Westbury-on-Trym CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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109150 Unique Reference Number 27 February 2008 Inspection date Sue Taylor 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?

This childminder registered in 1986. The childminder is currently working in partnership with another registered childminder. She lives with her partner and mother in a residential area on the outskirts of Eastbourne. Local shops and the seafront are nearby. The whole of the ground floor is available for childminding. This includes a family room and a large lounge. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a number of cats, an aviary of birds, tortoise and a guinea pig.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. A co-minding arrangement is in place with another registered childminder in order to provide care for addition children on occasions, this is reflected in the conditions of her registration. At present, the childminder cares for six children under the age of eight, she also cares for children aged over eight.

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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. The premises are very clean as the childminder follows effective hygiene practices. Children have independence as they can access the toilet when they need to. The use of kitchen roll for hand drying helps reduce the risk of contamination. The use of a potty and step allows the younger children to have some independence also. The childminder takes a hand gel with her on outings that children can use, helping to keep them healthy. Children who are infectious do not attend thus preventing the spread of contagious ailments.

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Helping children to be healthy

All required records for accidents and medication are clear and ensure parents are fully informed of the treatment their child receives. The childminder works with a co childminder and both are fully aware of the processes involved. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate so she is able to administer first aid in the event of an accident. She is aware that she needs to maintain this when it expires.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating for young children. Children have drinks that they can freely access throughout the day. Each has their own recognisable beaker. The childminder does not provide meals but is happy to reheat food provided by parents. Children bring packed lunches and these are checked for ice packs or for putting perishables in the fridge to prevent them spoiling.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily exercise. Twice a week they go to Drusillas Zoo where they have very good opportunities for energetic play and developing new skills. For example, as they use the climbing wall. Children benefit from other outings in the fresh air such as strawberry picking or going to the beach. All children have a strong and close relationship with the childminder. She is very responsive to their needs and is very affectionate towards them. Children are secure and their emotional well-being is supported.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The homely environment is very welcoming to the children. The childminder has created child centred décor in the main play area. The lounge is used for more structured, quiet play. Children decide where they want to play. The premises are secure and there are effective procedures in place for the safe arrival and departure of children. The childminder is safety conscious and checks the identity of visitors, noting their presence in her diary. The garden is used by the children and has a small covered area for when the weather is less suitable. Children benefit from a very wide range of resources. Many are at low level enabling children to make easy, safe choices about their play. They are in good condition and of good quality. The childminder ensures children have access to age appropriate toys that support their learning.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are very good fire safety precautions in place with interlinked smoke alarms and a fire blanket easily accessible in the kitchen so the childminder can act in an emergency. She has a written procedure for ensuring children’s safety in the event of a fire. Risks are minimised in the home so children can explore the environment safely. For example, safety gates are fitted at the bottom of the stairs and at the kitchen door. In addition, she has fitted safety catches on relevant kitchen cupboards and drawers. Written risk assessments are in place and cover a number of areas including regular outings, such as to Drusillas Zoo. The childminder ensures

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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 children remain safe when out and about. The childminder uses suitable restraints until the children are able to walk sensibly and not run out of sight. They learn to cross roads in safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good awareness of her responsibilities with regards to child protection. She provides parents with written detail about her role in protecting children. This helps safeguard children’s welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled with the childminder and develop a very close bond with her. They feel at home and have a good sense of belonging. They recognise examples of their work on display and this reminds them of past activities or outings. They have easy access to the wide range of toys and resources. Children make choices about their play and spend time playing imaginatively, using the range of good quality costumes. There are a number of Disney toys and characters that children are familiar with. For example, they play with figures that are depicted in a film they are watching.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The resources include a well-equipped home role play kitchen and a large wooden dolls house with a very good selection of family people and furniture. Books are easy accessed by the children. They learn to write their names, if they wish, by first following dots. They visit Drusillas weekly and good use is made of the learning experiences provided there, as well as the chance to play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder works with another childminder and they both know the children well. They have an awareness of the children’s development and support them positively. They make note of achievements or activities in their diary. They encourage children’s learning but do not formally record children’s next steps or note how these may be promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder informally plans various activities for the children when they are at home. For example, plans are in place for them to plant seeds in pots or make their own musical shaker. There is a very good selection of materials for children to use during art and craft activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s individual care needs are respected and met by the childminder. She values each child for who they are and children develop positive self-esteem through the caring relationship they have with the childminder. All relevant information is obtained from parents and kept confidential. The childminder shares her practices with parents through discussion and with a number of written policies and procedures. These includes such areas as complaints and child protection. Full discussions, when children are collected, gives parents an account of their child’s day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a good range of resources and pictures that positively help children’s growing awareness of the wider world. There are a number of good quality, informative books that the childminder shares with children;these help them acknowledge and respect differences. Other resources are easily accessed by the children such as dolls and play people, although those that reflect disability are limited.

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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 Children benefit from lots of praise and encouragement. They behave very well and with good support from the childminder they learn what behaviour is acceptable. Children learn to take turns, share toys and help tidy up.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children benefit from the safe environment and organised day. The play space and broad range of resources meets children’s needs effectively. Good supervision by the childminder allows children to explore the environment safely and with enjoyment, making choices about their play. They receive very good adult support and attention to help them feel secure, happy and settled

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Organisation

Written information is shared with parents and thought has been put into the detail provided. This gives parents a good understanding of how the childminder works and about the care their child receives. For example, it includes the procedures that the childminder would follow in the event of a lost child or a non-collected child. The childminder obtains a number of relevant written consents, such as for outings and the use of sun cream.

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Organisation

The organisation of the childminder’s record of attendance ensures she keeps within her registered numbers. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Good progress has been made since the last inspection. As requested the daily attendance register is kept in line with the regulation, with an accurate record kept of children's hours of attendance. This contributes to the effective running of the service.

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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): • consider identifying children's next steps in their learning and development, planning how these can be met and share information with 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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