Callington Community College

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 112046 Inspection date 16 September 2005 Inspector Carol Readman

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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 was registered in 2000. She lives with her husband and three children in a house in the Brighton Hill area of Basingstoke. The children have access to the whole of the ground floor. Rest and toilet facilities are on the first floor. There is access to a secure garden for outdoor play. The family have pet goldfish. The childminder may care for no more than 5 children under 8 years, of these, not more than 3 may be under 5 years, and of these, not more than 1 may be under 1 year at any one time. The childminder is currently caring for three preschool children and one child after school.

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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 a member of the Basingstoke Childminding Association and meets with other childminders and their children on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn good hygiene routines. They learn to wash their hands after going to the toilet and before eating as part of learning good health practices in order to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder is careful to explain to the children, in ways appropriate to their age, the need to remove germs through hand washing. Children learn to become independent in their personal hygiene when they are ready to do so. Children learn about the value of a healthy diet. They receive nutritious fruit snacks throughout the day and are given plenty of opportunities to drink to avoid them becoming thirsty. The childminder has a good understanding of a balanced diet and takes care that she fully meets children's dietary needs. The childminder ensures that the children's day is a balance between energetic play activities and activities that are more restful. Children sit with the childminder to enjoy

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Helping children to be healthy

reading and drawing to help them relax. This helps children to develop a balanced attitude to physical exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe indoor environment where they receive protection from hazards and learn to negotiate space safely. There is a clear play area and a safety gate ensures young children cannot access the stairs. The childminder is careful that children do not have access to hazardous substances and that all equipment is safe to use and appropriate for the ages of the children. Children play with a wide range of toys that are safe and appropriate to their ages. The childminder ensures that she supervises the children in her care at all times. They all go, for example, into the garden to play together. The childminder is unsure that all glass in the garden meets safety guidelines. The childminder is knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms that could indicate child abuse and is clear about her responsibilities to protect children. Children therefore have a safe and secure setting in which to spend their days.

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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 Children at the setting are learning to play together supported by a childminder who plans stimulating and fun activities, such as drawing and painting, that all can enjoy and take part in together. They are proud of their achievements and keen to show them to the childminder and their parents. Children have access to a range of appropriate play materials that allow them to learn to play imaginatively together. The childminder supports them in pretend cooking and encourages ball games of throwing and catching together. This helps them develop social skills. Games in the garden also help develop physical skills. There are opportunities for spontaneous learning about the world around them, for example, by looking at spiders and spider's webs. Children increase their social skills

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

when they meet with other groups of children for social occasions. Although the childminder has a copy of Birth to Three Matters that she is not currently using this to develop play activities for very young children. The use of publications such as Birth to Three Matters would further develop fun play activities for very young children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children receive individual attention from a childminder who knows the children very well and provides for their individual needs. Good knowledge of each child and being attentive to their needs makes children feel valued and special. All children have equal opportunities to take part in a variety of activities from making cakes to reading a story. Children are learning a few words of another language as part of learning about the diverse society we live in and the different cultures of all at the setting. Children are learning to play together and to have positive attitudes to others as the childminder is proactive in selecting activities that all can take part in and will enjoy. The childminder uses positive strategies to encourage appropriate behaviour and offers warm praise to support this. The childminder forms good relationships with parents. Some have taken the time to write to her to show how much they value her services. She is open and honest with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

all parents and involves them in their children's development. The childminder and parents develop joint strategies to manage children's behaviour and enable them all to thrive at the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The provision is well organised for the care of children. Children take part in fun, stimulating activities planned by the childminder that are suitable for all the children and help the children learn to respect each other and play together. Children play in a safe environment with good supervision to minimise the risk of accidents. The

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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 childminder is qualified to care for children. She has attended further training to extend her knowledge in the care and development of children. Children enjoy the time they spend at the childminders. They can access a variety of toys and fun activities. They enjoy planned outings and meeting with other children to celebrate birthdays as a larger group. The childminder has all the regulatory documents she requires in place and seeks appropriate permissions from parents to ensure the efficient operation of the setting. She is constantly looking to extend her knowledge and update her practice for the benefit of the children she cares for. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection a recommendation relating to recording details of accidents and medication administered confidentially was made. This recommendations has been addressed satisfactorily.

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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): • ensure that glass is safe or inaccessible to children • extend knowledge and understanding of the needs of children under 3 for example through the use of the Birth to Three framework.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and

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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 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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