Fields Rise School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 149574 Inspection date 15 July 2005 Inspector Gyatri Rupal

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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 satisfactory. 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 1996. She is registered to work in the premises of her mother, who is her assistant childminder. The house is in the village near Hitchin, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and one bedroom is used for sleeping arrangements. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a number of pets including, chickens, geese, dogs and cats. All pets are kept in the garden.

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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 The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children under eight. Currently she is minding five children under five and one over five, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder attends a local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder uses her car to collect children from local playgroup.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment where they can play, rest and sleep according to their needs. They enjoy an appropriate range of indoor and outdoor activities which contribute to their good health. For example, they ride bikes in the garden and take walks to local parks. Children are beginning to learn the importance of simple good hygiene through their daily routine. They wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating their meals. Children benefit from a healthy diet. They enjoy varied, well presented and nutritious organic home cooked meals. Younger children are offered drinks throughout the day while older children help themselves. The younger children are developing their confidence by feeding themselves. Children are protected from infection due to the appropriate procedures the childminder has in place. She uses anti-bacteria spray, baby wipes and notify parents

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Helping children to be healthy

of any illness within the family or minded children. Children’s well-being is protected as the childminder has most of the required documentation in place which promotes their welfare. However, she needs to update her first aid as required by the National Standards.

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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 environment where risks have been identified and minimised. The childminder safeguards children’s welfare and has a competent approach to safety. This means children are able to move around in the house safely, freely and independently. The childminder gives high priorities to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and maintain their safety in and outside the home. For example, children are beginning to understand about the need to stay safe, through encouragement they learn to put away toys and recognise this will help to prevent accidents. Children learn about the safe use of the road as the childminder talks to them about safety and points to hazards to raise their awareness. Children use a wide range of good quality play resources. These are well-organised in child height furniture to encourage independent access. The childminder carefully

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

supervises children’s choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for

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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 their age and stage of development. Children are becoming aware of the risk of fire through planned fire drills; although this is not carried out sufficiently to ensure that they are aware of the emergency evacuation procedures. Children's welfare is protected through the childminder's sound knowledge of child protection. She has a good understanding about the possible signs and symptoms of abuse, because of her knowledge of the individual children. She knows that she would recognise changes in their behaviour or temperament. Regular discussions with parents would alert her to events within the child's home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder’s house. They arrive confidently and make themselves at home. They relate well to each other and socialise with other children through regular attendance at local toddlers groups. Children are developing their self-esteem and become independent as they choose between a variety of toys, books and activities which appeals to them. The childminder interacts well with children and asks appropriate questions to develop their learning. For example, she asks about colour and shapes of the toys children were playing with. Children are able to recognise the basic colours and shapes. Children are developing their mathematical skills through their daily play. For example, children count building blocks when building a high tower and manage to complete their puzzles. Children’s language is promoted as the childminder encourages them to read simple picture books appropriate to their understanding. All

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children spend their time purposefully. They enjoy exploring a wide range of activities which contribute to their creativity, such as listening and moving to music, painting and model making.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are generally met well as the childminder works closely with the parents to ensure she follows their home routine. Children begin to understand their own needs, and with the childminder’s support, become aware of the needs of other. Children generally behave well and response to the childminder’s clear guidance and praise. They develop their social skills through playing with each other and regular visits to parents/toddlers group. However, children are not learning about the wider community due to the childminder’s lack of understanding and knowledge of practising anti-discriminatory practice. Children benefit from a positive partnership the childminder has established with the parents. There is a regular chat between parents and the childminder which helps to

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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 build trusting relationship with the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are familiar with the daily routine and respond quickly to changes throughout the day. They are broadly content and settled. Their needs are met generally through appropriate organisation. The space and resources are organised appropriately to support children’s learning and independence. However, the children’s knowledge of the wider community is hindered because of the childminder’s lack of understanding of organising activities and resources which reflect positive images of gender, culture and disability. Most of the required records policies and procedures are generally in place, and work in practice to keep children healthy and safe. There are some items which needs updating to ensure all legally requirements by the National Standards are met. Overall children’s needs are met who attends the setting.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children, and which is consistent with any guidance issued to local authorities by the secretary of State • develop knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities issues and ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice

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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 • obtain a copy of the National Standards for under 8s and improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations

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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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