Southway Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 125941 Inspection date 13 October 2005 Inspector Stephanie Graves

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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 was registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and 4 children aged 21, 14, 12 and 5 years, in Crayford, Kent. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding a total of three children under 8 years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler group

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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 family has a pet dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are provided with a range of experiences, which help to promote their knowledge and understanding of good health issues. For example, the childminder actively encourages good hygiene practises, including regular hand washing. She uses anti-bacterial spray to wipe surfaces, to help prevent cross infection. Children benefit from procedures which ensure they are taken care of if they have an accident or become ill. For example, accidents are recorded and children do not attend if they have an infectious illness. Children's physical development and sense of wellbeing is promoted well. They are provided with a range of energetic activities, including frequent walks and visits to the park, as well as opportunities to rest and sleep in comfortable surroundings. Children have access to drinks at all times and although food is currently provided by parents, the childminder offers a varied selection of nutritional meals. These include

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Helping children to be healthy

fish, pasta, meat, vegetables, fruit and yoghurt. Children learn to make healthy choices about the food they eat, because the childminder encourages them to choose their snacks from a range of fruit. Children's individual dietary requirements are respected because the childminder works closely with parents to ensure their needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe, secure environment where risks are identified and reduced. This results in plenty of unobstructed space for children to move around and play, within safe boundaries. Toys and equipment are checked regularly. They are safe, easily accessible and appropriate for the individual needs of the children attending. Children are well supervised at all times and are developing an awareness of how to help keep themselves safe. For example, they understand the importance of holding onto the pushchair and staying close to the childminder when they are on outings. Children are well cared for due to effective procedures, which promote their welfare and safety at all times. For example, the childminder has an emergency evacuation procedure, which she practises with the children and a good understanding of child protection issues, which meet with current requirements.

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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 Children are settled and make themselves at home in the childminder's house. They are comfortable and involved in their play, because the childminder provides them with a good range of stimulating toys, resources and experiences. For example, they can choose to look at books, engage in learning games involving numbers and letters, or freely access play equipment, such as a role-play kitchen and utensils. The childminder has a good understanding of the developmental learning needs of children of all ages. She has an awareness of the Birth to Three Matters framework and a positive attitude towards updating her knowledge so that play opportunities can be adapted to meet the needs of babies and young children. Children play purposefully and are confident enough to approach the childminder for

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

what they need. For example, they may ask for a specific activity or to look at a book. Very young children interact well with the childminder because she spends time talking and playing with them. She asks questions to encourage them to think and respond as they investigate interactive toys which provide stimulating sensory experiences. Children actively communicate with the childminder as they talk about their favourite activities and interests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed, acknowledged and affirmed by the childminder. Even very young children are settled and self-assured because the childminder ensures she understands and promotes their individual developmental needs. Children show a sense of belonging and are not afraid to seek support or ask for what they need. They learn about themselves, one another and the wider world, through the toys, resources and experiences available. These include books, small world figures and outings to the local toddler group. Children are polite and well behaved because the childminder is a good role-model. She encourages them to be involved in making decisions about their preferred activities and praises them regularly to help promote their confidence and self-esteem. Children benefit from consistency of care, because the childminder and parents work very closely together to meet their needs. The childminder takes

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Helping children make a positive contribution

positive steps to ensure that parents are kept well informed about all relevant policies and procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are comfortable and settled within a well organised environment. They feel secure and completely at ease with the childminder and their surroundings. A very good range of documentation and records regarding the service provided, are professionally kept and shared with parents. These include a well presented service statement and daily attendance records, which show clear arrival and departure times for children. Children's welfare, care and learning are competently promoted due to a range of policies and procedures, which underpin the childminder's practice.

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Organisation

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 provides a professional service. As a result, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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 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): • continue to promote the play and learning experiences of babies and young children, by developing knowledge and understanding of the Birth to three matters framework.

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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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