Wentworth CofE Junior and Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 144198 Inspection date 04 August 2005 Inspector Carole Argles

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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 a registered since 1995. She is registered to care for six children aged under eight years. She does not provide overnight care. She is currently caring for three children aged from two to under five and three school age children. The childminder lives with her partner in a bungalow in Corfe Mullen within walking distance of local schools and amenities. All areas of the premises, except the main bedroom and bathroom, are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have one cat.

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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 a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She attends her local childminding support group and is a member the local childminding network. She attends toddler group and a music group with the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The children eat healthy and nutritious snacks and meals, which include a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables. They have drinks easily available for them to take as required at all times and this helps them learn to recognise their own needs. They learn about the importance of a healthy diet through a variety of interesting activities and discussions with the childminder. She shares her enthusiasm for gardening with the children who help to grow an assortment of vegetables, which they harvest and eat. They go on outings to the supermarket where they choose and buy a variety of fruit, which they take back and try. This innovative approach encourages the children to enjoy a wide range nutritious foods and contributes towards their good health. The children take part in many physical activities and exercise daily. They use a wide variety of large play equipment in the garden, as well as smaller items like balls and

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Helping children to be healthy

skipping ropes. They walk to local amenities and have frequent visits to parks. The childminder plans and provides activities to ensure that the children learn new skills and about the importance of exercise. They enjoy dancing and moving to music and show good control and coordination of their movements. This makes a valuable contribution towards children enjoying exercise and adopting a healthy lifestyle. There are very effective procedures in place to minimise the transmission of infection between children and this helps to keep them healthy. The childminder makes sure the premises, toys and equipment are clean and hygienic for the children to use. She provides individual bedding and paper towels for hand drying. The children learn about good hygiene through the daily routines. They always wash their hands before eating or preparing food, and show their understanding of why this is important through their conversations with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The risk of accidental injury to the children is minimised because of the action taken by the childminder. She has a good knowledge and understanding of safety issues and has appropriate safety equipment in place. The premises are tidy, secure and well maintained and have plenty of clear space for the children to move around freely. The toys and equipment are of good quality. The childminder checks these regularly to ensure they are safe and suitable for the children to use. She keeps small items out of the reach of young children so that they do not pose a choking hazard. She supervises the children well at all times. The children learn to keep themselves safe through discussions with the childminder.

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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 They learn about road safety and how to use toys and equipment correctly. They have regularly opportunities to practise the fire evacuation procedure. The children’s welfare is well supported because the childminder has a good knowledge of child protection issues and understands the action she should take if she concerned about the welfare of a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children are very happy and settled, and have an excellent relationship with the childminder. There is a high level of conversation and interaction between them and as a result, all children develop a wide vocabulary and speak confidently. The childminder asks the children many questions and this encourages them to think and extends their conversational skills. She takes advantage of play activities to encourage children to count and talk about letters and colours and this supports their learning effectively. There is an extensive range of stimulating activities for the children that support all areas of their development well. The childminder plans these around a monthly theme and provides activities and outings that are fun for the children who are keen to take part. She adapts the activities to provide the correct level of challenge for each child and they show good levels of concentration and much enjoyment. All

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children frequently use a wide range of art materials like paint, glue and collage resources. They have plenty of scope to use their imaginations and try out their own ideas. They enjoy singing and using musical instruments and some children have the opportunity to attend weekly music and movement sessions. There is an excellent range of toys and resources, which are stored in the boxes in the playroom so the children can see and select them easily. This allows children to make choices about their play and follow their own interests. The children play cooperatively together, sharing fairly and taking turns. They develop independence and show concern for others, for example, when helping to prepare the snack or fetching items for younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children behave very well in response to the childminder’s good knowledge and understanding of effective ways to manage their behaviour. She emphasises the positive and gives children praise and encouragement when they are behaving well. They learn what is expected of them through reminders and careful explanations. This approach helps children learn to manage their own behaviour. The children benefit from the close working relationship between the childminder and their parents who share information daily about the children’s individual needs. This allows the childminder to respect their individual routines well. She uses daily diaries

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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 to keep parents well informed about the care of the youngest children. This ensures there is continuity and helps them to settle quickly and feel secure. The childminder informally monitors the children’s development and produces a photographic and written record of what they do which she shares with their parents. This allows her to bring any concerns about a child’s development promptly to their parent’s attention so that, if required, additional support can be provided. There is an excellent range of resources and toys that show positive images of diversity and are available for the children to use at all times. This includes many books, puzzles, dolls and pretend play equipment including a child-size wheelchair. This increases the children’s understanding of other cultures and abilities and helps

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Helping children make a positive contribution

them to develop an accepting attitude towards others in society.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has good organisational skills and this benefits the children. She has a spacious playroom which is attractively decorated with children’s artwork and posters. There are many toys readily available for the children. This creates a welcoming environment and helps the children feel comfortable and settled. There is effective use of the premises to support the children’s developmental needs. For example, the childminder uses the dining area for the many creative activities, and young children can sleep undisturbed in a separate bedroom. The policies, procedures and records required to promote the children’s care and welfare are in place and parents receive copies of some of these. The childminder keeps to the required adult: child ratios at all times. She is keen to continue to develop her already good knowledge and understanding of childcare issues and regularly attends training.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, the childminder agreed to ensure that the children cannot access keys in internal doors, and to include all children in the fire escape practises. The childminder keeps all keys on hooks by the doors so that they are readily accessible but out of the reach of the children. The children have regular opportunities to practise the fire evacuation procedure. The childminder talks to all children about what they should do in the event of a fire. The action she has taken has helped to keep the children safe.

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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): • consider extending the written information given to parents, for example, by including information about the sickness policy and child protection

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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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