St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Rickmansworth

Inspection report for early years provision

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117447 Unique Reference Number 20 February 2008 Inspection date Janet Butlin 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 outstanding. 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 outstanding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1989. She lives in a three bedroomed terraced house on the outskirts of Plymouth and she shares the house with her husband and three grown-up children. She is registered to care for up to six children under the age of eight years and there are currently nine children enrolled in this age range, one of whom is in receipt of funding. Minded children access the whole of the ground floor of the house and the upstairs is used for sleeping and toileting only. The house has an enclosed garden to the rear and is within walking distance of schools, pre-schools and parks. The family has one dog, a Springer Spaniel.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children play in a very clean home where they learn the importance of keeping themselves healthy by following good hygiene procedures. They proudly point to their own individual towels, clearly knowing which one is theirs. The use of these individual towels, along with liquid soap, helps to protect them from the risk of cross infection. Children are further protected from catching each other's germs as the childminder follows recommended incubation periods for those who have been unwell. Children who have an accident whilst at the childminder's are well cared for as she is qualified in first aid and has a detailed emergency procedure to follow. There are excellent systems in place to record any accidents and also the administering of any medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder's strong belief in the importance of healthy eating. Not only do they enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks at the childminder's, but the childminder ensures that the toddler groups they attend also provide an excellent array of fresh fruit. Children's packed lunches, that they bring from home, are kept fresh when children are travelling as they have ice-packs inside. Children proceed through their lunch packs in a healthy fashion, by eating the most nutritious items first. They remain very well hydrated as they have frequent drinks. Children's healthy eating is further supported by the childminder's knowledge in this area. She has undertaken a food hygiene course and sought the guidance of the local environmental health department.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their muscles and become strong as they go on daily walks and outings. They walk to and from the nearby school and go on trips and outings where they run and use equipment. They are protected from the harmful effects of strong sunlight as they wear hats and sun cream.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play in a warm and welcoming home. They have clear spaces to move about and set up their games: secure, safe, seating to help them sit at the table for their lunch, and quiet spaces to rest when they are tired. They access their toys and games easily and safely. For example, they draw a little chair up to the low table and sit securely as they select the jigsaws they are going to assemble, or the books they are going to look at. The excellent and extensive range of toys and playthings is remarkable. All are in pristine condition, very clearly labelled and positioned so that children can find their favourites and replace them when they have finished playing with them. In fine weather children play outside in the safely enclosed rear garden. This is decked to provide a stable surface for play and the childminder conscientiously ensures that it does not become slippery.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe in the home as the premises are secure. The childminder has conducted a very thorough risk assessment and addressed all hazards, for example, all kitchen cupboards are securely fastened and children cannot access any harmful materials. Children are very secure

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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 in the procedure to be followed in the event of an emergency. They practise this regularly and the childminder records these rehearsals in very helpful detail. This means that the routine can be refined if necessary to ensure it is effective. The childminder has further strengthened safety by seeking advice and guidance from the fire service to ensure all safety systems are in first class order. An accurate record is kept of the times of attendance of all children and this means it is a reliable record of who is on the premises, for example, in the event of such an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is further supported as the childminder has an excellent understanding of the child protection procedure. She has undertaken training and has up to date guidance, and a helpful policy, to refer to in the event of having a concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children of all ages have a wonderful time with the childminder. Younger children enjoy activities adapted to their individual stages of development and which help them to become competent learners. They benefit from her thorough understanding of the Birth to three matters framework and she uses this most effectively to assess children's progress and plan for their individual enjoyment. The children go on outings together, for example to the zoo. They become skilful communicators as they play alongside each other, talking about their experiences. They become competent learners as they enjoy artwork and exploring the wealth of toys and games. Older children who attend after school take part in activities appropriate to their age and enjoy accompanying younger children on trips and joining them in arts, crafts and role-play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding. The childminder has an excellent understanding of the Foundation Stage and this helps her to guide children in their learning so that they make rapid progress towards the early learning goals in all areas. The childminder uses effective teaching methods to encourage children to think and work things out. For example, she encourages them to count items in their play and even at mealtimes, going a little slower to make sure they are right. She also uses story times to foster in-depth discussions and extend vocabulary. Highly detailed planning shows that an excellent range of activities are provided that cover all the areas of learning. Careful annotation of the weekly plan shows how children have engaged with the activities. Every day of attendance has a written observation and assessment and the childminder uses the knowledge gained from this to establish the next

