Danesfield Church of England Voluntary Controlled Community Middle School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 123895 Inspection date 10 January 2006 Inspector Cheryl Langley

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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 satisfactory. 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 registered in 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 16 in a house in Goffs Oak. All areas of the property are used for childminding except for the lounge and the third bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children and she currently has 5 children on roll.

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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 satisfactory. Children enjoy activities which contribute to their good health. They play in the garden, go for walks and visit local parks regularly to benefit from the fresh air. Their physical skills are developed through different types of play using equipment and activity toys. For example, they have fun using wooden spoons to roll balls along the floor, mix and pour cooking ingredient to bake cakes, complete jigsaws and inset puzzles and create pictures using paint and stickers. They follow instructions to music to dance like a ballerina or do exercises to keep them fit. Children learn the importance of hygiene and personal care. They are cared for in a welcoming home where they understand how regular cleaning routines keep them healthy. Children have a clear understanding of why they must wash their hands after playing in the garden or using the toilet. Most of the policies and procedures are in

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Helping children to be healthy

place to enable the childminder to act in the children's best interest if they become unwell. However, a written record is not kept of any medicine administered to a child to ensure the correct dosage is given. Children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They know which type of food is good to eat. Children have access to drinking water throughout the day and eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and works with them closely to provide nutritious snacks and meals that appeal to the children as well as meeting their dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are safe in the childminder's home where risks are identified and minimised. They move around safely, freely and independently and adhere to house rules to keep them free from harm. Children know that the cooker can be a hazard and not to run while they are holding objects that could hurt them if they fell. The childminder helps children understand how to keep themselves safe outside of the home through discussion and leading by example. Children learn to be aware of strange dogs and practise codes for crossing the road safely. However, safety in the event of a fire, or the need for emergency escape from the home, has not been planned by the childminder or covered in the activities for the children. Developmentally appropriate resources are stored at child height for easy access. This enables the children to independently select their play and activities safely. The

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder has the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. For example, she has a sound understanding of Child Protection issues and all the relevant information is to hand should she have any concerns about a child in her care.

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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 enjoy a variety of exciting play and activities which are child led or planned and organised by the childminder. They receive adult guidance to give them extra support if needed but their independence is promoted as much as possible. The childminder sets them challenges along with a range of stimulating play to develop their knowledge and skills. For example, children learn to recognise different colours when they choose coloured toys. They count out pretend sandwiches to share with others. Sharing books and singing songs and nursery rhymes promotes their language development. Children learn mathematical language when they draw pictures and compare 'big' or 'small' feet. They mix ingredients for cooking and decorate cakes using different utensils. They make good use of the garden and surrounding area to learn about the natural environment. Children help the childminder fill the bird feeders, feed horses, observe

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

insects and plant bulbs. They recognise birds, such as 'robins' 'pheasants' and 'partridges' and know which vegetables grow in the ground. Regular use of creative materials such as pencils, crayons, paint and materials for glueing, encourages the children to represent their experiences, feelings and ideas in a variety of ways. They enjoy drawing a picture of the sun and decorating card with shiny stickers to share with their parents. Children take part in everyday routines to learn about their local community, for example, they help the childminder buy eggs at the garden centre. They use their imaginations and delight in role play with dressing up clothes, create camps in the garden or pretend to paint stones and shells with water. Their confidence and self-esteem is developed by the childminder who gives them praise and encouragement at appropriate times. Children's sense of belonging is promoted because she knows them well and values their achievements which she

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

displays in her home and shares with parents. They make positive relationships, joining in with play and a variety of games at the childminders.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides meaningful resources and activities to promote a positive view of the wider world. Books, dolls and activities to celebrate traditional festivals increases children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. The children enjoy dressing up and pretending to be people from other countries. They use blankets to dress as American Indians and create harnesses to carry their babies in. They decorate their head-dresses with feathers and make daisy-chain necklaces. Children are valued and respected. Their individual needs are met as they follow their daily routine which is discussed with parents. Children behave very well. They understand right and wrong through consistent boundaries, praise and the age appropriate methods used by the childminder to manage behaviour. Children are considerate, share, take turns and polite. They say please and thank you. The

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder encourages the children to socialise and play together which helps them

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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 make positive relationships with others. Realistic challenges are set by the childminder to help the children develop. This promotes their confidence and self-esteem. They feel relaxed and secure and able to make independent choices about what they want to do. Children benefit from a strong partnership between the childminder and parents who exchange information frequently. They have daily discussions and contracts and registration details are in place. This helps keep parents well informed of how their child's needs are being met and their developmental progress. The childminder is supportive and flexible to ensure the children have continuity in their care. For example, she attends pre-school with them to help them settle through this change in their routine.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home and at ease with the generally effective organisation of the setting. This enables them to feel confident to initiate their own play and learning. Most of the policies and procedures required are in place and used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. The childminder organises cover and emergency support from another registered childminder to ensure continuity of care. Children benefit from routines which make them feel secure and relaxed and include a variety of enjoyable experiences. They play, eat, sleep and rest as they need to. Documentation is stored securely and information shared appropriately and confidentially with parents. Children benefit from the childminder's experience and relevant training. She acquired a current first aid qualification in November 2005. Overall, the needs of all the children are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to make the fireplace and cleaning substances inaccessible to children so that they did not pose a hazard or cause them harm. The fire has a fire guard fitted and cleaning substances are kept in cupboards that the children cannot access.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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 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 satisfactory. 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): • make sure written records are kept of medicines administered to children • devise and practise an emergency escape plan.

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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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