Roger De Clare First CofE School

Inspection report for early years provision

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117406 Unique Reference Number 03 October 2007 Inspection date Karyn Yarnold 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 satisfactory. 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 1996. She lives with her husband on the outskirts of the City of Plymouth. The kitchen, dining and bathroom are used for childminding. The childminder is registered to provide care for six children under eights years; of these not more than three may be under five years; and of these not more than one maybe aged under one year. At present the childminder is caring for three children on a part time basis. The childminder takes children to local parks. The family have two cats. The childminder is a member of the Devon Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming home where older children are introduced to personal care by practises adopted by the childminder. For example, older children are encouraged to wash and dry their hands before eating and after going to the toilet. Younger children's hands are suitably cleaned with appropriate hand washing procedures. The childminder promotes suitable routine, hygiene procedures that include washing toys periodically, ensuring that her

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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 house is clean and ensuring that nappies are disposed of appropriately. These practices help to reduce the risk of cross infection. Children's health needs are met as the childminder maintains a suitably stocked first aid kit and keeps suitable records on children's health, for example, any accidents are recorded. The childminder holds appropriate first aid training.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a satisfactory range of activities which contribute to their good health and develop their physical skill. They often visit the local park and shops. This provides them with fresh air which is good for their overall health and well being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive snacks and lunches provided by their parents. These are stored in lunch boxes. Children are offered drinks which include water or drinks provided by children's parents. This ensures that children receive sufficient meals, snacks and drinks to sustain their hunger and thirst.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a suitable area of the childminder's home to enable them to move around safely, freely and independently. Children are protected from harm as the childminder has taken steps to minimise the risks from potential hazards. For example, a stair gate is in place between the kitchen and lobby, cleaning products are stored in areas of the home that are inaccessible to children and a clear emergency evacuation procedure is displayed and practised with older children. This promotes children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are taken on walks to local shops and are able to access fresh air when visiting local play areas. The childminder ensures that younger children are kept safe by the use of wrist straps when out walking in nearby play areas. Suitable procedures are in place to ensure that children are kept safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to easily select and rummage for toys from a satisfactory range, which are of good quality and are clean. A child sized table and chairs enable younger children to engage in table top activities, such as drawing and playing with puzzles. Suitable high chairs have restraints. This protects children from harm. Children are able to sleep in their pram which is used to provide rest when needed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is given sufficient priority by the childminder, who has a satisfactory understanding of child protection procedures. Her knowledge and understanding of signs and symptoms of possible abuse ensure that children are protected from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well settled, are at ease and relaxed in the childminder's home. Their progress and development is supported by the childminder allowing them free range of available age related toys, which are rotated periodically to sustain interest. Children are able to experience the world around them by visiting local shops and when going to local parks. Younger children are able to draw using crayons, listen to stories read by the childminder and are introduced to matching using both home made and commercially made resources. For example, children are able to match items on a laminated sheet that the childminder has devised, as well as match shapes on a puzzle.

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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 Children benefit from the warm relationship they have with the childminder, who cares for them in a very friendly environment. Children are able to take their art work home and are made to feel proud of their achievements. For example, the childminder displays children's pictures on her fridge. This promotes children's self esteem. Children's learning and development is supported by the childminder's relaxed interaction.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder gathers sufficient information about children when they first register with her. She knows the children well and has satisfactory procedures in place to help them settle. This ensures that children's individual needs are considered. Satisfactory communications with parents supports the childminder in providing continuity of care. Children learn about different colours when using crayons and learn about colour and numbers when playing with dominoes. Children are introduced to other cultures as the childminder enables them to play with some toys that reflect diversity. However, these are limited to a puzzle depicting different nationalities and a book on around the world. This limits children's opportunities to learn about other cultures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Suitable behaviour strategies are adopted by the childminder. For example, children are given time out to reflect on unwanted behaviour if necessary, and are given an explanation if this is displayed. This teaches them right from wrong. Children's continuity of care is promoted satisfactorily by the relationship the childminder develops with parents. Information is exchanged informally and relevant paperwork is in place. This ensures that children are cared for in accordance with their parent's wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is aware of her responsibilities and has a satisfactory understanding of documentation that needs to be in place. Children feel at home and are at ease in the care of the childminder. This means that children are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. She manages children of varying ages who attend at different times by, for example, only caring for children of different ages at certain times. This enables children to be cared for on an individual basis.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures that available space is used effectively. For example, children in her care are able to choose toys that are available in plastic containers. Registers of children's attendance and information about children is recorded sufficiently. confidentiality is maintained by the childminder ensuring that records are stored safely at all times. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to provide children with more access to physical play, ensure that a suitable emergency evacuation is in place and that her range of resources for children to play with reflect positive images of diversity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children now have access to fresh air and are able to develop their physical skills as the childminder takes minded children to local parks where they can climb on climbing frames and swing on swings. The childminder has devised and practised an emergency escape plan. This

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Improvements 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 helps to keep children safe from harm in the event of an emergency situation. The childminder has some resources that introduce children to diversity. However, resources are limited.

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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 satisfactory. 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 resources that reflect diversity.

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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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