Lane Head Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 104139 Inspection date 16 September 2005 Inspector Heather Morgan

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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 1999. She lives with her husband and two school-aged children in Ottery St Mary. Her mother lives in a separate part of the house. All of the childminder's house is used for childminding, including an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have two pet rabbits. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding one child on a regular basis, in addition to providing a flexible after school service.

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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. The children's good health is promoted well as their play areas are maintained to a high level of cleanliness and they are very familiar with good hygiene routines, such as washing their hands after using the toilet. They are developing a healthy lifestyle as they regularly play outside in the fresh air, either in the garden or when visiting a park. They also benefit from regular exercise when they go on local walks. The children are well cared for in the event of an accident or illness as the childminder keeps her first aid training up to date and has a well stocked first aid kit. Their continuity of care is promoted effectively as the childminder keeps clear records of accidents and medicine administration in order to share information with parents. The children are developing healthy eating habits as the childminder encourages them to have regular drinks of water and milk, and to eat meals and snacks that offer

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Helping children to be healthy

a balanced, nutritious diet. When preparing food herself she offers meals such as sandwiches followed by fresh fruit. Children who eat meals provided by their parents are encouraged to eat their main course first, before being offered dessert.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are safe and secure in the childminder's home as she has taken appropriate steps to reduce any potential risks. Sharp knives and cleaning materials are stored carefully so that they are not accessible to children, access to the stairs is restricted by the use of safety gates and the doors are securely locked when children are present. Children can also play safely in the garden as they are well-supervised, the gate has been secured and the pet rabbits are enclosed in cages. The children play with good quality resources that are well-maintained and suitable for their stage of development. Children can access them safely as they are stored appropriately to enable them to do this. The children are also kept safe when they are away from the childminder's home, for example when out walking, younger children are secured with walking reins and learn about road safety and awareness. Children who travel in the childminder's car are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

secured appropriately either with her own car seats, or those provided by their parents. The children's welfare is given high priority by the childminder, she has a secure knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and keeps herself up to date with current information by reading relevant literature. In order to safeguard and protect children, the childminder follows clear procedures in the event of any concerns and these procedures are shared with parents.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, relaxed and confident in the childminder's home. They enjoy the familiar routines of the day and participate enthusiastically in a range of activities that interest and challenge them. They have good opportunities to initiate activities for themselves and to choose from the range of resources available. Their learning and progress is supported well as the childminder has a good understanding of their developmental needs and interacts well with them. She takes time to listen to what young children are trying to say and encourages their language development. She uses books enthusiastically to help children make connections between the pictures and everyday objects and to stimulate further activities such as making bubbles just like a character in a picture book. Children enjoy participating in everyday activities such as visiting the shops and posting letters. Their experiences are further extended by trips to the park , where

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

they can develop their physical skills and to the library, where they can choose from a wide range of books. The children's interests are respected well as they are encouraged to play with resources they have brought from home, as well as those available at the childminder's. They are supported in developing skills such as number and colour recognition as the childminder sensitively encourages this when looking at books and in practical situations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are understood and met well as the childminder provides good adult attention and has effective settling in procedures. Children quickly establish familiar routines and interact warmly with the childminder. Their confidence and self-esteem is promoted well as the childminder acknowledges young children's quest for independence and sensitively supports them in achieving this, for example giving them opportunities to do things for themselves, such as washing their hands or opening the gate and the door when returning from a walk. The children's behaviour is good. They respond positively to the childminder's calm approach and consistent reinforcement of her rules for acceptable behaviour. Their good behaviour is rewarded with regular praise. If necessary, children are supported in adapting unacceptable behaviour as the childminder liaises with parents to agree

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Helping children make a positive contribution

consistent sanctions. The children's continuity of care is supported well as the childminder develops good relationships with the parents and has clear procedures in place to promote effective communication, for example in addition to their daily discussions, the parents receive a detailed diary of their children's day with the childminder. The children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes because the childminder uses clear documentation such as contracts and information sheets to record and exchange

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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 information regarding children's individual needs and details of the service she provides.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care. The children settle well and are happy and relaxed in the childminder's care because she is well-organised, manages part-time attendance patterns effectively and uses documentation well to exchange information with parents. The children's health, safety and welfare is promoted well through conscientious implementation of daily routines and well-thought out policies, some of which are written down and shared with parents, for example her child protection policy. The childminder plans to further develop her use of written policies for sharing information with parents. The children are well-cared for because the childminder's practice is underpinned by the effective use of regulatory documentation, which is stored appropriately and available for inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has addressed the recommendation raised at her previous inspection by developing her range of resources to ensure that children are developing an awareness of diversity. They now have access to books and games that include positive images of a diverse society and discriminatory practice is discouraged through sensitive conversations.

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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 MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • further improve the procedures for sharing information with parents by extending the range of written policies

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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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