Ickleford Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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117401 Unique Reference Number 19 February 2008 Inspection date Bridget Copson Inspector

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Integrated 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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory. the time of the inspection there were no children in receipt of nursery education. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide nursery education.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1993. She lives with her adult son in Plymouth, Devon. The whole of the flat is used for childminding, including use of sitting room, kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms. The childminder makes use of the local facilities within the town and surrounding areas, including toddler groups, the library and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. She is currently minding seven children under eight, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She holds a level 3 qualification in early years child care and education.

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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 The childminder is an accredited member of the Plymouth Childminding Network, but has not cared for any children in receipt of funding for early years education in the last two years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

When a provider does not have children on roll at the time of the inspection, inspection judgements are based on evidence gathered from discussions with the provider and an inspection of the premises, equipment and relevant documentation.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

As there are no children on roll in receipt of funding for early years education, the quality of the provision cannot be judged better than satisfactory because there is no reliable evidence on which to assess its impact on children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for within a clean and hygienic environment in which the childminder has effective systems in place to protect them from the risk of cross-infection. For example, housework routines and cleaning toys and equipment, using anti-bacterial cleaner on surfaces and regular hand washing. In addition, the childminder wears disposable gloves when changing soiled nappies. Children are supported in learning about good personal hygiene through regularly washing their hands and using their own colour coded hand towels.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a nutritious choice of snacks and light lunches, such as, fresh fruits with rice crackers, and Pitta bread or crackers with cheese and yogurts. They have access to drinking water at all times to ensure they do not get thirsty. Children's physical development is supported well through trips to the local parks and playgrounds and walks locally. They benefit from fresh air and exercise most days.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health, medical and dietary needs are met efficiently through the childminder's record keeping. For example, written records of any accidents, incidents and medication administered, for parents to sign for consistency of care; also, keeping details of any special dietary requirements on children's records. The childminder holds an appropriate first aid certificate and keeps a first aid kit at home, as well as on outings, to support her in meeting children's needs in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe and secure through the many safety measures in place and the childminder's close supervision. She completes a detailed written risk assessment each year to maintain high standards within the flat as well as on outings. However, this does not include the monitoring of the exposed hearth which has a rug in front of it and is, therefore, a potential hazard for younger children playing in the area. Children learn about keeping safe through guidance, such as, road safety and stranger danger on walks and practical tasks, such as, younger

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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 managing the stairs effectively. The childminder has a written emergency evacuation procedure and frequently practises this with children to support them all in responding appropriately in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for within a suitable environment which is organised effectively to meet their needs. They access well-maintained toys from the open boxes in the sitting room and low level shelves in the hall. All toys are age appropriate which allows safe and independent play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded effectively by the childminder. She has a clear understanding of her role and responsibilities in protecting children and the child protection issues and procedures involved. She also keeps appropriate records and documentation to support her in keeping them safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care and demonstrate a good sense of well-being. For example, they seek out favourite toys, play contentedly by themselves and cuddle up to the childminder confidently when tired to enjoy some quiet play. Children are interested and motivated. They focus for long periods when playing with things that interest them. For example, exploring many books together, making lots of dough shapes and spending lots of time playing with the train set. The childminder is aware of the children's interests and provides a range of activities to support this in all areas of their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children communicate confidently through asking lots of questions, naming animals and characters in books and joining in with associated sounds and actions. They use their imaginations well in creative play, playing with small world activities and with books. Younger children's learning and development is monitored well through the childminder's observations which are recorded and linked to the Birth to three matters framework. These are used to plan their next steps in learning to promote on-going progress.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The planned provision for nursery education is satisfactory. The childminder has a suitable knowledge of the Foundation Stage curriculum. She plans children's learning in all six areas through clear activity plans linked to changing themes, with a focus on specific stepping stones. The childminder's plans for assessment of children's progress towards the early learning goals are satisfactory. She has a system for parents to contribute information on their child's starting points to inform their early assessments.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for equally and fairly by the childminder who has effective systems in place to meet their individual needs, as well as any additional care requirements. They demonstrate a good sense of belonging through seeing a positive reflection of themselves within her home. For example, they find their own colour coded hand towels, seek out favourite toys easily and

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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 enjoy looking at photographs of themselves and others cared for. They are involved in the local community through daily trips to the parks, playgrounds, toddler sessions, library and places of interest.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. They display positive and cheerful attitudes and are supported well in learning about the childminder's expectations, such as, sharing toys, including everyone and not whispering around others. Children benefit from the positive environment created in which they receive lots of encouragement and praise, close support to promote acceptable attitudes and reward stickers. This also promotes their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has established good working relationships with parents. They are provided with comprehensive information on all areas of her provision through an informative prospectus and file. These detail her background, qualifications and training, the curriculum, Devon Childminding Association policies and procedures and examples of records. Parents complete child record forms, contracts and consent statements to agree all aspects of care, most of which are updated regularly. Parents are kept well-informed through displays, daily communication and a home diary.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is pro-active in updating her knowledge and skills through attending training courses in relation to the care and education of children. She also prepares herself well for future changes, such as, attending an information session on the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Organisation

Children are cared for within well-organised premises which provides them with separate areas to eat and enjoy messy play, sleep and play freely and unhindered. She prepares herself well to ensure activities are ready for children to enjoy and to allow her to dedicate her time to interacting with them. She has effective systems in place to monitor the quality of care and education she provides. For example, risk assessments and fire evacuation records to monitor most areas of safety and a self-evaluation. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

Children's records and relating documentation is kept well-organised to ensure information is easily accessible to the childminder and secure to ensure confidentiality is maintained. Most records are updated regularly to ensure children continue to be cared for appropriately and according to parents' wishes.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to ensure all incidents are recorded. She has obtained a Devon Childminding Association record book to include any incidents for parents to sign for consistency of care.

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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

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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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are satisfactory. the time of the inspection there were no children in receipt of nursery education. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide nursery education.

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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 the exposed hearth is not a potential hazard for younger children playing in the area.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • there are no recommendations as funded children were not on roll at the time of inspection.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

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 nursery education

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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