Kirk Ireton C of E Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 112832 Inspection date 20 February 2006 Inspector Jennifer Pearce

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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 was registered in 1998. She lives with her husband and two adult children and two teenage children in a house in the area of Widley, just north of Portsmouth. She lives within walking distance of local schools and parks. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 4 children under 5 on a part time basis and also provides care for children over 8 years before and after school hours. The childminder walks to the local pre school. She attends childminding toddler groups and takes the children to the local library and parks. She is a member of 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 National Childminding Association. The family have pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and child-centred home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. For example, children are taught to wash their hands after wiping their noses, using the toilet, playing outside and before eating any food. Children's toys and resources are regularly maintained and cleaned and the childminder wears disposable gloves when providing personal care for babies, this prevents the spread of infection. Children learn the importance of healthy eating as the childminder teaches them about foods that make their teeth strong. Children are able to choose from a selection of fruit and healthy snacks and drinks. The childminder takes account of the wishes of all parents and works closely with them to provide for the individual dietary needs of each child. Children enjoy a variety of activities that promote their general good health and

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Helping children to be healthy

wellbeing. Each day there are a variety of activities that help children in their physical development, for example, babies stretch, crawl and pull themselves up when they access toys and resources. Children push and manoeuvre the doll's pram, they walk on their way to pre-school and use large play equipment when they explore the garden, visit the local park and a variety of local places of interest.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a spacious environment. They are able to move around freely from room to room as any risks are identified and minimised. This ensures that babies and children are able to access all areas safely and independently. Children are able to select activities and resources from a range of good quality toys and equipment as the childminder carefully monitors and supervises the children's choice to ensure in particular that babies and younger children are unable to access small objects and items. This ensures that children's health and safety are well protected. Children benefit from a good range of safety measures, for example, safety gates, socket covers, smoke detectors and the practise of an emergency evacuation procedure. Children develop a good awareness of keeping safe as they cross roads and know to stop, listen and look and hold adults' hands when crossing

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the road and to stay close when visiting public places. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a secure understanding of

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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 child protection procedures. These are written and are shared with parents before the children attend and the childminder knows who to contact if she has any concerns. This seeks to ensure that the children's welfare and care are promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and at ease in the childminder's home. The childminder knows the children well and makes provision for their needs throughout the daily routine. Children respond well to the childminder as she talks to them and joins in with their play activities. Children's language skills are developed as the childminder asks the children to identify shapes and patterns when they are using a fuzzy felt activity. Children share books together and the childminder talks about the characters in the story, using plenty of descriptive words with the children. For example, children talk about under, over, through and they talk about activities they have done together squelching in mud and splashing in water. Children enjoy opportunities to use different textures in their craft activities, for example, finger painting, gluing activities and making musical instruments. Children socialise with other children and adults as they attend a variety of group

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

activities. These include regular visits to toddler groups and the local library for story time sessions. The childminder interacts well with the children in her care. She knows the children and their families well and keeps them fully informed about the children's activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have a good relationship with the childminder as she takes time to listen to them and is interested in what they say and do. Children access a variety of multicultural resources and celebrate special events throughout the year, for example, the children cooked noodles for Chinese New Year. Children talk about travelling to different countries, the transport they use and what they see on the journey. This helps to develop the children's awareness and promotes a positive view of the wider world. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder uses plenty of praise and encouragement developing their confidence and self esteem, for example, she tells the children everything they do is special and that they are clever when they set up the train track. Children learn good manners and gain an understanding of appropriate behaviour through the expectations set by the childminder. For example, children say "Please"

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and "Thank you" when they receive food and they respond well to requests to tidy up to make further space for activities.

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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 The childminder develops a good relationship with parents and information is exchanged daily about the children's health and dietary needs, daily routines, sleep patterns and activities to ensure that each child's individual needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is involved in ongoing training to develop her skills and child care practice. Children are able to move around freely in the well organised environment. The childminder ensures that all areas both in and out of doors are planned to provide children with choice and freedom. Children's art work is stored in a folder along with photographs of outings. These can be shared with parents and taken by the children on a regular basis. All policies and procedures are shared with parents. This keeps them fully informed of the childminder's practice. This contributes to continuity in the children's care. Whilst most documentation is in place the car insurance does not include business use and some consents from parents are not in place to ensure the children's welfare and care. 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 advised to ensure that children are protected when near the stairs. The childminder provides a safety gate at the foot of the stairs. This ensures that the children's welfare and care are promoted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to 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 may contain 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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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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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 that the car insurance covers business use • obtain parents' prior written permission to seek emergency medical first aid or advice.

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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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