Christ Church (Church of England) Infant and Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 104362 Inspection date 21 September 2005 Inspector Christine Slaney

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 has been registered for about 13 years. She lives in a semi-detached bungalow in the market town of Newton Abbot in Devon. The house is located close to the town centre. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 7, 17 and 23 years. She is registered to provide care for up to five children at any one time and is currently caring for seven children. Children have use of the ground floor, which consists of a play room, bedroom and living area. There are front and rear gardens. There are local swing parks and the town centre is within walking distance.

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 The childminder has attended a one-day Devon Childminding Association foundation course and has a relevant first aid certificate.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Older children make decisions about opportunities for physical exercise. They walk to school and before school enjoy climbing and playing football in the local swing parks. Younger children also have good opportunities for physical exercise. These include opportunities for children to use wheeled toys in the garden areas to develop their muscles. The childminder makes good use of nearby swing parks for walks and exploration. Children also have use of a range of outdoor equipment, which includes a trampoline and a garden shed converted into a play house. Children are protected well from infection through appropriate hygiene practices such as washing hands. Children are also clear about self care routines like wiping noses. They spontaneously wipe their noses and dispose of tissues appropriately. This protects other children from coming down with each other's illnesses. Children's needs are met if they have an accident because the childminder has

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

appropriate knowledge of first aid and the procedures to follow, for instance there is evidence of completed accident forms which parents have signed. Children are provided with regular opportunities to enjoy snack times. The childminder understands the importance of promoting healthy eating and therefore snacks include rice cakes, fruit, cheese and apple, and home made carrot cake. Lunches are provided by parents.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an ordered and welcoming environment. This enables children to freely move around the areas and explore independently. The premises include a well resourced playroom and appropriate areas to sleep and rest. The childminder regularly completes risk assessments to ensure potential areas like the rear garden, which is undergoing some building work, are safe. Children are clear about safe play; for example they seek permission to play on a trampoline and understand they cannot play unless fully supervised by the childminder. Children's safety is further supported by the childminder's appropriate understanding of the child protection procedures. Children enjoy playing with a suitable range of resources and equipment that are easily accessible. As a result this further develops independence skills and encourages self-care skills like washing hands and recognising bodily needs, for

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well and play happily with a variety of free play activities. They interact well with the childminder who is a good role model. The childminder uses unplanned opportunities well to reinforce an understanding of numbers, for example through suitable questions like 'how many tissues have you got?'. As a consequence children show an interest in numbers and count spontaneously to five. There is a range of baby toys and resources and this is an area the childminder wishes to further develop. Children's individual stages of development are known and understood and the childminder is aware she needs to further develop her understanding of younger children, for example through a framework like Birth to Three Matters, to plan more purposefully for their individual progression.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder and parents working together to meet their individual needs. This results in the childminder being very aware of children's interests and she encourages older children to share and plan activities such as going to the local park before school. Younger children’s interests like dolls and craft activities are also encouraged. She is also aware of their individual personalities. At the initial visit the childminder discusses with parents children's daily routines, some policies and procedures and children’s individual needs. This helps children develop a sense of belonging, which results in children feeling settled. There are no children attending at present who have special needs but the childminder has experience in this area of provision and is confident in accessing support and information. The childminder is a calm and positive role-model and as a result children's

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

behaviour is good. They are well mannered and polite and children spontaneously say 'please' and 'thank you' at the appropriate moments. The childminder understands the importance of cultural diversity in meaningful contexts and is developing appropriate resources.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Policies and procedures are shared with parents at the initial visit. Parents are informed verbally of children’s experiences at the end of the day. Therefore parents are developing an understanding of day to day routines. This ensures that children are supported appropriately. The childminder has not attended any recent courses related to her work, however her first aid training is up to date. The ratios are

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 maintained according to the needs of the children and significant events are shared with the regulatory body to ensure continuity of care, for example looking after baby twins. Children are cared for by the childminder who is experienced in childcare, however there is not sufficient evidence of checks for all family members. The childminder ensures children are not left alone with unchecked family members. The childminder organises the day and space well ensuring that children are cared for in a home from home environment. Therefore children settle well and are confident in their surroundings. Children's individual needs and details are known and all documentation is securely stored. Overall all necessary consent forms have been completed. However there is only a verbal agreement from parents for children to use the trampoline. At present

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were raised relating to the health and safety of the children, and some resources. There is now evidence that the childminder checks for potential hazards and gains written permission from parents to transport children in her car. There are now suitable toys and equipment, including some multicultural resources. These actions have improved the standard of care and overall safety of the children.

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): • increase understanding of child development for under threes, for example by using a framework such as Birth to Three Matters

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 • provide suitable evidence of checks for all family members living at home and request written permission from parents to use the trampoline.

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.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