Flash Ley Middle School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 129945 Inspection date 25 October 2005 Inspector Suman Willis

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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 good. 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 1990. She works with another childminder between the hours of 09:00 and 15:00. There are currently 6 other childminders registered to mind at this address, all working on a variety of days. The childminder lives with her husband and 4 children aged between 8 and 20 years. There is an au-pair who lives with them. The kitchen/diner is used for childminding purpose with access to the lounge for undisturbed sleep. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for 3 children in total and when working with

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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 other childminders at the above premises, does not care for more than 9 children under 8 years. There are currently 22 children on roll aged between 1 and 3 years. The childminder provides flexible care for children from birth to 3 years all year round. The childminder has a degree in child and adolescent studies. The family have two goldfish.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's physical needs are developing well as they are beginning to walk round the toys and use age-appropriate resources. They enjoy regular fresh air as they play in the garden using ride-on toys and are developing their climbing skills as they go up and down the low wall with support. Children's understanding of good health and hygiene is well promoted by the good procedures the childminder has implemented. For example disposable gloves are worn when changing nappies and using wet wipes to clean children's hands at the end. This could be further developed to ensure children's hands are always wiped after outdoor play. Children are developing an understanding of good hygiene practice and the childminder is also ensuring that cross infection is minimised. Children health needs are fully met because the childminder has up to date first aid training and parents' permission to administer medication and emergency aid.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individuality is promoted by the childminder who seeks information from parents about children's individual dietary needs. She offers parents the option of them providing their children's meals or for her to provide cooked meals. The meals and snacks are healthy, for example, fruit, toast and pasta bakes. Parents are provided with information about nutritional meals. Children's individual sleep patterns are also followed through by the childminder who provides undisturbed sleep areas for children when they are tired. The childminder uses the 'Birth to three matters' framework to ensure that young children's health needs are fully met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy playing in a safe and welcoming environment where age-appropriate toys are well laid out to enable them to make choices and move around safely. The childminder ensures that all areas are safe and carries out regular risk assessments to ensure the suitability of areas used. All resources are hygienically well maintained and checked for safety. Children are learning to keep themselves safe as rules about sitting down when

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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 eating are re-enforced by the childminder. Their boundaries are clearly defined by safety measures implemented by the childminder such as safety locks fitted to cupboards in the kitchen. They are taught to go up and down steps safely when playing in the garden. Children are protected by the childminder's knowledge and understanding of child protection. All adults over the age of 16 are suitably vetted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are very settled and comfortable in the care provided by the childminder. They enjoy choosing their own play materials from an excellent range of resources which promote development in all areas. Children are engrossed in a wide range of interesting activities on offer to them. They sustain interest and use imaginative play very effectively. They engage in changing a dolly's nappy and enjoy taking the dolly for a walk in the buggy around the room. Children are developing their hand and eye co-ordination as they move small cars up and down the ramp of the play garage. Organised daily activities ensure that children are given ample opportunities to be creative as they paint and play musical instruments. They are excited to learn sounds and show delight when their names are called out while singing rhymes. They relish being involved in helping take washing out of the machine, and have their learning

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

extended as the childminder names items of washing. They are successful communicators and have their individual needs met. They approach adults with ease and know that if they put their hands out they will receive cuddles. Children play alongside each other with ease and the childminder is at hand to gently encourage sharing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who seeks information from parents about children's routines, likes and dislikes to ensure that their individual needs are fully met. Children learn about the wider world through play and select their own resources with ease. The childminder works well with parents to ensure that she is supportive of children with special needs as the situation arises. Children are very settled and play comfortably alongside each other. They are encouraged to take turns and wait for their snacks patiently. This is rewarded by the childminder offering praise, thus making children feel valued and respected. Children's individual routines are fully implemented by the childminder who works very well with parents. A daily dialogue between childminder and parents ensures that any changes to children's routines are addressed immediately. Parents spoke happily about how settled their children are in the care of the childminder. They are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

fully aware of how the childminder works. Prospective parents are put in contact with other parents so that they can seek their own references. Parents are updated on the new complaints procedure which is included in the childminder's portfolio for parents.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children are cared for a childminder who has a high level of qualification in childcare. She ensures that other childminders working with her are fully vetted and have completed appropriate training. Younger children benefit from the childminder updating her skills by familiarising herself with 'Birth to three matters' framework. She implements this in her daily routine with ease. Therefore, children are well protected and cared for by a childminder who fully values their needs and is able to promote their development at all levels. Children's individual needs are very well met because of the excellent relationship developed between the childminder and parents. All policies and procedures are regularly reviewed and updated to incorporate any changes. Therefore, children's care is significantly enhanced by the childminder's exceptional organisation. The provision meets the needs of those children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to implement appropriate procedures for nappy changing. She was also asked to keep an accurate record of attendance showing times of arrival and departure. The childminder has implemented procedures for nappy changing which ensure that she wears disposable gloves when changing nappies and children's hands are cleaned. Therefore, children are protected from cross infection and are learning about good hygiene practice. An accurate record of attendance has been implemented and children's movements can now be better monitored, this enables the childminder to use documentation to further protect children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

A complaint was raised in respect of National Standard 11, Behaviour management. Ofsted conducted a visit to the provider on 27 September 2004. Upon investigation Ofsted is satisfied that the childminder has a good understanding of behaviour management and uses age appropriate strategies. The childminder is also aware of children's individual needs, dietary requirements and always discusses concerns with parents. Ofsted is satisfied that the provider is meeting the National Standards and therefore is taking no further action in this matter. 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • develop children's understanding of personal hygiene

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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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