Temple Sowerby CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

112266 Unique Reference Number 05 February 2008 Inspection date Penny Wood 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 1994. She lives with her husband and two teenage children in Silchester, Berkshire. The whole of the home is registered for childminding and there is an 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 under eight years old at any one time. She currently has eight children aged between two and seven years old on roll. She is able to walk and drive to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. The family have two horses which children have supervised contact with.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a varied range of nutritious healthy meals and snacks. They are encouraged to sit at the table and to adopt good manners whilst eating. Records of children’s allergies ensure the childminder only provides foods that are suitable for individual dietary needs. Children have access to drinks throughout the day ensuring they do not become thirsty.

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 follow appropriate hygiene routines in order to reduce the spread of germs, such as washing their hands after visiting the toilet. Younger children receive support from the childminder, with older children trusted to implement hygiene procedures for themselves. When visiting a local farm, the childminder ensures she is suitably equipped with baby wipes and tissues to be able to maintain appropriate levels of hygiene with the children.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder’s knowledge of first aid. Records of accidents and medication administered to children clearly identify the care children receive and are shared with parents to ensure they are informed of events. Written consent allowing the childminder to seek further medical treatment ensures children receive appropriate medical attention in an emergency.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are physically active and engage in play outside, enjoy walks on the common and visits to the farm to see the horses. Outings promote children’s good health and enable them to benefit from fresh air. Children enjoy space to play outside in the childminder’s garden, with a large paddling pool available during the summer months.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy plenty of space to play freely within the downstairs of the home, with rules in place, such as no running inside, to assure their safety. Within the play room they have access to the good range of age appropriate toys, all of which are checked for safety and to ensure all parts are present.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Good safety measures promote children’s safety within the homely environment. For example, hazardous chemicals are stored out of reach, the internal front door is alarmed so the childminder is aware when it is opened and garden gates are locked. The childminder has safety measures in place to raise the alarm in the event of a fire, although children do not practise the emergency evacuation procedure to ensure they are aware of the procedure to follow.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy playing in a large paddling pool during the summer months, but only under strict supervision and with parental consent. When visiting the horses, the childminder ensures children follow strict rules to ensure their safety. On outings children hold hands and stay close together and when crossing the road they adhere to road safety guidelines.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from the childminder’s appropriate knowledge of child protection procedures which promote their welfare and safety.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and at ease in the childminder’s care. They enter the home with confidence and quickly settle into their play. Children enjoy access to a good range of age appropriate toys and activities, with a relaxed approach to play following children’s long day at school.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are familiar with the available toys and enjoy initiating their own play, whether it is with construction toys such as Stickle Bricks or computer games. Children play well with each other. They enjoy showing each other their creations and talk animatedly with each other about their play and their day at school.

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 Children are very confident with the childminder and enjoy recounting events from the past. Whilst children are talking the childminder listens well, boosting children’s sense of value and developing their self-esteem. For quieter members of the group, the childminder ensures they are also able to have a say in discussions.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are developing an appropriate awareness of diversity through the celebration of events which are relevant to the children present. The childminder ensures she is able to meet the needs of the individual child prior to accepting them into her care. Detailed discussions held with parents ensure the childminder is fully aware of children’s requirements to enable her to provide appropriate care for their needs. At all times she is attentive to maintaining the cordial balance she has established.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They understand the rules within the home and apologise when necessary. Issues are discussed between children and the childminder to ensure children develop their understanding of why certain behaviour is unacceptable. Children benefit from the relationships between the childminder and their parents. The consistent sharing of information between the two parties ensure parents are informed of the care their children receive and the childminder is aware of issues that may affect the level of care she provides. The childminder shares her policies and procedures verbally with parents. She has clear strategies for managing concerns raised by parents, although is yet to implement a complaints record and share details on how to raise concerns with the regulator (Ofsted).

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She is very experienced in caring for children having been registered as a childminder since 1994. The childminder maintains a current first aid certificate to ensure she is able to administer appropriate care following incidents.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder promotes a ‘home from home’ environment and organises her home well to allow children space to play freely. They are able to access the toys and self-select chosen activities, with help available to reach the toys which are stored out of their reach.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder reviews children’s records and contracts on a regular basis to ensure all information is correct and up-to-date. Documentation is stored securely and available for inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has addressed areas of her provision based on the recommendations that were raised at the last inspection. She was requested to improve her awareness of anti-discriminatory practice, to promote equality of opportunity and to increase her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. The childminder ensures she meets the needs of all children within her care. She acts as a good role model to the children, encouraging them to respect each other and to treat each other with courtesy. All children enjoy access to suitable activities and play opportunities. She has a clear understanding of child protection issues in order to promote children's welfare and safety.

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. 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): • encourage children to participate in emergency evacuation procedures • increase knowledge of the new complaint procedures and inform parents of how they may raise concerns with Ofsted

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