Greenside Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 141902 Inspection date 26 April 2005 Inspector Jennifer Barton

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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 childminder since 1979. She lives with her husband who is also her assistant in a semi-detached house in the village of Cossington near Bridgwater. There are local shops and parks within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and nine children when minding with her assistant, there are currently 10 children on roll attending on a part time basis.

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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 There is no smoking on the premises. The family have one cat and an aviary outside with budgerigars.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy a wide range of challenging and interesting activities which contribute to their good health. Each day includes outdoor activities in the garden or visits to the park, where children have fun. This enables children to run, use climbing equipment and play games which develops their physical skills and helps them to gain control of their bodies. Children are aware of the effect exercise has on their bodies, they know they need to rest when they have been active or are tired, or when they need a drink. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and well maintained home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care through excellent routines. They have a clear understanding of why they must wash their hands after handling animals and using the toilet. High levels of hygiene are practiced when nappy changing which promotes children's good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from an extremely healthy diet. They enjoy varied, well presented and nutritious meals and snacks provided by the childminder. These comply with all special dietary requirements to ensure children remain healthy. Children have access to regular drinks, cups are repeatedly filled so children are able to help themselves to a drink at any time. All accident and medication records are completed and parental consent is obtained to enable the childminder to seek emergency advice or treatment in the best interest of the child. Children are very well protected from illness and infection through positive procedures such as, consent for the use of sunscreen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised in the well organised environment which has good safety and security precautions, such as locks on doors and cupboards. Children are able to move around freely, safely and independently. The childminder gives high priority to helping older children understand how to keep themselves and younger children safe. For example, older children know they tidy away toys of the floor when they have finished playing so they don't fall and hurt themselves, also they are aware of placing chalk and small objects out of reach of younger children as they may put them in their mouths.

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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 independently select from a wide range of good quality, safe and suitable toys and equipment. The childminder constantly monitors and supervises children's choice of resources to ensure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. This also ensures risk assessment is continual and any equipment that is a danger to children is removed immediately for repair or replacement. The childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare with appropriate documents in place to ensure children's individual needs are met. She is aware of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures to keep children safe. Children are protected well against fire safety issues, there are appropriate procedures for emergency evacuation and fire blanket and smoke detectors are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy, settled and enthusiastic. They are eager to choose from an excellent variety of activities, toys and equipment. These are in abundance and are very suitable for the age and stage of development of the children attending. Children eagerly participate in well planned, challenging and interesting activities such as, using art and crafts and playing with water, tadpoles and frogs. The childminder has an awareness of the Birth to Three Matters framework and adapts activities in line with these so all children are achieving appropriately. All children spend their time purposefully. They are able to explore, be physical, imaginative and creative. Children's learning is very well promoted through an extremely good balance of child initiated and adult led activities. Children are frequently engrossed and involved in a wide range of experiences both indoor and outdoor to support their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing excellent personal and social skills through extremely dynamic carers who are interested in what children do and consistently respond with praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are respected and valued as individuals. The childminder meets the needs of children well, they have good daily routines these incorporate appropriate sleep and rest times as well as active play, meals and the feeding of babies. Children show care and concern for each other and help one another such as helping to change a babies nappy, and keeping small objects out of reach of young children. They are able to share and take turns and enjoy playing together in role play and using construction bricks.

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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 Children make themselves at home quickly and enjoy their time with the childminder. They confidently move around the home deciding what to do, and independently visit the toilet. Children's behaviour is good, they understand the boundaries when in the childminders care. The childminder promotes good behaviour through good example, being kind and considerate and giving lots of praise and encouragement. She gently reminds children of the correct procedures and children respond immediately. All children are included in all activities and use all the equipment and resources provided, which include some to promote a positive view of the wider world but these are not extensive. Parents complete registration forms and have daily discussions with the childminder to ensure the children are cared for in accordance with parents wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel comfortable and at ease in the warm and welcoming environment. The home is well organised and this with good daily routines effectively meet children's needs. Children's care, welfare and learning is promoted through good procedures, documents and close relationships with parents. Children's development and concerns are regularly discussed with parents on a daily basis. Parents are well informed and this contributes to a continuity in children's care. The childminder and her assistant are deployed well when caring for the children, they work well together. They are thoroughly engrossed, giving children all the attention they need, but also having defined roles such as providing snacks and meals, taking and collecting children from pre-school and school.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has included the assistants name on the register which now provides accurate ratios of adults and children present.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints since the last inspection.

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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): • provide more resources and activities to promote positive images of culture and disability, to extend children's awareness of the wider world.

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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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