Lander Road Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 104874 Inspection date 27 June 2005 Inspector Jo Blackman

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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?

The childminder was registered in 1993. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 and 11 years in the Stopsley area of Luton. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear 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 three children under five all day on various days of the week and two children over eight before and after school on various days. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children and she attends the local

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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 toddler group. The family has a mouse and a fish. The childminder supports children with special educational needs. She is a member of a locally approved childminding network and she provides support for newly registered childminders.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Their have individual hand towels and their independence is promoted when using the toilet, although children are not always encouraged to wash their hands before snack time. Children have regular opportunities for physical and outside play because the childminder includes them in her weekly planning of activities ensuring that the children receive regular exercise, to help them to develop control of their bodies. For example, children take part in weekly gymnastics type activities outside of the home. Children are provided with meals and snacks that meet their dietary needs and appeal to them because the childminder takes in to consideration parental wishes as well as the children's likes and dislikes. The children eat healthy foods, prepared in conjunction with the childminder's healthy eating certificate. Menus are created and

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Helping children to be healthy

shared with parents to ensure that they are aware of what their children are eating. Children are encouraged to follow good routines at mealtimes and manners are encouraged because the childminder consistently aims to develop children's social skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to move around safely, freely and independently because the childminder is proactive in identifying and minimising risks to children. Children have a range of good quality toys and resources accessible to them because the childminder enables them to self select, promoting their independence. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and maintaining children's safety outside the home. Children are aware of the fire evacuation procedure because the childminder has shared procedures with the children. Children play with toys and resources that are clean and safe because the childminder gives high priority to the safety of the equipment that children are using. The childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare and has all the required procedures and documents in place. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of child protection

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

procedures in line with the Area Child Protection Committee guidance.

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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 Children settle well at the childminder's house. They enter confidently and make themselves at home. They relate well to each other and socialise with other children through regular attendance at local toddler groups. Children become independent as they choose between a variety of toys, books and activities, which appeal to all. The childminder uses her knowledge of the Birth to Three Matters Framework and the Foundation Stage to adapt activities such as singing, story telling and music making to promote younger children’s learning. All children spend their time purposefully. They enjoy exploring a wide range of activities which contribute to their creativity such as dancing, listening, moving to music, playing instruments, painting and baking. The children have access to a wide range of books and listen avidly to stories

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

read by the childminder. She plans interesting activities which she adapts to meet children's individual needs and interests. As a result, children are motivated and their learning is developed. The childminder attractively presents children’s work in the form of individual scrap books which are shared with their parents. Children enjoy looking through the scrap books at the things that they have done with the childminder and she encourages them to talk about their experiences. Children's learning is extended by the childminder where possible. For example, a floor activity centred around sea creatures was later developed into a story. The children's interests are promoted through their learning. The childminder's use of records successfully informs her of future planning for each child in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children’s awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, the children talk about harvest celebrations across the world. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder meets the children’s needs well. They follow their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents. Children show care and concern for each other and they play together harmoniously. They behave very well. Children make themselves at home, confidently deciding what to do and independently visiting the toilet. Children's self-esteem and confidence is promoted fully by the praise and encouragement that is given by the childminder. The childminder builds good relationships with parents because she promotes and encourages effective communication with them.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease in this well-organised environment and they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder effectively uses the policies and procedures that she has written to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. She shares theses regularly with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their children's activities. This contributes to continuity of the children’s care. Children are kept safe through the comprehensive planning systems which are monitored and adapted by the childminder, enabling them to make good progress in all areas of their development.

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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 The childminder has completed various courses because she wishes to further her knowledge and understanding to ensure that she can fully promote children's learning. Children's welfare is fully promoted through consistent and accurate recording of all documentation by the childminder. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has improved children's safety. The childminder has improved confidentiality when sharing records with parents and they have been informed of the procedure that they should follow in the event of them having a complaint. The childminder has developed her knowledge and understanding of infectious, notifiable and communicable diseases. She has completed a training course relating to child protection concerns and is aware of the procedure that she is required to follow, in line with the Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that hand washing is promoted before snack time

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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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