Greenfield Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 151408 Inspection date 19 May 2005 Inspector Janet Butlin

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and two children in a semi-detached house in the Goodrington area of Paignton, near Paignton Zoo. The whole house is used when minding. She has been childminding since 1997 and is registered to care for up to six children under the age of eight years. She is currently minding five children within this age range. She has completed her NVQ Level 3 in childcare and various courses to enhance her

p.2

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 knowledge and support her role as a childminder. She is an active member of the local childminding network group. The house is a short walk from schools, parks and shops and there is secure, outside play-space. There are no pets.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy fresh air and healthy exercise on a regular basis. This is partly because the childminder is part of a newly established group where she accompanies children on outdoor activities at least three times a week. They have particularly good opportunities because of the childminder's strong commitment to this area of provision. Children are protected from infection very effectively by the childminder's conscientious regard to ensuring that sick or infectious children do not attend. She also records, in a daily diary, sufficient information for parents to be able to effectively monitor any changes in their child's state of health so that they are able to take any necessary action. Good hygiene is maintained as children use only their own drinking cups, flannels and personal care items. Their privacy and dignity is effectively protected at times of nappy changing. Children enjoy healthy food and snacks. These are appropriately prepared and well

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

presented. Children make choices from a suitable range of food and their individual dietary needs are known and respected.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. An excellent range of resources is provided which children access easily and safely. They use toys and games which are clean, sound and in good condition. Children observe safe routines, for example working out how best to extricate themselves from playing under the table without banging their heads. Reliable and thoughtful back-up procedures are in place to cover any emergency situation, for example a series of local contact numbers and people able to assist in an emergency, this further supports children's safety. Children move safely and easily around the home, which provides a warm, welcoming and secure environment. Very good security is maintained and children are unable to endanger themselves by accessing inappropriate areas. They are effectively protected from hazards. The garden is steep but effective risk assessments are applied and children travel to play areas and go on walks in safety

p.3

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 Children are further protected by the childminders sound understanding of child protection issues and her familiarity with current procedures and information.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from being cared for by a childminder who clearly relishes and loves her job and gains great joy from watching these children learn and develop. They make outstanding and rapid progress due to the excellent, stimulating and varied opportunities she provides. Thoughtful and conscientious attention to meeting individual children's needs and linking activities to their stages of development mean children are enthusiastic about their time with the childminder and they communicate extremely well according to their individual stages of development. They are totally happy and engaged throughout the day. They have warm and affectionate relationships with the childminder who cares for the children sensitively, using inspirational methods of encouraging them to learn. For example she makes excellent use of displayed resources as conversational aids to encourage the

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children to recognise similarities and differences, name shapes and count objects. She creates an individual plan for each child to help them progress and follows topics and themes to inspire interesting activities. They access a wide range of resources and animatedly interact with other children, this develops their social skills. The childminder has learned about the Birth to Three Matters framework and uses it to help her plan stimulating and age-appropriate activities. Exceptionally good use is made of the local environment, for example making well-planned trips to the nearby zoo and taking part in well presented music sessions at the local library. A particular strength of the provision is the childminders dedication to ensuring that children enjoy activities outdoors on a frequent and regular basis. She is part of a newly established group who plan and organise regular trips to places of interest and ensure children

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

receive appropriate challenge to support their physical development. Children enjoy stimulating role-play, for example a pretend picnic, and act out imaginary scenarios alongside the childminder. They are encouraged to think and to describe what they can see and this is so skilfully done that the children develop language skills and increase their ability to communicate with each other. Puzzles and games help even the youngest children to make connections and work things out.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are thoughtful, show respect for the childminder and each other and are very polite. Even very young children say please and thank-you and show care and concern for their playmates. They have access to positive images of social and cultural diversity and enjoy playing with dolls representing various cultures. Children are encouraged to share, for example popular resources and do so happily. A particularly thoughtful aspect is the way in which children share lunches, this establishes a sense of community and belonging. If children have special dietary needs the childminder ensures that they enjoy food that is as similar as possible so that the child feels included.

p.4

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 Behaviour is exemplary. The childminder uses sensitive explanation, in age appropriate contexts, so that children understand the needs and feelings of others. For example to help them understand that babies only pull hair because they like to feel everything and that they are not being deliberately hurtful. Older children become more understanding and considerate to their younger friends as a result. The calm behaviour of the children means that they are making a positive contribution to the experiences of the children being cared for alongside them. Children with special needs receive extremely good support. The childminder is experienced in planning appropriate activities to extend and develop children in her care. She works closely with parents to ensure that these activities are effective.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminders care for children is enriched by a very good partnership with their parents. The regular exchange of information between childminder and parents ensures that children are cared for in accordance with their parents wishes. Parents are welcome in the childminders home and are encouraged to become familiar with the daily routines. Daily diaries provide lively and valuable detail and these can also be used as a means of communication between parent and childminder. This ensures that both parties are able to meet the needs of the child. Good, clear information is provided for parents regarding how to contact the regulatory body. This evidences that the childminder keeps parents up to date with developments in childcare so that they are able to make informed decisions for the benefit of their children.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care. She is extremely well organised and maintains clear and accurate documentation to help her in meeting the individual needs of the children. They are cared for in a well organised and secure environment and are further protected by the well documented policies and procedures the childminder has in place to cover all eventualities. She maintains a clear and accurate register evidencing that children are cared for within appropriate numbers. However, the register does not log the exact times of arrival and departure of the children, just the anticipated times. The childminder continually reviews and evaluates her practice and has an identified professional development plan. This commitment to becoming an even better practitioner will continue to enhance the experiences of the children in her care.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made good progress in addressing the recommendations of the previous inspection and this has had a positive impact on the children. The lock on the toilet door no longer poses a hazard to children as a method has been introduced of preventing them from locking themselves in.

p.5

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 The recommendation to the childminder to increase her knowledge of the Foundation Stage is no longer applicable as the childminder has not, and does not intend to, receive early years education funding. However, she keeps up to date with current early years issues and has a good understanding of how children learn. This is evidenced by her exemplary practice in providing stimulating and worthwhile activities to help children progress.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • improve the detail in recording the times of children's attendance

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6