Ashwicken Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

121135 Unique Reference Number 15 January 2008 Inspection date Christine Clint 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 has been a registered since 1998. She lives with her husband, an elderly parent and two adult sons, in a rural area close to Cranleigh, Rudgewick and Newhurst. Children have access to the ground floor of the property only and there is a large secure garden. The family have a cat, a dog and keep chickens. The childminder has a qualification in child care and early years education and has a current certificate in first aid training. She organises and manages the local parent and toddler group and minded children accompany her at times. She is currently caring for 11 children during the week.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The family home is clean and well organised for children's health and comfort. There are regular routines for eating and drinking, for playing and having fresh air, and for sleeping or quiet times. The childminder has a clear knowledge of children's individual health needs and shows attention to managing these during the day. She is fully aware of smaller children's preferences for sleeping and follows hygienic routines to ensure that their health is maintained. Small

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 children are learning to recognise when their hands are dirty and need wiping because the childminder explains while she does this for them and they listen attentively. There are individual flannels and wipes available. Children can access the ground floor bathroom easily and a clean towel is positioned at a low level in the bathroom. The childminder follows hygienic routines for nappy changing and checks children frequently; she meets their individual needs for toilet training.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children's accidents are efficiently recorded and stored in their individual folders; the childminder has a current certificate in first aid training. She gains prior written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical treatment. There are also clear procedures for administering medication and recording this, although not all records are signed by parents. A first aid kit is readily available in the kitchen. Children's health is effectively promoted because the childminder discusses illnesses with parents when minding commences, she always shares information with all families when children are unwell.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Small children have healthy snacks of fruit or rice cakes and diluted fruit juice during the day, which the childminder provides. Most of their meals are provided by parents and the childminder cooks individual meals using fresh ingredients or heats their prepared meals. She sits with smaller children to encourage them to learn to feed themselves and she knows how to ensure that some food is eaten when children are reluctant. The childminder often records what smaller children have eaten to enable her to share this with parents. Children's dietary needs and any food allergies are fully accepted by the childminder, who has a good understanding of meeting individual requirements.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have very regular opportunities for physical exercise. They play on the large trampoline in the front garden and use footballs and apparatus when the weather permits. They frequently go for walks and take the dog to the woods; they make camps and play in the streams. Smaller children freely move throughout the ground floor of the house and they attend a parent and toddler group every week with the childminder.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are entirely safe in the childminder's care because she observes them continually and listens to their play and their movements. They mainly use the play room and the kitchen/dining room and have free access to the ground floor. They are safe because the childminder ensures that the stair gate is in place when younger children are present. The front door is secure with a high chain and all internal doors have high handles and safety glass where applicable. The childminder uses a baby alarm if children are sleeping in the nearby dining room. Children play in the garden which has separately fenced areas; small children are continually supervised and there are rules for older children especially when using the trampoline.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have a wide variety of play equipment available at a low level for them to access. The childminder immediately knows where to find items that will interest and encourage children to play. She finds the train and the cars when she knows that these are the favourites. There are ample boxes of equipment stored at floor level and a large black board that even the smallest children can reach, with chalks available. Children can sit and draw at the kitchen table, they can watch television at selected times and they have a good view of the garden from the playroom.

p.3

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 Children are well protected because all fire equipment is in place and the childminder has a very clear understanding of how to evacuate the home in an emergency. She is very aware of managing any situations for lost children or children not collected and she is prepared to contact the relevant agencies. She ensures that each child in her care has several emergency contacts details listed and always takes this with her when leaving the home. All insurance details are available in the portfolio for parents and all written permission for transport and outings is in place for each child.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully prioritised because the childminder has attended training in child protection and has a high level of understanding. She is fully aware of recording any concerns to ensure that the time and date are noted. She also records any injuries that children have on arrival and any statements that parents include to inform her. All information about safeguarding children and the childminder's duty to respond to any concerns is recorded in the portfolio for parents.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are totally settled and happy in the child centred environment because the childminder has experience and knowledge, she is fully aware of providing and participating in a wide variety of activities for children of all ages. Even the youngest children show that they are very used to having the childminder's attention and support with their activities. All comments noted on the parental evaluation sheets clearly support the strong attachments that all children attending have developed; children are truly welcomed and unreservedly provided for within the family home.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children can play independently and use all the available resources. They confidently find items and show a keen interest in the trains, cars and variety of vehicles. They balance cars on the small transporter and understand which ones will fit. Children show interest and enthusiasm for drawing at the table with felt tip pens; the childminder helps them and she is aware that the concentration level of smaller children is very short. Children watch closely when the childminder writes their name and they listen when she sounds the individual letters of their name. The childminder is totally aware of children's level of understanding and their developmental needs. She continues to play with children on the floor and suggests imaginary ideas for landing the helicopter at the hospital; she encourages children's developing speech and they show a full understanding. They make appropriate noises when playing with vehicles

