Pembroke Park Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 139386 Inspection date 29 September 2005 Inspector Janet Armstrong

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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 September 1995. She lives in a three-bedroom semi-detached house in Sherborne. She lives here with her husband and two sons, aged 10 and 8 years. The family have a pet rabbit, hamster and tropical fish. The downstairs is used as the main accommodation for childminding purposes. This comprises of a lounge, dining room, playroom, kitchen and cloakroom. Children have access to an upstairs bedroom for sleeping arrangements as required. The back garden is included in the registration and is mainly grass, with a patio and raised

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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 decking area. The childminder is registered to care for up to three children under the age of eight years. There are currently six children on roll. The childminder is Nursery Nurse Examination Board ( NNEB) qualified.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted well. They learn good personal hygiene through regular daily routines where they are encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet, playing outside, handling the rabbit and before mealtimes. Separate hand towels, liquid soap and access to wet wipes protect them from cross infection. Young children in the childminders care independently use wet wipes to wipe their hands and face before snack time. Positive steps taken by the childminder to provide a clean and hygienic environment further promote children's health. The childminder follows clear procedures when changing nappies. However, disposable gloves are not always worn. This means that the children are exposed to the risk of the spread of infection. Children have a positive introduction to healthy eating. The childminder provides a range of nutritious snacks that include bread sticks, rice cakes, raisins and a variety

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Helping children to be healthy

of fresh fruit, along with water. Positive discussions and communication with parents regarding healthy eating, allergies and food intolerances ensure that children receive a balanced, healthy and nutritious diet. Children enjoy regular opportunities to engage in physical play. This increases their general fitness and helps them to learn new skills. For example; indoors, children enjoy action rhymes, music and movement. Outdoors, children have access to a range of climbing equipment, along with regular nature walks and visits to local parks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is promoted well. All the necessary precautions have been taken both indoors and in the garden to allow the children to play freely in a safe environment. For example, a stair gate restricts access to the front door and upstairs; hazardous substances are inaccessible and the garden is securely fenced and gated. Regular checking of the furniture, equipment and play provision to ensure that it is in a good state of repair contributes towards the children's safety when at play. Children learn about safe practices through basic house rules, such as no jumping on the furniture and no running indoors; this enables them to start making safe choices for themselves. Children learn how to cross the road safely. Clear instructions and explanations from the childminder inform the children of potential hazards around them. They learn to hold hands, not to run and cross the road safely. Emergency

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

evacuation procedures are in place, and have been practised in the past with older

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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 children. However, these have not been practised or discussed with younger children. This means that children's safety is not fully supported in an emergency situation. Children are protected from harm through the childminder's clear awareness and understanding of child protection issues. She is clear on what procedures to follow should she have a concern about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and stimulated. They receive high levels of interaction and attention from the childminder which helps them to feel settled and secure. The children have developed good relationships with the childminder and positive levels of supervision ensures that children are safe and appropriately engaged. Throughout the inspection children are involved in a range of interesting activities appropriate to their stage of development. For example; in role-play, they repeatedly put in and remove play food from the toy cooker. The childminder talks them through what they are doing and introduces them to new and unfamiliar words. Children have free access to a range of toys in the provision that are suitable for their age and stage of development. This enables children to make their own choices, select their own activities and promotes their confidence and personal independence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good awareness and understanding of the children's individual needs and supports them well. Basic plans drawn up a month in advance are based around themes and topics, such as the seasons, colours, celebrations and pirates. These take into account children's ages and stages of development and identify a good range of interesting activities. For example, collecting conkers on a walk, planting winter plants, and lots of sticking, painting and messy play. This supports and promotes children's all-round development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's wellbeing and individual needs are competently met through the childminder's positive and proactive approach. A strong partnership with parents and good levels of regular communication ensures that the childminder and parents are well informed. This provides children with continuity of care and promotes their confidence. For example; 'home books' enables parents and the childminder to record details of children's progress, routines and individual needs. An informative prospectus informs parents of the childminder's aims and practices. Written contracts and consents supports the children's welfare and ensures that both parties are clear on the levels of care and expectations. The childminder has an appropriate awareness and understanding of special educational needs which will enable her to sufficiently support children in her care. Children have a good introduction to the local community in which they live. Regular

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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 visits and walks within the town develop children's sense of belonging. For example; they visit the local abbey and castles, use the recycling facilities and library regularly. They have a positive introduction to the wider world in which they live through regular access to a range of toys and play provision and planned themes and topics that include festivals and celebrations. Children are well behaved. They learn what is expected of them and why through clear boundaries and expectations. They learn to share, take turns and consider the needs of those around them.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy and settled in this family orientated and welcoming home. They are confident to explore within a well organised and safe environment. Good use of the rooms provide children with plenty of clear floor space for them to play freely. Play provision is accessible to the children and positioned very well to enable children to make their own choices. Regular routines and good use of time enables the childminder to provide children with high levels of interaction to meet their individual needs. The children's welfare is reliably supported through detailed documentation. Positive outcomes for children are promoted through the childminder's strong partnership with parents and good practices. Although, some aspects of hygiene and children's safety are not always effective. The childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to ensure that the attendance book is maintained and that good hygiene practices are in place with regard to hand washing. She also agreed to develop her knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities. Most of these issues have been addressed well. A register is now in place and used to record the actual times of children's arrival and departure. However, it has not been completed for this week. A new system is currently being explored by the childminder to enable her to keep a daily record of children's attendance to support their safety. Effective hygiene practices are now in place with regard to hand washing. Children have access to individual hand towels, liquid soap and wet wipes and learn through regular daily routines the need to wash their hands to reduce the risk of the spread of infection. The childminder has a sound knowledge of equal opportunities and has extended her play provision to provide children with positive

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Improvements since the last inspection

images of the wider world in which they live. Themes and topics covering festivals and celebrations introduce children to a range of traditions. The children learn to respect the needs of those around them through the childminder's pro-active and positive attitude.

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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

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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): • further improve nappy changing procedures to reduce the risk of the spread of infection • practice emergency escape procedures to ensure that children can be safely evacuated

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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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