Hellingly Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 114396 Inspection date 23 January 2006 Inspector Michelle Ann Parham

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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 1990. She is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently providing care for 10 children who mainly attend before and after school. The childminder lives with her husband and four children. They live in a house in a residential area of West Wittering, West Sussex. Local village shops, beech, park and duck pond are within walking distance of the home. All areas of the home are accessible to the children, however it is working practice that childminding mainly occurs on the ground floor level of the property. There is a fully enclosed rear garden

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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 area available for outside play. The family have a pet dog and the childminder undertakes daily school runs to Birdham Primary School.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have access to regular outside play in the spacious rear garden with a variety of equipment such as a slide, swing, bats and balls, stilts and trampoline. They also go on outings to a local community field for a run around, feeding ducks at the pond, socialising with friends and to the nearby beach. This ensures the children have regular fresh air and exercise, which helps improve their fitness and knowledge and understanding of the world around them. The childminder's home is clean and comfortable. Children are encouraged to follow good hygiene procedures such as regular hand washing before meals and after outside play. This helps the children gain an increased understanding of good health and hygiene, and prevents cross contamination. Procedures are in place to maintain hygiene standards and all toys are checked and cleaned effectively to prevent illness to young children.

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Helping children to be healthy

A maintained first aid kit is in place and effective procedures are used to record accidents to children. The childminder has a current first aid qualification which enables her to deal with children’s accidents and illness correctly. The childminder has documentation in place to ensure children's routines are met and their individual health and dietary needs are identified. She has good experience of children with special dietary requirements. She currently supplies wholesome meals, snacks and drinks for some of the children in her care. Food provided is home cooked, healthy and nutritious. For example, macaroni cheese, tuna pasta bake, jacket potatoes with tuna, baked beans or cheese, roast chicken dinners and sausage and mash. Children have fresh drinks of water throughout their time at the setting. This ensures children are well nourished and prevents them from becoming tired and de-hydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a spacious, generally safe and secure environment where most risks are addressed and minimised. However, improvement is required in regard to access to chemicals in the kitchen and one electric socket in the lounge. The children use the toys and equipment and move around the ground floor level of the home freely, with ease, confident and happy in their surroundings. They can select resources, which are of good quality, organised and meet safety standards. Equipment is appropriate and safe for the age and stage of development and monitored when in use by 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 Children are protected because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection and the signs and symptoms that would cause concern. She has attended child protection training, records existing injuries children arrive with and is aware of the agency to contact to report concerns. Children are kept safe in the home and on outings because the childminder has effective procedures in place for ensuring their supervision. She helps the children learn about dangers through general discussion such as road safety rules and stranger danger. Consequently they are gaining an understanding of staying safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are becoming competent learners because they have an appropriate selection of play resources available which offer them interest and stimulation. They can play imaginatively with equipment such as dollies, tea-sets, a farm, dressing up clothes and construct with Duplo, Mobilo or cog sets. Younger children have resources suitable for their stage of development which offer interest and stimulation such as activity mats, books and musical/interactive toys. Children enjoy their play and the company of the childminder. They are relaxed and happy in the home. Children are becoming skilful communicators because the childminder interacts very well with them. She gives them time and attention and encourages their language development by continually engaging with the children in a calm, relaxed manner.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good understanding of child development. She participates in activities and plays low level on the floor with the children, is affectionate and gives lots of cuddles. She knows the children well and caters for their individual routine and needs. The children enjoy her company and develop warm and trusting relationships with her.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children’s individual needs are well catered for because the childminder has a good understanding of equal opportunities and of children with special needs, particularly dietary. She has the required documentation to ensure any health requirements are identified, ensuring children and parents receive the appropriate care package and support. Children are encouraged to have positive attitudes towards others as the childminder provides some resources and general discussion to promote diversity. This encourages children to learn about members of society and gain respect for others. Children behave generally well within the home as the childminder uses positive techniques to manage behaviour. Methods are in accordance to child’s age and level of understanding such as praise and encouragement, distraction, discussion and occasional time out when required. All behaviour is shared with parents to ensure

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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 they are fully aware of any issues that arise. Children benefit from good partnerships with parents. The childminder welcomes them into her home and gives them time to discuss the day’s events. Parents are fully informed about the childminders service as she provides them with a prospectus outlining basic policies and varying aspects of her practice. All documentation is shared and co-signed as required. This ensures children’s needs are fully met and promotes working in partnership with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder provides an organised home within which the children feel happy, relaxed and comfortable. They have their individual needs well addressed as documentation and working practices are in place to support their care, learning and welfare. The childminder has an understanding of the requirements of her registration; she holds a current first aid qualification and attends further training to enhance her professional development. All documentation required is in place although some need further details and updating to ensure confidentiality and good organisation. The childminder meets the needs for the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was required to complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children and to ensure that written parental permission is in place for seeking medical advice or treatment in an emergency. Both requirements have been addressed which improves children's health and safety as the childminder is now able to deal with accidents and illness effectively. It also ensures continuity of children's care and working in partnership with parents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report since registration. 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

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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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 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): • ensure chemicals in kitchen and electric socket in lounge are inaccessible to children • ensure daily register has full names of children and their accurate attendance and update format of accident, incident, existing injury and medication recording to ensure all details are collated and confidentiality maintained.

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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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