Avenue First School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 120929 Inspection date 16 September 2005 Inspector Anne Jacqueline Nicholson

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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 1993. She lives with her husband and two school aged children in a residential area close to Woking, St Johns and Horsell. She is within walking distance of the local shops, parks and schools. The children have access mainly to the ground floor with sleeping facilities upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. There are currently three children on roll. The childminder walks/ drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has no pets.

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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. (NCMA)

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children participate in some form of physical activity daily and they have opportunities to enjoy a good range of activities that support healthy development. For instance going to the soft play centre in Leisure centre, local walks to feed the ducks and enjoy the parks as well as picnics and outings to the seaside. The daily routine allows time to play or to rest either in a travel cot, pushchair or on the chair. Children play in a light, hygienic environment with plenty of clean floor space for them to get down and play on. They develop an awareness of good hygiene practices and personal care skills. Younger children hear explanations of why they need their hands and faces wiped before and after eating and when using the toilet or being changed. Children's health is positively promoted through written documentation being completed by the parents and consistently promoted by the childminder. For

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Helping children to be healthy

instance parents give prior written consent to administer medication and sign to acknowledge when medication has been administered. Clear information is available showing how children's needs are appropriate met if they become unwell. A valid First Aid certificate and a first aid box are held by the childminder. Children enjoy and experience a variety of fresh food on a daily basis ensuring they receive a balanced diet. Food is provided by parents and supplemented by the childminder at snack times. Their individual dietary needs are acknowledged. They can access drinks regularly and their cups remain accessible to them. Children receive encouragement to sit socially around the table and eat together at lunchtime. Children learn and demonstrate acceptable behaviour and good manners.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children can access and play in premises were potential hazards have been positively identified and acknowledged. Visitors only gain access if the childminder wishes to acknowledge them and give them access, on occasions visitors aren't heard and this may impact on child's safety. Children can freely access resources that are of a good quality, clean and in good condition. Resources are all checked, washed and repaired as they go away at the end of the day to ensure they remain in a safe and suitable condition for use. Furniture and toys available are appropriate and accessible for the ages of children present. Children's welfare is well promoted and consistently reinforced. They receive good explanations as to why they should hold hands and wear reins when on walks. The childminder follows the Area Child Protection Procedures (ACPC) guidance. Parents receive written information about her child protection obligations although this omits

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the procedures to follow if there is a concern for a child's safety.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good range of resources and activities that develop and stimulate them both in the home and outside. They settle well and make themselves at home demonstrating relaxed relationships with the childminder and each other. Younger children display caring attitudes towards babies and receive encouragement to play nicely and gently alongside them so they also be included. Interaction during play is positive and enabled by the childminder providing sufficient resources and verbal encouragement for children to share similar toys. For example, whilst playing cars both children wanted the same vehicle as another one was available. A compromise was negotiated. For instance 'How about you have the ambulance until the fire engine is free'. They enjoy exploring a variety of activities that contribute to their creativity including cooking, painting and doing seasonal creative sessions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have regular opportunities to mix with other children when out and this encourages them to form new relationships. They enjoy participating in walks to the park, attending childminding groups and other outings. Younger children begin to develop independent play as they freely select and make choices from the small variety of appealing toys, books and activities. The childminders knowledge and understanding of how play opportunities for children under three years may be extended to provide more challenge, through resources and creating themed activities, is less secure currently and she is seeking to increase her skills using the Birth to Three Matters framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Written policies inform parents about the childminders equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice. Children currently enjoy limited planned activities and resources that positively promote other cultures, equal opportunities and special needs. The childminder plans to create opportunities, arrange outings and provide a range of creative activities to increase children's awareness of these areas. Currently no child with a specific special need attends but a special need Policy is in place. Children's behaviour is good. They receive continual encouragement to show consideration and caring attitudes towards each other. Acceptable behaviour is positively encouraged and children receive calm guidance about unacceptable behaviour. Children begin to learn to negotiate with each other, with the childminder's support, and occasional disputes become quickly forgotten. Partnership with parents is strong. They receive written information about the service

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Helping children make a positive contribution

provided, policies and procedures followed although the complaints and child protection information currently lacks some detail. The Registration certificate is clearly on display. Parents complete detailed registration forms providing information about their child's individual needs. They regularly share and receive information both verbally and through use of the home - childminding diaries.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and play calmly together in a clean and organised environment. They receive good support from the childminder who knows them well and helps them feel secure and confident. The childminder has a business like approach to her childminding and maintains excellent records promoting the children's welfare and care. Written policies and procedures are in place to ensure that parents receive clear and consistent information about the service provided. Parents remain well informed of their child's achievements with the childminder discussing all aspects of the children's care with them. The provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder improve the range of activities and play opportunities for children's overall development giving particular regard to younger children. She has increased some resources and is looking to further increase these, activities and opportunities by using Birth to Three Matters. That she ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, develop knowledge and understanding of equality of opportunity. Currently progress is limited with only a few books purchased. She is planning to increase her knowledge through research and doing more activities linked to other cultures. She was requested to obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children. This she has now done and forms are kept with her other childminding records. That she develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She has increased her knowledge and plans to attend a training session. She now provides written information for parents of her responsibilities regarding child protection although this lacks some detail.

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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 positive steps are taken to enable visitors to the premises to be easily heard • ensure that younger children have access to an appropriate range of activities and resources that extend their learning and promote equality of opportunity and a better understanding of the wider world. • ensure that parents are fully informed of the complaint and child protection procedures.

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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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