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

or animals at the zoo. They are learning to increase their vocabulary.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children fully enjoy the outdoor activities in the garden and when they visit the woods. They practise pond dipping and often play in the shallow streams in the woods. They use Lego to make models during the winter months and the childminder saves these for them to continue when they return. They make clay birds and use lentils and dried beans as feathers. The childminder has compiled an activity craft book which is used for ideas or templates. Children often suggest and discuss their ideas for making items and the childminder shows a clear commitment to assisting children. She visits the library for further information to enable her to assist children. Many of the evaluative comments from parents show that children are stimulated and enthusiastic about the activities provided during their care.

p.4

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

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children in the childminder's care are treated with equal concern and the childminder has experience of resolving situations or comments when these show that children have less understanding. There are resources available which reflect the diversity within society and children often play with a wider selection of cultural equipment when they visit the parent and toddler group every week. Children's individual needs are totally accepted and understood because the childminder has an open attitude and broad understanding. She shows a proactive attitude towards helping all children to develop and progress by including one to one activities to raise confidence and self esteem.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well because they have clear information from the childminder at all times, she is calm and positive; she responds very appropriately according to children's age and stage of development. Children know the routines in the home and they are very used to these. They are happy, busy and eager to have their time filled with activities and conversation. They are reminded to say please and thank you, especially during meal times; the childminder speaks gently and articulately. Children show care and affection to the childminder because they have a clear sense of belonging.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are fully settled within the home because there are well established relationships with parents. The childminder has a portfolio available and a list of all the regulatory requirements and procedures; these are fully discussed with parents when child care commences. Parents are well informed about the procedures for making complaints and the childminder is prepared to record these. She has evaluative forms in place, completed by all parents whose children currently attend and these contain clear, descriptive accounts of why children are happy and which activities they enjoy. Parents say that their children look forward to being with the childminder. Children's records are confidentially stored in individual folders, all contracts and information and permission forms are in place. Parents show that they fully appreciate the relaxed and informal atmosphere when they arrive to collect children.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children have dedicated care because the childminder has created a child centred environment where she is constantly involved with children and aware of their needs. The childminder has followed the regulatory procedures to ensure that all adults living within the home are suitable and that they are aware of children's daily care. There is a portfolio of information for parents and the childminder uses a list to ensure that all procedures are fully discussed before care commences. The registration certificate is displayed and all documentation to support children's care is organised. The childminder uses her diary to record children's timed attendance, although children's full names are not noted.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder shows experience and knowledge of using reflective practice, through evaluating and seeking parental views; all parents appreciate and value her involvement in their children's lives. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that persons living in the household over the age of 16 years have relevant clearances in place; to ensure that the daily attendance

p.5

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 register is kept in line with regulations and ensure the garden area is free from potential hazards to promote the safety of the children at all times. The childminder has submitted applications for all adults living in the family home, she is aware of her responsibility to inform Ofsted to ensure that children are fully protected. Children's times of daily attendance are fully recorded in the childminder's diary to show that she complies with regulations and children's whereabouts are safely monitored. She checks the garden regularly to ensure that all areas of the garden are free from potential hazards and remains with small children during outside play to promote their safety.

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.6

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 that children's full names are recorded in the attendance register • ensure that parents sign any records of medication administered.

p.6

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.6

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.6