St Oswald's CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 112796 Inspection date 01 August 2005 Inspector Clare Moore

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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 outstanding. 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 2000. She lives with her husband and four children. 3 of the children are of school age and one is under 5 years of age. They live in a bungalow in Hythe within walking distance of shops, a park and schools. The main areas used for childminding are the playroom and the enclosed garden. The bathroom and the kitchen are adjacent. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently looking after 6 children between 1 and 8 years of age .

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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 family keep a small number of pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is also a member of an approved childminding network. She holds the Certificate in Childminding Practice and an NVQ level 3 in Child Care and Education.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are strongly encouraged to develop a very healthy lifestyle. They are offered good nutritious food at meal and snack times, and water to drink is always freely available to quench thirst. Children thrive and enjoy fresh air and exercise. They use an extensive range of equipment to climb, balance and slide both in the garden and on outings. This helps them to keep fit and active and also gives them frequent opportunities to refine and develop their physical skills. Children are cared for in a home with a high standard of comfort and cleanliness. They are knowledgeable about how to wash their hands because the childminder shows them. They practice good hygiene and the childminder's comprehensive policies and procedures regarding hygiene and sickness helps to prevent the spread of infections.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children spend their time in a very welcoming and secure environment. Risks to children are significantly minimised with excellent supervision, good use of stair gates, safe storage of medicines and cleaning materials, and carefully practised fire safety procedures. Children learn about keeping themselves safe in the sun through talking with the childminder and being vigilant about using sun creams and hats. They become valuable partners in actively keeping themselves safe on outings because the childminder encourages them to take responsibility. When crossing roads they use crossings, look and listen, and walk rather than run. The childminder also carries emergency contact details, a mobile phone and a first aid kit at all times, which ensures children can be assisted whenever necessary. The childminder has an extensive understanding of Child Protection Procedures and a clear policy which helps to ensure that children's needs are met. She raises and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

discusses important issues with children such as taking care with strangers and how to get help if the need arises.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children thoroughly enjoy attending and selecting their own freely chosen activities. They can independently access many of the excellent range of resources available. They use their imagination and are highly involved when they play with figures in a play house, share a book with the childminder and explore an activity centre. Other interesting activities offered include art, craft, cooking, books and stories, songs and rhymes which help children to develop their number and language skills in an exciting and purposeful way. Children are strongly motivated to explore and try new skills because the childminder encourages them in a lively way and rewards them with praise. Younger children develop rapidly because the childminder is consistently responsive and makes very good use of the Birth to three matters framework. She

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

makes careful observations and liaises extremely well with parents to ensure children experience continuity in their activities and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are confident and happy because the childminder discusses their individual needs carefully with parents so that she can settle them in carefully and avoid disrupting familiar routines and comforts. Their behaviour is excellent. They take turns on equipment, share resources and are given clear guidance at the optimum level for their age. They co-operate with expectations by removing their shoes indoors and helping to tidy away toys for which they are warmly praised. Children play together and alongside each other very well, enjoy each others company and are at ease with the childminder. Children are take delight in the rich diversity of the world around them because the childminder shares books, provides resources and talks about different cultures, disability and gender roles. She also provides a variety of well planned activities to celebrate an interesting selection of festivals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy consistency of care and routines because there is an excellent and trusting partnership between the childminder and parents with a comprehensive flow of information both ways. Parents views are actively sought and parents are kept very well informed about all elements of the care their children receive and the progress they make.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend. Children's needs are met exceptionally well. Records are accurate, very well ordered and exceed the requirements. Confidentiality is highly respected and records about children's development are shared with parents. The childminder continues to develop the high level of professional skills and knowledge which she has attained. She frequently attends further training courses, which help her to further support children's development.

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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 Permissions have been obtained from parents to cover medical treatment or advice, which ensures appropriate action can be taken to treat children in the event of an emergency.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last Inspection the childminder was asked to further develop a range of play opportunities for the children to ensure they take part in activities that build on their curiosity, develop language and mathematical thinking, use their imagination and develop social relationships. Children now have excellent play opportunities to promote their development through a wide variety of outings and activities.

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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