Watermoor Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 149142 Inspection date 18 May 2005 Inspector Melanie Cullen

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 was registered in 2001. She lives with her only child aged 14 years in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor and the upstairs bathroom is used for childminding; one bedroom is available for children to sleep in a cot. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have no pets.

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 Currently the childminder cares for 5 children on various days and times. There were 2 children present during the inspection. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is part of the Community Child Care Project in Stevenage.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming setting where they learn about good hygiene practices and personal care. Their understanding of how and why they should wash their hands is developing well, they know that good personal care after using the toilet, before preparing and eating food and after playing outside is important to prevent germs and cross infection. The childminder uses effective strategies to help the children learn about keeping themselves healthy and safe. Children enjoy taking part in activities which encourage them to learn about healthy choices in food such as helping to prepare snacks which include fruit and vegetables. Children learn about new foods through discussion, tasting and posters which are put in place by the childminder in order to extend discussion about the food preparation activities. The childminder takes account of parent’s wishes and provides snacks and meals

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

that are nutritious and appealing to children, taking account of their preferences and dietary requirements. Children are confident to ask for more food and drinks in order to satisfy their appetite. Children participate in a broad range of challenging activities which contribute to their good health. They enjoy purposeful outdoor activities such as visits to the local woods and to the park and games in the garden where they use the natural environment to climb, run, explore and stretch their physical skills. Children are adventurous, they are encouraged to develop their confidence in physical activities, however, the childminder is attentive to ensure support and guidance is available if required. Children are developing an awareness of how their body reacts to physical exercise or changes in temperature; they take responsibility for themselves, freely accessing drinks, shade and removing top clothes, with reassurance from the childminder who

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

values and respects the children’s decisions. Information relating to the children’s health is well documented. However written permission from parents to administer medication is not in place.

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 The provision is good. Children play and are cared for in a safe environment where risks have been thoroughly identified and minimised, the childminder gives high priority to children’s safety and maintains safe practices at home and when out with the children. Children have a clear understanding of boundaries in the setting such as walking indoors, staying out of the kitchen when the childminder is cooking and not to play on the stairs. Children learn about road safety through discussion and access to books from the library, the childminder ensures the children hold hands when walking and they exit the car on the kerb side. Children have access to an extensive range of interesting play materials which provide suitable challenge for their ability. They are maintained and checked

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

appropriately for safety, children are encouraged to share responsibility for maintaining the play materials by tidying away when they have finished and to identify anything which is damaged, the children found a dressing up shoe with a missing heel which prompted discussion about the safety of the shoe, they made a decision that it could not be mended, located the other shoe and put them in the bin. Children learn to care for and respect the play materials, they enjoy helping to tidy away and participate enthusiastically, folding up the dressing up clothes. Children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted because the childminder has a thorough understanding of child protection and personal safety issues which are given high priority, she is confident to talk to children and take suitable action if required. She is aware of the importance of maintaining confidentiality.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and confident in the setting. They are keen to join in with the stimulating activities offered. They play extremely well together and become involved in complicated role play games. Children have free choice of the play materials; they lead the play in a positive manner and require little support in their play. The childminder encourages them to make choices and to think for themselves. Children take an active role at the setting and have secure relationship with the childminder. One child was concentrating on pouring sand from one container to another, when the task was completed the childminder commented on how well he had managed the pouring, the child smiled proudly and proceeded to carry out the pouring task again. Children are sorting out the dressing up clothes, they select freely and return directly all dressed up and demonstrated curtsey’s and bows, the children showed pleasure

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

when they received applause. Children’s efforts are valued and rewarded by profuse praise and encouragement,

p.4

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 their self esteem and confidence is promoted. They learn to persist, the childminder fully understands how children can be left to play without intervention, and is aware that they benefit from praise and guidance at appropriate times to encourage extension of the play and language opportunities. Children enjoy an exciting range of craft activities such as runny dough and large junk modelling where they use their imaginations to transform boxes into cars, forts, caves and trains. Children are keen to be involved and work together on joint projects. Children have free access to a fine selection of books; they visit the library each week where they choose books on subjects of interest. The childminder promotes the use of books to develop children’s knowledge of their local community and the wider

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

world. Children learn to make active choices and decisions in the setting; they often share responsibility for the activities during the day and work harmoniously together. Their confidence is growing because of the choices they are encouraged to freely and independently make with support from the childminder.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are provided with a well balanced view of the world around them and develop an awareness of diversity through activities, books and play materials which show positive images of people. Children visit places in the local community such as the woods, shops and parks. Children participate in activities which are planned to be adaptable for all the children attending. Children are happy in the setting, relationships are good, they show care and concern for each other and play particularly well together, they have an excellent understanding of the boundaries in place and have been involved in agreeing “house rules” which they all abide by. The children respond well to the expectations and realistic directions from the childminder. They can independently access toys and equipment, use the toilet, access drinks which shows their confidence and strong sense of belonging. Secure relationships with parents have been developed by the childminder, their

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

wishes are taken into account and they are supplied with information about activities which have been provided and how their child has been each day, parents are encouraged to reciprocate this information from home. This positive relationship impacts on the children’s feelings of security and belonging at the childminder’s home.

p.5

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 The organisation is good. Children are relaxed, confident and secure in the comfortable, well organised setting. They move freely between activities and are clear where the boundaries for behaviour lie. The childminder has well organised records and documentation which are available to parents and help to promote children’s safety and well being. Children are provided with activities which have been carefully planned for the children attending each day, craft work is prepared beforehand in order to minimise the time spent before the children can do the activity. Children are individually supported, their needs are met effectively. The childminder has a sound knowledge of the importance of maintaining ratios. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and is part of the Community Child

p.5

Organisation

Care Project in Stevenage. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.6

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were made to ensure the childminder updated the first aid certificate, had written parental permission to seek emergency treatment, to hold a valid certificate of Public Liability Insurance, to ensure that one kitchen cupboard was inaccessible to children and to ensure the garden is safe for children. The childminder has taken positive measures to ensure these recommendations have been met. The first aid certificate expires on 26/11/2005, parents have supplied written permission to seek emergency medical treatment, Public Liability Insurance is in place and the kitchen cupboard and garden are safe for children.

p.6

Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1st April 2004 Ofsted has not received any complaints about this provider.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.6

WHAT MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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

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): • Make sure that written permission is in place from parents to administer medication

p.7

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.7

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.7