Christ Church Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 144920 Inspection date 12 January 2006 Inspector Charlotte Jenkin

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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 for 27 years and lives in a 5 bedroom, semi-detached house on a housing estate on the edge of Westbury. All ground floor areas of the house are used for childminding, together with a first floor bedroom and the garden. The childminder is registered to care for children with another registered childminder. There are 3 adults and no children resident in the family home and the family have no pets.

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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 The childminder is registered to care for 6 children under the age of 8 years and currently minds 4 children part-time and 2 children full-time.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in warm, clean premises. They learn about the importance of good hygiene and wash their hands independently after going to the toilet and before eating, with gentle reminders if they forget. Hand drying arrangements prevent the spread of germs, as children use paper towels. The childminder also practises good hygiene routines, therefore the children are not at risk from cross-infection. Children's welfare in the event of an accident or when taking medication is generally well safeguarded as the childminder keeps accurate records and has an up to date first aid certificate. However, parents do not acknowledge medication administered, which has the potential to compromise children's health. Children's health is protected well when playing in the sun as the childminder keeps a stock of labelled sun creams and sun hats for them. Children are not exposed to illness as the sickness policy is well

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Helping children to be healthy

shared with parents and the childminder acts appropriately if children become ill whilst in her care. Children bring their own packed lunches to the childminder's house, which are stored appropriately in the fridge to protect their health. Children begin to make healthy choices and bring fruit to the childminder's house. The childminder encourages them to request this from their parents, by offering them 'fruit' stickers for rewards. The childminder offers the children nutritious snacks, including fruit and dried fruits. Children are able to have drinks at any time and their dietary needs are respected. Children have access to an excellent range of equipment that promotes their physical skills successfully and offers challenges to their development. These include climbing frames, slides, swings, balancing beams, soft play equipment, buggies, bikes and balls. The children have also taken part in a 'Garden Sports Championship', where

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Helping children to be healthy

they participate in various sports activities and receive a certificate for their achievements. This helps them develop a positive attitude towards exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in well organised premises. They have use of a play room, with child sized furniture to encourage them to sit and engage in quiet activities, areas for rest and eating, as well as plenty of floor space for play. Children have access to a wide range of safe and stimulating toys and equipment that cover all ages and stages of development. These engage the children's interests and they spend long periods playing with them, for example the Lego and cars. Children are able to choose some toys and equipment and discuss daily with the childminder what activities they would like to do. The childminder also rotates her toys with her daughter, who is also a

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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 childminder, which offers the children more choices. Children are cared for in safe premises, free from risks as the childminder minimises hazards to them. They are, therefore able to play in safety and with confidence. Children are safe when playing in the garden as this is fully enclosed and all equipment is well maintained. The fire drill is practised and monitored, which ensures children's safety in the event of a fire. Their welfare and safety is well protected in the event of an emergency, due to the careful procedures the childminder has in place, if this should occur. Children learn to keep their play environment free from hazards as they are encouraged to help tidy away the toys. Children's welfare is likely to be safeguarded, due to the childminder's sound knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow in the event of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

concerns. Her duties are formally shared with parents and children's existing injuries are recorded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care and confidently approach her for assistance and to request toys and activities, for example paper for sticking. The childminder responds well to these requests and has a close relationship with the children which helps promote their self-confidence. She engages them in good levels of conversation and obviously values the children, showing interest in what they have to say. This promotes their language development well and their self-esteem. Children form excellent relationships with one another and they engage well together in their play. For example, talking about their models whilst building them together, playing with the cars co-operatively and negotiating how to get them on the truck together. Children engage in a very good range of activities that promote their development in all areas very well. They have regular opportunities to engage in art and craft

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities, construction, looking at books, puzzles and games, as well as role play and physical exercise. The childminder is able to support children with regard to their stages of development. For example, the children paint the letters of the alphabet and find objects that begin with the phonetic sound to stick on. This is what they have been doing at preschool and what they are being prepared for when they start school. The children have also made props for role play. For example, shields and swords for dressing up as soldiers. They have regular trips out to gain new experiences, for example making pottery and finding books at the library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's individuality is well respected and catered for as the childminder ensures they all have access to all activities and ensures she gets to know them well, through talking to them and their parents. This enables her to support their individual needs

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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 and helps develop their self-esteem. Children have access to an excellent range of activities that give them an insight into the lives of others and to develop respect for these. For example, the children celebrate festivals of other cultures. They also learn about disabilities and have made signs with Braille and learnt sign language. These activities are well tailored to include all children, with the older children using a Braille machine to make their names and younger children using dried food, as this is more textured for them to feel. Children develop good levels of independence, as they choose toys and go to the toilet. They have regular opportunities to socialise with other children. For example, the childminding group and when visiting the childminder's daughter, who is also a registered childminder. Although the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder does not currently care for children with special educational needs, she is aware of how to support the needs of individual children. Children's behaviour is excellent. The childminder has clear boundaries for them and she is a good role model, being respectful to the children and being calm in her manner. She praises the children for good behaviour which enables the children to learn right from wrong and to feel good about their achievements. Children, therefore play well together co-operatively and share and take turns in their play. Children's care needs and routines are well respected by the childminder as she exchanges information with parents regularly and is able to offer the children continuity of care. Parents receive formal information regarding the childminder's policies and procedures and are very happy with the care their children receive. The children regularly take home creations they have made to share with their parents,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

including collages, pottery and drawings. The childminder has made her complaints policy available to parents and complies with the requirements for recording complaints.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a very experienced childminder, who has kept up to date with the changes over the years. She is due to attend training, on Birth to Three matters, and to up date her first aid certificate. This will enable the childminder to offer the children some new experiences with regard to both their care and learning opportunities. The childminder maintains the required adult-child ratios and records children's attendance accurately. Children, therefore receive good adult support from the childminder, as she organises activities in advance, and is able to spend time supporting the children during their play. The children are relaxed and happy in the well organised environment and are familiar with the routines of the day. The childminder keeps all necessary documentation to promote the welfare, care and learning of the individual children. However, some of this lacks detail, for example

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Organisation

gaining acknowledgement from parents after administering medication, ensuring contracts have the names of childminders on them and recording incidents when no injury is sustained to a child. All necessary consents are gained from parents, which safeguards children's wellbeing inline with parents' wishes. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she

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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 provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that parents have Ofsted's telephone number on the complaints procedure which is given to them and to make sure that written agreements with parents make clear the respective childminders' responsibilities of care for each child. The complaints procedure is displayed and easily available to parents and includes the telephone number of Ofsted. The childminder has reviewed all her contracts and parents know that both childminder's care for the children, with both keeping identical records. However, the written contract is still unclear about which childminder is responsible for each of the children attending.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of all complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted. Since April 2004 Ofsted has received one complaint relating to National Standards 4 - physical environment, 6 - safety, 7 - health, 12 - partnership with parents and 14 - documentation. Concerns were raised regarding interaction of household pets, cleanliness, supervision of children, recording of accidents, written agreements with parents and smoking at the setting. Ofsted carried out an unannounced visit where actions were agreed and a recommendation made. The childminder responded to Ofsted detailing the action taken to meet the requirements. The childminder remains qualified for registration.

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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 all paperwork is clear and includes details, including medication records, agreements for the care of the children and incident records

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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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