Thorne Marshland Middle School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 106797 Inspection date 10 May 2005 Inspector Timothy Butcher

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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 1992. She lives in an end of terraced house, in a mews, in Clifton, Bristol. Part of the ground floor and part of the first floor of the property are used for childminding . The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding four children all under five years. One child attends on a full time basis and three children attend on a part-time basis. The childminder regularly attends the local toddler group and takes children to the zoo, museum, library and to the Downs.

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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 an associate member of an accredited Childminding Network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a warm, clean home. The childminder places strong emphasis on meeting children's health and physical needs, keeping them comfortable, fed and clean. They learn good hygiene practices, from an early age, through good routines for hand washing. Effective procedures are in place to reduce the spread of infection, for example, when nappy changing. The childminder ensures nappy changing is not onerous or unsettling for children by talking to them and by gaining their cooperation, which keeps them settled. Children's health is suitably safeguarded. There is a good exchange of information with parents to meet children's individual health needs. The required documentation for the administration of medication and for accidents is comprehensive, well recorded and well managed. There is clear guidance for parents in regard to children who become ill, to prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their dietary needs met as Parents provide packed lunches. Children are encouraged to eat healthily and begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. Children are offered drinks throughout the day but the opportunity for older children to gain independence skills and help themselves is limited when using the playroom. Snacks and meals are well presented. The childminder ensures children have daily opportunities for suitable physical exercise and active play that contribute to their good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a very safe environment. The childminder has undertaken a thorough risk assessment of the premises and takes positive steps to reduce risks to children through, for example, the use of stair gates and smoke detection equipment. The premises are secure and the evacuation procedure is practised with children. Children are supervised closely and learn to keep safe, for example, through encouragement and simple explanation around the need to clear away toys and not to rock on chairs. Children learn to use the stairs safely when moving downstairs from the playroom. The childminder has the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection procedures and provides clear information for parents about her responsibilities to protect children. Children are provided with a warm, welcoming and child-centred environment. The

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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 two main areas used for play are the kitchen and the playroom. The playroom situated on the first floor offers children a well ordered and child-centred space where they can undertake a range of play activities in comfort. Children choose from a selection put out in readiness for them and from the wide and stimulating range stored tidily around the playroom. Children play with well made toys that are appropriate to their ages and abilities. The kitchen area is used for meals and for creative activities. Older children sit up to the table and younger ones are strapped safely into a highchair. Children comfortably take part in messy play, painting and cut and stick activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and content. They enjoy a close relationship with the childminder and settle quickly on arrival. Children make good progress in all areas of development. The childminder has a good understanding of child development and provides a wide range of play activities to develop children's learning. She supports play well, giving each child her attention and adapting play activities so that each child is actively engaged and involved. Children develop their independence and exercise choice. The childminder asks questions and takes a lead role in some activities to extend children's thinking, offer challenge and develop their ideas further. They are clearly proud of their achievements and grow in confidence, for example, by successfully naming colours or by showing the pictures they have made. Children are able to practice counting, naming and shape recognition to develop their language

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and cognitive skills. The play room has adequate space for various play activities but does not offer sufficient space for boisterous play. The childminder ensures that children have plenty of opportunity to be active and to socialise. She makes extensive use of the zoo nearby and discerning use of local playgroups, to ensure children have a good balance of activities and play opportunities that they find stimulating and of interest.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have their individual needs met well. All children benefit from the effective induction procedure and comprehensive information sharing with parents. The childminder gets to know children's likes and dislikes. She ensures children are included in each activity and can participate at their own level, for example, when looking at books, older children point and name characters and are asked about what they see, while younger children name simpler but familiar shapes or colours. Children learn about diversity through everyday play. The childminder has some resources to support her in this and has a satisfactory understanding of equality of opportunities issues. Children's experiences of the wider world are also gained through visits to the playgroup and to the zoo. The childminder has no recent experience of caring for a child with special needs. However, the procedures for

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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 sharing information with parents are comprehensive and are inclusive of all children. Children learn to relate to each other and to share. They enjoy positive interactions with the childminder. Sometimes opportunities for children to learn to resolve differences are missed, when the childminder intercedes to prevent squabbles. For example, by removing a toy, rather than using this as an opportunity for older children to problem solve. She values and encourages good behaviour and has high expectations of children. There is a clear behaviour management policy, shared with parents. Children have clear boundaries, are responsive and broadly, well behaved. Parents enjoy a professional but friendly relationship with the childminder. Children benefit from the good exchange of information and as a result have their individual

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is very well organised, using her time, space and other resources positively to create a supportive and welcoming environment for children. She has a very professional approach and is keen to provide good levels of care to children. The childminder is committed to extending her own professional development and practice. She has a clear understanding of the National Standards and interprets these in the best interests of children. Although she has a sound understanding of child development and keeps this in mind when making plans, the childminder has yet to develop a more formalised structure to track and plan for younger children's progress. Comprehensive policies and other documentation provide a raft of information for parents and effectively promote children's well being. Initial and subsequent procedures ensure that parents are kept well informed about their child and have

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Organisation

opportunities each day to share information about their child. This contributes to the continuity of care for children. Children appear secure, settled and content; enjoying their time with the childminder. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that the daily attendance record was kept accurate and up-to-date. The childminder now uses a different format for recording children's attendance. Attendance is now fully recorded for each child, kept accurate and up-to-date.

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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

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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): • further develop the range of activities for younger children, for example, when planning by using the Birth to Three frame work.

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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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