Newberries Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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117303 Unique Reference Number 28 November 2007 Inspection date Sara Jane Frost 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 good. 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 1999. She lives with her husband in the North Prospect district of Plymouth within walking distance of shops and local parks. All areas of the house are used for minding purposes.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is registered to provide care for six children under eight years; she currently cares for three children under five and two over five at various times. She is registered to provide overnight care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have a Jack Russell. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in Childcare.

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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 good. Children's health is promoted well, as the childminder ensures children are well protected. Children have an understanding of why they need to wash their hands at appropriate times, for example, to make sure hands are clean before touching food when cooking. Children are provided with their own individual towels for hand drying, this helps to protect them from cross infection. Children are further protected from illnesses as the childminder requests parents not to bring their child if they are sick or infectious. The childminder has recently updated her paediatric first aid certificate and systems are in place to record any accidents or each child's individual medical treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures children's fluid intake is maintained throughout the day as children are provided with regular access to drinks. Children's meals are prepared by the childminder. They are provided with a balanced range of meals, with the occasional treat but always taking into consideration any child's specific dietary requirement.

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Helping children to be healthy

By walking to and from school children regularly receive a daily boost of fresh air. In addition to this children have opportunities to play in the back garden alongside the family pet dog.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder ensures children are kept safe by her clear understanding of safety issues. Children are always accompanied when playing in the garden and hazards within the home are minimised. For example, a bell system has been installed to alert the childminder should the back door or a cupboard door in her bedroom be unexpectedly opened. Children who sleep during the day are regularly checked. The childminder teaches children about road safety as they are escorted to and from school each day. All the required fire safety equipment is in place which is easily accessible. The childminder regularly conducts fire evacuations with the children to ensure they are confident in the processes should an emergency occur.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to play with a good range of resources which meet safety standards. Each time the resources are taken out or put away the childminder checks they are in a good and clean condition. Resources are easily accessible to children allowing them a degree of choice in their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare and safety is promoted as the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection and shows a good awareness of her role and responsibilities in this area. However her child protection policy which she shares with parents does not mention the process to follow if an allegation is made against member of the household.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children clearly enjoy being at the childminder's. They are happy, confident and very chatty. The children affectionately call the childminder 'grandma'. The childminder's caring approach ensures children are at ease and eager to take part in a range of activities. Children are well supported and receive lots of individual attention. The childminder clearly knows the children

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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 well. For example, she provides opportunities for story time whilst the child is sitting at the table eating toast. The childminder has identified when she is able to maintain the child's attention and gain his interest in books. Children's knowledge of simple science, mathematical thinking and language is developed through regular activities such as cooking. For example, melting the chocolate to make chocolate crispies and counting out the paper cake cases. The childminder is attentive to the children's needs. She is aware, for example, when children are becoming tired and require a sleep or quiet time to re-charge their batteries.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children recently took part in the making of the Christmas cake, from weighing out the ingredients to icing the cake. The house is covered with Christmas decorations, and children are currently involved in making decorations for the 'sad tree'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is happy to help children with their homework, so much so she recently attended a computer training course to further help a child with their information technology project.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Photographs show children regularly experience a range of activities such as coach trips to various parks and beaches.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about the wider world through the range of resources provided such as books and puzzles. Through discussion the childminder discusses festivals that are being covered at school with the children. Walking to and from school provides opportunities to develop children's awareness of the environment around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder encourages good behaviour; children are encouraged to say please and thank you. She has a firm but fair approach. The childminder stated, that the older children clearly know, that if she says 'perhaps, it may happen' then it might happen, but if she says 'I promise it will happen', then it definitely will happen. The childminder's genuine interest in the children helps develop their self-esteem. Children are regularly praised and encouraged, no matter how small their achievement is.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has worked hard to maintain a good working relationship with parents. Children's achievements are recorded in a notebook and are given to the parents each month. In addition daily verbal information is shared between parents and childminder to ensure they are kept fully informed of their child's day and to maintain continuity in their child's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in a well organised home environment, with activities readily organised before they arrive. Children are well protected through the childminder's good supervision and by ensuring they are not left alone with unvetted persons. For example she is vigilant in checking the identity of unknown persons before allowing them into her home.

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Organisation

The required documentation is well organised; it is easily accessible and is used to ensure children are well cared for. The childminder ensures her certificate is on display as well as other documentation such as courses she has attended. Detailed records are kept such as a register of attendance, which includes children she cares for, for a short period of time off the premises.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 All records are stored appropriately and kept confidential. 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 it was recommended that the childminder improved safety in the garden and provide more resources to reflect difference and diversity. The garden area is now fully enclosed following the installation of wooden fencing. Further resources such as books and puzzles have been obtained which reflect diversity and difference. Therefore these recommendations have been met.

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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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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 good. 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • further develop child protection policy

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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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