Haslingden Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

119194 Unique Reference Number 10 October 2007 Inspection date Judith, Mary Butler Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1999. She lives with her two school aged children, partner and his two school aged children. They live in Ascot. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor. There is an identified bedroom on the first floor used for children who require sleeps. There is a fully enclosed garden.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for up to four children under eight years. She is currently caring for three children on a part time basis. The childminder undertakes outings to local parks ad walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder has good procedures in place to protect the health of children in her care. These include washing her hands and wiping the changing mat after changing nappies. Parents are made aware that they must not send their child if they are unwell and this protects the health of all children in the home. Older children are becoming aware of the importance of

p.2

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 personal hygiene and are developing their personal skills, for example, washing their hands before snacks and meals. Effective procedures are followed when recording accidents and administration of medication. All records are individual and confidential to each child. Parents sign completed paperwork and this ensures they are aware of any incidents that have happened to their child.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy living when in the care of the childminder. They have daily access to fresh air and exercise and enjoy their play in the garden, walks to and from school and outings to local parks. Children access a good range of large equipment when playing in the garden. This includes a slide, climbing frame and sit and ride toys. Meal and snack times are a sociable occasion with the childminder sitting to the table and chatting to the children about their day. Parents provide meals for the children and the childminder stores lunch boxes appropriately until required. Children have access to drinks throughout the day. The childminder assists younger children in developing skills, for example, holding the cup for the baby to drink out of.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises are clean and well maintained. Children are comfortable in the homely environment. The childminder ensures all children feel welcome and displays their art work on the wall. Children are confident in selecting the toys they wish to play with from the range attractively displayed and stored in the main play area. The childminder is very aware of the individual likes and play preferences of the children. She provides toys and resources to suit these, for example, dolls, bottles and clothes for one child who enjoys role play. Effective procedures are in place to ensure equipment is in good repair, these include sorting and cleaning the resources on a regular basis.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children receive individual attention and support to ensure they can play safely within the home. The childminder undertakes daily safety checks to minimize risks to children, however there is no smoke alarm in place of the first floor to ensure the safety of all children. Children learn to exit the home quickly when practising emergency evacuation procedures. They remain safe when on outings as the childminder talks to them about road safety and uses appropriate equipment such as car seats and push chairs. Children's welfare is safeguarded, as the childminder understands her responsibilities for protecting them.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time in this childminder's home. They find toys to interest them from the variety on offer and freely choose the toys they wish to play with. Babies and young children begin to socialise and enjoy watching the older children play. Children's welfare is promoted well. The childminder follows parent’s wishes when planning her day to ensure she follows the individual routines of the children in her care. Children benefit from a variety of active, quiet, inside and outside activities during their day.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children receive individual time and attention from the childminder. Babies receive good eye contact from the childminder who repeats their babble and encourages them to find their own voices. Babies are supported in their development. The childminder sits behind the baby on the floor while they watch the other children play. Older children include the childminder in their play, for example, handing the dolly to the childminder who pretends to rock it to sleep.

p.3

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 Their language develops through the constant chatter and repetition of words used by the childminder.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good knowledge of the individual children in her care. She welcomes all children into her home and values them as individuals. Good relationships are in place between the childminder and parents. They share information about the child each day. A written diary is used to ensure parents receive full feedback about their child's daily routine. Children benefit from the communication that takes place to ensure their individual needs are met. Parents receive all of the policies and procedures in place and this includes useful information about the childminder's methods and procedures.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have opportunities to go on outings where they discover the world around them and learn that people are different. They have access to a variety of resources to reflect the diverse society and these include role play, puzzles and books.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has high expectations for behaviour and established house rules are in place. She shares these with the parents and children to ensure consistency between the two homes. This enables children to feel comfortable and secure in the childminders home. Children behave well and are beginning to show co-operation in their play. They learn to share and take turns through the support and attention they receive from the childminder, for example, encouraging the older child to pass the baby their favourite toy. Children are praised and encouraged throughout the day and this enables them to develop their self-esteem. Good relationships are in place between the childminder and the children.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children move freely around all areas of the home identified for their use. They benefit from the good use the childminder makes of the available space in her home. Children enjoy playing with the range of toys available. They select their own resources according to their individual play preferences. Toys are rotated and cared for to ensure children play with a variety of safe and appropriate toys. Children feel safe and secure in the childminders home due to the good relationships in place between the childminder and the parents. They receive a high level of individual attention when in the care of the childminder and enjoy this interaction with her.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder has a business like approach to childminding. All of the required documentation is in place to support the health, welfare and safety of the children. She shares this with the parents to ensure they are fully aware of her methods and procedures. She attends short courses to underpin and extend her childcare knowledge. The childminder has effective systems in place to record children’s attendance and exact details of arrival and departure times are detailed. She understands her responsibilities to protect children from visitors in the home and this ensure their safety and welfare at all times. However, she was unclear of significant events that Ofsted would need to be informed of, including a change of age to her own children and persons moving onto the home. The childminder meets the need of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

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

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was requested to obtain consent from all parents to seek emergency medical attention. The childminder now holds parental consent to seek medical attention in an emergency from all parents. This protects the health of all children in her care.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents that they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • ensure a smoke alarm conforming to BS EN safety standards is in place on the first floor of the property • ensure Ofsted are informed of any future significant changes or events, including changes to the household members and house moves.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5