Heyhouses CofE Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 132901 Inspection date 20 May 2005 Inspector Sue Vernon

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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 registered in 1991. She lives with her husband and three children aged 18, 16 and 11 in a semi-detached house in Bath. The house is within walking distance of St Saviours Schools and also the local shops, toddler groups and parks. Minded children have access to the downstairs rooms of the house and upstairs for the bathroom and two bedrooms for children to sleep. The path area only, around the rear garden can be used for outdoor play but the childminder also uses parks and play areas regularly.

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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 care for a maximum of six children under eight, of whom, three children may be under five and a maximum of one under one year of age. There are ten children on roll. The childminder helps run local toddler groups and is a member of the National Association of Childminders.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is effectively promoted. They are offered regular drinks and are provided with a healthy diet, for example, they are encouraged to eat fruit regularly at snack times. Children's individual dietary needs are known and well supported, due to regular discussions with parents and the keeping of good written records. Children are protected from possible infections effectively through the childminder's policy of not taking children who are ill and liaising with parents if a child becomes sick. Children have an awareness of good hygiene practices within the daily routine. They wash hands before eating and after using the toilet and use antiseptic wipes, for example, after eating. Children's physical development is encouraged well. They have regular opportunities for a good variety of physical play, using local facilities such as parks and play areas. The childminder places great emphasis on accessing local facilities because the

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Helping children to be healthy

home offers restricted availability of garden play space. Children's individual sleep routines are well supported which contributes to their healthy development and helps them feel secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to choose safely from the suitable range of age appropriate toys and resources which are provided to support their play. Their needs are met in the planning and preparation of the rooms used for minding, for example, with cots made ready for sleeping babies. Children are developing safety awareness both inside the home and when out. For example, they are encouraged to play safely around babies, and they are learning basic road safety. Safety issues, including fire safety, have been assessed around the home in order to monitor a safe environment for children. However, not all risks have been effectively addressed, for example, the appropriate siting of the fire blanket and accessibility of household cleaners.

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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 The childminder has sound awareness of the required procedure to be followed if any child protection issues arise which enhances children's safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well at the childminder's house. They are mostly happily involved in a suitable range of activities, that are set out in readiness for the different age groups attending. Children play happily together and, with the childminder's support, enjoy the varied resources such as small world toys, books and simple art and craftwork. Activities provide satisfactory challenge. Reading stories together and sharing musical activities, including singing and counting rhymes contribute to developing children's communication skills. Children's independence and confidence is being developed. They self-select toys from those displayed and others stored safely nearby. Babies' routines are known and respected, and the childminder spends time giving cuddles and reassurance which helps them feel secure. Children are rewarded with smiles and praise from the childminder which helps build their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children behave well and are learning respect for each other, through the childminder's appropriate use of praise and encouragement. Positive methods for managing behaviour are usually consistently applied and this helps the development of children's self-esteem. Children take turns and are encouraged to help each other, such as with sharing toys. The childminder works well with parents and other professionals to ensure she can support any special needs of the children. This helps children feel valued and included in activities. The provision and use of multi-cultural resources helps all children value cultural differences. Babies and children are helped to settle well through good liaison with their parents/carers, supported by clear settling-in routines. Children benefit from the good two way exchange of information between the childminder and their carers in both verbal and written form.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at ease with the homely environment, which is set out to provide them with access to toys and resources. Although, space for free play can be limited when all children are in one main room.

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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 Records and policies are used satisfactorily to promote the care and welfare of the children. However, children's on-going safety is compromised as some necessary detail is lacking, such as, permission for children to travel in a car and for the childminder to seek treatment in an emergency. Consistency of care between the childminder and parents is well supported by the sharing of information on the children's day, in a variety of methods. These include written sheets outlining details of times of sleep, meals and activities enjoyed, as well as time given for daily verbal discussions. The childminder has a current first aid certificate in place and has completed further training to continue developing her childcare skills. The provision meets the needs of the range of children attending.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last Children Act inspection recommended that times of children's arrival and departure were recorded and the childminder considered offering written information to parents on the children's daily routine. The childminder now uses a printed record for times of attendance and has designed a daily record form to ensure that all parents receive written daily feedback on their child's day as well as verbal discussions if they wish. This supports consistency of care for the minded children.

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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): • ensure fire blanket is appropriately sited in the kitchen and hazardous substances are inaccessible • ensure permissions for car use and for treatment in an emergency are sought

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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 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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