Slade Primary School and Attached Unit for Children with Hearing Impairment

Inspection report for early years provision

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118285 Unique Reference Number 30 November 2007 Inspection date Denise Franklin 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 was registered in 1995. She lives with her husband in Portishead, North Somerset. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed back garden. The childminder has two dogs and a tortoise. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding 11 children, all of whom are on a part-time basis. The childminder provides overnight care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to and collects them from local schools, pre-schools and nurseries. She attends local toddler groups and childminder activity groups. She takes children to local parks and local places of interest. The childminder is an accredited member of North Somerset Childminding Network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children’s awareness of being healthy is excellent because care for them in this environment is outstanding. The premises are exceptionally clean and extremely well maintained. The provision

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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 for pets, of which there are currently two dogs and their puppies, is excellent. There are strict procedures for children being allowed access to the puppies, for example, one child was observed sitting on the floor with a sheet over her knee and gently stroking a puppy. The childminder talked quietly to her about the care of the puppies and the importance of being gentle. The childminder ensured the health and safety of the child all the time, through excellent supervision and ensured her hands were wiped before and after she held the puppy. Hygiene procedures are outstanding. As a result, children are learning how to look after their personal care very well, for example, children know the importance of wiping their hands and do so regularly.

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Helping children to be healthy

Provision for excellent healthy meals and snacks ensure children have an extremely healthy diet. Whist preparing lunch of fish in sauce, mashed potatoes and broccoli and fresh fruit, the childminder discussed the importance of daily fruit and vegetables with the children. One child explained that you need to eat five pieces of fruit and vegetables each day and was eager to complete her chart. The child had a very good understanding of healthy eating. Parents are kept informed of the daily menu through their daily diary, which is an excellent source of information for parents. Children grow their own vegetables, such as tomatoes and runner beans to help them understand the nourishment in fresh vegetables.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are extremely well kept medical records and parental consent forms for parents to sign to allow the childminder to administer medicine and seek emergency treatment. The first-aid box is easily accessible and the childminder regular up dates her first aid training. This effectively ensures a high level of care for the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have plenty of physical exercise and their physical development is excellent. They are taken regularly to the park, seaside and other places of interest. The back garden is used frequently for children to use the climbing frame and wheeled toys. The childminder uses Birth to three matters framework extensively to plan for the healthy child and this has a positive impact on children’s emotional well-being growing and developing and making healthy choices. Children’s achievement in these areas is outstanding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children feel extremely safe and secure in this welcoming environment. The children have plenty of space to move safely and freely both indoors and out and sleeping arrangements are excellent. The childminder keeps extremely detailed records of accidents and risk assessments. Emergency exit plans are practised very regularly and children know what to do. For example, one child explained that when the bell rings you must walk to the door, do not run and if playing with a younger child take him or her with you. Fire equipment is easily accessible to ensure children’s safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded extremely well because the childminder has a high level of understanding of child protection and knows what to do in the event of concerns about a child’s welfare. Any minor injuries that occur off the premises are recorded and shared with the parent so that they are always informed about their child’s welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder supervises the children at all times and they know procedures for going up and down stairs safety. The childminder discusses ways to keep safe, for example, she explained to a small child the importance of using a knife correctly when the child was cutting play dough with a plastic knife. A recent visit to the local shops to identify people they know who could help them if lost or in trouble is an excellent example of the high quality care taken to ensure

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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 children’s safety. Photographs were taken with people they know, for example, the assistant in the pet shop and the postman, and used very effectively to talk about the dangers of going with strangers. Written permission is always sought from parents before going out on visits.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys are very well organised and stored safely to ensure children play safely at all times. Storage boxes are transparent so children can make choices and can help to pack toys away at the end of sessions. There is an excellent range of wheeled vehicles and children know they can only use the climbing frame on the grass area. Toys and equipment are regularly checked for their safety and cleanliness.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has an excellent knowledge of both birth to three matters and the Foundation Stage curriculum and uses these extremely well in promoting children’s development. The exceptionally wide range of activities on offer to the children are clearly planned to meet their individual needs and children’s achievements are outstanding. Children enthusiastically play with the activities, for example, a young child stayed at the table playing with play dough for an extended period of time, during which the child’s language and communication skills, imaginative skills and mathematical skills were being effectively extended by the outstanding questioning and conversation by the4 childminder. Children talk confidently about past events, for example, a child excitedly talked about a Christmas concert that they had taken part in.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy visits to interesting places within their community, such as a local farm, or visit to the seaside. Children regularly visit the local park to feed the ducks and attend weekly toddler and playgroups. This effectively enables them to mix with other children and make excellent progress. Individual children’s profiles are kept; these contain photographs, detailed observations and samples of children’s work. Examples of children’s work is carefully annotated using the appropriate curriculum documents to track progress and ensure the activities planned are relevant and of exceptionally high quality.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children’s are learning about the world in which they live. The childminder encourages them to bring small items from places they visit abroad on holiday so that she can discuss other cultures with them. Children and their parents are extremely well supported by the childminder and as a result they are settling very well with her. The childminder meets the individual needs of all the children in her care extremely well. She has a comprehensive equal opportunities policy and inclusion policy and is very effective in putting these policies into practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Praise is used extremely effectively to promote expected behaviour. Excellent negotiations take place between child and adult and she listens to them and values all their contributions. As a result, children’s behaviour is exemplary.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are excellent relationships with parents. Their letters clearly explain that they are extremely pleased with both their child’s care and their achievement. Several spoke highly of the sensitive way the childminder approached an issue of the death of one of the new puppies and the way their child accepted her reasons. Parents value the opportunities their children have by learning from real life experiences and are confident their children are achieving extremely well. Daily diaries are an excellent link, parents are informed of what their child has been doing and they

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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 have an opportunity to express any concerns. The individual profiles, which are regularly shared with parents, provide a clear picture of their child’s progress. Contracts contain parental permission for a range of care and activities and emergency contact numbers. The statement of confidentiality is comprehensive and records are kept secure.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is extremely well qualified and is committed to continually improving her practice. She keeps her knowledge up to date through regular training and network meetings. These have positive impact on the outstanding provision she proves for the children in her care. Documents are polices are comprehensive and her aims are clearly shared with parents. These are very well presented, highly organised and easily available for parents to read. In the event of an emergency, contact details are easily accessible, to ensure the children’s safety. All safeguarding procedures are fully in place, further securing children’s health, safety and well-being.

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Organisation

The childminder’s organisation in all aspects is excellent, which significantly enhances the care children receive; outcomes for children are outstanding. 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 keep daily records of attendance accurately by recording children’s time of arrival and departure. This has been fully addressed and details of timings are recorded in her register, ensuring children's safety is effectively supported.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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 then 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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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