Lowton West Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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106428 Unique Reference Number 19 September 2005 Inspection date Kay Roberts Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 first registered in February 1997.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives in a 3 bedroom house in the Ashley Down area of the city of Bristol. The house is situated in a quiet cul-de-sac close to Sefton Park Infant and Junior Schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are 2 children in the family aged 7 and 10-years. The family have a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor area: the hallway, front room, kitchen/diner and conservatory. The large front and small front bedrooms on the first floor are used as additional play areas, and also for sleeping purposes. An enclosed rear garden, accessed through the conservatory, provides further opportunities for play and physical activities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for 5 children under 8-years and currently there are 12 children on roll, 4 of whom are under school age.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a clean environment and their health is satisfactorily promoted through sound hygiene procedures, such as nappy changing. As children get older they realise the importance of washing their hands before meals and after playing the garden using their individual flannels. Although the childminder shares her sickness policy with parents, children may not always be protected from infection. Occasionally there is a lengthy delay before children who become ill at the setting are collected by parents. There are appropriate systems in place for applying sun screen and administering medication so that children's welfare is promoted. The childminder is able to act in children's best interests if they have an accident. Minor accidents are managed with a kiss and a cuddle, and she has written parental consent to seek medical advice or treatment in the event of an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

The daily routine includes periods for sleep or rest when children listen to a story or watch a television programme, so children do not become over tired. Children take fresh air as they use the slides and play football in the garden. Large muscle skills develop as they use larger equipment when they visit St Andrews and Redland Green parks, and soft play. Through discussion with the childminder, as children get older they begin to appreciate the benefits of sport in promoting health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Mealtimes are a social occasion when children eat healthy, well balanced meals. Children's special dietary requirements are met through discussion with parents and using all fresh ingredients. At snack time children are able to choose what fruit they want to eat and occasionally visit the shop to select fruit. Drinks are offered at frequent intervals so children do not become thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are relaxed and feel welcome in the child friendly environment where they receive a warm greeting from the childminder. They are proud of their art work displayed on the kitchen door and of their famed photographs hanging in the hallway. As they enter the premises children independently hang up their coats on the low level hooks in the hall. The broad range of clean, safe resources, covering all aspects of development are attractively arranged on shelves and on the floor in the conservatory. Children confidently help themselves to what they wish to play with. Children remain interested in the toys and books. They are rotated regularly with those stored elsewhere in the house. The childminder regularly purchases new resources and borrows items from a toy library.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder makes regular checks of her premises and ensures there is sufficient equipment in place, such as safety gates, so that children are not exposed to potential hazards. However, she is not always vigilant so children are prone to minor accidents. The garden is secure so children can not leave unnoticed. A tick sheet is used to check for potential hazards so that children are not exposed to danger. However one small brick wall, which is leaning inward and

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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 may eventually fall, is not included on the check list. Children are protected in the event of a fire as fire safety equipment is regularly checked, and they know the emergency evacuation procedure. There is a safe procedure for outings, and as children get older they learn to keep themselves safe and not to talk or go off with 'strangers'. Children are protected from potential abuse and neglect through the childminder's sound understanding of the signs and symptoms, and knowledge of local child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy being with the childminder. They put their arms out to be picked up for a cuddle and feel secure as they sit nestled on the childminder's lap. At other times they sit at the dining room table so they can see what is happening as they play with the dough. Learning is encouraged as the childminder explains what the coffee maker is and shows how it works. Children particularly enjoy the electronic toys. They explore the different sounds produced as they press buttons on the keyboard and the garage. Children's play is extended and they remain interested as the childminder introduces the road mat and a range of vehicles to go with the garage. Some children are not yet able to express themselves verbally but are able to communicate with their carer by pointing to what they want. As the childminder reaches the item she encourages language skills by naming the item, such as plate. Twice weekly visits to

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

toddler group's helps children learn to socialise and provides an opportunity to play with different toys.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make progress as the childminder is aware of children's overall stage of development, although there is no formal monitoring, and knows what activities will promote development. She plans a range of theme based activities for older children based on the world and children's interests. For example knowing a child was particularly interested in trains she researched the internet and visited the Scrap Store to obtain materials so that the child could make a model train. However there is no planning of activities for younger children so all aspects of development may not be encouraged.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children new to the provision settle quickly as there is a long settling in period when they are able to gradually build a trusting relationship. The childminder follows babies' home routines so they feel secure. Each child feels special because they have their own folder and the childminder follows through on their individual interests. Good communication between parents and childminder, both verbally and via the communication book, enable children's individual needs to be met on a daily basis. The strong relationship between parents and carer, helps children to relax. Parents are well informed about the childminder's practices, via a well presented prospectus which includes copies of the childminder's policies and procedures, notices on the chalk board and a copy of the latest inspection reports, together with actions taken.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has some experience of caring for children with special needs. Her good understanding, close partnership with parents and willingness to undertake further research

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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 and training ensures that children's special needs are met. When caring for children from other cultures the childminder arranges outings which help children to understand more of their own culture. She ensures that the child's background is positively reflected in her resources, so that children can make connections and are confident about their individuality. Children are aware of the world in which we live as the childminder focuses on different countries for interesting planned activities, such as making a Japanese windsock. Children also look at the way people live in each country and the flag. They learn about the diverse society in which we live as they play with the readily accessible resources and books which reflect positive images of culture, race, gender and disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children know something of their local community as they visit toddler groups, St Werburgh's City Farm, the Scrap Store, shops and libraries. They learn about the seasons through discussion with the childminder. They plant seeds and grow sunflowers and in the autumn collect conkers and compare the spiked shells to the smooth surface of the conker inside.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children take responsibility for the environment in which they play, for example replacing the wooden blocks in the trolley once they have finished playing with them. They are well behaved in response to praise given by the childminder for positive behaviour and sensitive management of unwanted behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care. She regularly reads through the National Standards to ensure she is complying with the requirements. However she has not been proactive in extending her practice through further training. The childminder is well organised for children's arrival and able to spend time playing with them. Up to date documentation, although well organised, does not fully meet requirements, for example an accident record has not been signed, and accidents, incidents and child protection concerns are not confidentially maintained.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to meet four recommendations. Children are now protected when they play in the garden as they do not have access to glass and plants which may be potentially harmful are cleared at regular intervals. The second recommendation required the childminder to plan activities taking into account children's overall development. Some activities are planned, particularly for older children; however there are no planned activities for younger children so there overall development is still not promoted. The childminder has met the third action well. Children are now engaged in a range of fun activities and have access to a broad range of resources which promote anti-discriminatory practice. To meet the final recommendation a smoke alarm has been fitted to the attic ceiling so children are further protected in the event of a fire.

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Complaints 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 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): • improve your knowledge and understanding of how to extend learning for children under three, for example through use of 'Birth to three matters' framework in order to plan a range of interesting activities based on children's individual stage of development • further improve safety by ensuring the wall in the garden does not pose a risk to minded children • ensure documentation is confidentially maintained and where appropriated signed by parents

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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