West Earlham Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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120958 Unique Reference Number 12 November 2007 Inspection date Catherine Greenwood 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 in 1992. She lives with her husband and two children aged 18 years and 15 years. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there are toileting facilities on this level, sleeping facilities are provided on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding seven children under eight years, all of whom attend part time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends local childminding groups and takes the children to the local library and parks. The childminder is qualified to NVQ level 2 in child care and is a member of the Surrey Childminding Network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder asks parents to provide food for children up to the age of one year. This means that children are protected from the risk of allergic reactions and parents can choose what their

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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 younger children eat, for example, whilst they are weaning. The childminder provides a well balanced diet for older children which includes home cooked food. Children really enjoy fresh fruit for snack times and eat bananas, grapes and strawberries with enthusiasm. They are given drinks of juice throughout the day, although they are not encouraged to drink water except at lunchtimes. Children eat together and mealtimes are a social occasion.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from the risk of cross infection, for example, the childminder has attended food hygiene training and has a clear written sick child policy which is shared with parents. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to develop their gross motor skills, for example, as they run freely during visits to woodland areas and play in a cubed maze. During these outings, the childminder introduces fun elements related to stories such as ' The three Billy goats gruff'. Children say they like playing on the swings, climbing frame, slides and see saws at the local park. They have plenty of outdoor play as they make regular use of the childminders garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept secure in the premises because the childminder keeps the front door locked, and ensures that children wait for each other as they are getting ready to go out. The childminder keeps the sitting room door shut so that children cannot access the stairs. She uses a plug in listening device when children are sleeping, and listens to see if they are settled. However, she does not always go into rooms where babies are sleeping to check them, which puts their safety at risk. In addition, there are electrical wires near the television that pose a hazard to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is sufficient well maintained play equipment which the childminder uses according to children's individual needs. Clear written fire evacuation procedures are practised with the children during the day, although these do not include overnight care. On outings younger children wear wrist bands or reins and are put in buggies in unsafe areas. Children know they must stay in sight of the childminder when they are running freely. From a young age children are taught about safety when crossing the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully safeguarded because the childminder has a very secure knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and has all necessary documentation in place.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children talk with enthusiasm about their favourite toys such as a wooden work bench, and develop good hand and eye co-ordination as they use hammers and bolts. Babies enjoy playing with rattles as they lie on a soft play mat in the sitting room. Children take part in creative activities and make things such as collage pictures using a wide range of resources such as cooked pasta, paint, leaves, pipe cleaners and tissue paper. They concentrate very well as they enjoy using raw spaghetti and play dough to make hedgehogs. The childminder adds essence and glitter to the play dough, which helps children develop their senses. She joins in the creative activities and talks to children about what they are making. Consequently children share information about their designs and talk about hedgehogs they have seen in the wild.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have the opportunity to choose a box of toys each at the beginning of the day which the childminder takes into the sitting room. Younger children benefit from going to toddler

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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 groups twice a week and other childminding groups twice a month. Consequently, children make new friends and get used to being part of a group. This means they are well prepared when they start nursery school.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very happy and contented. This is because the childminder is attentive to their individual needs and provides activities which include all children. Older children have individual time with the childminder during times when younger children are asleep.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder forms good relationships with parents and helps them as much as she can, for example, she takes children to nurseries that are near to their homes. This means they are provided with continuity of care. In addition, she works closely with other agencies involved in families lives to meet children's individual needs. Letters from parents include very positive comments, such as 'the childminder is respected and loved by all the children', 'both my children were very happy to be left in the childminders care,' and 'I have been very pleased with the positive way in which my children's needs are accommodated, and everything is always dealt with without any fuss or bother'. The childminder uses annual feedback forms to get parents views on the service she provides, and acts on the comments made to accommodate their wishes where possible. The childminder provides a positive role model to children and gives parents

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Helping children make a positive contribution

time to talk about issues and difficulties. Therefore children benefit from her advice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved because the childminder provides a good role model, and ensures they know the house rules and learn good manners. Consequently older children tell younger children what they are allowed and not allowed to do. Therefore, children also learn from each other. The childminder has a calm approach towards the children, uses distraction and sets clear boundaries. Children are expected to use appropriate language, say sorry if they have hurt others and are taught to share and be kind to each other. This is evident as young children spontaneously give babies a rattle to play with. Children are very co-operative, for example, they are willing to help tidy up the toys with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children take part in activities that help them to learn about cultural events around the world. For example, they make Chinese dragons and candles and learn about St Patrick's day and the meaning of celebrations such as Christmas. Children try Chinese food and learn about different ways of living in other countries using books. The childminder gives equal consideration to all festivals she introduces to the children, and has some resources that reflect positive images. However, these are not made easily accessible at all times. The childminder is not currently caring for children with learning difficulties and / or disabilities. However, she has previously worked with parents to help children make progress where there have been concerns about their development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminders home is welcoming to children. Toys are made easily accessible and older children develop good independence as they use the downstairs cloakroom independently. The childminder has two spare rooms available for children to sleep. Consequently she is able to provide emergency overnight care for some children.

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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 The childminder makes effective use of the extremely well organised record keeping systems to meet children's individual needs. Documentation is very well organised. The childminder has created a very well presented and attractive pack which includes photographs and comprehensive polices and procedures. All parents receive a copy, which means that they are very well informed about the care and service provided for their children. 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 the childminder agreed to seek parental consent for children to receive emergency medical treatment. This has been completed. Therefore children's health and documentation have been improved.

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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. 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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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): • ensure babies and younger children are checked regularly when they are sleeping make wiring in the sitting room inaccessible • review fire evacuation procedures particularly in relation to the provision for overnight care • make resources that reflect positive images easily accessible to the children at all times

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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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