Harlow Green Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

131077 Unique Reference Number 15 November 2007 Inspection date Chris Mackinnon 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 first registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and their two school-age children in the Nevill Road area of Brighton & Hove. The lounge, dining room and kitchen-diner are used for childminding. Children also have access to an enclosed garden for outdoor activities. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years and is currently caring for up to five children, four under five and one aged five plus. The childminder makes regular trips to local parks and children's play centres.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from illness and infection by the childminder's effective hygiene practice. Children learn to keep clean, supported by the childminder's close guidance and consistent hygiene routines. Children learn the importance of a healthy diet and are introduced to new foods. Children's individual dietary needs are also supported. The childminder gives good consideration to sharing information daily with parents, to support children's continuing health and development. Children's physical confidence is also successfully promoted, with many

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 indoor and outdoor games and activities provided. Regular trips to nearby parks and play areas, also contributes to children's good health.

p.2

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe within the childminder's home, by the childminder's well organised range of safety precautions. Children learn to play safely through the childminder's close guidance and supervision, but there is a need to ensure the lounge doors to the garden are safely secured when childminding. The childminder has a wide range of resources, including many attractive tactile and activity toys for the younger ages. A broad range of art-crafts and creative resources provides challenges for older children, with access to assembly toys and role-play materials supporting children's creative development. The childminder has an effective awareness of her responsibilities in safeguarding children's welfare.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children explore resources and play happily in a well prepared play environment. Children enjoy planned activities and are supported well in using words and language. Younger children have attractive tactile and early-play materials and older children enjoy using tools and developing manual skills, during art-crafts and assembly activities. Children also enjoy expressive activities, with songs, rhymes and imaginative role-play. Regular access to books and reading effectively supports children's learning and regular outings develops children's awareness of the wider world. The childminder uses her training and experience well to provide a good range of play and learning activities that successfully supports children's enjoying and achieving.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy within the setting and are effectively guided and supervised. Children play and explore resources successfully, encouraged by the childminder's well organised approach to their care and learning. Children's behaviour is consistently managed. Children are successfully encouraged to share and help each other and be aware of the needs of others. The childminder is considerate of the need to be inclusive, with an effective range of resources and activities provided to support children's awareness of other cultures. The childminder works successfully with parents, providing detailed information to ensure children's individual health and welfare is effectively supported.

p.3

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from well organised daily routines and take an active part in play and learning. Children have access to well prepared and organised play areas within the home. A wide range of stimulating and attractive resources are also in place to promote children's care, learning and welfare. The childminder is experienced and has attended a wide range of training courses to support her practice. The childminder's record keeping is up-to-date and well organised. Parents have access to clear information on the childminder's care procedures and childminding service. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.3

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.3

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has revised the fire evacuation plan, up-dated the record of attendance and re-organised kitchen safety, providing improved outcomes for children in Staying Safe and Organisation.

p.4

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.4

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.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.4

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.4

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 the lounge doors to the garden are safely secured when childminding

p.4

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.4

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.4