Moldgreen Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

107691 Unique Reference Number 30 January 2008 Inspection date Ann Hilary Guy 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 registered in 1983. She lives with her husband in Chesham, Buckinghamshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding six children under five all day and one child over five before and after school and school holidays. The childminder both drives and walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent toddler group and takes children to the local park. The family have some fish as pets.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have fun experiencing a wide range of activities that contribute to their good health. They have opportunities to play in the garden with suitable age appropriate resources available. They also visit the local parks, where they can feed the ducks, walk part of the way to and from

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 the school and attend groups where they have opportunities to play on appropriate large equipment. A particular favourite is going to the parks and collecting conkers, leaves and other natural objects that they can then use in a collage activity or similar. They sometimes go to the various children's activity centres in the area. Suitable arrangements are in place to allow the youngest children to sleep as required. At the parents request the childminder uses two pushchairs that lay flat, as the children do not like sleeping in a travel cot.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Through the daily routine the children learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care, washing their hands before and after meals and messy activities. The childminder uses a mixture of washing hands in the sink and wipes to clean them up. If children have sensitive skin, parents provide special wipes. Clear records are maintained of all accidents and medication ensuring the parents' are fully aware of what the childminder has done. These are all countersigned, as required by the parents. Children enjoy a balanced nutritious diet. The childminder provides a snack lunch, hot meal at tea time and a light snack of fruit during the day. She is happy to supervise children eating their breakfast, but this is provided by the parent. Currently one parent provides all the food for her child as he has a severe allergy. The childminder is happy to warm anything that needs it but, because he is on a very restricted diet, is much happier

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

with the parents providing his food. Children have access to regular drinks throughout the day.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a high standard of safe, quality care in this child-friendly environment. Suitable strategies ensure their safety at all times. For example, stairgates are used across the kitchen doorway and the bottom of the stair case. The childminder only uses the kitchen door, which opens onto the side of the house and there is a locked gate between the door and the road. This ensures children are as safe as possible at all times. All risks in the house and garden have been identified and minimised, and she has clear procedures to ensure the safety of the children whilst away from the house, either in the car or walking. Toys are set out each day according to the age of children in attendance. They are stored in an upstairs bedroom and in the garage and rotated regularly to offer variety to the children. All toys are in a good state of repair and suitable for the age of children cared for.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an incident book with no entries recorded in it. She has a very good knowledge and understanding of the importance of safeguarding children and has all the relevant telephone numbers readily available. This is supported by clear documentation which is made available to the parents.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children progress well in an environment that offers flexible care tailored to their individual needs. They enjoy a wide variety of activities both inside and outside the house, with sand and water available in the garden, together with a play kitchen and variety of other toys. During the inspection the two children present enjoyed a variety of activities from puzzles at the kitchen table, to construction and small world play in the lounge, followed by magic painting using shaving foam. The childminder interacted with the children throughout, developing their knowledge and understanding of what they were doing in a very age appropriate way and tailored to the different levels and abilities of the children present.

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 The day is broken up with two school runs, which restricts the amount they can go out for trips further a field. These are saved for the summer holidays when the childminder plans a variety of activities, sometimes close to home and other times visiting places of interest further away. Although no plans are written, she has a clear idea each day of the activities she wants to offer the children, but also likes to give them plenty of opportunities for free play and looking at books or listening to stories.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy and comfortable in this family home. The childminder works closely with the parents to ensure the needs of their children are met and incorporates their routines into her daily routine. She ensures all parents are kept well informed about their child's time in her care. Children mix with others from different cultures at the various groups to which they attend and the childminder tries to incorporate some activities that reflect different cultural events in her daily plan. In the past she has cared for children with both learning difficulties and disabilities and works closely with the parents to ensure their needs are fully met, integrating and including them fully into the activities planned.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Each child is valued and respected as an individual. Throughout their time with the childminder they are taught manners and how to share effectively. She has a very calm way with the children but they are in no doubt if they have crossed the boundary and upset the childminder with their behaviour. Clear behaviour management strategies promote their well-being and enhance their awareness of each other's needs.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The effective use of space, time and resources ensures each individual child's needs are given priority and enables them to effectively develop. Clear policies and procedures underpin the care given and work well to promote children's health, safety and enjoyment. The children are always within sight of the childminder who spends much of her time playing alongside them and developing their skills and understanding. Daily discussions with the parents, together with sound record keeping, ensures parents are kept fully informed and involved in their child's care.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

There were no recommendations made at the last inspection. The childminder has continued to evaluate her care and offer a high standard to all the children and their families.

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.4

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.4

Complaints 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

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): • ensure all incidents are recorded, including pre-existing injuries.

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