St Cedd's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Bradwell

Inspection report for early years provision

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115185 Unique Reference Number 04 February 2008 Inspection date Jill Steer 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 was registered in 1989. She lives with her husband and adult son in the Durrington area of Worthing, West Sussex. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant.

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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 three children under five, all of whom attend on a full time basis and three children over five after school. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends several local toddler groups. The family have two dogs and one cat, two guinea pigs and some fish. The childminder is a member of a local childminder support group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children's health is significantly enhanced through the childminder's innovative methods of ensuring children understand the need to take care of themselves. Children learn about personal

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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 hygiene through daily routines such as knowing to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. Low level access to paper towels, a step up to the toilet and liquid hand soap ensures children can take care of themselves independently. Excellent procedures are in place such as having disposable gloves for when changing children, sustain high levels of hygiene and help prevent the spread of infection. The childminder does however, value children’s feelings when the use of the gloves may be distressing to any of them, which highlights her sensitivity and awareness of their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children greatly enjoy a wide range of healthy and nutritious snacks which are provided by the childminder and include fresh fruit which they learn to cut with their own plate and knife. The children begin to understand these foods are healthy as they discuss them while they eat. The childminder extends this understanding by growing plants with the children on her allotment and extending discussion to explain the need for water, food and sunlight. The children’s individual packed lunches are served at the table sociably together where they develop an excellent range of social skills. Drinks are freely available for children to help themselves whenever they are thirsty from either a water cooler, or from individual beakers. The childminder stores and prepares food very safely to reduce bacteria and germs and records the daily temperature of the refrigerator to ensure it is working correctly, following a good inspection

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an excellent range of activities and experiences indoors, outdoors and away from the childminding setting which actively contribute to their very good health and well-being. They develop their physical skills through a wide variety of exciting activities that provides them with the opportunity to climb, balance run and play games at a variety of venues. For example, children greatly enjoy concentrating and practising their co-ordination as they walk carefully along stepping stones, balancing eggs on spoons.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Extremely well thought out safety precautions have been taken to keep children safe. For example, many smoke alarms are in place and regularly tested and daily risk assessments are carried out on the house to ensure the environment is safe for children. The risk of accidents outside the home is reduced because the childminder is conscientious about ensuring children are safe whilst on outings. For example, she completes a risk assessment of the venue prior to taking the children who all wear wrist bands with the childminder’s contact details and bright blue caps and tee shirts saying ‘Playdays’, which make them easily identifiable. The childminder ensures children are closely supervised at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to play with a wide range of safe, clean, robust toys and equipment that are suitable for their age and stage of development. The childminder has taken the time to obtain details of the regulations and Safety standards for nursery and child equipment, to ensure that what she provides for the children is the safest recommended. She has developed children’s understanding of how to care for toys through fun everyday activities, such as tidying activities away if areas are becoming cluttered because, they say, ‘they hurt our feet’. The childminder’s home is extremely welcoming to both children and parents, many colourful posters and notices are displayed and designated areas for playing and relaxing have been organised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected because the childminder has an excellent understanding of child protection policies and procedures; this actively contributes to children's safety and well-being. Access to information and training in this area ensures children's welfare is given

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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 a high priority. Parents and carers are made aware that the childminder's ultimate responsibility is the safety and welfare of the children she cares for.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are relaxed and very happy in this child friendly environment. Children are learning very well as they are given excellent opportunities to develop an extensive range of skills through access to good equipment and opportunities offered by the childminder. The childminder plans exciting learning activities based on interesting topics such as Chinese New Year, Keeping healthy and Keeping safe. The planning is based around the Birth to three matters framework and Foundation Stage curriculum, and each topic includes a list of related books and suitable outing venues. The childminder observes the children at play and keeps individual records to ensure they make good developmental progress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The topics lead to many interesting games and role play for the children such as making coolie hats and dancing. Children thoroughly enjoy the many trips and outings that are organised by the childminder which supplement their learning, whilst adding to the fun factor. For example, visiting the local A&E department where injuries are dealt with, and going to the farm shop to look for healthy food. Children then derive great pleasure from looking through the many photographs taken and fondly recall outings such as stroking a goat at the farm, an Easter egg hunt and a walk in the forest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have established excellent relationships with both the childminder, her assistant and other children in her care. They relate exceptionally well to the childminder because she joins in with their play at their level and is positive in her interaction. For example, she takes her turn during the board game of Bear Hunt and joins in the laughter as children have to ‘splish splash’ through various parts of the journey round the board. Children learn effectively through their play because the childminder listens to what they say so she can extend their knowledge and understanding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder develops excellent relationships with parents ensuring that children's individual needs are fully met. Detailed information is shared from the beginning to ensure an open relationship is formed in which the children’s needs are paramount. For example, the childminder provides details of her qualifications and experience, her policies and expectations, and asks in return for the parents to provide full details of the children’s routines and interests. Each year the views of the parents and children are actively sought by the childminder as she reviews her practice. She sends home forms which are completed with extremely positive comments from the parents, such as how pleased they are with the children’s care and range of activities provided, whilst the children simply feel they should have more chocolate, or even more chicken and broccoli.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children access a very good range of resources that reflect multicultural and disability issues. Children's understanding of others is further encouraged through well planned topics and spontaneous activities. Their natural curiosity and questions are dealt with in a sensitive and considerate manner. The imaginative use of a ‘travelling teddy bear’ that is taken on holiday with everyone in turn, enables children to study a map to see all the places he has travelled to around the world. Celebrations of festivals and topics include really special visits for children

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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 to a variety of restaurants where they taste exotic foods, introducing them to the many delights of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's self-confidence and calm behaviour is evident and well promoted as they receive lots of positive praise and encouragement from the childminder. They are given good opportunities to develop their confidence and sense of belonging through very good encouragement, support and interaction. As a result of the childminder's consistency, children's behaviour is very good. Children helped in compiling the house rules which gives them a sense of value and encourages them to take responsibility for their own behaviour. The childminder has a very positive approach to caring for children with additional needs and an excellent understanding of how she would adapt her practice to be fully inclusive. She develops children's understanding of disabilities through the wide range of toys and resources, through discussions and debates, and through reading books together.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Exceptional levels of organisation ensure children are extremely well cared for by the childminder. Children are provided with a rich and stimulating environment in which they can play and learn. Time is maximised to ensure that all children receive the individual support they require. This ensures their individual needs are always respected and met and as a result children feel extremely valued. The childminder has high quality procedures that work in practice to promote children’s welfare. Her use of the Birth to three matters framework and the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage is of great benefit to the children. The childminder uses the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage particularly well, through observing children's starting points in learning and continual achievements and struggles. The childminder then uses these observations to plan activities to support children in achieving the next stage in their learning

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Organisation

Children's care is significantly enhanced by the exceptional organisation. A very clear set of polices and procedures is in place which is individual to the childminder and fully supports her very good childcare practice. She has a firm commitment to improving her practice through her continued attendance at training courses such as quality first, food hygiene, inclusion and managing babies. This ensures children's care and well being are always a priority and they are fully supported in reaching their full potential. The childminder's husband, who regularly works as her assistant, has also demonstrated his commitment to providing good quality care by completing the Introduction to childminding Practice and first aid courses, so he too can tend to children's needs. 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 childminder was asked to ensure that low-level glass panels are safe or inaccessible to minded children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The low level glass door panels have now been fitted with safety film to protect children in the event they should break.

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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

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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 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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