St George's School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 109723 Inspection date 27 February 2006 Inspector Anne Mitchell

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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 to care for children since 1991. She lives with her husband and two older children near Poole. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding as well as the upstairs bathroom, and one bedroom for children that need to sleep. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a total of six children at any one time. There are currently a total of nine children under the age of eight 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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association as well as a member of the Poole Childminding Network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well protected from the spread of infection through the good hygiene procedures followed. They are provided with individual towels to dry their hands, which helps to limit cross infection. Children know why hand washing is important through discussion with the childminder. There are good nappy changing procedures in place to protect children's health. Equipment and toys are washed thoroughly on a regular basis to ensure the risk of cross infection is effectively minimised. Children's dietary health is effectively supported through the provision of regular drinks and healthy snacks. Fresh fruit and a cereal bar is available for snack, for example. The childminder holds a food hygiene certificate and children's lunch boxes are stored appropriately. Children's understanding of healthy eating is promoted during discussions at snack time. Children's dietary needs are clearly recorded to

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Helping children to be healthy

enable the childminder to meet individual needs appropriately. The childminder ensures children of all ages have regular opportunities to enjoy fresh air and exercise, to promote their physical health and development. Children go on regular walks. There are regular outings to parks, beach and the countryside to enable children to pedal, run, and climb on large physical play equipment. Children's small muscle control is well promoted through well planned activities such as puzzles, shape sorting and construction toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is well promoted and the childminder has taken effective steps to ensure children are safe through the close level of supervision and a safe and secure environment. Stair gates exclude children from areas of potential risk. Harnesses are used in highchairs and in buggies. Children are well supervised at all times and are given support to learn how to keep safe in the home and on outings. They know the routines well, waiting for reigns to be fitted before an outing, for example. Children learn about keeping themselves safe through discussion during play. They are reminded to hold on carefully to the climbing frame and keep away from the swings while in use. However, opportunities are sometimes missed to help children learn about road safety. Fire safety is well managed and older children are familiar and confident in practicing emergency evacuation procedures. Clear emergency procedures and health and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safety policies are shared with parents from the outset to reassure them. Children are protected from harm and neglect through the childminder's secure

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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 knowledge of child protection procedures, as she has attended training. The childminder has developed a comprehensive child protection policy, which ensures parents are familiar with her responsibilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled. New children are offered support and reassurance to help them settle more easily. Children relate well to the childminder and to each other, and they are encouraged to play together and co-operate. All children demonstrate good levels of confidence and self esteem. A good level of interaction is maintained at all times. The childminder talks with the children showing genuine interest in what they have to say. Activities are very much child led to ensure children's changing needs throughout the day are met. They enjoy regular outings to parks and walks. Children are able to experience creative and messy play, and toys and activities are rotated to provide variety. Children's imagination is well promoted through inviting role play resources. They are developing good levels of independence and explore activities for themselves. Children are the priority and the childminder spends all her time talking

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and listening to the children. She is sensitive and caring towards the children's needs. Children enjoy exploring a tactile story book with the childminder, feeling the different textures on each page.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children demonstrate a sense of belonging in the childminder's home. They benefit from the childminder's secure knowledge and understanding of the individual needs of the children she cares for. The childminder spends time with parents discussing their children's home routines, likes and dislikes to ensures she can follow the home routine closely. This ensures the children have consistent care and promotes their security and well being. The childminder provides a broad range of good quality resources that provide positive images of cultural diversity and disability. This helps to extend children's knowledge and understanding of the wider world, and to help them recognise and respect differences. Boys and girls have equal access to all activities and play experiences. Children's behaviour is very good. They are given lots of praise and encouragement by the childminder to reward good behaviour. They are secure due to the familiar and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

consistent boundaries and expectations. The childminder has developed a clear behaviour management policy that is shared with parents to ensure a consistent approach. Partnership with parents is good. Letters from parents are very positive and there is

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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 evidence that they value the care their children receive and are confident in leaving them in the childminder's care. Parents are provided with well written and comprehensive information about the setting. They are kept well informed of their children's progress and daily routines through regular discussions.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's clear commitment to training. They are cared for in a secure environment, where all key adults have been checked and are suitable. The environment is generally well organised and this helps children to be settled and confident. The childminder has developed a comprehensive and well written range of policies and procedures that support and reflect the childminder's effective working practice. These are shared with the parents to ensure that they are kept fully informed about the provision. All required documentation that supports and promotes children's health and welfare are clear and up to date. They are kept securely to protect children's confidentiality. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure written records are in place and are up to date. All records are clear and up to date and effectively support children's health and welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints about the provider received by Ofsted 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

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 MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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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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): • continue to promote children's safety on outings through reinforcement and discussion about how to keep safe

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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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