Aylburton Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 115610 Inspection date 09 December 2005 Inspector Mandy Mooney

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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 1992. She lives with her husband, two adult daughters and her mother, in a four bedroom, semi-detached house in Bexley. The front of the house is on the A2 with the back entrance situated in a quiet cul-de-sac, within walking distance of local shops and Bexleyheath. Minded children have access to the whole of the downstairs area which includes the lounge, conservatory, granny flat and toilet. Upstairs is used for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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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 There are currently 5 children aged 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years and 5 years on roll, all of whom are cared for on a full time basis, except the 5 year old who is cared for before and after school. The childminder provides a drop off and collection service for Upton Primary School. The family have a pet chinchilla and fish. The childminder is a committee member of Bexley's Childminding Association and is part of Bexley's accredited childminding network. She regularly attends local support groups. She is also a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well planned daily routines. They know for example, that they should wash their hands before eating and brush their teeth regularly. The childminder ensures she implements effective cleaning routines, ensuring the home is cleaned thoroughly before the children arrive and throughout the day as necessary. The childminder has developed clear and effective written procedures to help prevent the spread of infection, including a sick child policy and a procedure to follow if a child is contagious. Children learn about the importance of minimises the spread of infection, for example, through gentle reminders from the childminder to cover their mouth when they cough. Children benefit from a healthy diet. They are offered drinks throughout the day. They enjoy a balanced and well presented diet, which complies with the wishes of parents

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Helping children to be healthy

and likes and dislikes of the child and also ensures the children remain healthy. Children enjoy lots of fruit, which they choose themselves. Children have many opportunities to take part in a variety of well planned physical activities, such as, going for local walks, use of the garden and park. They are developing their physical skills well and are gaining a good awareness of how to keep themselves healthy whilst enjoying the benefits of lots of fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has created a bright and welcoming environment, which enables the children to feel happy and settled. Children use a very good range of safe, good quality and developmentally appropriate resources. These are well organised at the child's level to enable children to develop their decision making skills and to develop a greater sense of responsibility in regards to tidying up and putting things away. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised in the well maintained and organised premises which has good safety precautions, such as safety gates in appropriate places. The childminder has developed a very clear written procedure to follow in the event of an emergency in the home, which is regularly practiced with the children and discussed with parents. Good safety precautions are implemented when the children

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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 are taken out. They learn to keep themselves safe whilst outdoors through the childminder reinforcing effective safety measures to educate them, for example, how to cross the road safely and to know the boundaries when they walk to and from school. Children are well protected. The childminder has developed a very clear written policy on child protection. She is confident in her ability to follow current guidelines in regards to protecting children from harm or neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy their time at the childminder's home. They are very confident and achieve well because the childminder is highly skilled and uses her exceptional understanding of the children she is caring for to provide an exciting and varied range of experiences and play opportunities to stimulate and challenge the children. This, coupled with her good knowledge of early years guidance, such as Birth to three matters, enables her to provide high quality care and education. All children arrive happy and eager to participate. Those who are new to the environment are helped to settle by the childminder who is sensitive towards their individual needs. All children make excellent progress because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. Close and caring relationships increase children’s sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self. High quality

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

adult-child interactions are extremely supportive of early communication skills. Children gain a great sense of achievement as they read their names from their individual coat pegs and for older children who can also read the names of other children. Their achievements are well acknowledged by the childminder, who offers much praise for their efforts. Children begin to make sense of the world and express their ideas as they join in a diverse range of exploratory and sensory experiences, for example, through attendance at familiar pre school groups and visits to other places of interest, such as Upnor Castle and the sea side.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder welcomes all families into her home. She respects parents views and wishes in meeting the needs of their child. Children have extensive opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them through planned activities and outings to local places of interest. The childminder treats children as individuals and acknowledge differences and preferences. All children are welcomed and play a full part in the setting because the childminder values and respects their individuality and the family context for each child. She has developed a very good range of resources to represent a positive image of people in the community. She is very pro-active in meeting the needs of all children, including those with additional needs. This positive approach fosters children's cultural and social development very well.

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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 Children's behaviour is extremely good. The childminder has high expectations of children's behaviour and sets consistent boundaries for the them, which helps them learn to negotiate with others and take responsibility for their own behaviour. She supports younger children in sharing and turn taking and increases children’s understanding of right and wrong; they respond well to gentle reminders to care for their environment and each other. Children know the rules and boundaries very well and they respect the childminder and her home. Partnership with parents is very good. The childminder ensures that all parents know how their children are progressing and developing. This sharing of information between staff and parents enhances children’s learning and helps the childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

meet their individual needs fully. Parents receive good information about how the provision is run, for example, they are provided with clear and comprehensive written polices and procedures which underpin the running the of the service. Parents are very happy with the service offered to them and their children, this is shown through written compliment letters.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a well trained and skilled childminder who is committed to continuous improvement and development. She is able to regularly reflect, monitor and improve the quality of the care and education. She has developed very clear and effective written policies and procedures for the safe management of the provision. Through attending relevant training workshops, such as, risk assessment, behaviour management and special needs, she is able to provide an effective service to children and is able to meet their individual needs very well. The premises are well organised. Indoor and outdoor space is laid out to maximise play opportunities for children. All required documentation, which contributes to children’s health, safety and well-being are in place and are regularly reviewed. Although the childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of her responsibility to inform the regulator of significant events, she recently neglected to report a

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Organisation

significant event involving a minded child i.e. an accident to a child requiring medical attention. However, the resulting injury was not serious and the childminder acted appropriately by seeking medical attention. The childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection in 2003 the childminder agreed to request written consent to acquire emergency medical treatment or advice for all children. This is in place and contributes to promoting the children's welfare well.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Complaints 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 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): • inform the regulator of all significant events, including when a child is taken to hospital

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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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