Progress Schools - Wirral

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 144856 Inspection date 05 August 2005 Inspector Nikki Whinton

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 outstanding. 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 1989. She lives with her husband and 3 children, aged 16, 9 and 7 years, in the village of Market Lavington, near Devizes. The whole house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding five children on a part-time basis. She occasionally works with an assistant and is registered to care for children overnight. The family has two rabbits.

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 The childminder has a National Vocational Qualification level Three in Childcare and Education. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Market Lavington Childminding group.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children undertake independent self-care skills very proficiently. They have a good understanding of the importance of thorough hand washing routines, such as when toileting or after touching the family rabbits. This good awareness by the children reduces the risk of cross contamination. The exceptional knowledge, support and guidance of the childminder ensures children thrive and gain a clear understanding of good practices. All required written procedures are in place to support children's welfare should accidents occur and to protect them from children who are unwell. Children increase their knowledge of good nutrition and healthy choices through the balanced range of healthy meals and snacks provided. They enjoy a wide variety of inviting fresh fruit and vegetable options at snack time. Main meals are nutritionally balanced and freshly prepared. Children confidently help themselves to easily

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

accessible drinking water throughout their time in the provision and learn to realise the health benefits of frequently drinking liquids. Children's individual dietary requirements are discussed with parents, carefully recorded and always accommodated. This ensures children's differing needs are met. Children develop a healthy lifestyle through the exciting range and variety of physical activities available. They benefit greatly from their ability to use an extensive range of age appropriate equipment. They become absorbed in developmentally appropriate and challenging activities that support their physical development. For example, the children relish the chance to test their skills on a giant trampoline and eagerly explore the challenging activity frames. In addition, the children have frequent opportunities to further enhance their skills, such as when taking part in weekly swimming sessions or visiting local play parks.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for within safe, secure, warm, clean premises that contain welcoming colourful wall displays of their art work. Children learn to share responsibility for their well-being through activities such as taking part in emergency evacuation drills and tidying away toys after play to minimise trip hazards. Risks of accidental injuries to children are minimised by the childminder's extreme vigilance, both inside and when outdoors. As a result, children move around safely, freely and independently. Children enjoy self-selecting from an extensive range of clean, well maintained, age appropriate equipment. Such free choice opportunities help children develop their

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 confidence and independence. The childminder has a very good understanding of safety issues regarding the purchase and maintenance of equipment. Children use safe, high quality equipment, which is appropriate to their stage of development. Children benefit by the childminder's clear understanding of child protection issues and gives the highest priority to children's welfare. There are extremely effective procedures for making parents aware of her responsibilities. All required procedures and documentation are in place to ensure children's welfare is guarded and promoted. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and a comprehensive emergency plan is maintained and shared with parents.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy their time in the setting. They arrive happy and eager to participate. They quickly make themselves at home and start making decisions for themselves regarding the activities and resources they wish to explore. For example, a child decided he wants to investigate a programmable armoured vehicle, whilst another decides he wishes to sail a remote control speedboat in the outside water tray. Children's enjoyment and development is greatly enhanced by the dynamism of the childminder. She is highly skilled and uses her considerable experience of working with young children to provide high quality care. Children's development is skilfully supported by the childminder during play scenarios. For example, by reinforcing colours and mathematical language whilst playing with small world toys in the water tray. Children are constantly learning and developing new skills whilst engaged in stimulating, practical activities.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children help to share ownership of the provision. For example, they add their suggestions of the outings they would like to experience to a giant calendar that is positioned at children's height in the kitchen. Children feel confident their proposals, such as a trip to the seaside, will be carefully considered. This confidence and trust in the childminder, combined with a very close and genuinely warm, caring relationship between the children and the childminder, helps them to further develop their growing independence and self-esteem.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. All children are valued and acknowledged as individuals, which has a positive impact on their confidence and feelings of self worth. The childminder knows her minded children extremely well and has a very clear understanding of their differing needs. Children develop their understanding of the wider world and diversity through fascinating, meaningful activities such as taking part in '1940's Week', when they dress, take part in activities and eat food similar to children living through the Second World War. Children make dragons as part of Chinese New Year celebrations and

p.4

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 through investigating a series of carefully positioned and labelled clocks around the premises, learn about time zones throughout the world. In addition, children undertake an extensive variety of exciting, imaginative, outings, such as to the Hawk Conservancy, Lego Land and the local library, to help them increase their awareness of the world around them. Children benefit from the extremely positive partnership that exists between the childminder and the parents. They are provided with comprehensive information about the provision before commencing in the setting. Daily diaries are in place for young children and children's achievements are discussed informally on a very regular basis. This good liaison contributes significantly to promoting a continuity of approach to children's care.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. They are supported by a childminder who has high expectations and acts as a very good role model. She is highly skilled in the use of positive techniques to encourage good behaviour. Children develop their awareness of right and wrong whilst in the childminder's care.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's welfare and care is greatly enhanced by the high quality of the childminder's organisation. The premises are extremely well arranged to support children's independence, development and individual care needs. For example, there are designated bedrooms to enable children to have uninterrupted sleep. A wash hand basin and mirror have been positioned at children's height to support their independence whilst undertaking self-care practices. These arrangements enable children to become settled and confident in their routines. Indoor and outdoor space is laid out to maximise play opportunities for children. For example, a giant canopy is positioned in the garden to enable children to play safely outside during hot weather and a large blackboard is fixed to a corridor wall at child's height, to enable spontaneous access. All regulatory documentation which contributes to children's health, safety and

p.5

Organisation

well-being is carefully maintained and regularly reviewed. For example, meticulous records are kept of children's daily attendance. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of the last inspection, the childminder was given one recommendation to help develop the quality of the provision. This referred to ensuring confidentiality is maintained when recording behavioural incidents. The childminder now has a clear understanding of the correct procedures to be followed when recording behavioural incidents. This has had a positive impact on the

p.5

Improvements 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 quality of care offered to the children.

p.5

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 outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

p.6

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.6

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.6