Heath View Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 141145 Inspection date 07 October 2005 Inspector Sharon Henry

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since 1992. She is registered to care for 3 children under 8 years, of whom no more than 2 may be under 5 years. She is currently caring for 1 child. The childminder lives in a four-bedroom terraced house with her four children. Areas available for childminding are the rear reception room, adjacent conservatory/diner, kitchen and rear garden. The family have a golden Labrador dog.

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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 good. Children begin to understand the benefit of a healthy diet as the childminder has a good understanding of children's individual dietary needs. At snack and meal times children are encouraged to make healthy choices. For example, the children are offered a range of fruits for dessert. Sugar-free drinks and water are always available and contribute to children's understanding of what constitutes a healthy lifestyle. The children enjoy their meals and are given a good quantity. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that children are given a varied and healthy diet, this contributes to their good health. Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their physical development. They play in the garden where they are able to enjoy a selection of toys that encourage their co-ordination and physical skills, for example, children practise their throwing, catching and kicking skills whilst playing with the ball in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their large motor skills, when they visit local parks and use large scale apparatus for climbing and swinging. The childminder's understanding of basic first aid ensures that children's medical needs can be met. Children are cared for in a clean, comfortable home where they learn about the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Children independently wash their hands after using the toilet, before eating and after playing in the garden. Effective hygiene procedures are in place with regard to the dog, for example, the dog has its own feeding utensils which are kept separate and the garden is checked daily, ensuring that there is nothing to jeopardise children's health. Good procedures are in place to look after children should they become ill, these include clear systems for recording any administered medication and emergency contact details for parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a warm and welcoming environment, which enables them to feel settled and comfortable in their surroundings and contributes to them making the smooth transition from their home life. Effective use of space allows children to move freely and play with little disruption. Children play with a range of toys that are varied, colourful and of good quality. All equipment and furniture is in good condition and used well to support children's overall development. Children's independence is promoted as they are able to self select resources, this enables them to make choices and create their own learning environment. The childminder provides a safe environment for children. Children are supervised at

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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 all times and there are good policies in place to ensure that only authorised people may collect children. Children are learning about road safety with the childminder's guidance. For example, older children know the safe distance to walk in front of the childminder when coming from school and younger children know to hold onto the buggy. This promotes children's understanding of road safety. Parental consent for outings and transportation in the car are obtained and recorded and these positively contribute to maintaining children's ongoing safety. Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted through the childminder's sound understanding of child protection issues and current guidance. This ensures that any concerns are dealt with promptly and in line with the local authority's child protection

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy, confident and settled in the childminder's home. They enjoy participating in a broad range of activities which engage their interest and meet their individual developmental needs. Children have opportunities to develop their social skills as they play alongside other children. Children are able to initiate their own activities and older children benefit from being able to contribute their own ideas and suggestions for planned activities. Children receive support during play activities and the childminder promotes children's vocabulary and language skills through effective interaction. The childminder's knowledge and understanding of younger children's development is satisfactory, but there is scope to develop this further through the use of the Birth to three matters framework. Good relationships are developed between childminder and the children, creating a

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

warm and friendly atmosphere. Children benefit from having opportunities to participate in a range of activities which help to promote their learning in different areas. For example, the garden is regularly used to develop children's physical skills and craft activities are planned to promote children's creative skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder generally promotes equality of opportunity. The children are recognised as individuals and the childminder meets their differing needs well. The children are well behaved, happy and settled. They are confident, independent and use their initiative. They have warm relationships with the childminder and relate well to each other. There are opportunities for children to become aware of the wider world through attending local drop-ins, however, their leaning is not fully maximised due to limited resources that reflect equal opportunities within the home. The childminder has a positive view of caring for children with special needs, although she is not experienced in this area of care. Children are encouraged to learn the difference between right and wrong as there

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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 are clear rules and boundaries. They learn to respect other's wishes. Children's confidence is nurtured through praise and encouragement from the childminder, which enhances their self esteem. Children are learning to share, take turns and be patient. The parents have strong partnerships and trusting relationships with the childminder. They have their differing needs taken into account, such as those linked to their work patterns. They are well informed about the provision and their children’s progress, through daily informal discussions. This enables children to receive the appropriate care in line with their parents wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home in the well-organised environment. They are confident and use their initiative to instigate play and extend activities. Children benefit from the effective use of space and are able to move freely and play with little disruption. Children are confident in their surroundings. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and her knowledge of first aid means children can be given appropriate treatment should they need it. Children's daily home routines are identified, in discussion with parents, and maintained to ensure consistency of care. All specific needs for individual children are identified on registration forms. Children feel relaxed and settled in their environment as the childminder’s home is warm and welcoming. She has put thought into the organisation of her premises so that she can effectively meet the needs of the children. For example, stair gates are

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Organisation

in place to ensure children do not have access to areas of the house that are not registered and drinks are always made available in the kitchen. Children are able to move freely between indoors and outdoors via the kitchen door, which usually remains open, allowing children to enjoy physical play in the fully enclosed garden. Documentation is used effectively to support the successful organisation of the setting, which has a positive impact on the care of the children. However children's arrival and departure times are not recorded in the register. The childminder has breached regulations as she has not ensured that all persons over the age of 16 within the household have been vetted. 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 develop the play resources for children aged 5 years to 8 years. The childminder has developed her range of equipment and resources to ensure that they meet the developmental needs of children aged 5 to 8 years and support their overall development. For example, children are able to use a variety of different materials when doing creative activities.

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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 A good range of puzzles and games provide children with suitable challenges.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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 children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. • develop knowledge and understanding of caring for children under three: for example by using the Birth to three framework. • ensure children's arrival and departure times are recorded daily. • Ensure all persons living in the household, who are aged 16 and over undergo a CRB check.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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