Embleton Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number 108926 Inspection date 11 January 2006 Inspector Alison Weaver

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 has been registered since 1993. She lives with her husband and two adult children. They live in a house in a residential area of Eastbourne. There are shops, parks and schools within easy distance. The whole of the ground floor and an upstairs toilet are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family does not have any pets. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding six children, of varying ages.

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 helps to run a local carer and toddler group for minded children. She also attends other local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a warm and homely setting. The childminder gives high priority to ensuring the children play in a clean and hygienic environment. This includes good practices when nappy changing. Children learn about good hygiene through effective everyday routines such as hand washing. The childminder makes effective use of activities to introduce topics to develop children’s understanding of how to keep themselves healthy. This includes discussing germs, healthy eating and the need to brush their teeth. Children eat healthy and nutritious snacks. The childminder takes into account any dietary requirements that individual children have to ensure she meets their needs. Children develop a good understanding of healthy eating as they chat with the childminder about what is good to eat and make snacks together. The childminder actively promotes healthy eating by working closely with parents to encourage

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

children to eat food that is good for them. She encourages children who are not good eaters to try different foods. The children enjoy regular daily outdoor activities in the garden and to parks, which contributes to their good health and improves their physical skills. Younger children develop well, learning how they can use their bodies as they explore the surroundings and the resources. Effective procedures carried out by the childminder help protect children from illness and infection. Parents are kept fully informed of their child's health by verbal feedback. This enables the parents and childminder to work together effectively to promote children's well being.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from a secure home where risks are minimised effectively. The childminder uses the living area well to create different play areas for the children. Here they play safely with a good variety of suitable and age appropriate toys. Older children learn that they need to keep their toys out of reach of the younger children. This prevents young children from accessing small parts, which could cause choking. Children develop an awareness of fire safety as they practise fire evacuation with the childminder. The childminder further develops this awareness by planning other activities where the children learn about the dangers of fire. Children learn to keep themselves safe as they cross roads and walk around the local area. These all contribute well to children’s understanding of how to keep themselves safe in

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 different situations. The childminder has good procedures in the event a child is lost. This includes the use of wristbands for each child which have the childminder’s contact number on them. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is promoted. For example, she holds a current first aid certificate and is fully aware of what to do if she suspects a child is being abused.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children settle quickly into the child friendly setting. They confidently make themselves at home, choosing from age appropriate toys and activities, which challenge and stimulate them. The childminder devotes her time to playing with the children and supporting them in their play. As they have fun, the children develop and learn new skills, such as mark making, counting and letter sounds. Children enthusiastically participate in the activities. The positive interaction by the childminder helps the children to achieve and learn to be independent. The childminder keeps a record of what each child can do so that she can plan new achievable targets for them. This exceptional practice ensures that each child develops well whilst in her care. The childminder builds excellent close, caring relationships with the children and knows them really well. They communicate easily together and children thrive in the

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

atmosphere of continual praise and encouragement. She helps children improve their language skills by talking to them and promoting their speech. The childminder plans effectively for the children but also remains flexible to take into account their individual needs and moods. The childminder develops activities from the interests that children show when they arrive at the setting. Children benefit from a wide range of experiences outside the home. The children show excitement as they explore their local environment. They go on interesting outings to places such as farms, ponds, parks, and play areas. The childminder broadens their experiences as they travel on open top buses and steam trains.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's awareness of the wider world is promoted by the use of a satisfactory range of resources which show positive images of diversity, some of which include images of disability. The childminder makes good use of a local toy library to extend these resources so the children experience a wide variety of equipment. The childminder chats to the children about differences in a positive way. She extends children’s understanding of other cultures through activities where they learn about different celebrations. They find out about how other people live, for example exploring Chinese customs. They dress up in Chinese costumes, make fans, eat their food and try to use chopsticks.

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 Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder works closely with parents to support children and meet their individual needs. The childminder has some experience of working with children with special needs and ensures they receive appropriate care and support. Activities are adapted as necessary to ensure all children are included and enjoy their time with her. The partnership with parents and carers is effective. There is a daily verbal exchange of information to help provide consistent care for each child. The regular written reports are used well to ensure parents are aware of their child's achievements and progress. These reports are very informative and easy to read, giving links to the different areas of learning. Parents also have access to the weekly plans of activities,

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

so they know what their child is doing each week. Children benefit from the praise and encouragement given by the childminder. The children develop an understanding of appropriate behaviour as the childminder explains about right and wrong to them. She ensures that she works with parents to help and support any child who is having difficulties. The use of golden stars helps encourage good behaviour and rewards children when they achieve well.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The children benefit from a generally well-organised environment and day. The children are able to access some resources independently and can ask for other toys. Some of the storage of toy boxes in the conservatory is less effective at promoting self-selection by the children. The children receive good adult support and attention, which helps them feel secure and settled. All the relevant and required documents are in place and well maintained. There is a slight weakness in the records relating to the administration of medication. The childminder has some informative written policies, which cover different aspects of her childminding practice. The childminder makes new parents aware of these policies by discussion at the initial visit. This enables parents to have a good overall understanding of the childminder's service. She has good procedures in place to enable children to be

p.5

Organisation

cared for appropriately. The childminder continues to keep up to date with her practices by finding out about new childcare initiatives such as Birth to three matters and the curriculum guidance. This increasing knowledge results in the childminder continuing to improve her care of the children. Overall, the children’s needs are met.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has increased the resources that show positive images of race, culture, religion, and disability to help make children more aware of the wider world.

p.5

Complaints 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 There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. The provider is required to keep a record made of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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

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): • ensure parents countersign records of medication given to children • consider ways of improving the storage of the play equipment in the conservatory to further increase children's independence.

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