Manor Primary School, Ivybridge

Inspection report for early years provision

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148872 Unique Reference Number 14 January 2008 Inspection date Fler Wright 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 satisfactory. 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 2001. She lives with her partner and two children aged seven and sixteen years in Brighton, East Sussex. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding and there is a rear garden available for outside 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 seven children all of whom attend on a part time basis. She takes children on local outings to playgroups, parks, the beach, and the library.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of an approved childminding network and the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Well established hygiene routines enable children to learn about the importance of keeping healthy. The childminder ensures children have access to a hygienic environment, and children

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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 are clear about the need to wash their hands at appropriate times throughout the day. They enjoy cleaning their hands with baby wipes during their play, helping them to learn about cleanliness whilst reducing the risk of cross-contamination. Children are involved with the household recycling, helping them to learn about the world around them.

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Helping children to be healthy

All accidents are recorded and permission is sought from parents to enable to the childminder to administer all prescribed medication. However, children often come with nappy creams in their bags and parents have only given verbal permission to the childminder to authorise her to use these as required.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides a healthy range of meals and snacks that appeal to children and meet their dietary needs. Children are fully involved with the preparation and giving out of food helping to encourage their interest in the foods they eat. Children have access to healthy drinks such as smoothies and have easy access to their own refreshments to ensure they are sufficiently hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a good relationship with the childminder, who is responsive to their emotional needs. They enjoy a good range of activities that help to develop their physical skills on a daily basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a warm and welcoming play area with enough space for them to explore and move around freely. There are a good range of safe, developmentally appropriate resources suitable for the ages of the children. The range includes a role play, books, creative equipment and outdoor toys that children are able to access easily, encouraging their independence and freedom of choice. The childminder is also a member of the toy library ensuring children have access to a varied range of toys. Almost daily visits to drop-in groups help to extend the range of equipment available to children, helping to ensure they never get bored with the toys available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of safety as she has successfully minimised all of the potential hazards around the home and garden which helps to ensure children are kept safe and free from harm. She has thought about what would happen to the children in the event of an emergency and has a suitable back up plan in place. She carries it with her at all times when she is out and about, and it is clearly displayed in the home for her assistant to access if required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what action to take should she have concerns about a child in her care. This ensures she quickly recognises when a child is in danger and can act in the child’s best interest. However, not all adults living on the premises are vetted, posing a potential risk to children. This risk is minimised as unvetted persons are never left unsupervised with children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, relaxed and confident. The childminder is warm and affectionate making children feel comfortable and valued. Children relate well to the childminder and to each other, and confidently approach her for support indicating trusting relationships are built.

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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 profit from regular outings to the local park and toddler groups where they are able to develop their social and physical skills. The childminder helps to run local drop-in sessions for other childminders meaning the children in her care experience a very good variety of activities and opportunities that help to encourage their learning and development. All activities are adapted to ensure that children are included and have the opportunity to achieve. Children have easy access to a good range of quality toys that provide balance and challenge, and the way that the childminder organises the space and resources helps children to take initiative and develop increasing confidence and independence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is relaxed and is confident in her abilities to care for children, which helps to ensure she is able to manage the children effectively and their individual needs are met. Children benefit from frequent interaction with the childminder who offers support when required and asks lots of questions to encourage learning and aid children with their developing communication skills. As a result of this interaction, children are confident in expressing their feelings and thoughts to her so that she is able to aid their learning. The childminder has attended a variety of training that is over and above the training expected of her, helping to ensure the children in her care profit from her skills and experience. She is very committed, and continues to train to higher levels.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect and are made to feel good about themselves. The childminder encourages all children to participate in the activities provided, to ensure children have an equal opportunity to maximise their enjoyment and potential. Children have access to a range of resources and activities that promote equality and diversity, which helps them to learn about the wider world. Photos of children and those close to them are displayed at their level around the home, helping them to develop an important sense of belonging. The childminder uses makaton with the children, helping to ensure that even young children are able to communicate effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has experience of caring for children with special needs, and has an open and receptive understanding of how to work closely with parents and outside agencies to ensure children's individual needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is calm and relaxed and offers effective explanations to children when managing their behaviour, which helps them to learn right from wrong and play together harmoniously. Children respond well to her and are aware of the need to work co-operatively as they are starting to share a variety of resources. The childminder offers regular praise and encouragement to children to help increase their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are very happy with the care provided and particularly like the enthusiasm of the childminder. They provide appropriate and relevant information about their children to the childminder which helps to ensure children receive individual care and attention. The childminder ensures parents are kept informed of their child's progress as there are daily exchanges of information about what they have done, what they have eaten and the general care given to them during the day. This helps to ensure children's ever changing care needs are met.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She is organised, and has ensured that all of the required documentation that contributes to children's health, safety and wellbeing is in place. However, her daughter has reached the age of 16 years and has not been fully vetted. This is a breach of regulation. There is an additional range of policies and procedures that she shares with parents to ensure they are aware of how she runs her childminding business. The childminder's certificate of registration is available for parents to view although it is not currently displayed during childminding hours.

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Organisation

The childminder has an understanding of her childminding role and responsibilities. She has attended all of the required training and has an additional childcare qualification that helps to ensure she is able to meet the needs of the children she cares for. She is very committed and is currently training to a higher degree level, helping to further benefit the children in her care. Children profit from a well-organised environment where they receive good adult support to help them feel secure and confident.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to ensure all documentation was in place and accurately maintained; children were protected from all hazards in the garden; the contents of First Aid box were appropriate for use with the children and to ensure the wide range of toys were easily accessible to all children to allow them to choose resources independently.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has put into place all documentation and ensures it is accurately maintained. This helps to ensure the safe and effective care of the children in attendance. The childminder has moved house since the last inspection, so the hazards in the garden no longer pose a risk to the children. The childminder is aware of anything that may pose a potential hazard, and ensures children are protected effectively as required. The contents of first aid box are now appropriate for use with children, helping to ensure their safety. The wide range of toys available are easily accessible to all children and they confidently help themselves allowing them to develop their confidence and choose resources independently.

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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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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

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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 satisfactory. 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): • ensure written permission is gained from parents to allow the use of the nappy creams that they supply • ensure the certificate of registration is displayed during childminding hours • ensure all persons living on the premises aged over 16 years are fully vetted

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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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