Highfield Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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102407 Unique Reference Number 19 February 2008 Inspection date Nigel Lindsay Smith 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 1996. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 11 years in Newquay, Cornwall. All areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding three children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to parks, the beach, the zoo and the sea-life centre.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder's good hygiene procedures. She uses anti-bacterial substances to clean food preparation areas, and cleans the play equipment regularly. Children learn about the importance of good hygiene through being encouraged to regularly wash their hands. They do not attend if they are ill so that the risk of cross infection is reduced. Distress

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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 to children following accidents is minimised as the childminder has a current first aid certificate and first aid items are accessible. Parents give permission to seek emergency medical treatment, which reduces delay in accessing appropriate help in times of emergency. The sharing of the accident record with parents enables them to watch for any further symptoms.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular drinks so that they do not become thirsty. Parents provide snacks and a packed lunch. Children have good opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they use the garden, local parks and the beach.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in rooms which are welcoming and comfortable. They enjoy freedom to move around and explore as a result of the childminder's good awareness of safety issues and procedures to reduce risk. Children choose from a good selection of toys and resources which they can safely use as the childminder regularly checks all equipment to ensure their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can evacuate safely in the event of a fire as there is appropriate smoke detection equipment and an emergency evacuation procedure. Thorough precautions such as gates to use across doorways and a fire guard protect children from any hazards. Children's safety is promoted on outings through arrangements such as the childminder taking first aid provision with her.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded by the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. She has a copy of the relevant guidelines so that she can make a referral promptly if necessary. She ensures that children are not left unsupervised with anyone who has not undergone vetting procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy learning through play as the childminder ensures that they experience a mixture of well-planned activities and free play. Children choose from a selection of equipment set out for them including cars, dolls, a train track and books. They sort different shaped pretend eggs into an egg box, with one child saying 'this is a triangle'. They construct towers and assess which is taller. A child selects a book and brings it to the childminder to read, sitting on her lap.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn numbers, colours and letters through the childminder incorporating this into their general play, for example, saying 'pass me the green crayon'. Planned activities prepared by the childminder include planting, cooking, and making cards. Children benefit from a varied day, which includes outings to toddler groups, where they socialise with other children. Children enjoy a variety of other outings, including to the beach, zoo and the sea-life centre.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder actively ensuring that they enjoy stimulating activities, so that they behave well. She has appropriate strategies to deal with any unacceptable behaviour, such as a short period of 'time out' to calm down if appropriate.

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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 Children have access to resources which reflect positive images of diversity in society, for example, multi-cultural dressing-up clothes and books. They learn about different cultures through festivals such as Chinese New Year. The childminder understands the importance of adapting activities for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities so that all children can take part together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to building good working relationships with their parents so that they settle well. She provides thorough information about her service and offers daily feedback to parents. She makes written agreements with the parents and seeks appropriate consents, for example, to apply sun lotion. She has appropriate awareness of procedures to follow in the event of a complaint about her practice.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her home well to provide appropriate areas for various types of play. She has most relevant documentation in place; it is shared in confidence with parents and stored securely for the required time. However, the registration document, although available in a folder, was not displayed at inspection. This is a breach of conditions of registration.

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Organisation

The childminder develops her practice by attending a range of training events. 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 secure the kitchen cupboard, which was achieved. She was also asked to update her records and keep separate incident records, which has been achieved.

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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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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 that the registration certificate is displayed

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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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