Kirk Sandall Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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141684 Unique Reference Number 27 November 2007 Inspection date Dorcas Forgan 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?

This childminder was registered in 1992. She works with her husband who is also registered as a childminder they have joint responsibility for the childminding practice. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in Two Mile Ash , Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding, with bathroom and sleeping facilities on the first floor. 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; she is currently minding two full time children aged three years and four years and four children under eight on a part time basis; of which, one attends on a part time basis. Together with her husband they may care for a maximum of 12 children. The childminder supports children who have English as an additional language. The childminder collects children from local schools. The family have one cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where the standards of hygiene are excellent. The children are learning the importance of personal hygiene, through thorough daily routines and following the example of the childminder. They are gaining independence as they learn to take responsibility for their own personal care such as wiping their own noses and changing their shoes. Children thrive because the childminder has extremely effective practices and policies in place. The childminders sickness policy is sympathetic and realistic. She consults with all the parents concerned. If however a child is not well, they remain at home. The childminder records all accidents and medication administered but does not request information from parents about medication to be given.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are becoming increasingly aware of how to maintain good health by eating nutritious food. They discuss what is good for them. They eat home cooked meals that the co-childminder plans and prepares each day; these consist of fresh ingredients including vegetables. The children have fresh fruit daily and drinks are available. The children sit together at the table to eat, meal times become social occasions.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy being in the fresh air and taking exercise. Every day the children play in the garden with the wide variety of activities or they go for walks in the local area. Outings sometimes include feeding the ducks at the lake or going to the woods. The children rest and sleep according to their needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and secure in the childminders home. The childminder carries out daily checks to ensure that all safety items are in place and that the security is maintained. Smoke detectors are in place and are regularly checked. Children use the conservatory for the main part of their day, they play games in here, watch TV, relax and enjoy others company. This is a warm welcoming environment for the children. They eat all food at the table in the dining area; craft activities also take place here. The childminder ensures that the open plan kitchen is free from any hazards. The older children mainly use the lounge to relax and play with the various types of electronic media. Children access and use a very large range of suitable safe equipment that is inviting and in good repair.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe and avoid accidental injury. They regularly practise the emergency evacuation so that all are very familiar with what to do. The childminder explains to them about tucking the handles of their bags inside so that no one trips over them. Children are reminded how to sit on the chairs safely. They are all very aware of how to behave when on an outing so that they come to no harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected because the childminder understands her role in safeguarding children and is able to put the appropriate procedures in practice if necessary.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy and settled in the childminders home. They are forming close relations with both the childminders and each other. The childminder plans stimulating activities that are based on the children’s interests and their stages of development. The children have fun and join in enthusiastically. Children are encouraged to initiate their own games and gain further independence and confidence such as playing with the animals in the little pony stable. The childminder provides a range of craft activities for all the children from play dough to far more involved activities for the older children, like making coasters and weather veins; so that they gain new skills, and practice others. The childminder is aware that children need to develop their communication skills. She talks with them asking them questions and giving them time to reply, they enjoy books and songs especially nursery rhymes, they also use sensory books

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to stimulate discussion and vocabulary. The children are making excellent progress and gaining confidence self–esteem and independence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are becoming very social as they mix with a variety of children of a wide age range. The younger children learn from the older ones and the older children learn to care for and help the younger ones. They are becoming aware of their own needs and the needs of others. They are all becoming very familiar with the local community as they visit the shops; discovering what happens at post offices. Whilst in the park they observe nature and the change of seasons. Children learn about other cultures and festivals from each other, as they talk about their homes, they become involved in celebrating together they have recently enjoyed Diwali. The childminder provides interesting resources to encourage their curiosity such as the map of the world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. They are learning to share and to take turns. The childminder gives consistent advice and support so that the children are polite and are learning to respect other people and their property. They receive praise and encouragement in a positive environment. The childminder works very closely with the parents so that she meets individual children’s needs and ensures that they are fully involved in the life of the setting. This is achieved through daily communication and co-operation.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s welfare is paramount to the childminder at all times. She plans a very good daily routine that is based on the individual children’s needs. The home is organised very well so that all are comfortable and settled. The childminder ensures that all documentation is in order and that policies and procedures are relevant to the care that she and her co-childminder offer. She has good procedures in place to store paperwork so that it remains confidential. The childminder has attended additional training to enhance her service. 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 a recommendation was made that a smoke a alarm should be fitted and maintained on the second floor. A smoke detector has been provided and is maintained on the first floor to enhance the safety of the children .

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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): • gain written information from parents before administering medication.

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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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