Garrett Hall Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 106433 Inspection date 10 May 2005 Inspector Nigel Lindsay Smith

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 was registered in 1991. She lives in a house in St George, Bristol. The whole house except the main bedroom is used for child minding. The garden is fully enclosed and available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered for six children. She is currently minding thirteen children, who attend on a part-time basis. She takes minded children to toddler groups, parks, farms, and the zoo.

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Consistent practices, such as the childminder using individual towels for children, sustain high levels of hygiene and prevent the spread of infection. Children develop an awareness of health and hygiene through regular routines such as washing their hands before eating. If they become ill there are thorough arrangements in place to take appropriate action and to inform their parents. The relevant documents are clearly maintained and the childminder holds a current first aid qualification. Children benefit from a healthy diet. They sit together to enjoy snacks such as fresh fruit, make choices at lunch-time and have a cooked meal at tea-time. They develop their experience of food through trying something different each week, often from a different country. They learn about healthy foods through a "healthy eating" project, experimenting with taste, texture and colour. Children improve their physical skills and fitness through regularly walking, using

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

equipment in the garden and singing and dancing.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are welcomed and stimulated through using a dedicated play area. The decoration was chosen by minded children and posters and examples of art produced by them are on display. Children make choices from a wide range of safe, clean equipment, stored at a low level and labelled. The childminder plans to add pictures to the labels to enable younger children to choose. Children have good access to a wide selection of books displayed on a stand at a convenient height. Children are well supervised as they move freely between the play area, adjacent garden and the bathroom. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised by effective safety precautions such as a lock on the area of the house not used for childminding. When they are old enough to understand, children learn about evacuation in case of fire. Children are protected if there are concerns relating to child protection as the childminder has a

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled with the childminder. They enjoy exploring through taking part in a range of activities linked to themes, such as "healthy eating". Children experience a variety of outings outside of the childminder's home, such as to farms, the zoo and garden centres. They collect materials related the themes. At inspection children of different ages enthusiastically made caterpillars, related to the current

p.3

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 theme of "Spring". Thorough preparation of the materials by the childminder stimulates their interest and presents them with choices. Younger children are stimulated with a range of sensory experiences, such as exploring jelly and foam. The childminder is beginning to develop ways to assess their interests and capabilities. All children learn to recognise letters through having laminated name cards which they handle regularly. They cooperate well with each other; older children help younger ones to find their cards. Children are encouraged well by the childminder, who is calm and warm and asks appropriate questions to help their exploration.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children of different ages are included well in the activities. They learn about the wider world by choosing from a range of good quality resources, including multi-cultural figures and dressing-up clothes. They experience a variety of foods and learn about different cultures. The childminder does not have experience of minding children with special needs, but she has given thought to how she would find out about them, and include them in the activities. Children play well together; older children help younger ones, for example older children minded after school use the internet to obtain information relating the current project. Children are happy and interact well with adults, for instance telling the inspector what their favourite food is. The childminder manages their behaviour well, giving appropriate praise and fostering good manners. Children are encouraged to become appropriately independent, for example learning

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

to feed themselves. The childminder establishes an effective partnership with parents to find out what their children's needs are. She completes journals and asks parents to add contributions so that they can work together to help the children make progress.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the organisation of the setting; they can confidently make choices from well-organised and well-prepared materials. All required documentation is accurately maintained and the childminder has clear policies in a prospectus which she shares with parents. The childminder keeps records confidentially and securely. Children benefit from her commitment to developing her practice through training. The setting meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

p.4

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

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous the childminder has improved her recording of accidents. Parents are now shown a full record of any accidents. This contributes towards the safety of children in her care.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.5

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 assessments to help planning for individual children.

p.5

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.5

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.5