Bolsover Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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112511 Unique Reference Number 12 December 2007 Inspection date Lynne Elizabeth Lewington 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 outstanding. 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 has been registered since 1993. She lives with her husband and two children in a detached property in Yateley. The ground floor is used for play and a bedroom for rest. There is access to toilet facilities on the ground floor and a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years. Currently there are three children on roll. She attends local children's activities and can take and collect children from local schools. The family have a pet hamster.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from the excellent attention paid to their health needs. They learn simple important routines which promote their good health. For example, the childminder patiently helps them to wash their hands, showing them how to use the soap and clean between their fingers before rinsing the soap off. They use individual towels to dry their hands preventing

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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 the possibility of cross infections. Children clean their teeth after sweet foods helping to develop a positive awareness of good dental hygiene routines. The spotlessly clean environment and toy cleaning routines also help to prevent the spread of germs. Detailed information provided by parents ensures the childminder is aware of and can meet children's dietary and health needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Meal and snack times are enjoyable occasions for the children. They sit to the table with the childminder and enjoy hot meals provided by their parents. The childminder ensures healthy snacks are provided between meals and children have easy access to drinks of water throughout the day. Children are developing a very good awareness of where their food comes from as they grow items such as carrots and tomatoes in the garden and eat them with their meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children experience excellent opportunities to develop their physical skills. They play with large wheeled toys, tents and tunnels in the garden, use play equipment in the park and go for walks in the local community. The childminder ensures they have opportunities for fresh air and outdoor activity daily, enabling the children to develop their senses in the fresh air. The available indoor space enables them to move freely around playing on the floor and at the table. They competently climb on and off chairs demonstrating their increasing co-ordination and balance. Games, puzzles and creative activities provide valuable opportunities to develop finer movements and hand and eye co-ordination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children make full use of the attractive well maintained play space available to them as they move freely between the lounge and the playroom. Easy access to the toilet and kitchen facilities aids their growing independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy easy access to well maintained age appropriate toys and resources which are displayed attractively for their use in the playroom. Toys are cleaned and checked for safety regularly ensuring they are safe and fit for use. Excellent quality equipment such as car seats and travel cot are maintained well to promote the children's safety at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is promoted exceptionally well due to the childminder's awareness of potential hazards around her home and on outings and the action she takes to minimise them. She encourages the children to develop their awareness of safety by talking to them about safe behaviour. For example, they wear wrist straps near the road and she talks to them about road safety. Excellent clear fire evacuation plans are in place and smoke detectors are checked on a regular planned basis. Careful planning on outings ensures that parents and alternative contact details are always available to the childminder in case of emergencies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is further safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect and the action she is required to take. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the action she would take if an accusation was made against her in order that any concerns can be professionally addressed. Parents are informed clearly of the childminders role in reporting child protection concerns through a clear policy and up to date information displayed on the parent’s notice board.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children experience excellent loving care from the childminder. They have daily opportunities to socialise and develop their skills as they undertake many interesting activities. A simple flexible daily routine ensures children have sufficient rest, stimulation and nourishment to enable them to be contented and benefit from the experiences available to them. The simple routine enhances the children's feeling of security.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident and happy in the childminder's care. They independently access toys making choices from the good quality toys available to them. Planned activities each day encourage the children's abilities to co-operate and work with others. For example they make snowmen. Following the childminder's example, they use glue sticks and select collage materials. These simple activities provide good opportunity for hand and eye co-ordination and conversation. Children sit close to the childminder to enjoy story books developing their awareness of how to use books and the relevance of words. They use musical instruments playing along to a familiar song and learn about loud and quiet. Using the dough they develop skills using the tools, awareness of pattern and shape as they use cutters and roll the dough in their hands. Outings in the local community to the library, toddler groups and friends houses

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

enable the children to develop their awareness of the wider world and their social skills as they meet other people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children play with a variety of good quality toys and resources which reflect our diverse society, for example small world people of different cultures, ages and abilities. Good quality up to date books reflect and inform children of different lifestyles increasing their abilities to accept others. They play with toys irrespective of gender. Outings in the local community enable them to meet children and adults increasing social skills and acceptance of people’s differences. Through simple activities they learn about traditional and cultural events. The childminder demonstrates an excellent awareness of the importance of gathering detailed information from parents to ensure that children's individual needs can be met effectively. She is willing to undertake further training and work closely with professionals to encourage children's development when required.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop an excellent awareness of positive behaviour through their daily interactions with the childminder. She presents a positive example to them, praising them frequently and encouraging their efforts enthusiastically. They are successfully learning the difference between right and wrong and the need to consider others as they play games. The childminder encourages good manners through example and her consistent approach to managing behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder clearly recognises the importance of positive relationships with parents and takes very positive steps to sensitively promote this relationship. Comprehensive policies support the childminder's work enabling the parents and carers to have a good understanding of the service she offers to them and their children. Parents are always made very welcome and kept well informed of their child's play and development through a daily diary.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children receive excellent care in all areas of the service offered enabling excellent outcomes to be achieved. She provides warm nurturing care in a well maintained and resourced environment. Excellent care is taken to promote the children's health, safety and learning. Through the positive experiences provided the children are developing their abilities to make a positive contribution to society.

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Organisation

The childminder is well organised and maintains all the relevant documentation to a high standard to inform and provide a good record of the service offered and to meet regulatory requirements. Clear simple but relevant policies ensure parents have a good understanding of the service offered. The childminder ensures she keeps up to date with current requirements and continues to develop her practice for the benefit of the children through training opportunities and reading. 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 inspection the provider was recommended to update and review documentation. All documentation is reviewed regularly and updated to meet current requirements.

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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