Farleigh Further Education College - Frome

Inspection report for early years provision

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131878 Unique Reference Number 03 October 2007 Inspection date Ann Moss 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 1995. She lives with her husband and one child aged 11 years in Chessington, Surrey. The whole of the childminder's house is use for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parents and toddler group and takes children to the park and local library.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a environment, which is bright, clean and well ventilated. They are developing well emotionally and form close attachments due to the good level of care offered by the childminder. Children receive lots of smiles, cuddles and tickles. This strengthens their sense of belonging and helps them to feel safe and secure.

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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 They are beginning to understand the need for personal hygiene and respond well to the childminder's gentle reminders such as to flush the toilet. They automatically use wipes to clean their hands after visiting the toilet. There are clear systems in place for managing and recording minor accidents and the administration of medicine, which is shared with parents. The sick child policy and effective nappy changing arrangements ensure others are protected from cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children remain well nourished and kept hydrated. Although the parents provide all meals, the childminder has a good understanding of the importance of maintaining a well balanced diet and works in partnership with parents to ensure children's needs are met. Mealtimes are sociable and this helps young children to enjoy their food and learn acceptable routines from an early age. Drinks are freely accessible. Older children confidently help themselves; younger children are monitored to ensure they remain refreshed.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have plenty of opportunity for physical exercise because the childminder ensures they have time and space to be active indoors and out. The childminder takes children to toddler groups, park and swimming. This helps them to practise existing skills, build new skills and develop confidence. Children rest according to their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder displays children's artwork and sets out activities to create a welcoming appearance. Children have easy and safe access to a range of suitable toys and resources, which are appropriate to their age and stored to promote independence and ease of access.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in safety because the childminder is mindful and considers children's safety through continuous risk assessment, indoors and outdoor. This gives children opportunity to move around freely within safe limits. Fire fighting equipment is in place and the evacuation procedures help children to keep themselves safe. The childminder encourages children awareness of safety. For example, when out walking they talk about road safety and when playing in public playgrounds to take care when using equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of her role in safeguarding children because she keeps her knowledge and skills up to date through training courses. As a result, she is confident in the procedures to be followed should she have any concerns about a child in her care. Parents are made aware of her responsibility through the sharing of a written statement. This helps to promote the welfare of children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a warm relationship with the childminder and show interest in the activities on offer. Children can play freely; they make decisions as they choose from the varied selection of play materials, which are set out for ease of access. The play opportunities encourage children's progress in all areas of development. For example, children develop their imagination and creativity because the childminder plans and provides many opportunities for children to participate in art and craft activities, role-play or dressing up. Resources enable children to develop fine motor skills, for example, drawing, cutting and sticking or constructing such as the train track. Children are beginning to learn important social skills as they play together such as sharing and turn taking through the support and guidance offered by the childminder.

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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 Children learn through first hand experiences as they visit the local park, farm and library. Children show an interest in books and confidently come to the childminder to share a story or to look at the pictures. The childminder encourages communication through gestures and words. She talks to the children constantly and allows them to communicate in their own way such as signs, sounds and words. In this way, children learn to be skilful communicators. The childminder divides her time equally between children, so that each child has support and encouragement. As a result, children are stimulated and engaged in purposeful play and learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have their individual needs met well by the childminder as she works closely with the parents to ensure continuity of care between home and the childminder. They develop a sense of belonging as they work and play together and through the familiar daily routines. The children develop an awareness of their local community through outings to the park and other local amenities. They are beginning to develop an understanding of the wider world as the childminder talks to them about similarities and differences, engage them in activities and play with some toys and resources that reflect diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They are developing acceptable ways to behave with support and guidance from the childminder who ensures they understand the need for appropriate behaviour, for example, she teaches children to care for their toys and materials and trusts them to do so independently. This helps them to develop self-control. The childminder is calm and patient with children and her use of praise and encouragement promotes children's confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the effective partnership with parents. The childminder sets out her service through a shared agreement and maintains detailed information and permissions on children. There is time each day to exchange verbal and written information, which ensures parents are fully consulted and involved in the care children receive during the day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder makes good use of the available space, furniture and equipment. She organises the children's routine well by planning activities, outings and quiet time to rest during the day to meet the individual needs of the children. This helps children to feel safe, at ease and comfortable in the childminders home. The childminder maintains an interest in updating her knowledge and skills to provide appropriate care for children and attends courses, for example, first aid and child protection.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains all required documentation, policies, procedures and permission. However, although the childminder has systems in place to record children's hours of attendance she does not consistently record their daily time of arrival. This means children's hours of attendances are not sufficiently clear. All documentation is stored appropriately to maintain confidentiality.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to make sure parents acknowledge any entry when their child has been given medicine and practise the emergency evacuation plan.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made improvements to documentation. There is a system in place for parents to sign to acknowledge any medicine given. An emergency evacuation has been practised from the ground level. These changes to childminding practice help to ensure children's safety and welfare.

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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): • keep an up-to-date record of children's hours of attendance.

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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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