Esland Daven School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 149448 Inspection date 02 November 2005 Inspector Kelly Eyre

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 was registered in 1996. She lives with her husband and two children aged ten and six in Baldock, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five on a part-time basis and three children over five before and after school on a part-time basis. She also provides care for children over eight. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect

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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 children. She attends the local childminders' support group. The family has two rabbits and goldfish as pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. Their dietary needs are clearly understood and they are offered nutritious snacks because the childminder has a sound knowledge of healthy eating. Children are given clear reasons and explanations about health issues and are developing a good understanding of personal hygiene practices. They wash their hands before eating and after playing outdoors, and understand the relevance of putting their hands over their mouths before coughing. Children's health and development are very well promoted through their participation in a variety of stimulating physical activities. They are developing control of their bodies and a wide range of skills through regular opportunities for outdoor activities. These include visits to the local park where they use the play equipment and have space to run and play games. The childminder pays attention to the organisation of

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Helping children to be healthy

the garden, providing a wide range of resources and play opportunities. Children enjoy playing with equipment such as footballs, skipping ropes, a slide, sand pit and bouncy castle. All children are able to fully participate in the activities because the childminder has a good knowledge of child development. She provides appropriate activities which support and promote all areas of learning and development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is given a high priority and the childminder is aware of potential risks and has developed clear, practical safety procedures, using guidance and information obtained by carrying out additional research. Children are able to move around safely and independently, both indoors and out, as the childminder has identified possible hazards and taken steps to remove or reduce these. However, children's safety could be compromised as there is no smoke alarm on the first floor. Children use safe toys and equipment and the childminder makes sure that these are stimulating and appropriate for their ages and developmental stages, for example, younger children use large construction sets, moving on to sets with smaller pieces as they get older. Children are beginning to build up their knowledge about keeping themselves safe. They are well informed as the childminder consistently offers them clear

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

explanations. She talks calmly with them about fire safety and even younger children are able to state what they would do in an emergency situation. The children's welfare is promoted as the childminder has a good knowledge of her responsibilities

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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 regarding child protection and has ensured that she has all relevant information so that she is able to record, report and follow up any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are exceptionally well settled due to the childminder's high standards of care and her meticulous attention to all details relating to their individual needs and interests. They are highly motivated and interested, confident in their choice of activities and movement around the home. The childminder demonstrates her very genuine enjoyment of being with the children and they relate very well to her and to each other. They are given numerous exciting and varied opportunities and encouragement to develop their imagination because of the childminder's skill and confidence in encouraging them to expand their own ideas and activities. They develop a strong sense of self and a pride in their achievements as they thrive in an environment where it is safe to express their feelings and try new experiences. Children enjoy an extensive range of indoor and outdoor activities that cover all areas

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

of development and encourage them to explore and learn about their environment. These include a variety of crafts, imaginative play, games, construction, outdoor play and regular visits to local parks. Children are offered exciting activities during school holidays, such as train trips, picnics and visits to animal centres. Their learning opportunities from all activities are reinforced and promoted in a vary natural manner by the childminder. She has a very good knowledge of the 'Foundation Stage Curriculum' and the 'Birth to three matters' framework and combines this with her own child care experience and excellent knowledge of the individual children. She is therefore able to offer children creative activities and play opportunities which are individually tailored to suit needs and promote interests but also cover all areas of learning and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are equally welcomed and feel at home because the childminder values and respects their individuality and is aware of all individual needs. Their behaviour is excellent and they have a very good understanding of sharing and turn taking. They are set consistent boundaries, which helps them in learning about negotiating with others and taking responsibility for their own behaviour. The childminder acts as an excellent role model, remaining calm and polite at all times, and the children mirror this behaviour, promoting a calm, relaxed atmosphere. Children have a varied range of opportunities to learn about their community and wider society through the provision of resources, discussions and outings to local facilities such as parks, the market and the childminder's support group. The childminder has a very good partnership with parents, which contributes significantly to the children’s well-being and development. Parents are given clear

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Helping children make a positive contribution

information about all policies and procedures and are encouraged to discuss any

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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 issues or concerns as they arise. The childminder talks with parents at the end of each session to ensure that they are fully informed about how their children are progressing. This area could be further improved with the introduction of a method to record children's activities and progress so that parents can clearly see these.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The high standard of organisation means that the needs of all children who attend are met extremely well. Their care is greatly enhanced and they are able to feel comfortable and relaxed, assured that their needs will be met because of the childminder's clear, practical organisation of her work. There are written policies and procedures covering all main areas of child care. Parents receive information about these, signing to say they have read and understood them. Children benefit from the childminder's active commitment to attending additional training and to the full use she makes of all knowledge gained in order to review and further improve her practice. Children are exceptionally confident within the childminder's home and can therefore initiate their own play and learning. They thoroughly enjoy the childminder's company and input but are also happy to play independently, knowing that the childminder will

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Organisation

always have time to help them when needed. Children's varying needs are consistently met and they are offered an extensive range of activities and play opportunities because of the excellent organisation of space, resources and time. They are able to make choices about their play as all resources are exceptionally well organised and easily accessible. The same attention to detail has been paid to the gathering and filing of children's records and all paperwork. The childminder ensures that they are stored confidentially but that all information is easily accessible and is used to inform daily routines and play.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints received by Ofsted. 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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that there is a working smoke alarm on the first floor • consider developing a process for recording children's activities so that parents are aware of these.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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