Ralph Butterfield Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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121299 Unique Reference Number 07 January 2008 Inspection date Amanda May 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 has been registered since 1989. She lives with her husband and two adult children in New Haw, close to the station and local amenities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The ground floor is mainly used for minding. Children spend time in the playroom with meals being taken in the kitchen. Bedrooms are used on the first floor for sleeping children. A secure rear garden is available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Child Minding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has exceptional procedures in place to ensure children's health and well-being is fostered. Children gain a very good awareness of ways in which they can care for themselves, as they access the bathroom and independently step up to the sink to wash their hands after cutting and sticking. Children recognise their own hand towels, and point out their names and

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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 photographs on their towel pegs. Babies and young children are changed on their own washable changing sheet which is wiped down and laundered regularly. The childminder ensures that she wears gloves at all times, protecting children from the spread of illness and infection as a result. Babies and toddlers sleep and rest in line with their own needs and parents' wishes. Separate bedding is provided for each child, and a monitor is used to ensure sleeping children's safety at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about good health through a ready access to drinks and nutritious meals and snacks which they eat together at the table. They enjoy home-cooked meals which incorporate lots of fruit and vegetables. Meals are recorded in children's diaries, in order to ensure that parents are continuously aware of how much and what foods children have eaten during their day. The childminder shows an exceptional awareness of ensuring food hygiene and health is achieved as meals which are re-heated are done so using a food probe to ensure they reach the required temperature. Babies and young children who have formula milk, are provided with pre-mixed milk in a carton, in discussion with parents. This ensures that milk is always mixed correctly and stored effectively to optimise children's health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe through the childminder's good procedures. A fire evacuation plan is in place and is shared with parents and children alike. The childminder has started practising fire drills with children, and children as a result are gaining a good understanding of safety issues and how they can take care of themselves in an emergency. Children are cared for in a premises which is welcoming, secure and safe both indoors and outside. They have access to a wide range of resources which are in a good state of repair and are suitable for children's individual ages and stages of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a good awareness of potential risks within the setting which she minimises effectively. Children learn how to be safe as they play. Children confidently use scissors to cut out shapes, whilst gently being reminded by the childminder to watch out for their fingers. Older children who attend the setting are reminded to play with small toys away from babies and toddlers, ensuring their safety is fostered.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected through the childminder's good understanding of issues surrounding safeguarding children. The childminder records existing injuries which children may have when they attend the setting, and these are shared and acknowledged by parents. However, these would benefit from clearly defining the area where the injury was evident to ensure children's health and safety can be effectively monitored. The childminder has accessed relevant training in safeguarding children, and has relevant documentation in place for her to refer to if necessary for support. This ensures that children's safety is protected and monitored effectively.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children experience a varied and interesting range of activities which contribute very well to their development both inside and outside the home. Children enjoy having the opportunity to return to activities which they may have missed, and are eager to make pictures of snowmen. Children of all ages are encouraged to take part in the activities on offer, with toddlers being given additional support as they learn how to glue and stick cotton wool and glitter. The childminder demonstrates a clear awareness that older children may require more time and

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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 space to complete their activities, and as such, activities more relevant for younger children are provided so all children remain interested and stimulated in their play. Children are confident and gain increased levels of self-esteem as they receive lots of praise and encouragement from the childminder. Children proudly show off their collage to the childminder, glowing with pride as they are told how well they have done.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Resources are available for children to self-select from coloured boxes and low level cupboards. The childminder ensures children remain intrigued by their activities as toys are rotated regularly, ensuring they are age and developmentally appropriate for the children in the childminder's care. Children also enjoy helping to pick resources from the local library, and enjoy meeting up with their friends at toddler groups during the week, or for picnics in the park in nice weather.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder develops excellent relationships with parents and children's individual needs are met through sharing information and through seeking feedback from parents about the childminder's service. Children benefit from settling in visits to ensure they feel welcome and secure when they first attend the setting. The childminder spends time with parents, discussing contracts as well as the thorough policies and procedures which are in place. The childminder takes photographs of children during their play so parents and children can see what they have done. Parents receive photographs to take home to remind them of all the different activities their child has enjoyed. The childminder talks to parents about ensuring consistency from home, and discusses children's individual needs. There are currently no children who attend who have learning difficulties and disabilities, however the childminder knows that some children develop

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Helping children make a positive contribution

these and knows to support them by sharing information with parents and adapting activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop an awareness of social diversity as they play with resources and dress up in costumes from other cultures and traditions. Children enjoy learning about other cultures and the childminder provides them with many opportunities to learn about other people's beliefs as they make candles for Diwali and celebrate Chinese New Year. Children remain extremely focussed on their activities, and enjoy a vast range of resources. As a result children behave very well. Children play together nicely and demonstrate their sense of belonging in the provision. The childminder has secure procedures in place to address unacceptable behaviour, and children are encouraged to think about their friend's feelings before saying sorry. The childminder demonstrates her excellent awareness that consistency between home and the setting is important, and discusses any concerns with parents to ensure children are supported

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her time and space very well, ensuring that children have access to a wide range of activities in a colourful and warm environment. Children's work is displayed around the main play area, encouraging children's self-esteem. The childminder makes use of local amenities, and children enjoy visiting toddler groups and childminder drop-in centres to meet new friends and try new activities. The childminder also benefits from being able to share ideas and best practice with other professionals.

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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 also accesses regular and relevant training and work-shops with other childminder's to enhance her service further to both parents and children alike. This ensures that the care provided to children, evolves with current best practice.

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Organisation

Detailed and relevant procedures which work well in practise to promote children's welfare and development are in place. However, the complaints procedure would benefit from being updated to make clear to parents how they can access the complaints log on request. The childminder shares her registration certificate with parents through displaying it on a notice board along with details of children's meals and a brief description of the activities they have enjoyed that day. As a result, 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 Children Act inspection, the provider was recommended to ensure that all household members over the age of 16 years have been vetted.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder is now very aware of this requirement, and all adults over the age of 16 have had relevant suitability checks carried out. This ensures children's safety is protected.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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): • ensure that details of existing injuries are recorded, including their exact location to ensure children's health and safety can be monitored effectively • develop the complaints procedure to ensure it contains information about how parents can view the complaints log on request

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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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