Alban Wood Infant and Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

117318 Unique Reference Number 04 February 2008 Inspection date Juliet Eileen Hartridge 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 good. 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 1987. She lives with her partner in Plympton within walking distance of local schools, the library, shops, toddler groups and swimming pool.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole house is used for childminding, except the loft room. Children are discouraged from using other areas such as the study, utility room and garage. A fully enclosed garden is available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight, of whom four may currently be aged under five years. Overnight care is not included. There are nine children on roll who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder belongs to the local childminding network, and receives regular visits from the network co-ordinator. The family has two cats and fishes in a tank.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a clean and hygienically maintained home, where they are well protected from cross infection due to the thorough procedures in place. Children are encouraged

p.2

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 wash their hands after using the toilet and use wet wipes before eating, being aware that their hands may be dirty and they need to be clean before they eat. Hygienic nappy changing routines are in place, and parents and carers are aware of the childminder's sickness policy and do not, therefore, expect her to care for their children if they are ill. The childminder cares for children appropriately in an emergency as her first aid kit is well stocked, and she has a current first aid qualification; she caries emergency details with her at all times. Clearly recorded documentation including accident and medication administration records are appropriately maintained and further support children's welfare.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to benefit from regular exercise. They climb and slide and pedal trikes in the garden during the summer, visit parks and walk to and from the nearby school twice a day. Children's parents and carers provide all their food and the childminder has information about healthy eating to share with them. Children have a very light snack and regular drinks according to their needs, and parents and carers wishes regarding their children's dietary needs and preferences are carefully followed. Children's good health is further supported as packed lunches are safely stored in the fridge and the childminder has completed Safer Food training.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The home is welcoming and safe for children. Toys are set out according to children's interests when they arrive, and children can choose more throughout the day by asking for them or selecting from the well organised boxes. There is a vast range of good quality toys and books, which are checked to ensure they are safe and clean for the children when they are set out. The childminder ensures the home is safe for children by assessing risks regularly and children's safety is well considered as chemicals are out of reach, a stair gate is available if required and sleeping babies are regularly checked. Children are well protected from the hazards of fire as there are appropriately situated smoke detectors and fire blanket installed, and the written fire evacuation plan is regularly practised. Children are safe when they are out and about as the childminder carries their emergency details with them at all time, and children are safely

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

transported in a triple buggy or wear wrist straps. Their awareness of road safety is promoted during play or by discussion when they are out.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are suitably protected from harm as the childminder has a very clear awareness of her responsibility to protect all children in her care. She has a good awareness of the signs of abuse and her responsibility to record and immediately seek advice regarding any concerns, however, she is not fully conversant with the appropriate steps to take regarding seeking advice.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and confident in the childminder's care, happily showing their toys and chatting about what they are doing and what they enjoy. There is a friendly and relaxed atmosphere and the childminder joins in with their play or suggests different resources they may enjoy. She also knows when to stand back, for example, when they are engrossed in their own imaginative play, concentrating as they carefully arrange the furniture and characters in the small play house. Children's development is promoted well when they enjoy exploring treasure baskets which include the varying needs of the children well. They delight in exploring the various shapes and textures, looking through the coloured net, trying the scarves made

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 from a variety of fabrics or crinkling the thin insert trays from chocolate boxes. The older children soon incorporate the baskets into their long imaginary bus journey in the hall, whilst they sing 'Old Macdonald' together.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing a real interest in books, which are readily available and rotated in the play area for the children to choose and look at quietly or share with the childminder and the other children. Children learn about the importance of books as the childminder has a huge book collection. This includes reference books as well as fiction, and they are available for older children to use to help with homework and projects. The childminder plans a varied day and children have good opportunities to socialise with other children at several parents and carers and toddler groups, or visit the beach, parks or the zoo in the holidays.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder is particularly well aware of the individual needs and stages of development of the children in her care, and this is successfully underpinned by the very comprehensive and informative daily records she maintains regarding each child. These diaries are regularly shared with parents and carers and enable her to track the children's progress and consider how she can help them move towards the next stage in their development. Lengthy daily discussions, comprehensive information records, as well as contracts and consent forms ensure that parents and carers are extremely well informed and involved in the care and arrangements in place for their children. They are also aware of the complaints procedures. All children are carefully included, and babies language development is very well supported by the childminder, who communicates with them in speech and baby signing. The older children also communicate

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

with babies in signs, reminding the baby of the sign for thank you at lunch time.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved and play most harmoniously together; their behaviour is encouraged in a positive way when their achievements are readily acknowledged during the day or through the photos displayed in their diaries. Good manners are also encouraged and children readily say please, thank you or excuse me. Children's self esteem and confidence is most successfully promoted when they delight in showing their photos in their dairies, recognising and naming their friends and enthusiastically recalling activities they have enjoyed in the past. Children are learning about diversity and the wider community when they enjoy the most comprehensive range of interesting books or play with a variety of dolls. They learn about festivals celebrated in a variety of cultures when they explore these topics at their parent and toddler groups.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is very well organised and makes good use of the ground floor areas in her spacious home, where children can enjoy art and craft activities at the dining table, play in the hall and dining room or watch television and play with toys in the comfortable sitting room. Good supervision is maintained at all times, and the use of these areas ensures that children have a varied and interesting day with plenty of space for the varying needs of all the children attending. Documentation is meticulously maintained in individual and confidential files, including a record of children's attendance and the childminder's registration certificate as well as information about Ofsted are clearly displayed. This further supports the safety and welfare of children and communication with their families.

p.4

Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder has an enthusiastic attitude towards training and regularly updating her knowledge, having attended at least ten workshops and courses since her last inspection, including Birth to three matters, as well as NVQ3 in 2005. The childminder regularly evaluates her provision for children and also benefits from the support visits she receives from the childminding network co-ordinator. This commitment has a positive impact on the care provided for children. The childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to improve her medication records. These records now include the parents and carers signatures consenting for medication to be administered as well as countersigning the records at the end of the day. This has resulted in an improvement in the welfare and safety of children.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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. 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 good. 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): • develop knowledge and understanding of child protection including the current safeguarding children procedures.

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