Kimberley Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 145644 Inspection date 07 February 2006 Inspector Carole Gronow

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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 was registered in 1991. She lives in Downton, near Salisbury, with her husband. All areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight at any one time and is currently minding two pre-school children, both on a part-time basis, and three children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the

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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 local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local park and to the local library. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean, well-maintained environment where they learn about hygiene practices. They are expected to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet and they are provided with a clean towel every day, which they share. Children are protected from illness and cross-infection by the emergency and sickness procedures that the childminder has in place and which have been discussed with parents. However, in an emergency, if children become ill or are hurt, they may not receive prompt treatment. This is because the childminder has not obtained the necessary signed consents from parents which would enable her to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Children are offered regular drinks including water and no added sugar juices, and they enjoy snacks which consist of fresh fruit or biscuits. Children’s individual dietary needs are respected as the childminder asks to be told about anything relevant which

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Helping children to be healthy

she then discusses in detail with parents. The childminder ensures that children only eat the food that is provided by their own parents, that it is appropriately stored before it is eaten, and that anything needing to be kept cold is stored in her fridge. Children have frequent opportunities for physical exercise and to play outside. They play in the large, secure, rear garden which has a paved area making it suitable for year round play. They practise their balance and co-ordination by playing with things such as the climbing frame and slide, using the goal post and net and with other toys such as the scooters, bikes and go-cart. Children get outside every day, even if only to visit the local shops. Younger children are taken to toddlers where they meet and play with other children. Children enjoy visits to the local farm to see the chickens, as well as going on walks when they often gather things to make collages with, such as

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Helping children to be healthy

leaves. Children also go to the park in the village and the nearby leisure centre football pitch where they all play football. Older children walk to and from the local school, with the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in premises where they can move around freely and safely. Children have access to a play provision that is very clean, in excellent condition and is regularly checked by the childminder. Older children enjoy playing with toys with small pieces in them in an area of the room that the childminder partitions off. This is so that young children are safe from the risk of choking as they cannot get near them. Babies enjoy playing with toys that have recently been updated and are all

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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 modern, bright and appealing to them. Children are very safe at the childminder's home as all potential hazards have been identified and suitably addressed. This includes cupboard locks fitted on kitchen units, low level glass being protected and sockets being covered. There is a smoke detector in place and a fire blanket is appropriately sited in the kitchen. School-aged children know how to respond in the event of a fire as they have discussed and practised the emergency evacuation procedure. Younger children however, have not, so far, been included in this. Children are secure at the childminder’s home because during the day doors are kept locked. Also, she ensures that she does not leave children with others but supervises them herself at all times. Children are only

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

collected by persons who the childminder knows and whom she has been informed about in advance. If someone else arrives she refuses to release them until she has spoken to a parent and can satisfy herself who the person is. Children are learning about road safety when they are out with the childminder as she discusses this with them and they all put it into practise on their daily walks to and from school. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and would be able to act in children's best interest in areas of concern. She would record pre-existing injuries or marks in the accident book and get parents to sign it. She is aware of signs and symptoms of abuse and knows where to refer to for advice or support.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are gradually introduced into the childminder's care to ensure that they and their family get to know her well before the placement begins. This is through introductory visits which help to ensure that children develop good relationships with her and are happy to be left. Children are well settled at the childminder's house, they enter confidently and straight away make themselves at home. Children feel valued and special as the childminder knows individual children well. She is familiar with their home lives and knows their likes and dislikes. Children access a good range of well-maintained resources and play provision that is age- appropriate and suitable for their age and stage of development. Younger children enjoy playing with the toys that are available, for example, pushing down on the car to make it move. Their hand to eye co-ordination is improving through the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities they are involved in such as putting the shapes in the sorter and pressing the buttons on it. Children's language and listening skills are developing. This is through the childminder's continuous interaction with them as she helps them, talks to them and uses a range of vocabulary to introduce new words and concepts such as colours and shapes. The childminder however, has not considered using the Birth to three matters framework to further promote their learning. The childminder offers a variety of activities for school age children which contribute to their creativity, such as dancing, listening and moving to music, playing instruments, painting, baking, model-making and art and crafts. They are also provided with other activities which include, snooker, table football, pinball game and

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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 a computer as well as games and books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about their local community as they visit places of interest such as a farm, the water meadows and the leisure centre as well as their routine outings to the library and park. During school holidays children go out on bus and train rides to nearby places including Salisbury. They travel to feed ducks at a lake or as a treat they go to eat at a fast food restaurant. Parents are asked to verbally give their consent in advance. Children benefit from the good relationship that exists between their parents and the childminder. She ensures that parents feels welcome in her home and she encourages them to talk about their child every day with her. Children feel secure as they follow their normal daily routine, in reference to their sleeping patterns and diet, which has been previously discussed with their parents. This effective partnership ensures that children's care is consistent. Children are valued and respected as

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Helping children make a positive contribution

individuals. Their individual needs are well met and the childminder would be happy to liaise with parents and other professionals to provide any specific care that was required. Children make themselves at home at the childminder's house, they confidently decide what to do and choose what to play with. Children understand consistent behaviour boundaries such as having to sit down when eating and taking their shoes off when they go indoors. They share toys, taking it in turns to push the buggy and carry the car seat with a doll in it. They show care and concern for each other, greeting and cuddling each other upon arrival. Older children know how they should behave when they are walking to and from school because the childminder explains that they need to walk carefully in pairs and stay near her.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by a very experienced and well established childminder, who chooses to care for a small number of pre-school children at a time. This means that children benefit from receiving the high level of one to one support which the childminder gives them. Children also benefit from the very flexible service that the childminder provides. She is very happy to adapt to fit in with any unexpected changes in the working times and days that she cares for children which supports the needs of parents who have irregular working patterns. The childminder displays her insurance and registration details in the kitchen. She is aware of the need for confidentiality in all areas of her work and stores children's records away in a file. She has most of the required documentation for her to run her provision, however it is not all sufficiently completed. The childminder has not yet

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Organisation

devised a system for keeping a record of any complaints that may be made by

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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 parents. Children's full names are not written on the record of attendance and parents do not always countersign the entries of medication records to acknowledge that medicines have been administered to their child. The childminder ensures that at all times when she is out with children, she has their details with her and carries a mobile phone in case of an emergency. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to extend the resources that reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. The childminder could not recall this and has therefore not addressed it, however stated that she does have relevant resources.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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

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): • obtain signed consents for all children to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and ensure that the written record of medicines which have been administered is countersigned by parents • further develop the range of activities provided for younger children by using the Birth to three matters framework • ensure that the record of attendance clearly shows children's full names and accurate times of their arrival and departure • devise a system for the recording of any complaints.

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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 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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