Viking Middle School

Inspection report for early years provision

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126860 Unique Reference Number 20 November 2007 Inspection date Vanessa Wood 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 1998. She lives with her husband and two school aged children in a house in Kings Hill. Most of the ground floor and the main bedroom upstairs is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children. The family have pet rabbits.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Children follow hygiene routines as they are encouraged to regularly wash their hands to reduce the risk of cross infection. The childminder provides children with separate towels and flannels and children have their own cups. Children who sleep are provided with individual blankets and sheets that are changed every day. Children's health is promoted because the childminder maintains good accident and medication records. However, she does not have

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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 written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and the first aid certificate is not available, although the childminder demonstrates a very good understanding of how to deal with any emergency. Children benefit from a very healthy diet. The childminder provides children with plenty of fruit for snacks and they have water or orange squash to drink. Parents provide all food for children under a year. Children enjoy activities in the garden such as jumping on the trampoline, riding the many bikes and scooters, and playing football. The childminder also takes children on walks in the local area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in well maintained home where risks are identified and minimised. The childminder has a sound understanding of how to keep children safe and provides a homely environment where children are able to move around safely and freely. They access a good range of varied resources to meet their needs and are happy, relaxed and feel secure. Children independently select their play materials from those that are in the room. Children's safety is well promoted by the childminder who carries out regular checks on toys and equipment. The childminder has completed a written risk assessment of the home to ensure all hazards are minimised. A detailed evacuation plan is in place and there are smoke alarms fitted to each level of the home. Children learn how to keep themselves safe when walking. For example, they hold hands and learn to be aware of what is going on around them particularly when they are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

crossing the road. Children's welfare is promoted by the childminder who understands her responsibilities towards protecting children. She has a good understanding of child protection issues and the procedures to follow if she has a concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, settled and content in the childminder's care because she is kind, caring and sensitive to children's needs. Her warm approach ensures children are relaxed and keen to become involved in the broad range of activities available. Children's self esteem is promoted because the childminder gives them lots of praise for things done well. For example, praising a child who is learning to walk when she stands up holding onto furniture. Children are supported by the childminder who is interested in what they are doing. She sits with young children and reads a story, allowing children to turn the pages and scrunch the page and look in the mirror. The children enjoy touching the felt carrots and hiding them in a pocket. The childminder talks to the children about the different colours and the number of pockets. Children's speech is developing as they are encouraged to make different sounds and talk to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the childminder. Children form a strong relationship with the childminder who provides meaningful resources to promote their development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have equal access to a wealth of play resources and activities. The number of multicultural toys and books have been increased since the last inspection to give children an understanding of the wider world. Children are highly respected and valued by the children who knows them well and ensures their individual needs are very well met. Children are happy and well behaved. The childminder uses positive strategies to manage children's behaviour which are appropriate to children's age and level of understanding. Children are calm in response

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 to the childminder's relaxed manner. An effective partnership has been developed between parents and the childminder which significantly contributes to children's well-being. All information is shared through a daily diary that includes sleep times and what young children have eaten. Parents see the childminder's good service statement that includes her policies and procedures. This ensures all information about the childminder's practice is shared fully with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder skilfully organises her home to make it welcoming and inviting to young children. They enjoy a stimulating range of play materials that they can access easily and independently. Good use is made of the garden by older children when they return after school, and during the day young children enjoy a quiet place to sleep to ensure undisturbed rest. All the required documents are in place to promote children's well-being with the exception of the first aid certificate which is to be renewed next month. The childminder also needs written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Organisation

The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There was one recommendation from the last inspection. To ensure children have resources that promote equality of opportunity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This recommendation has been achieved and the childminder now has a varied selection of resources to promote equality of opportunity in the home.

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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 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): • obtain written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment

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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 • ensure a current first aid certificate is in place

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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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