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

steps for the child's learning based on what they already know and can do. Excellent short term planning shows goals for children and also itemises the resources required and how the activities will be presented. This attention to detail and thorough consideration of how the activities will work means that children's learning is robustly supported and they receive appropriate challenge. Children are enthusiastic communicators. They eagerly talk about their experiences, such as their trip to the library with the childminder, where they received a certificate for enjoying books. This delight in books is evidenced by their enthusiasm for stories and sharing them with adults. Children become confident in the sounds within words and the sounds that letters make. The childminder makes excellent use of CDs and recent learning support materials to ensure phonic awareness is presented in the most effective way. Children order, sort and count objects

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and demonstrate their understanding of position by, for example, confidently declaring which is the top and bottom of their drink carton. They enjoy cooking and construction games and

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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 occasionally discover whether things float or sink in their play. They explore various cultural festivals, for example making artwork for Chinese New Year and also Valentine's day cards. Children develop their small muscles effectively as they open small packets, assemble jigsaws and investigate equipment at toddler groups. They are enthusiastic singers and regularly dress up and develop role-play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy and settled with the childminder. They develop excellent relationships with other children and the childminder ensures they have additional opportunities to do so as she takes them along to well chosen toddler groups. Whist there she supports them in their ability to share and resolve conflict. Children are confident, for example, to share their news with others. They glow with pride when they recount how they have received a certificate from the librarian. They wave at their younger playmates and show care and concern for them. They share toys well and concentrate at their chosen activity, for example, setting up a scene in the toy garage. Children are extremely polite and very well behaved. They learn about cultural and social diversity in meaningful ways. They play with toys and look at books that depict positive images and the childminder plans and provides an excellent range of activities and experiences

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Helping children make a positive contribution

to inspire discussion and widen their understanding. The childminder has undertaken extensive training to help her support children in all aspects of their lives, for example if they are experiencing grief. Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities receive excellent care. The childminder works very closely with parents to establish their needs and she adapts her practice to ensure children are comfortable and feel secure. For example, she is very skilled at supporting children's speech and communication which helps children to be better understood and share their needs and feelings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They respond to the childminder's calm manner and positive role-modelling. They are always busy and engaged in interesting and worthwhile activities and politely say 'please don't' if, for example, their carefully created scenario is bumped by another child's toy. The childminder uses books to support discussion about what is right and wrong. Plans show that naturally occurring incidents are also used to foster an understanding of the impact of certain types of behaviour, for example, people feel sad.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is outstanding. Parents are given a comprehensive prospectus outlining the service provided by the childminder and explaining the nursery education provision clearly. It really sets the scene for how children will learn during their time with the childminder. The daily observations and regular assessments are available for parents to view at any time and, as they are always up to date, they provide an accurate picture of children's learning and progress. All children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes. All consents are in place to support the best care possible. The assessment records of younger children who are not funded are appropriate to their age and stage of development and give parents a clear and relevant description of how their child is developing and what they have enjoyed most. A daily diary, completed by the childminder, is an additional means of effective communication. Parents

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Helping children make a positive contribution

are keen to convey how highly they regard the childminder and frequently do this in written

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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 form. Children benefit from the close communication that takes place between their parents and the childminder regarding every aspect of their care. There are excellent systems in place to keep parents informed of regulatory procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are cared for by a sensitive, conscientious and highly committed childminder. They enjoy a warm, family atmosphere where the childminder adapts routines and activities to meet the needs of the different ages of children being cared for. Her daily routines ensure that all children enjoy their time and also learn and progress. She plans and provides an excellent range of activities that help children to develop in all areas. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. They benefit from her commitment to constant professional development. She accesses additional training whenever she can, for example, she has attended training in forthcoming changes in early years care. She has also recently completed university level qualifying courses in children's learning. The childminder regular reviews and evaluates her practice to identify further areas to develop.

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Organisation

The impact of the childminder's organisation on children's learning is outstanding. The clear, accurate and up to date assessments are used effectively to inform future planning. The records kept provide a comprehensive and very clear picture of the education provision. Her enthusiasm for undertaking additional training in the area of early years education enhances the experiences of the children and enriches their learning. The children also benefit from the regular, helpful advice, guidance and support the childminder receives from the network co-ordinator and the local authority adviser.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to ensure the register includes the surnames of the children present. This has been addressed and the register is now a comprehensive and accurate record of attendance. She was also requested to improve fire safety precautions by ensuring that a fire blanket is accessible in the kitchen. The childminder has implemented extensive fire safety procedures in her home and this area is now totally addressed. These improvements have had a positive impact on children's safety.

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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.

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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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Complaints 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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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 outstanding. 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 outstanding.

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The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of nursery education are outstanding.

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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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