Rice Lane Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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104585 Unique Reference Number 31 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 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 was registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and daughter in a detached property in the village centre of Sampford Courtney in Devon. Children access the ground floor of the house with rooms including a sitting-room, conservatory, dining room, kitchen and playroom. There are ground floor toilet and washing facilities. A large garden surrounds the property and this is used by the children for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years at any one time. She currently cares for a total of 18 children, who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder cares for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's good health is promoted extremely well as the childminder maintains high levels of cleanliness within the home and implements effective procedures to protect children from the risk of infection. For example, when children wash their hands they use liquid soap and each

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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 have their own towel; the nappy changing mat is cleaned thoroughly after each use and the childminder wears disposable gloves as well as washing her hands to limit the risk of spreading infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for very well in the event of an accident. The childminder holds an up to date first aid certificate and keeps a first aid kit in an easily accessible place so that she can take it with her when children go on outings. Children's continuity of care is promoted well as information regarding accidents and the administration of medication is clearly recorded and shared with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing very good healthy eating habits as they enjoy regular snacks and meals that include nutritious ingredients such as fruit and vegetables. Children with special dietary requirements have their needs met well through regular discussion with parents and good attention to menu planning. Children are encouraged to have regular drinks throughout the day in order to maintain their levels of hydration.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children's emotional well-being is extremely well fostered as they enjoy a close relationship with the childminder who gives them regular individual attention, cuddles and comfort when necessary. Their growth and development is promoted through regular exercise and outdoor play. They enjoy walks, visits to the park and opportunities to use a range of large equipment in the extensive garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are very safe and secure in the childminder's well-maintained home. Potential hazards are identified and appropriate steps taken to keep children safe and protect them from harm. For example, electric sockets are covered, kitchen drawers and cupboards are fitted with restrictors and a safety gate is used to restrict access to the stairs. Children can safely access a wide range of resources that are all in good condition and organised effectively to ensure that children choose equipment that is suitable for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe when on outings as the childminder has a range of resources to promote safety. For example, children are carefully restrained in appropriate seats during car journeys and reins are used when young children are out walking. Children learn to keep themselves safe as they regularly practise fire drills so that they can quickly evacuate the building in the event of an emergency. The childminder regularly checks fire equipment, such as smoke detectors, to ensure they are in good working order to further promote children's safety. Children also develop an awareness of keeping safe by observing familiar rules. For example, they know that it is not safe to throw balls indoors, but that they can roll them along the floor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is given very high priority. The childminder has a very good awareness and understanding of child protection issues and has relevant documentation to support her in carrying our her responsibilities for recording and referring information in the event of any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy a wide range of well planned activities that support their progress and development. They have very good opportunities to select resources independently and to

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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 participate in activities that link to themes and enhance their awareness and understanding of a wide range of topics. For example, they explore nature, the changing seasons and celebrations from different cultures. Children are very confident and like to choose familiar toys such as car tracks, dolls, small world vehicles and role play equipment. They benefit greatly from the childminder's sensitive interaction with their play to help them use resources in different ways. They are encouraged to work things out for themselves as the childminder asks open-ended questions to help them find solutions, for example when searching for the right pieces to construct their track.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's communication skills are encouraged effectively as the childminder engages them in lively conversation and listens carefully when they talk to her and ask her questions. Activities sustain their interest well as the childminder knows their individual preferences well and plans play opportunities that they enjoy. They have regular opportunities to explore and experiment with different materials to express themselves creatively. Young children learn about the world around them as they dress up and use role play resources to explore familiar life experiences, such as making cups of tea, using a camera to take photographs, talking on the phone and caring for dolls.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy, confident and settle quickly in the childminder's welcoming home environment. They enjoy a close relationship with the childminder and their sense of belonging is enhanced through conversations about their family life or looking at photographs of previous activities they have enjoyed with the childminder and other children in her care. They have opportunities to participate in village events as well as learning about celebrations and traditions from a variety of cultures. Children's individual needs are met well through regular exchange of information with their parents. Those with additional or special needs are very well cared for as the childminder has a very strong commitment towards inclusion and uses appropriate communication techniques and equipment to ensure that all children are able to fully participate in planned activities and daily routines.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is very good. They respond well to the childminder's calm and consistent manner and demonstrate a clear understanding of agreed rules. For example they know that they should not throw balls around indoors. Their good behaviour is regularly rewarded and reinforced by praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the excellent relationship the childminder has with their parents. This enables her to exchange information regularly in order to fully meet children's individual needs. The childminder uses a range of documentation such as contracts and consent forms to ensure that children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes. Parents are extremely happy with the care their children receive and their confidence in the childminder supports the children in settling in and separating happily from their parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care. Her bright, welcoming home provides a safe, secure and comfortable environment where children are very happy, settle quickly and enjoy a wide range of interesting activities and play opportunities.

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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 is very well organised and uses registers, a weekly planning sheet, day book and activity plans to ensure that children enjoy familiar routines, regular meals, outings and opportunities to play indoors and outdoors using carefully selected resources. She also attends training courses to extend and update her knowledge of a range of relevant subjects, such as child protection, inclusion and providing equal opportunities for children. All regulatory documentation is in place and used extremely well to underpin good practice. For example, contracts and records of information about the children are regularly reviewed to ensure that all information held is accurate and up to date.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder extended her knowledge and understanding of working with children with special needs. She has attended training to increase her knowledge and in addition to working closely with parents, she also makes very good use of information provided by other professionals in order to provide consistent, inclusive care for children with special needs.

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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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