Mevagissey Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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141709 Unique Reference Number 17 December 2007 Inspection date Ann Hilary Guy 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 outstanding. 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 registered in 1990. She lives with her husband, who is also a registered childminder, and their two adult children. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor 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 under five years all day. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local parent toddler groups and takes children to the local park. The family have no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has the Developing Childminding Practice CACHE qualification and is a member of Milton Keynes Childminding Network. She is also a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 enjoy an extensive and stimulating range of activities that contribute to their good health. They are physically challenged as they can play in the garden all year round, due to it having an Astroturf surface, on the wide range of equipment. They enjoy trips to local activity centres and parks offering a different range of challenges and go for walks each day in the vicinity. Rest, sleep and quiet times are included into the daily routine and children greatly benefit from the opportunity to rest during the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

The experience and knowledge of the childminder ensures the children are cared for in a safe, welcoming and homely environment, in which they learn the high importance of good standards of hygiene, manners and personal care through the extremely effective daily routine. They enjoy a balanced nutritious diet offering a good variety of meals, both hot and cold, and including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder has completed a food hygiene certificate in order to make sure she meets all the environmental health requirements. Clear documentation and working closely with the parents enables the childminder to meet the dietary needs of all the children. Water is readily available throughout the day for the children to drink.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy a high standard of care in this very safe family home. The conservatory has been transformed into a playroom and the children use this and the adjoining lounge as their main play area. The conservatory gives access directly to the fully enclosed garden. They also have supervised access to the kitchen and older children access the bathroom on the first floor. The toys are stored on a fixed shelving unit in large labelled plastic boxes. This enables the children to have some free access to toys and equipment, and to request things they are unable to reach. Extensive risk assessments of the house, garden and places the children go on visits have been carried out and are regularly reviewed to ensure the continued safety of the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All the toys and equipment provided are in a good state of repair and age appropriate. Additional equipment is stored around the house enabling the childminder to rotate the toys and give variety to the children. The children's welfare is expertly safeguarded at all times, with the childminder attending regular update training events. This is supported by very clear documentation and the childminder's excellent understanding of child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thrive and are very happy and settled in an environment offering flexible care tailored to their personal needs. The day is planned with time for free play, focus activities and quiet times. The activities offered are stimulating and age appropriate. During the inspection all the children sat together with the two childminder's and made reindeer food. A mixture of oats and glitter that they were then going to scatter for Santa's reindeer. The interaction between the children and adults was outstanding with the adults stimulating the children's imaginations and thought processes throughout the activity.

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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 enjoy a good balance of activities, including times for socialising with others at toddler groups and coffee mornings. Their inquisitive minds are stimulated by the range of opportunities given to them both in the house and whilst away from it. Quiet times are an important part of their busy day and enable some to sleep whilst others enjoy books, puzzles and less active activities. The childminder is extremely skilled at developing the individual children's knowledge and understanding through their discussions and play, effectively meeting their individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children feel a very strong sense of belonging to this extended family environment. Their individual needs are successfully met by the childminder, who works closely with her co-minder and the parents to ensure all are kept fully informed and aware. Through their play activities they discover other cultures, festivals and religions, as well as learning about the local environment whilst out for walks in the area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Each child is respected and valued as an individual. The childminder skilfully incorporates each child's routine into her daily routine and provides plenty of support and care for the whole family when needed. The children behave very well and understand the basic house rules and learn good manners whilst in the care of the childminder. They show a respect and concern for each other as they develop together as an extended family. Parents welcome the observational records maintained by the childminder and the annual report on their child's development over the year, supported by a scrapbook of photographs and art work.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Space, time and resources are very effectively organised to ensure the individual needs of the children are given the utmost priority and help them develop their skills and understanding. The clear policies and procedures underpin the care given and serve to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. The childminder has ensured all members of the family have the necessary clearances in place and has achieved a level 3 qualification in childcare. All the paperwork is extremely well organised and maintained, promoting confidentiality for each family. Children are always in the sight of the childminder, who has daily discussions with the parents keeping them fully informed and involved in the care of their child.

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Organisation

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 inspection the childminder was asked to develop her knowledge of the child protection procedure. In order to do this she has successfully completed the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Safeguarding Children course and has updated all her documentation.

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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

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 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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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