Gillshill Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 117720 Inspection date 11 January 2006 Inspector Kelly Eyre

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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 1998. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 7 and 10 years, in Baldock, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and older children are able to access two further first floor bedrooms as additional play areas. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time and is currently minding 3 children under 5 during the day and one child over 5 after school on a part-time basis. She also provides care for children over 8 years old

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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 before and after school on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group. The family has goldfish as pets. The childminder holds the Certificate in Childminding Practice (CCP). She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a comfortable, clean home. They are adequately nourished and their health is consistently promoted because the childminder has a clear understanding of healthy eating and holds a food hygiene certificate. Their dietary requirements are discussed with parents and they are offered nutritious snacks which include fresh fruit. The spread of infection is minimised as there are good hygiene practices including the provision of separate flannels for each child and the childminder's use of disposable gloves when changing nappies. Children are learning about the relevance of good personal hygiene such as why it is important to wash their hands before meals. Children participate in a wide range of physical activities, contributing to their good health. The childminder ensures that there are daily opportunities for outdoor activities, such as walks to school and the local park, and playing in the garden with

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Helping children to be healthy

balls, ride-on toys, the see-saw, tent and tunnel. They also enjoy regular adult-led activities such as action rhymes, music sessions and attendance at toddler group where they have opportunities to use larger play equipment, helping them to develop control of their bodies and improve their physical skills. Younger children are able to fully participate in the activities because the childminder has a good knowledge of child development. She provides appropriate activities and supports the children well so that they feel confident to try out new skills, such as learning to crawl or walk.

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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 welcoming and safe environment. Their ongoing safety is given a high priority and the childminder is aware of potential risks and has carried out detailed risk assessments and written clear, practical safety policies, using guidance and information obtained by carrying out additional research. Children are able to move around safely and independently, both indoors and out, as the childminder has identified possible hazards and taken steps to remove or reduce these, for example, fitting additional stair gates across the kitchen doorway. Children use safe toys and equipment and the childminder makes sure that these are stimulating and appropriate for their ages and developmental stages, sorting them into appropriate categories and ensuring that they are easily accessible. Children are beginning to build up their knowledge about keeping themselves safe.

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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 They are well informed as the childminder consistently offers them clear explanations. She talks with them about road safety and has produced emergency evacuation plans which are displayed in the house. The children's welfare is promoted as the childminder has a good knowledge of her responsibilities regarding child protection, attending additional training and ensuring that she has all relevant information to enable her to record, report and follow up any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and settled, happily choosing activities and moving around the childminder's home. They have very good relationships with the childminder who joins in enthusiastically with their play, helping the children to feel welcome and valued. Younger children also have opportunities to play and socialise with other children through regular attendance at a local toddler group. Children enjoy a varied range of activities including crafts, imaginative play, construction, cooking, reading and outdoor play. Their overall development is promoted and they are encouraged to extend their knowledge because the childminder has a good understanding of child development. Children's individual needs are clearly acknowledged by the childminder and she ensures that they are offered opportunities which are stimulating and fun. These are planned on a weekly basis and include all areas of play and learning. Children are offered activities and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

play opportunities which are thoughtfully adapted by the childminder so that the learning potential for each child is maximised. An example of this is when playing with toy animals, the youngest child enjoys learning what sounds the animals make whilst this is extended for the older child to include colours and similar animals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals, which encourages them to value and respect others. Their behaviour is good and they play well together. They are very confident within the childminder's home, happily making choices about their activities. They are set realistic, consistent boundaries by the childminder. She has attended additional training and has a good understanding of this area and uses appropriate methods for managing their behaviour, reinforcing positive aspects and ensuring that children are happily and purposefully occupied. Children are offered a variety of opportunities to learn about society and the wider world. They read books and play with toys which give them positive images and promote their understanding. They also enjoy activities related to various celebrations such as Christmas, Diwali and Chinese New Year. However, these are not detailed within the written activity plans produced by the childminder. Children learn about

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Helping children make a positive contribution

their local community through outings to nearby parks and shops. They also regularly attend a local toddler group where they have opportunities to interact with their peers. Children benefit from the childminder's good relationships with parents. She

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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 discusses all aspects of her practice with parents and keeps them well informed of their children's progress and activities through the use of daily diaries and the sharing of activity plans and policies.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall, the needs of all children attending are met. They are able to feel comfortable and relaxed, assured that their needs will be met due to the childminder's clear, practical organisation of her work. There are written policies and procedures covering all main areas of child care, and the childminder is committed to attending training and further developing her practice. Children are confident within the childminder's home and can therefore initiate their own play and learning. They enjoy the childminder's company and input but are also happy to play independently, knowing that the childminder will always have time to help them when needed. The varying individual needs of the children are well documented and consistently met by the childminder. Their development in all areas is consistently promoted as a result of the childminder's thoughtful attention to detail in the planning and organisation of all activities and daily routines. This ensures that

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Organisation

children are always offered a range of exciting activities and opportunities and that all are able to participate.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection, the childminder was asked to provide additional resources to give positive images of people who have disabilities. She has purchased a range of resources and ensures that these are available on a daily basis, promoting children's understanding and knowledge of this area. The childminder was also asked to look at fire safety issues. She now ensures that fire exits are kept clear at all times and regularly practises fire evacuation procedures with children, further promoting their safety.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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

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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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): • further develop the written activity plans so that these demonstrate that children will be offered opportunities to learn about other cultures and ways of life.

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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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