Cedar Special School

Inspection report for early years provision

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106821 Unique Reference Number 15 October 2007 Inspection date Sue Vernon 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 was registered in 1979. She lives with her husband and adult child, in the Whitchurch area of Bristol. The whole of the property is used for childminding except one bedroom and the loft conversion. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under the age of eight and is currently minding seven children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. Children over eight also attend. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local library and park. The childminder has a level 3 qualification in Child Care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities and children for whom English is an additional language. The childminder works with an assistant.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from healthy snacks such as fresh fruit and regular drinks using their own cups which support their well-being effectively. Children are encouraged to try new foods including a variety of vegetables. The childminder makes healthy eating fun as the children are encouraged to grow vegetables such as courgettes and potatoes in pots outside, nurture them and then cook them. The childminder works with parents in order to gather information about any allergies or special dietary needs and is happy to support them. This makes parents and children feel supported.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about good hygiene as they are encouraged to wash their hands regularly, using their own towels. Separate bedding is provided for each travel cot and children's drinking bottles are sterilised regularly. This promotes a hygienic environment. A written sickness policy on why infectious children are not accepted is shared with parents, and the childminder contacts parents during the day if a child becomes ill. This prevents the possible spread of infections amongst all the children. Medication and accident records are kept and shared appropriately with parents which supports consistency of care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular physical exercise. They enjoy playing outside daily with a variety of wheeled toys or taking other play equipment such as craft work outside on the small table. Children also enjoy regular walks around the natural environment, for example collecting leaves for art and craftwork.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a homely environment where risks have been assessed and generally minimised effectively. Appropriate safety equipment such as stair gates and catches for kitchen units are in place which ensures that children can move around safely during their play. Toys are set out ready for children which ensures that they can move smoothly into play on arrival. A welcoming environment is created for parents with information offered on notice boards and children's work displayed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Fire safety issues have been addressed effectively and equipment such as a fire blanket and smoke detectors are in place and regularly checked. An evacuation plan is discussed and practised with children which ensures they develop a good understanding of safety routines. Appropriate documents and permissions are in place for car use. The childminder ensures children learn about car safety as well as road safety and appropriate seats and straps are used.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy a wide range of play resources that are safe and suitable for their ages. For example younger children enjoy small outdoor slides and cars as well as a range of home play, shape-sorters and construction sets. All children enjoy art and craft resources which are stored nearby to enable easy access. However, toys, books and puzzles are stacked on units in a way that restricts safe access for children. This limits opportunities for self-selection, particularly for younger children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are supported by the childminder's sound understanding of child protection issues and the required procedures to be followed if any concerns about the children's safety arise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Parents are made aware of the childminder's responsibilities through a written policy which is shared with them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children experience a good selection of activities that contribute well to their development. They enjoy a wide range of play opportunities such as art and craftwork with painting, collage picture making and exploring different textures such as play dough and clay. The childminder thinks ahead and plans general activities in advance and ensures that resources are ready to support play, for example, preparing paints ready for leaf painting after a nature walk. Younger children enjoy home play and a range of construction sets and puzzles.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are relaxed and happily occupied in their play. The childminder gives good support to the children during their play. For example, she sits on the floor talking with a toddler and encouraging language skills as she helps build a tower of bricks. The childminder gives enthusiastic support with lots of praise and smiles which promotes children's enjoyment of their play. Children have good relationships with the childminder and happily seek her reassurance or enjoy sharing storybooks together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's daily play experiences are recorded in photographic scrapbooks which are shared with the parents. This helps them feel involved. Visits to local toddler groups help children develop their social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder works closely with parents in order to ascertain each child's individual needs before they start in her care. This helps parents feel secure. She offers settling-in visits and discussions then uses appropriate forms to gather contact details. Contracts and appropriate permissions from parents are in place for example, for car use. Clear feedback is given to parents about their child's day through discussions and also through written and photographic records showing children's progress. This close involvement supports consistency of care for the children. Written policies are available and shared with parents. This helps them learn about the practice and procedures followed by the childminder, however full details of the complaints policy are not in place to be shared with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are offered a full range of play activities with both boys and girls enjoying cooking, gardening and dressing-up. This helps all children feel included. Children learn the value of diversity through discussion, and a good selection of play resources including books. The childminder learns about different faith festivals from parents and plans activities with the children to share celebration activities. The childminder works closely with parents in order to support children with learning disabilities or difficulties and also takes time to support parents where English is a second language. She ensures that she includes all children in the play opportunities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive approach to managing behaviour such as giving praise and encouragement consistently which builds children's self-confidence. General behaviour guidelines are discussed with the children and appropriate methods are used to manage behaviour, such as discussion and quiet time-out with older children. This helps children understand and reflect

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 on appropriate behaviour. The childminder provides a good role model for children by being friendly and polite.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The use of the registered areas is organised effectively in order to meet the care and play needs of the children attending. For example, travels cots with individual bedding are prepared ready upstairs and toys such as construction play are put out for toddler's floor play. This helps the daily routine flow smoothly for the children. Storage of toys sometimes limits children's access. The childminder holds a first aid certificate and displays the certificate of registration. Policies and procedures are well organised and copies are made available for parents, though some small details are not in place.

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Organisation

Records such as the permission for the assistant to have short-term sole charge and permission for treatment in an emergency are in place and the childminder knows to retain records after children have left her care. Records are stored securely as the childminder respects confidentiality issues. The childminder continues to develop her knowledge and skills through attending training and has completed a level 3 qualification in Child Care which benefits the children. 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 care inspection, the childminder was asked to install a smoke alarm on the second floor in order to improve safety, which she has done. She was asked to keep a written record of medication administration which she now does. This supports continuity of care for children.

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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. 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 play equipment is stored safely and children are able to have safe access • ensure the complaints policy is up-to-date and offered to parents.

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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 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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