Weston Shore Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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116133 Unique Reference Number 28 February 2008 Inspection date Daphne Prescott 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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 14 years in Hanworth in the London Borough of Hounslow. Part of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 and is currently minding two children under five all day and before and after school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has no pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy lovely, healthy and nutritious snacks and meals. The childminder's menu planning includes a varied range of home cooked fresh foods that she provides. The childminder has

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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 also completed a food hygiene certificate and is fully aware of how to store and prepare food. She discusses all dietary needs and food preferences with parents, which means that all children's individual needs are taken into account. The childminder and children sit together for meal times, creating a relaxed and social atmosphere in which social skills and good manners are promoted. Children can independently access drinking water throughout the day and the childminder also reminds the children to have a drink so that they are not thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a clean, hygienic home where they are learning effective hygiene practices. For example, before and after snacks they wash and then dry their hands with their own individual towels, which prevents the spread of cross infection. The childminder's excellent practices also reduce the risk of cross infection within the home and to the children. For example, she washes her hands before preparing snacks. She wears disposable gloves when changing nappies and the changing mat is cleaned after each use. Effective systems are in place to record accidents, administration of medication and information relating to children's medical needs, which ensures children, are well cared for. Parents' written consent for emergency medical treatment is obtained. The childminder has an up-to-date first aid certificate which allows her to deal with minor accidents should they occur. In addition, an emergency first aid kit is taken

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Helping children to be healthy

out with the childminder when taking the children on outings so children receive appropriate care if they are hurt.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical health is very well promoted by the childminder. They have access to a lovely garden where they enjoy a wide variety of toys and equipment that encourages their physical development. Children have a wonderful time playing outside in the childminder's garden where they can run, climb, swing and slide. They also take pleasure in rocking the seesaw and practising their ball skills. They attend regular toddler groups where they have access to a variety of play equipment which complements what is provided within the childminder's home environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a lovely, welcoming family home where the childminder has made very good use of the space available, which allows children the opportunity to move around freely and with great confidence. Children eagerly use high quality equipment and resources, which are appropriate to their age and stage of development. The toys and activities are set up, inviting and enticing children to play. They are able to self select toys for themselves from boxes arranged at their level, which encourages their independence. The childminder supervises and supports children's play to ensure their overall safety is maintained and in addition they are kept safe as the childminder regularly checks toys and resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from being cared for in a very safe environment. The childminder is vigilant about safety and has completed a detailed home risk assessment which promotes children's safety. The childminder has taken positive steps to prevent unsupervised access to certain areas, for example, a safety gate is placed across the kitchen area and the bottom and top of the stairs. The childminder is proactive in ensuring children's safety in relation to fire by carrying out evacuation practises to enable children to be familiar with the procedure in the event of an emergency. There are very good procedures to ensure that the children remain safe on outings, as the childminder teaches the children to cross roads safely and ensures that younger children are strapped in the buggy correctly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is extremely well protected as the childminder has a written child protection procedure in place with the relevant contact numbers for the various agencies that may be

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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 involved. She has a good understanding of the procedures in place for protecting children and the signs and symptoms of abuse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children have a wonderful time and enjoy their time with the childminder and the interaction between the children and the childminder is of a very high quality. Children are confident and completely settled in the childminder's home. The childminder displays an enthusiastic interest in the children and responds quickly to their sounds and gestures. Consequently, they are very happy and contented in their environment. The childminder's comprehensive knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework results in children being busy and fully occupied.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They have lots of fun, enjoyment and play enthusiastically with a very wide range of toys and activities, which fully promote their learning. Children spend their time purposefully. They enjoy sitting with the childminder reading their favourite book. The childminder reads the book with very good props to extend children's learning. For example, she uses a cardboard box with different objects that are seen in the book to reinforce children's learning and extend children's language skills. Children are becoming competent learners, and have a stimulating time playing with natural materials, such as play dough. They are beginning to explore their senses as the childminder encourages the children to feel and touch the texture of the play dough between their fingers and to make shapes and describe what they are making. They are imaginative as they dig and build with soil. They enjoy feeling the texture of soil as they pat it with their hands

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and drag their fingers through it to make patterns. Children love taking part in role play, their imagination is extensively supported through the excellent range of play provision available. For example, they make pretend meals in the home corner and have a wonderful time being imaginative as they play with their dolls; they have great pleasure in walking their 'baby' in the buggy around the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's creativity is thoroughly inspired through the wide range of art and craft ideas they take part in on a regular basis. Children also have a wonderful time as they laugh and have fun as they energetically join in action songs and enjoy singing with the childminder. The children's personalities are well understood by the childminder and this means that she is able to encourage their happiness by providing for their individual interests. The childminder knows what the children are learning in school. She effectively extends and consolidates their learning in her interactions with the children while they are playing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder treats each child with utmost concern and works in partnership with parents to meet children's specific individual needs. She knows the children well, meaning she is able to provide for them to ensure their needs are met. In their daily routine younger children are able to rest or play according to their individual needs. She also ensures that the day is organised to incorporate both active and quiet times. As a result, children are clearly settled.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning through exciting planned activities to enhance their understanding of their own culture and that of others. For example, children make dragons for Chinese New Year and cards for Mother's Day. In addition, children are gaining a positive image of themselves and that of the wider world through the use of resources that reflect different cultures, gender and disability. Children with learning difficulties or disabilities are welcome in the childminder’s

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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 home as she has a positive attitude towards this area of childcare. Children's behaviour is very good. They are settled and very happy because the childminder sets clear boundaries for behaviour. She is kind and supportive towards the children and she uses praise very effectively. For example, children are praised when they do things well which increases their self-esteem and reinforces positive behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is excellent. The childminder recognises the importance of working in partnership with parents to ensure the happiness and welfare of the children. Parents are fully informed through various methods such as exchange of information both verbally and in writing through a comprehensive daily diary, highlighting what the children do throughout the day. A detailed file is in place with written policies and procedures highlighting the childminder's personal practices, training and details of menus. Parents are extremely happy with the care provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. An extremely well organised environment is provided for children to play safely where they receive excellent support enabling them to feel very safe and secure, and make strides in their development. The play areas both indoors and outdoors are very well presented. The childminder has given thought as to how the toys and equipment are set out to attract the children's attention, allowing them to make independent choices and gain access to the full range of activities available. Daily routines flow smoothly and routines are well organised to allow children to play. Children's care and development flourishes due to the stimulating activities that they enjoy.

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Organisation

Children benefit from a highly motivated childminder, who is committed to continuous improvement and development. The childminder continually attends training to ensure she is updated with current practices and any changes to legislation. She has in place excellent organised documentation which evidences her commitment to the quality of the care she provides for children. For example, policies and procedures that reflect the personal care she provides, it includes many certificates from training courses. All regulatory documentation is in place and up-to-date.

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Organisation

Children enjoy the time they spend with the childminder as she has excellent knowledge and understanding of caring for children and she meets their welfare and care needs effectively. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure the written record of medicines, given to children, is signed by parents. The childminder ensures that parents sign the record of any medicines given to children which promotes their safety and wellbeing.

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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 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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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

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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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