Manor College of Technology

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 111749 Inspection date 08 June 2005 Inspector Lynn Reeves

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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 2000. She is registered to provide care for five children under eight years and is currently minding five children aged under eight years on a part time basis. She lives with her husband and their two children in a residential area of Gosport in Hampshire. The home is within walking distance to shops, schools and parks. Children have access to all areas of the home with toilet and rest facilities on the first floor. There is fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have a range of pets.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are beginning to understand the concept of healthy eating through daily discussion about what types of food are good for them. They are provided with a range of fresh fruit and healthy options at snack time and have easy access to drinks. Parents wishes are respected regarding dietary needs and these are recorded on children's records ensuring continuity of care. Children are developing good self-care skills, increasing their independence as they visit the toilet and wash their hands. They are active and engage in a wide range of physical activities in the garden, at the local parks and at parent and toddler groups promoting a healthy lifestyle. Children remain safe and healthy as toys and equipment are checked for damage and cleanliness on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to access a wide selection of toys and resources freely and independently. The clean and well-maintained toys and play materials are displayed at low level to enable children to make their own choices. The children are well supervised and supported, which ensures they feel settled, happy and contented. Children are cared for in an environment where most hazards have been addressed, they are made aware of dangers through general conversation and daily routines, for example they know they must hold hands when walking, reminded to sit still on the chairs and help to pick things up from the floor. Children feel safe and settled because of the high levels of support and close supervision provided by the childminder. Children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted, as accident books and emergency contact details are taken out and road safety issues are discussed. The

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder is also fully aware of the correct child protection reporting procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children receive lots of praise, encouragement and cuddles and the very good interaction between the childminder and the children promotes their self-esteem and sense of belonging explicitly. Age appropriate language flows freely between the children and the childminder developing children's very good communication and social skills. Children's learning is fully extending as the childminder questions them effectively, for example asking what colours and shapes the different sponges are. Children demonstrate high levels of self-esteem and confidence as they ask adults to join in with their play, they persevere when winding up the moving toys, using their fine motor skills and satisfying their curiosity when it works. Their imaginative skills are highly developed as they sit on the floor playing with small world people,

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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 pretending to be at the park and rolling figures down the toy slides. Children are highly valued as individuals, as the childminder takes into account the children's individual abilities and organises activities to ensure children have the opportunity for one-to-one and group activities. Children's physical development and gross motor skills are very well promoted as they dig with spades in the sand pit, pedal on ride on toys and kick and catch footballs in the garden. Children are confident in their surroundings, for example child finds the peg basket in the garden and uses this as a goal for his football. They develop their social interaction as they regularly attend parent and toddler groups, meet with other childminders and go on outings to local amenities and attractions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have many good opportunities to develop an extensive range of skills and they progress well in the stimulating and interesting environment

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children gain a very good understanding of the wider world as they access a range of toys that reflect diversity, for example ethnic dolls, figures with disabilities and books that depict culture and religion. Children celebrate a range of festivals, for example Chinese New Year, Diwali and Christian faiths and make collages relating to the themes. They learn about other people and the local community as they visit the library, talk to the fisherman at the harbour and chat to the lollipop man on the way to school. They are beginning to learn about the local environment as they search for snails and ants in the garden. Children receive an exceptional amount of praise and encouragement, the childminder uses a tick board to reward children when they have achieved something well, or have been kind to each other, which promotes their self-esteem and confidence. The childminder maintains a very positive approach in dealing with un-wanted

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Helping children make a positive contribution

behaviour, children learn what is acceptable through age appropriate discussion and explanations, praise and encouragement. The children benefit from a consistent approach, as methods used are discussed with parents to ensure individual needs are met. Realistic expectations of children's behaviour results in children behaving exceptionally well. Children's individual needs are catered for as parents are provided with a clearly written range of information regarding the childminders business and the welfare of the child. Children benefit very well from the strong links with home and the information shared at handover time, via discussion, evidence of children's work and the "what I have done today" sheets.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her home and business well, which ensures children can move freely around the allotted rooms and where they remain occupied and engaged with ample play opportunities. The childminder is very active in updating her child care knowledge through regular training, which ensures the health, safety and

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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 well-being of the children. Children benefit from a well organised and secure environment where they are protected with well recorded required documentation and procedures. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has addressed the recommendations, which were to ensure registers are completed on a daily basis and include the full names of the children, ensure written records are kept of existing injuries, request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and keep a written record, signed by parents, of medicines given to children. She has improved the systems for recording the required details which ensures children's health and safety.

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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): • ensure the open drains are inaccessible to children

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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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