Regis School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

104388 Unique Reference Number 16 January 2008 Inspection date Christine Powlesland Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1994. She lives in a large village near Tavistock, with her husband and two children aged 12 and 15 years. The family lives in a modern, semi-detached house at the end of a cul-de-sac. It is within walking distance of all the village facilities, including shops, a park and a preschool. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding with access upstairs only for overnight care or the main bedroom, which is used for a sleeping baby. There is a fully enclosed patio area and separate fenced garden area for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time when working alone and 12 children when working with an assistant. She is currently minding 15 children, one of whom attends full-time. The childminder has a dog, one rabbit, a budgie and two cockatiels.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to the local toddler group in the village. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Devon Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health needs are addressed and the risk of illness is minimised as the childminder uses good hygiene practices. Children are encouraged to wash their hands frequently and use disposable paper towels to ensure that any risk of infection to them is reduced. Flexible routines enable the children to sleep when they are tired and eat when they are hungry, allowing for their care needs to be met effectively. The childminder maintains relevant medication, accident and incident records, which are countersigned by parents to promote continuity of care.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have adequate opportunity to enjoy fresh air and exercise each day as they walk to school, visit the preschool and enjoy trips to the park, where they join in with activities such as flying kites.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children bring food and drink from home. This is served appropriately and drinks are offered to children at mealtimes. However, fresh drinking water is not available to children freely throughout the day to prevent them becoming thirsty. The childminder has ensured that information on any food allergies or special dietary needs is sought and recorded when children first begin to attend.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a home that is well lived in, warm and comfortable. Toys are stored in plastic boxes in the shed and brought into the home in rotation, suitable for the ages of the children attending. The good organisation of toys indoors means that children move around safely and independently to access the available resources, which are positioned appropriately at children's height. Children enjoy playing with a wide range of good-quality activities, which help them to progress in all areas of their development. Children are cared for in a safe environment. The home is secure and the childminder provides good supervision to keep children safe at all times. Children are learning to keep themselves safe as they regularly practise fire evacuation procedures and the childminder talks with them about safety issues, such as not throwing things within the home. The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

issues and procedures, which would enable her to seek appropriate support for children if necessary.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's house. They enter confidently and happily make themselves at home. They become independent as they choose between a variety of toys and activities, which appeal to all. The children play well together using their imaginations, putting dolls into a double buggy and taking them for a walk. The game develops as the childminder provides a box of dressing up clothes. The children dress up as ‘Jack Sparrow’ and begin to play pirates, hats and boots are particularly enjoyed in this play. They then change into fairy dresses and begin to dance about. The childminder asks if they would like the music on and they then enjoy dancing together to the music. Children enjoy playing with the play dough they made yesterday, using a wide range of equipment such as rolling pins, scissors and cutting shapes to help develop small muscles as they play. The childminder talks with the children as

p.3

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 they play, discussing the different shapes as they cut out squares and stars. They then join in singing songs such as ‘twinkle twinkle little star’, learning the words and tune. Children concentrate well as they cut the play dough with scissors and delicately place shapes into a pattern. They listen to instructions, given to them in detail by the childminder, on how to operate a play dough machine to make ‘worms’. They then follow these instructions carefully to make the shapes they want. All the daily activities are used as learning experiences. For example, when a child is offered a piece of toast she is asked if she would like it cut into squares or triangles. The day usually includes a trip out of the home, for example, a walk to the local park or preschool. Children benefit from the interest and interaction of the childminder in

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the childminder’s sound knowledge of their individual needs and preferences. Children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes with daily verbal exchanges of information used to support this. Children play with resources that promote positive images of diversity, for example one child dresses up in Indian clothes, enjoying the feel and colour of the materials. Children generally behave well in the childminder's care. She encourages positive behaviour by using meaningful praise and setting a good example. She uses age appropriate strategies to deal with any challenging behaviour.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works well in partnership with parents to ensure that children's needs are met appropriately and parents' wishes respected. They are kept well informed about what the children have been doing and about any care issues through the daily exchange of information that takes place. The childminder takes photographs of the children at play and downloads these onto the computer. These are then shown to parents, helping them share in their child's day. The childminder is aware that she must keep a record of any complaints and is to ensure that parents receive up-to-date contact details of Ofsted.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The children are happy and content in the home environment, which is organised around their care needs. The childminder organises her day well to accommodate children's routines and provide them with enjoyable activities. She continues to attend training for her personal development. She has obtained helpful paperwork and has a sound means of recording information. As she sometimes works with an assistant she keeps careful records to ensure appropriate adult to child ratios are maintained. Good attention has been given to the documentation needed to underpin the children's safety, care and welfare.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to make accurate notes on the register of the actual hours of attendance for all children, to make sure the car insurance covered the business of childminding and to make sure the fire blanket is in place.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Times of arrival and departure for all children are now included in the daily register and the car insurance covers the business of childminding. These measures help ensure the safety of the children. The childminder has a fire blanket but this is currently kept in the utility room which

p.4

Improvements 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 is some distance from the kitchen. She is to move this into the kitchen to ensure it is easily accessible to help keep children safe in the future.

p.4

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • provide fresh drinking water for children to access freely throughout the day • make sure all parents have up-to-date contact details for Ofsted

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5