Wolverley Sebright First School

Inspection report for early years provision

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116920 Unique Reference Number 27 November 2007 Inspection date Sheila Collins 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 1993. She lives with her husband and two children, one an adult and the other aged 15 years, in Reading, Berkshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's 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 six children at any one time and is currently

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

minding five children on a part time basis. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties. The childminder walks to local schools, nurseries and pre-schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group. The family has two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of an approved childminding group.

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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 outstanding. Children learn about personal hygiene through their daily routine and know the importance of good hygiene practices and the need to wash their hands to 'get the germs off.' They wash their hands after going to the toilet, before eating and after taking part in messy play. The childminder has excellent hygiene practices herself and supports the children well, allowing children to go to the toilet unaccompanied and independently to wash their hands, when they are ready to do so. The children clean their teeth after meals and have individual towels which reduces the risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder actively promotes the good health of the children and responds appropriately when they are ill. The children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of their individual health needs and all the relevant documentation is in place, to support the meeting of these needs. She has appropriate accident and medication records. Written permission has been obtained from parents for emergency medical advice and treatment. The childminder has a current first aid certificate, which ensures that she is able to effectively manage any accidents that may occur.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder consults with parents about their child's dietary requirements and preferences, and the menus are available for them to see. Children have a well balanced diet and are able to choose healthy options for snack, for example fresh fruit. They choose the bread and fillings they would like for their sandwiches at lunch time and sometimes have a mixture of brown and white bread if they can not decide. The childminder has a food policy in place and provides a cooked meal in the evening. All children are aware of the 'five a day' campaign and have taken part in a healthy eating project. The children play an active part in preparing for meals by taking it in turns to lay the table with the cups, plates and water jug. They are able to access drinks easily when they are thirsty. Meals are a happy occasion at which the children socialise.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy physical exercise and the childminder successfully plans their day to ensure that they have a wide range of excellent activities to help them develop physically. They walk to and from school, preschool and nursery and undertake routine outings to the local park, where they play on the fixed apparatus or have fun with the parachute.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The children play in a welcoming, well organised environment. The child minder organises the space available effectively with displays of the children's own work and commercial posters to ensure that it is child friendly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder gives high priority to ensuring that the children are safe both within and outside the home. She conducts regular risk assessments within the home environment and has a check list for use when undertaking outings. She involves the children in safety procedures such as regular evacuation practices, which increase the children's awareness of safety issues. The childminder's own response is tested as another childminder telephones unexpectedly and initiates a drill. The childminder has equipment suitable for the age and stage of the children attending. The childminder checks the equipment and toys frequently to ensure that they are safe for the children to use.

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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 The childminder has built up an extensive and comprehensive range of toys and equipment for the children to use, which covers all areas of their development. The children independently access the majority of the toys and activities for themselves and the childminder supports them in choosing alternatives from the hall cupboards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are kept safe when out walking. They hold the childminder's hands. They understand the rules for crossing the road and are able to give reasons why they should stop, look and listen. Parental permission is in place to undertake outings and when the children are taken out in the car, the childminder has appropriate car seats and restraints.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder promotes the children's welfare through a comprehensive knowledge of child protection issues. She has a clear understanding of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child, which safeguards their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children settle well, are confident and relate well to each other and adults present. They have extremely good relationships with the childminder, who praises their efforts and achievements. The childminder knows the needs of the individual children in her care and is therefore able to offer activities and resources, which will appeal to the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s own routines, for example sleep times, are taken into account when planning the day. The children benefit from the childminder's excellent planning, which ensures a variety of activities are available throughout the week, both in and out of doors. These include outings to the local shops where they help select the fruit and vegetables, visits to other childminders and the local carers group where they can extend their social skills. The children have regular trips to the local park and woods as well as playing in the garden where they enjoy physical exercise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are able to choose their own resources and to direct their own play, supported by the childminder. The childminder has an excellent understanding of when to offer appropriate help, for example when helping a child with a puzzle and uses these opportunities to extend children’s understanding and vocabulary by asking questions and helping the children to count and identify colours. The children take part in both active and quiet activities, which allow them to develop, practise and progress their skills and all round development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The children understand the rules and boundaries that are in place. The childminder encourages good standards of behaviour, by the use of positive behaviour strategies, lots of praise, and plenty of encouragement, which builds the children's confidence and self-esteem. The children relate well to each other, are learning to share and take turns and are supportive of one another.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has in-depth knowledge of the individual needs of each child through ongoing discussion with parents. When planning, she considers the children in her care, their stage of development and ability and chooses activities which all the children can take part in. The children are using the wide range of resources to learn about different cultures and abilities.

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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 The childminder has an excellent partnership with parents and works closely with them to ensure continuity of care for the children. They receive excellent information from the childminder about her service and have access to the comprehensive policies which she has in place. Her weekly plans are displayed for parents to see. She has daily discussions with parents to keep them informed about their children's progress and ensures that messages and documents from nursery and school are passed to parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. All the children benefit from the childminder's careful planning and excellent organisation of the day. The space available is very well laid out to ensure that children are made to feel welcome.

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Organisation

The childminder is a member of the local accredited childminding network. She has been minding for a number of years and has kept up to date with present trends and ways of working by attending training courses to extend her understanding of young children. The children benefit from her knowledge and experience, which she uses to ensure their ongoing well being, safety and care.

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Organisation

The childminder has all the required documentation in place to make sure that she is able to meet the individual needs of the children in her care. In addition, she has comprehensive written policies in place, all of which are informative for parents and underpin her excellent practice. Her certificate of registration is clearly displayed so parents are aware of the conditions of registration.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, one recommendation was made. This was to continue to develop existing information for parents and maintain the close links already in place with parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

It is evident from the comprehensive information available for parents and the letters of support that the childminder has an excellent partnership with parents.

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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.

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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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