Whiteheath Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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102400 Unique Reference Number 27 September 2007 Inspection date Lynne Stephanie Bowden 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 has been a registered childminder for 18 years. She is a family support respite carer, registered with the social services department. She lives with her husband and two children in the village of Goonhavern.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. Upstairs is available for sleeping. There is also a large, enclosed rear garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children on her own at any one time and is currently minding 12 children, some after school on different days throughout the week.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She also employs assistants and when one is present can mind up to eight children, under eight years old. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group, takes children to the local park, beaches and swimming pool. The family has stick insects and fish in the house, although there are chickens kept in secured enclosures in the garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She is a member of the Cornwall Childminding Association and 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 good. Children enjoy frequent trips to local beaches and daily walks to and from school. They look forward to their trips to the swimming pool each week, so establishing healthy lifestyles. The childminder meets individual children's needs and routines, providing breakfast and cooked nutritious meals. Frequent healthy drinks of water or milk are provided, to maintain children's fluid intake.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder observes children well, recognising and quickly responding to signs of tiredness, so that children receive appropriate rest. They sleep soundly in the comfort and quiet of a travel cot, in an upstairs bedroom.

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Helping children to be healthy

Records show that children receive suitable medical care and benefit from the childminder's knowledge of first aid. However, the childminder does not protect children from risk of cross infection by ensuring that they wash their hands before meals or by using disposable gloves in her nappy changing routine.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy exploring and playing in the minder's child centred home. There the conservatory and playroom are specifically designated to children's play, with easy access to the secure, large enclosed garden. When building work was in progress the childminder prevented children accessing the construction site and is aware of the need to protect children from continuing building hazards. Children are protected from risk of fire by the appropriate provision of fire safety equipment, which is checked and serviced annually.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected from hazards by the childminder having fitted suitable safety equipment such as and socket covers indoors, fitting safety nets around the large trampoline and removing the steps to it to prevent small children climbing onto it. When transporting children in her car, the childminder keeps children safe by using suitable safety seats from her plentiful stock. Children's welfare and well being are safeguarded by the childminder's awareness of child protection issues.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder provides a range of interesting resources to encourage and stimulate child led play. Children enjoy exploring shallow trays of sand, using a variety of tools to create pictures and patterns, as modelled by the childminder. They enthusiastically enjoy dressing up and role play with dolls and prams and small world toys. Children participate in a range of craft activities and enjoy making and flying paper aeroplanes. The childminder makes full use of the local environment, making regular visits to local beaches and pointing out dragon flies as children return to her home from school.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are very confident and happy with the childminder, who actively promotes a warm, comfortable, inclusive atmosphere. Children learn about difference and diversity through the resources that they use and contact with a variety of people. The childminder is an active member of her community. Children become aware of the local culture and community through the childminder's commitment to involving them in community events such as produce shows.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is very highly experienced at caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities and is very committed to and proactive in ensuring that all children can participate and feel included. She carefully plans and adapts activities and resources, to meet children's individual needs and routinely uses sign language to support communication with all children. The childminder ensures that all children are happily occupied and engaged, encouraging them to consider each other and share. Consequently children are well behaved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has very good relationships with parents and carers. Parents are pleased with the care that their children receive. The childminder takes time to share information both verbally and in records with parents. She has all necessary written consents and conscientiously shares children's records with them, to ensure consistent care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well organised. She attends training to increase her knowledge and improve her practice. She employs suitable assistants to help her during busy times such as school pick up times and lunch time. This enables her to make full use of local amenities, such as taking children swimming and means that young children do not always have to accompany her to collect older children from school.

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Organisation

She follows children's individual routines but does not always follow effective hygiene practices. The childminder is well resourced, so she can accommodate several children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. All necessary documentation is available.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her previous inspection the following recommendation was made to the childminder. To ensure that identified hazards are addressed. Since then windows have been replaced and a telephone wire has been removed, so they no longer present risks to 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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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 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): • improve hygiene practices.

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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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