Rushwick CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 149476 Inspection date 05 May 2005 Inspector Margaret Coyne

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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?

This childminder has been registered since 1998. She lives with her husband and their 5 children, Aged 15 years, 14years, 12 years, 3.10 years and 2.6 years. They live in Royston, Hertfordshire and are close to local parks, schools and shops. Most of the ground floor and some of the first floor is used for childminding. This consists of the lounge through dining room and kitchen and a bathroom and one bedroom is used for sleeping arrangements. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 Currently the childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children under eight years and three children over eight years, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder walk and drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends a toddler group. The family have pet birds, guinea pigs and fish in a pond which is in an enclosed area in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and well maintained home where they learn about good hygiene and personal care. Their understanding of how and why they should wash their hands is developing particularly with the older children. They know that washing hands after using the toilet and handling pets is important to prevent germs. Children share in the washing of toys and equipment and cleaning the animals. The childminder employs suitable strategies to prevent infections spreading and these impact positively on the children's health. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of a healthy diet and meal times are a happy social occasion. Children eat well together trying new tastes and experiences with healthy choices of fruit and vegetables. The childminder takes account of parent's wishes and provides meals and snacks that are nutritious and appeal to the children taking into account preferences and dietary requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are secure in the knowledge they can ask for more food and drinks to satisfy they appetite. Children take part in a range of activities which contribute to their good health. They enjoy outdoor play and choose from the range of equipment on offer. Children learn control of their own bodies as they access sit and ride cars, bikes, slide, trampet and use bats and balls. Children enjoy using a large barrel in a variety of ways for example rolling it around, climbing in and on it and rolling inside it. This increases their physical skills and large motor movements. The children enjoy this time and led the play based on their own imaginations and abilities. Some children are more adventurous than others and will lead the way encouraging others to join in. They are gaining some awareness of how activities affect their bodies as they come inside for a rest. The childminder allows children free rein to develop their confidence to try new

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Helping children to be healthy

activities, yet is on hand to offer support and guidance if required. The childminder has all required records in place to promote children's health. However she must ensure she obtains parents signatures for each entry in her medication record so parents are aware of how much medication was administered and when the last dose was given to ensure the health and safety of their child.

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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 The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe environment where risks have been identified and minimized. The childminder safeguards children's welfare and has a competent approach to safety. She has booked on a road safety course which will be promoted with the children to teach them about staying safe when in the car and when walking. The childminder gives high priority to children's safety in and around the home and all suitable safety measures are in place including a fenced area separating the pond. Children understand about the safety aspect and know this area can only be visited with an adult. The home is a safe haven and provides a child orientated space for children to relax and have fun in familiar surroundings. Children are able to take risks within this safe

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

environment and can explore and express themselves during play. The children show respect for the boundaries and respond positively to direction during play for example when it was explained to one child about the dangers of standing on the top of a small slide, he responded by sliding down and using it correctly next time. The children expressed an understanding about safety when discussing holding hands with Daddy when out of the home. The childminder carefully monitors toys and equipment depending on the ages and abilities of the children and provides separate space and equipment when older children attend. The childminder allows the children space to play and supervises or joins in with their play. The childminder has completed additional training to increase her knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and has a sound understanding of her responsibility to protect the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very well settled and happy at the childminders home. They are secure and confident with themselves and the other children attending. The children are extremely sociable and the way they relate to the other children is a pleasure to watch. They share games and activities together and help each other out. When they were playing outside they sought each other out to share in the barrel game, one holding it while two climbed inside. Children's independence skills are developing as they take part in child led activities using their own imaginations. The childminder supports the children well and provides a range of stimulating and challenging experiences for them. The activities are varied and appropriate for the children's development and this enables them to move forward. This week the children have been exploring emotions and making happy and sad faces on paper

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

plates. They also have opportunity to explore growth and change taking part in simple experiments growing cress and grass and cooking in small groups. This is an area they particularly enjoy as they sample their efforts and clear away after. Children have ample opportunity to think for themselves and they use language to express themselves and make their wants and needs understood. The children enjoy being creative and contribute to the activities in a meaningful and

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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 purposeful way. The childminder is adept at introducing language and mathematical knowledge into everyday play as they take part in songs, counting, and discussions. The children appear genuinely fond of each other as the spontaneously hug and kiss each other when saying goodbye at home time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a positive attitude and provides children with a well balanced view of the world around them and an awareness of diversity through activities promoting festivals and different cultures also through discussion, books and other resources. Children visit places in their community such as toddler groups and parks. All children are accepted and valued and activities can be adapted to meet the needs of all. The children present are happy and secure and play well together. They have an excellent awareness of the boundaries and acceptable behaviour as they share toys and special time with the childminder. The children have grown together and have developed some understanding of each others needs. Dramas are avoided through well managed strategies and children are offered time out and discussion on a one to one basis. The older children integrate well with the younger ones and involve them

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Helping children make a positive contribution

in some of their play and activities. The children respond well to direction and happily carry on with their choice of play. The children have a strong sense of belonging not just in the environment but as a group. This was evident in the way they play so harmoniously together. The children independently access toys and equipment, visit the toilet and feed themselves with minimum supervision clearly showing their confidence and security The childminder has developed secure relationships with parents which impacts again on the confidence and security of each child. She has time for each parent to discuss their child's day and progress involving parents in their child's care. A parent picking up was positive about the childminder as they exchanged information about the child. Parents are provided with ample information about the childminders practise both written and verbal.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are relaxed and feel secure and comfortable in a well organised environment. They are confident and secure when organising their own play and activities and when sharing and extending this to others. The childminder has well organised records and documentation which is used effectively in most areas to promote the care, welfare and learning of each child. Records are shared with parents and they can access these at any time. Verbal

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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 information is provided regularly about their child's progress and achievements. This contributes to a trusting relationship which impacts positively on the children. The childminder has developed an important awareness of the importance of record keeping and maintaining ratios in order to be able to fully support each child and meet their individual needs. The childminder has all required records, documents and procedures in place to ensure children's welfare is promoted. She holds a current first aid certificate and has completed additional training in some areas, for example child protection. Overall the childminder meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were made to ensure the childminder made her records available for inspection and to obtain written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. To ensure she notified Ofsted of any significant changes to her circumstances and to provide children with an appropriate range and balance of resources to reflect positive images of equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The childminder has taken positive measures to ensure these recommendations have been met. All records are now well organised and in place. She has a sound awareness of how and why she must notify Ofsted of significant events and she has increased her range of resources and activities she presents to the children to develop their awareness and understanding of the wider world.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted received a complaint about the numbers of children the childminder was caring for, raising concerns under National Standard 2. Ofsted conducted an unannounced visit to the premises on 02 November 2004. Ofsted found no evidence that the childminder was caring for more children that she is registered for. However, the childminder's records were not up to date so an action was issued to ensure a clear, up to date and accurate record is kept of children's attendance. A satisfactory response to the actions was received 29 November 2004.

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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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • Ensure parents signatures are obtained for each entry on the medication record.

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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

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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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