Tickhill Estfeld Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

106725 Unique Reference Number 19 October 2007 Inspection date Carol Cox Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and children aged 14, 18 and 20, in Ashton, Bristol. The whole of the ground floor of the property and main bedroom and bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a secure garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding four children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group on a regular basis.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health and well-being is effectively promoted by the childminder who works closely with parents to identify and meet children's individual care needs. Children enjoy a hygienic and comfortable environment where they can rest and play. The childminder ensures that

p.2

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 benefit from regular opportunities for exercise and fresh air. For example, children regularly walk to local parks and play outside in the garden. Children's rest and sleep needs are met in line with own routines, for example, a young child sleeps in her buggy in the hallway as requested by her mother. Children are protected from the spread of infection by the childminder's good practices.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a current paediatric first aid certificate which means she's able to deal with minor injuries appropriately. She keeps careful and detailed records of all accidents and incidents and has a clear system in place to record consent, guidance and administration of any medication.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides healthy, nutritious snacks and meals for children. She works closely with parents when caring for babies and asks parents to provide milk and weaning foods. Thus, individual children's needs are well met.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a clean, safe and relaxed environment where children feel at home. She has adapted her house to meet the safety needs of young children. For example, children are restricted from entering the kitchen by a stair gate but they can still see her whilst she prepares their snack. The childminder helps children learn about keeping themselves safe through everyday activities. For example, a four-year-old child is able to explain how to look both ways when crossing the road. Children have free access to a wide range of toys and resources and learn to make choices. There is a clear evacuation procedure in place in event of fire, however, the childminder has not yet practised this with children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures children are never left with un-checked people and insists that unauthorised people are not allowed to collect children. There are clear policies in place should a child get lost or is not collected. The registration system does not record actual times of children's attendance and parents do not sign to confirm the accuracy of the records. The childminder has a clear knowledge of how to recognise signs of abuse and the procedure to follow should she have concerns about a child.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children flourish and enjoy their time with the childminder who makes time for all of them. She has a good knowledge of how to promote children's learning and development at different ages and stages. For example, she helps a four-year-old with counting and grouping and at the same time encourages a toddler's language by repeating and acknowledging attempts to name objects. The childminder uses children's own interests to extend their learning. She offers a wide range of activities and makes good use of routine activities such as visiting the park. She recognises that children sometimes need down time to sit and quietly play on their own after a busy week at nursery. For example, one child quietly played with a set of Babushka dolls counting, comparing sizes and ordering them. Children are very happy and settled in her care and benefit from the consistency she offers. The childminder has cared for some children since

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

babyhood and has a good understanding and knowledge of their development.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children develop an understanding of how different people are through everyday activities such as reading stories and playing with puzzles depicting other people. They share festivals and celebrations with each other. Children are encouraged to access all the toys equally. The childminder has some experience of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities and is happy to work closely with parents and other professionals when needed.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder sets very simple, clear rules about how children should behave in her home. The children understand these and are able to explain what is expected of them. She understands how to promote positive behaviour and is happy to work alongside parents if there are difficulties.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder values her partnership with parents and regularly exchanges information with them verbally. She shares written policies and procedures about all aspects of her care. However, although the childminder has a system to record parents' complaints she does not make information available to them about how to contact Ofsted. Families value the care on offer and some children and their siblings are looked after for several years.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is experienced and offers warm and friendly care in her well organised home. There are clear policies and procedures in place to safeguard children and promote their care, learning and development. These are shared with parents. The childminder has been proactive in ensuring that her own children have been checked by the Criminal Records Bureau as soon as they reach 16. She recognises the need to store all records securely. Although the childminder obtains consents from most parents there are some inconsistencies in her records. For example, for some children she has not obtained consent for outings or information about what to do in case of a medical emergency. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to address four recommendations: to complete a first aid course; to ensure that documentation relating to registers and medication is accurate and current; ensure that hazardous substances are made inaccessible to children; and to provide a suitable range of toys and activities to meet the developmental needs of children from birth to eight years, including those that reflect equality of opportunity. The childminder has addressed three of these recommendations satisfactorily. She has completed a first aid course and is now able to attend to minor injuries appropriately. She safeguards children by storing all hazardous substances in a high cupboard. She provides a wide range of toys and activities to meet the needs of children from birth to eight years. She has extended the range of resources to reflect positive images of different people. She has a suitable system in place to record

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

guidance, consent and administration of medication. She has not yet addressed the recommendation to ensure registration documents record the actual times of children's attendance, thus, this remains as a recommendation for this inspection.

p.4

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

p.4

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • make the complaints procedure available to parents with details of how to contact Ofsted • ensure that all necessary consents are obtained from parents and recorded consistently for all children • record the actual hours of children's attendance

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5