Tyning Hengrove Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

108969 Unique Reference Number 28 February 2008 Inspection date Rachel Edwards 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 has been registered since 1995. She lives with her husband and two teenage children in a house in Peatmoor, Swindon which is within easy walking distance of schools, pre-schools and other amenities including parks and local bus service. Most of the downstairs area of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have no pets.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for no more than six children under eight years at any one time. She currently has 10 children on roll, of whom seven are under eight years. The registration does not include over night care.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder runs a local toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the local childminding group and the National Childminding Association. She has an NVQ level 3 in childcare.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health and well-being is very well promoted by the childminder, who follows excellent hygienic procedures; ensures children eat well and that they have plenty of exercise. Children play in a clean environment and parents receive clear guidance about when they must keep their children home due to infectious illness. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has also attended training on severe allergic reactions. Children learn about the importance of good personal hygiene and even the youngest learn to clean their hands before eating by singing a song about dirty hands. The childminder is scrupulous about keeping children's noses clean and putting tissues in the bin and children learn to manage this for themselves very well.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder prefers parents to provide all their children's food, however, she has attended a healthy eating course so can advise parents if needed on healthy options that their children enjoy. Meals are eaten sitting together at the table and the children are given plenty of time to enjoy their food and chat to each other. Babies are cuddled whilst bottle feeding. This relaxed approach encourages children to eat well and enjoy meal times. The childminder is particularly careful to ensure that children with food allergies are not put at risk and yet are fully included in the social activity. They learn more about food through growing vegetable seeds and cooking activities, when they enjoy eating the end results.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are physically active each day. Very young children and babies are encouraged to roll, crawl and pull themselves up and older children enjoy using the dance mat. They frequently visit nearby parks where there is suitably challenging climbing equipment for children of all ages and room to run and chase. They also enjoy activities like feeding the ducks and having picnics, throughout the year. Once a fortnight, they visit an open farm, where they enjoy collecting eggs and looking at the animals. These very enjoyable physical activities help children stay fit and encourage them to adopt healthy lifestyles.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a secure, suitable, homely environment. The childminder makes good use of the available space so children have plenty of space to play in and quiet areas for those needing a sleep. Children play with a wide selection of suitable toys, which they are able to help themselves to. The childminder is especially careful to make sure that young children only reach toys that are safe for them. She helps the older children understand the importance of this.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an excellent awareness of keeping children safe. Children are well supervised, including regularly checking those who are asleep. She has carried out a thorough risk assessment of her home and when on outings and has made sure that all risks to children are minimised. For example, she teaches children about fire safety and they regularly practise an emergency evacuation and she has fitted smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The garden is secure so that children cannot wander off and she has safely fenced off her trampoline so that minded children cannot use it. She makes sure that children are using appropriate seats and restraints when in the car.

p.3

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 The childminder is aware of her responsibility to safeguard children. She is knowledgeable about the locally agreed child protection procedures and she shares these with parents. She would be able to act in a child's best interests if she had concerns.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are extremely well settled and happy with the childminder. She has excellent relationships with the children. She is warm and caring towards them and has a calm, quiet manner so that children feel secure and confident in her care. The house is welcoming to children, where a separate toy room has displays of their art work and a wide selection of books and toys that they can reach for themselves. This helps develop their independence and allows them to follow their own interests.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good knowledge of early years guidance such as the Birth to three matters framework and the Foundation Stage curriculum and she uses this to plan a wide range of stimulating and enjoyable activities and outings. She achieves a good balance between activities she organises and giving children time to play by themselves. The childminder knows the children well and provides activities that they will enjoy and will help them learn and develop. For example, a baby is totally engrossed in a game involving putting objects in and out of a teapot. The childminder talks to the baby throughout, introducing new language and ideas that the baby responds to. The childminder understands how children learn and knows the value of activities such as this. Children's early communication skills are very well developed by the childminder who responds to babies' gestures and expressions. For example, a baby takes her

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

hands and rocks and she understands this is because the child wants to sing 'row, row, row your boat', which they do. Older children enjoy craft activities, such as origami and beads, karaoke and quizzes and generally relaxing after the busy school day. Regular outings add variety and interest to their day.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into this family setting. The childminder treats all children as individuals and takes account of their differing needs, interests and family circumstances in the care she provides. As a result children feel welcome and enjoy their time with the childminder. They are encouraged to make choices during the day, for example, in what to play with and when to rest. This helps them feel valued and raises their confidence and self esteem. Children learn about their own community and the wider world. They enjoy visits to the library, parks and shopping and attend the local toddler group. They benefit from using resources and taking part in planned activities that help them value diversity, for example, lighting candles as they learn about the festival of Diwali and using chopsticks to taste Chinese food.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. The childminder finds that children who are well occupied seldom misbehave. She involves children in understanding the reason for the house rules and ensures she is consistent in agreeing the acceptable boundaries for behaviour. Children learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, they practise safely crossing the road, with older children gradually being given more freedom as they become more responsible.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are very well informed about all aspects of the care provided. The childminder has carefully written policies and procedures, which she goes through with parents so they are clear about how she works. She spends time each day talking to parents but also offers all parents

p.4

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 written daily diaries about their child's day, which are especially useful for the very young children. Parents are informed of how to make a complaint, including how to refer to Ofsted, the regulator, but they are not made aware that they may ask to see the complaints log.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to providing good quality care for children. She organises her home well for childminding and manages her day effectively so that children's individual needs are met. She has an NVQ level 3 in childcare and continues to undertake regular training to develop her knowledge further. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and regularly meets with other childminders, which also helps her keep up to date with childcare issues.

p.5

Organisation

All legally required records, registers and parental permissions are in place. Documentation is well organised and stored securely. Parents see clearly displayed certificates that reassure them of her conditions of registration and that she is suitably trained. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection, the childminder was asked to improve her practise by increasing her knowledge of notifiable diseases, in order to report promptly to the relevant authorities. She now has a list of notifiable diseases, as well as information on more common infectious diseases, which helps her protect children from cross infection.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no reports 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): • ensure the complaints procedure fully complies with Children Act regulations, particularly in relation to making the complaints log available to parents on request and inform parents of this

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 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.6