Hummersknott School and Language College

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 114323 Inspection date 12 April 2006 Inspector Karin Lane

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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 1994. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 8 and 9 in Worthing, West Sussex. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. Toilet facilities are upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 5 children under 5 part-time, and 1 child over 5 before and after school. Children aged over 8 years are also cared for. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends a local parent and

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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 toddler group. The family has no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Effective arrangements promote children's health including parents being notified about infections such as chicken pox, and an expectation that they will collect sick children. The childminder keeps tissues to hand and ensures runny noses are wiped regularly. Children are helped to learn about hygiene as the childminder, for example, discusses washing hands before eating. Suitable procedures are in place for dealing with accidents and if children require medicines. Children benefit from good vigorous exercise. They can play outside all year round on a paved area and enjoy using a variety of equipment. They are taken for walks and outings to the seaside, parks and woods. Children benefit from regular drinks and are offered fruit at meal-times. Children grow vegetables in the garden which they harvest and eat, which helps them learn about a healthy diet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe as the childminder has minimised risks in her home. Safety measures in place include an enclosed garden, the use of socket covers, the safe storage of chemicals and secure doors and gates. Children learn to keep themselves safe when on outings by crossing the road with the school crossing patrol or at pedestrian crossings. Children are very well supervised by the childminder who keeps them within her sight or hearing at all times. Children benefit from the provision of a good range of clean, safe play equipment which they can easily access giving them choice. They are well protected as the childminder has a good understanding about her responsibilities regarding child protection in line with local procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good range of interesting activities and benefit from an excellent range of toys and equipment. They are very well settled and confidently approach the friendly childminder who is responsive towards them. The development of language is enhanced as the childminder talks to the children and asks them questions. Children enjoy opportunities to play outside kicking balls, bouncing on a small trampoline and learning how to hit a ball with a bat, which develops their large muscles. They play alongside each other harmoniously and are interested in the toys, exploring, for example, a large box of duplo and trying to fit the pieces together, which aids their hand - eye coordination. They are encouraged to make choices as the childminder asks them what colour toy they want or what to have for snack. There are good opportunities to develop social skills as children are taken to parent 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 toddler groups and on outings with other childminders.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's needs are well met as the childminder has good knowledge of them, including any fears they may have or particular interests such as dancing. Children benefit as the childminder works closely with parents, for example, working together to successfully potty train a child. Effective daily communication supports the care given to children. Toys and activities appeal to both boys and girls and there are sufficient ways to help them learn about diversity. Sufficient plans are in place for the care of children with special needs, including full discussion with parents to assess the level of support required. Children behave very well. Good opportunities are taken to help them to learn to share, for example, taking turns when playing bat and ball. Children are encouraged to say please and are praised for their achievements.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's care is mostly supported as the childminder keeps satisfactory documentation. However, the childminder's assistant is sometimes in sole charge of minded children and the childminder has not obtained written consent from parents to do this. She has not established if her assistant is insured and details of who has cared for children are not included in the record of attendance. The childminder has a positive attitude towards training and recently updated her knowledge about child protection which aids her knowledge of how to protect children. A very welcoming environment is enhanced by the display of photographs, posters and children's art work and children benefit from a balanced range of stimulating and interesting activities. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection the childminder agreed to make the glass in the garden shed safe. The shed window has been fitted with a wooden frame. This protects the glass well and keeps children safe.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they may see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure parents give written permission for an assistant to be in sole charge of children, that suitable insurance cover is obtained for an assistant and written records show who has been in charge of minded children

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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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