childminder. In addition to her childminding, she has worked at a local pre-school and she has obtained a Level 3 qualification in child care. She has also kept up-to-date in her practice, by attending relevant short courses, for the benefit of the children. Children's care is underpinned by all the required documentation, which is mainly well organised.

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Organisation

Children enjoy the facilities of a comfortable and child-friendly home. Their health and safety are very well promoted and the ample space is used very effectively, to offer a wide range of play experiences. Their individual needs and development are very well supported. 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, agreed to update her systems for recording accidents and medication. Children's care is now more consistent, when they are unwell or injured, as

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Improvements 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 records are almost comprehensive, although medication records are still not signed after administration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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): • further improve the consistency of children's care, by obtaining a parent signature after medication is administered and by informing parents about how they can make a complaint to Ofsted.

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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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