Wedgwood School

Inspection report for early years provision

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126632 Unique Reference Number 13 October 2005 Inspection date Melissa Tickner Inspector

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Integrated Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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.

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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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1995. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 13, 9 and 7 in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. The whole of the childminder’s house is registered for use for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children at any one time and is currently minding 4 children aged between 2 and 8, during the day and after school. The childminder drops off and collects children from local schools. The childminder attends the local parent toddler group. The family has a rabbit and a goldfish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of National Childminding Association. She is a member of an approved childminding network 'Children come first' and is currently in receipt of funding for nursery education for three and four-year-olds.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are developing a good awareness of being healthy. They understand good hygiene practices such as knowing they need to wash their hands before making sandwiches for lunch and they use antibacterial hand soap and have individual hand towels. The childminder uses thorough systems to promote good hygiene such as effective nappy changing procedures, encouraging children to clean their teeth after they have eaten and wearing indoor slippers or shoes. This helps promote being healthy with children and helps avoid the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to learn about healthy eating through healthy snacks and cooked meals, such as toast and fruit and cooked meals such as shepherds pie or chicken korma. The childminder is also happy for parents to provide meals and works with them regarding healthy eating and children's individual dietary requirements. Children have access to drinks which are set up so that they can help themselves. This ensures that children remain hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy daily physical activity - through outings such as trips to the park and to the local woods, walking to school, and playing in the garden in better weather. As a result of these aspects, children are developing a good sense of being healthy and beginning to understand that a good diet and physical exercise contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Funded three and four year olds are able to make adequate progress in this area of learning, and plans show appropriate aspects are considered for physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy playing with a good variety of toys and resources, many of which are well presented in low-level storage to encourage them to make free choices. There is a further range of toys available which are stored upstairs, and to help children make choices from these they can select from laminated picture cards. This ensures they have access to a good range at all times. They are cared for in a well organised and safe home environment, which meets their needs well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has clear systems to ensure children's safety is maintained at all times, for example they are encouraged to use the stairs safely, safety equipment is used such as stair gates, fire guards and socket covers, and children are supervised well. As a result, children's welfare and wellbeing is given close regard and promoted by the childminder at all times. Children have use of a safe enclosed area of the garden for outdoor play or the childminder offers closely supervised outings to the park or the woods. She has clear systems and procedures to safeguard children whilst on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected and safeguarded in the childminder's care through her excellent knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She is covering this aspect through a course in some detail and has attended a child protection training course this year. As a result

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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. of this aspect, coupled with the childminder's proactive approach, children are consistently and effectively kept safe at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and well supported in their play. They enjoy a good range of activities, in which they show enthusiasm and enjoyment. For example, they delight in playing with the dolls and kitchen accessories, and acting out 'feeding the baby'. The childminder supports this activity - talking to them about what they are cooking and what the dolls need. Children are encouraged to choose their activities and this is promoted through a good range of accessible resources. Younger children enjoy close contact and encouragement during their play. This enables children to begin to feel secure and settled. As a result, children are enjoying a good range of play and learning opportunities and are able to enjoy and achieve throughout all their activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The quality of teaching and learning is good. The childminder has developed a simple but effective planning system which links to the areas of learning and topics. This helps her ensure she provides activities in all areas of learning. She remains flexible with her plans and adapts them to the needs and the mood of funded children. Some very clear and detailed observations have been recorded in all areas of learning, and these are typed up with supporting photographic evidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are making progress in all areas of learning. They are developing personal independence; for example they show care and concern for one another - and help demonstrate how to operate the toy Hoover. They enjoy making their own sandwiches at lunch time and show confidence in the childminder's care and in their surroundings. They enjoy communicating with one another and recognise letter sounds such as the words 'hammer' and 'hat' beginning with the letter H. They enjoy books and mark making - with pens, paper and gluing, and attempt to write the letters of their names. They have opportunities to count, for example counting how many conkers they collected in the woods. They recognise shapes - and talk about this as they cut their sandwiches in to triangles or squares. Children are able to use size language such as 'big' and 'little' and understand these concepts.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy creative play - and join in with discussions about their favourite colours of the feathers they are using to stick to their picture. Children also enjoy playing imaginatively with a good range of resources to support them. Children have opportunities to learn about the world around them, for example through their regular outdoor trips and discussing their finds such as conkers. They have opportunities to develop an awareness of technology - and can use the computer with support to develop an awareness of technology.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are making good progress towards the Foundation Stage of education, and the childminder aims to develop and build on what she is offering the children at all times. There is room to continue developing a wide range of learning opportunities for the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

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.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated and well cared for as individuals and their needs are met well. For example, the childminder recognises when a child benefits from a clear routine and structure, and one to one interaction. This helps children feel settled and well supported. As a result, children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is fostered. They have access to a good range of resources which reflect diversity, such as dolls, books and imaginative play resources; these are helping children begin to learn about the diversity of our society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. They are encouraged to share and use good manners, for example when they argue over a baby doll, they are encouraged to share playing with her. Their behaviour is managed positively with regular use being made of praise and reinforcement, and simple, clear explanations, to which the children respond well. Children appear to feel valued and supported in her care and are constantly guided by the childminder with clear explanations. This shows they are feeling secure and valued. Children are beginning to learn about good behaviour and this helps contribute to building their self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good. There are clear methods used to work with parents - they are offered daily verbal feedback and invited to stay for longer on a weekly basis. The childminder aims to work closely and flexibly with parents. This helps ensure children's needs can be met and parents are able to receive regular information about their children. The childminder discusses the nursery education with parents on a one to one basis, and parents are aware they can view the planning file or observation records at any stage. She helps keep all parents informed about the foundation stage of education through an information pack which includes a video offering clear explanations about its purpose. Parents are also kept informed of children's progress and are shown photographic evidence to view their children's achievements. The childminder also aims to support parents if they wish to extend their children's learning at

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Helping children make a positive contribution

home. These aspects help parents to feel well informed about their children's learning and progress whilst in the childminder's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder works from a welcoming and well organised home environment, which meets the needs of the children well. She has an extremely well organised set of documentation in place, with the exception of written information regarding overnight care which she now wishes to be able to provide. Documentation is well stored and organised and includes information for parents such as a detailed service statement, policies and procedures and qualification certificates. The childminder has attended a wealth of training including a cache level three certificate in childminding practice and is currently updating her NNEB certificate. A number of short training courses have also been completed and she is accredited to offer funded places to minded children. She is committed to attending training and has systems in place to review her own strengths and weaknesses as a childminder. For example, working with parents to

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Organisation

develop and improve and attending courses such as reflective practice and self-evaluation. As a result of these aspects the childminder is able to demonstrate how she has made progress

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Organisation

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. and intends to move forward to improve and build on the care and education she offers to all children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Recommendations for care were set at the childminder's last inspection in September 2003.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She was asked to keep an accurately completed register, record existing injuries for children being collected from school and obtain consent for taking photographs. The childminder has addressed all the recommendations satisfactorily. All required documentation is now being recorded appropriately and she ensures she has all the relevant paperwork in place, which is up-to-date, in line with the Nationals Standards and signed by parents as appropriate.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE AND NURSERY EDUCATION

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 AND NURSERY EDUCATION

The quality and standards of the nursery education are good.

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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): • develop information for parents regarding overnight care

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The quality and standards of the nursery education

To improve the quality and standards of nursery education further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • continue to develop a wide range of learning opportunities for all children.

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The quality and standards of the 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. 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 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.

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