Highfield School

Inspection report for early years provision

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108311 Unique Reference Number 20 February 2008 Inspection date Margaret Moffat 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 registered in 1990. She lives with her husband and three grown up children in Datchet, Berkshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding. Young children use a travel cot for sleeping in a first floor bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding three children under five, one full- time and the other two on a part-time basis. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks, the library and toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children stay healthy because the childminder has very effective procedures in place to ensure good standards of hygiene throughout the home to prevent the spread of infection. From an early age children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through effective daily routines. For example, the childminder establishes regular hand washing and teeth brushing

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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 routines and children have their own individual face cloths, tooth brushes and change mats. The childminder has considered procedures to ensure children's health and welfare whilst in her care. For example, she shares her sick children policy with parents and they sign to say they have read and understood. She holds a first aid certificate and there is a fully stocked first aid box in place. This means children can receive appropriate care if there is an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy daily physical activities that contribute to keeping them healthy. They have opportunities to play in the garden and park where they use large play equipment to develop their physical skills. They develop a good sense of space and move confidently around the childminder's home. Children's hand eye co-ordination is developing well as they carefully choose shapes and place them in the correct slot in the shape sorter. Daily routines are followed and include times for active and quiet play and resting.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder's excellent awareness of healthy eating. They receive a range of healthy and nutritious snacks and meals which are prepared with fresh ingredients and ensure they have a balanced diet. Menus are shared with parents to ensure they are aware of the type of foods their children are receiving. Children's individual needs and parents' wishes are thoroughly discussed to ensure the childminder meets the needs of the children in her care. Drinks are readily available for children to access, helping them develop an awareness of their own needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are protected because the childminder understands her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. For example, she is fully aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow if allegations were made against herself or members of her family. She discusses with parents her child protection policy and local contact numbers are available for them. This supports children's welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy their play in a safe environment where the childminder has taken precautions to reduce most potential hazards. Safety features such as fire safety precautions, stair gates and radiator covers are in place, however, cleaning products are accessible to children in the toilet and this poses a risk. On outings the childminder ensures children have suitable car seats when they travel in a vehicle and when walking children are strapped into buggies and have suitable restraints. Children have access to a broad range of toys and resources which cover all areas of development. The childminder makes regular checks to ensure they remain clean, in good condition and age appropriate for the children to play safely.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and content in their environment and learn independence as they freely choose activities, toys and resources. The childminder supports the children in their play as she extends the activity to ensure children have opportunities to recognise colours and count in the same activity. For example, when the children have put all the shapes in the shape sorter and empty them out again the childminder asks the children to choose certain shapes and colours and praises them for their efforts as they choose correctly. The childminder counts as the children put them back in the sorter, one, two, three, four and then counts again in French 'un, deux, trois, quatre'. The children smile as they make noises as if they are counting and hand the shape to the childminder saying 'ta'. When playing with the pop up toy the childminder

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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 encourages the children to say the animal name and the noise it makes further developing their vocabulary and language skills. Children have fun and enjoy themselves as they play with the musical instruments, banging the xylophone and shaking the maracas. The childminder develops good relationships with the children and spends lots of time taking and playing with them helping them to learn. She demonstrated a good understanding of child development and has plans in place to ensure children are involved in activities such as planting, cooking, art and craft and outings to local toddler groups during their time with her.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel a sense of belonging as the childminder's family show them warmth and affection as they play peek a boo with them and pretend to chase them. Children laugh with delight. The childminder knows each child well and treats them with respect, meets their needs and values their individuality, helping them to feel good about themselves. The childminder has a sound understanding of equal opportunities and provides children with a range of toys and resources to reflect positive images and learn about the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides a calm atmosphere for the children where they learn from a young age to share and take turns and have good manners. The childminder has appropriate strategies in place to deal with unwanted behaviour. This includes talking and explaining to children why behaviour is unacceptable and discussing with parents if the behaviour persists. This helps children develop an understanding of right from wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the friendly but professional relationships between the childminder and their parents. This includes daily verbal feedback and daily diaries, which the parents are also encouraged to write in to share information. This two way flow of communication ensures continuity of care for the children. Written feedback from parents highly praises the care offered to their children by the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and settled and play space is organised effectively to ensure they can move around and play comfortably. The children receive good support from the childminder helping them to feel secure and confident.

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Organisation

The childminder has all relevant documentation in place to ensure children's safety and welfare whist in her care. Policies and procedures are shared with parents and the childminder asks them to sign these to ensure they are aware and understand what is expected. The childminder is clear about informing the regulator about any changes to her circumstances or environment, for example, when children in the household become 16 she ensures relevant checks are carried out. 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 previous inspection the childminder was asked to develop knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and appropriate contact numbers and ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are accurately maintained. The childminder has a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children's Boards procedures and contact numbers in place and all records

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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 relating to childminding activities are maintained accurately. This supports the welfare of the 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.

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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): • ensure cleaning products are removed out of children's reach.

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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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