Stepney Greencoat Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 100946 Inspection date 16 June 2005 Inspector Jennifer Read

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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 1994 and may provide care for six children under eight years at any one time. She currently cares for two children under four years on a full-time basis and three children under three years on a part-time basis all year round. No overnight care is provided. The childminder lives with her husband and 2 children aged 13 and 15 in the Churchdown area on the outskirts of Gloucester. The whole of the house is available for childminding with the main care taking place on the ground floor. The main areas used for play are the open-plan living room, kitchen and conservatory. Upstairs

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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 bedrooms are available for sleeping. There is an enclosed rear garden with grass and patio areas for outside play, and an enclosed pond with fish. The family has two dogs, a cat, and two tanks of tropical fish. The childminder has completed the Developing Childminding Practice, first aid for people working with children and babies and child protection training. There are play parks, shops and schools within the locality. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent-and-toddler and childminding support groups on a weekly basis. The childminder is a member of the Cheltenham and Cotswold Childminding support group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, warm and comfortable environment. The childminder understands and follows effective policies and procedures to promote children's good health and protect them from illness and infection. Children learn the importance of good health and hygiene practices because the childminder encourages them to wash their hands at appropriate times to help prevent the spread of infection. Clear guidance about the exclusion of children who are ill, and procedures of appropriate action to take if a child has an accident or requires medical treatment are in place. Children learn about a healthy lifestyle as they enjoy daily opportunities to practise their physical skills both indoors and outdoors. Each day there are activities, which contribute to their good health and well being and which, help children develop new skills. Daily trips to the park, climbing, swinging on the seesaw, jumping on the large

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Helping children to be healthy

trampoline and manoeuvring around furniture help improve their physical skills. The childminder spontaneously promotes children's emotional well being. She is perceptive and provides warmth and closeness through regular cuddles and reassurance to help children feel secure and a sense of belonging. Children learn the importance of a healthy diet. They visit fruit farms to pick strawberries and apples and talk about why foods help them to grow. A close liaison with parents about foods they supply help ensure children's individual dietary requirements are met. Children develop a healthy independence as they feed themselves and are confident to ask for drinks of water at any time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children experience a safe, secure and suitable environment and risk of accidental injury is minimised because the childminder implements good safety measures. For example, daily checks are made of play areas indoors and outdoors and well thought through plans are in place for the safe collection of children. Children learn to keep

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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 themselves safe in the setting and on visits through very close supervision, discussion about boundaries and regular practise of the emergency escape plan. Relevant consents, and a well-written health and safety policy, and fire procedure are in place to safeguard and promote children's welfare. Toys, games and play materials with small objects are stored safely to protect younger children from potential risk of choking. Boxes and low-level containers and cupboards enable children to access play items safely. Children are kept safe as the childminder has good understanding of appropriate action to take with a child protection concern. She attends training to up-date her knowledge and has suitable reference books to refer to when required.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from wide ranging experiences and play opportunities indoors and outdoors. They are eager and enthusiastic to learn, and play happily with the broad selection of suitable manufactured toys and games. Children express their imagination and creativity through free play with toys and activities of their choice, art and craft activities, games and musical activities. For example, children complete the large, floor bus puzzle and excitedly sing the wheels on the bus song together. The younger children experiment with sounds and language to imitate early communication skills as they attract attention of the childminder and their peers during play. The childminder has a secure knowledge of the children and provides consistent routines to support and encourage children's learning. She has a strong bond with the children, which helps increase their sense of well being. The childminder shows

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

interest in what the children do and say and provides suitable challenges for children to extend their play, and make experiences real and meaningful. For example, children create a hospital scene using knowledge of their parents' jobs. They dress up in nurse’s outfits and use play equipment to perform imaginary operations on the childminder. Children show interest and concentrate for long periods. Children learn to socialise with other children in group situations throughout the week as they visit childminding support groups and various local childcare groups. Younger children benefit from the childminders' knowledge of the 'Birth to Three Matters' as she seeks ideas for appropriate activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are well met and those with special educational needs are supported and take an active part in activities and play experiences. The childminder works closely with parents and other professional agencies to promote children's

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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 welfare and adapts routines and practice to help integrate children's needs successfully. Children access a range of resources that reflect our multi-cultural society, for example, books, play people, dolls and play food. A range of planned activities and experiences to help children develop a positive view of others and to learn about the wider world around them are not actively introduced. Children benefit from a consistent, calm approach to manage their behaviour. The childminder gives high priority to ensure children are happy, and conflicts and challenging behaviour are dealt with satisfactorily and swiftly. The childminder spends time purposefully encouraging children to share, take turns and build awareness of the consequences of their actions and to learn from their experience.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

She uses frequent praise and encouragement to value children's achievements and promote their self-esteem. Children benefit from a mutually respectful and close partnership with the childminder and parents. Policies and procedures, photographs and a two-way exchange of information daily helps parents take an active part in their child's care and learning. The childminder has an initial meeting with parents to discuss general care issues and find out practical details about individual children to ensure their needs are well met. The childminder and parents work successfully together to support new children with settling into their new surroundings so they feel secure.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is enthusiastic, keen and enjoys her work with the children. Children are confident and settled because the childminder takes advantage of additional training, workshops and childcare conferences to up-date her knowledge of appropriate good practices. Children benefit from a well-organised setting, which helps maintain their safety and well-being. Children are never left alone with persons not vetted and adult to child ratios are successfully maintained. All the necessary documentation is clear, accurate and shared with parents, which helps ensure that children are well cared for. Children's individual records, including written agreements with parents, are stored securely in individual sleeves to maintain confidentiality. The childminder records emergency contact details and keeps them with her at all times to promote children's safety in an emergency. Children use the well organised, open-plan play space purposefully. This allows them

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Organisation

to safely and confidently access the broad range of resources and play opportunities indoors and outdoors to support their care and development. The childminder has a secure knowledge and awareness of regulatory requirements to protect children’s welfare. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection recommended that the childminder refreshed her knowledge of procedures for the administration of medication and requested written permission

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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 from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder now has a secure knowledge of medication procedures and takes appropriate measures to ensure children's health is protected. New forms for the administration of medication are in place with all the required information recorded. Written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment are in place to ensure children's health is promoted in an emergency.

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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): • develop further the activities and opportunities available to help build children's awareness of diversity in society.

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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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