Westgate Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 107879 Inspection date 01 February 2006 Inspector Kim Mundy

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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 has been registered since 1998. She lives with her husband and three school-age children in the residential area of Holmer Green in Buckinghamshire. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor of the house and there is a secure garden for outdoor play. The family have a cat. The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of 5 children at any one time and she is currently caring for 4 children under 8 years, 2 of whom are taken to school. The childminder is a member of a local support group.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health and welfare is fully promoted. They learn good health and hygiene practices such as, washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet. The childminder's home is clean and well maintained. Children are protected from unnecessary illness because the childminder has a clear sick child policy which is shared with parents. Children do not attend if they are infectious or ill. Appropriate treatment is administered in the event of an accident as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. Children's well-being is of great importance to the childminder. As a result, all of the required policies and procedures are in place and carried out. For example, medication, accidents and parent consent for emergency treatment consent or advice. Children enjoy healthy snacks such as, fresh fruits, milk and water. Parents provide packed lunches for their children. At snack and meal times, children are able to sit

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Helping children to be healthy

comfortably and they enjoy this sociable time when they chat constantly to the childminder. The childminder holds a current food and hygiene certificate and she is very well informed about nutritious foods for young children. Children enjoy lots of fresh air and exercise everyday. They are developing good physical skills for example, as they climb, run and jump. Children have great fun as they jump in puddles, feed the ducks and go for walks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very warm and welcoming home. They are very relaxed and happy because the childminder has made her home safe and secure to enable them to explore independently. Children are able to play, eat and rest comfortably as a good range of well maintained furniture and equipment is provided. For example, toilet step, car seats and travel cot. Children are safe and secure on the premises because the childminder has minimised all possible risks. For example, there are locks on cupboard doors and a fire evacuation procedure. Children are learning to take responsibility to keep themselves safe as they walk to and from the park. The childminder teaches them about road safety and they know they must stay with her at all times. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has attended child protection training. She is fully aware of her responsibilities in child protection.

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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 have very warm and secure relationships with the childminder which enables them to extend their learning in a supportive and caring environment. They have excellent opportunities to make progress in all areas of their development. The childminder considers children's individual interests and she provides suitable support and challenges to help them to achieve successfully. Children benefit greatly by the childminder's thorough understanding of how children learn and develop. Children are highly involved with the extensive range of toys and resources which fully promote their learning. They are curious and excited by the excellent range of activities offered. For example, making trinket boxes and painting their own T shirts, cups and bowls. Children are using their imagination as they dress up and play with

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

small world toys such as, the farmyard and animals. They interact very positively with each other as they giggle and laugh. Children are practising their early writing skills as they draw and paint. They listen attentively to a wide range of suitable stories and enjoy visits to the library. Children are developing a very good vocabulary as the childminder asks lots of open-ended questions and suggests lots of ideas to extend their thinking. They enjoy quiet and relaxing times as they listen to classical music. Children are learning to count, recognise colours and shapes. They enjoy matching socks and gloves and singing number songs. Children explore space as they fit puzzles together and construct with bricks. They enjoy pouring and measuring water and weighing ingredients during a variety of cooking activities. Children investigate ice melting in the water tray and have lots of fun blowing bubbles. They are having

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

fantastic fun as they learn through play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are developing a positive self image, self-confidence and esteem. They have very good opportunities to learn about the world they live in as they celebrate festivals, such as, Diwali and Christmas. There is a good range of toys to promote diversity. For example, dolls, small world toys, puzzles and books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning right from wrong and they are very well behaved as the childminder uses age appropriate behaviour management strategies which are consistently applied. Children know what is and is not acceptable and parents are well informed about the childminder's written behaviour management policy. Children are learning to share and take turns. The childminder places a strong emphasis on partnership with parents. She ensures that parents are very well informed about their child's routine and achievements. As a result, children are very happy and their individual needs are met effectively. The childminder is very kind, warm and attentive towards the children who clearly enjoy the time they spend with her.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's welfare, care and development is positively promoted because the childminder has a very good understanding of caring for young children. She has attended various training courses such as, speech therapy and Makaton sign language. The childminder is keen to develop her knowledge by attending the course "Birth to Three Matters". The childminder's record keeping is very thorough and up-to-date. Written policies and procedures underpin the very good practice carried out by the childminder. The children are having a wonderful time. They settle well and feel safe and secure in this very child-friendly and homely environment. The childminder is extremely well organised and the day runs very smoothly for the children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has organised the toys so that the children are able to tidy up easily. This helps the children to develop their independence skills.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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

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): • obtain knowledge and understanding of the 'Birth to Three matters' framework.

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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 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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