Rivington Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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104761 Unique Reference Number 17 May 2006 Inspection date Valerie Button Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 since 1993 and works alongside her husband who is also a registered childminder. She lives in detached house on the edge of Westward Ho! and has two adult children living at home. The childminder is the prime carer, supported by her husband a considerable amount of time, although he is sometimes engaged in other work outside of the home. The childminder is registered to care for six children under the age of eight years old. There are four children currently on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The conservatory at the back of the house is dedicated to childminding. This is the main play area; it opens out into a secure garden. Sleeping facilities are available in the adjacent lounge.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are no family pets. Both childminders have the use of a car to transport children if necessary.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's care needs are well met. A good, flexible, daily routine is established, with opportunities to rest and relax as well as be active. Children sleep in the adjoining lounge so that they can be carefully monitored. Children benefit from fresh air and exercise. There is easy access to outside play from the indoor playroom. Children are able to move freely between the two areas, whilst still under careful supervision. Children are protected from infection as good attention is given to hand-washing before and after meal times. Information about children's food preferences and any allergies is carefully recorded. Children enjoy suitable meal times and food brought from home is safely stored. Children's well-being is maintained as written consent is obtained for the seeking of emergency advice or treatment. The childminder has renewed her first aid qualifications. The procedure for administering any medication is generally well

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Helping children to be healthy

completed, with an up-dated system recently adopted. Good information, sometimes in written form, is given to parents about their child's care and nourishment during the time spent at the childminder's home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a well organised, safe environment, both indoors and out. They enjoy using suitable toys that are clean and well-maintained. Children are kept safe as the home is secure and the garden is enclosed. The free access between the play room and the garden supports the meticulous supervision of the children, which is often on a one-to-one basis. Sleeping children are in a room adjoining the play room so that they are easily heard and monitored. Generally good attention is given to fire safety issues, for example, emergency evacuation of the premises is regularly practised with the children. However, though there are smoke alarms on the first floor and in the loft, there is none on the ground floor. Children are well protected. The childminder knows the children and their families very well. She has the relevant guidance on file, has attended a short training course and is very well aware of her responsibilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are sensitively cared for and are happy and cheerful. They show warm relationships with the childminder who maintains close contact with the children throughout their time with her. Children benefit from the childminder's natural rapport with children and they enjoy playing together and sharing books together. Children's early language skills are fostered by constant interaction on a one-to-one basis. Throughout, the childminder is working with the children, talking to them, offering praise, encouragement and explanations to extend their learning and development. Children also enjoy socialising with each other. They enjoy a range of suitable activities indoors and out, as well as various trips out of the home. The childminder takes the lead role in the childminding service. She refers to the guidance document 'Birth to three matters' when providing activities for young children. Young children's care routines, such as

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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 their times to sleep or to go to playgroup, are skilfully woven into the daily routine so that their individual needs are respected. The fact that there are often two childminders present means, for example, that sleeping babies do not have to be disturbed to collect older children from school

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed. Their company is much enjoyed and they respond well to consistent behaviour management and plenty of praise and encouragement. The two childminders, working together, present very good, caring role models to the children. Children benefit from the childminder's experience in caring for children, including those with special needs. Her consistent, positive approach helps children to feel valued, happy and secure. Children respond well and behaviour management is good. The childminder ensures that children's individual needs are well met and has a good understanding of equal opportunities issues.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the strong partnership between the childminder and their parents. Children are cared for in accordance with their parents wishes. The regular exchange of information between childminder and parents, either verbally or through written daily 'diaries' keeps both parties well informed and ensures that there is a consistent approach to promoting the children's care and welfare. The childminder is able to show written comments from parents which state their huge satisfaction with the good levels of care their children receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children clearly feel at home in the well organised environment. They have good spaces for play, both indoors and out. They benefit enormously from the experience of the childminder, who works in partnership with her husband. Children receive very good levels of attention, with the childminder and her husband working together for much of the time. This also means that children can be taken to nearby schools and playgroups by one of the childminders whilst others remain in the home. The childminder is the main carer. She has established clear contracts with parents to set out the expectations of both parties with regard to the care of the child. Policies, procedures and the care of the children are all carefully discussed between the two childminders, who work very well together, as a team, to organise and provide good quality care for children.

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Organisation

Documentation needed to underpin the care and welfare of the children is mostly well maintained, for example, there is clear written permission to take children in the car and on short outings. However, the register of attendance is not always sufficiently accurate in recording the children's attendance; for example, when children are at playgroup the register does not record their absence. Thus, the means of checking who is on the premises is not always accurate. Neither is it sufficiently clear which of the childminders has overall responsibility for the children at any given time, for example, there is no system to record when one of the childminders is not at home. These uncertainties compromise the care of the children. The childminder has attended regular training to update her skills, for example, child protection training and a course on the new inspection regime.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection children have benefited from the purchase of some new toys and equipment. Play items are set out to welcome children when they first arrive, but storage systems have been improved to allow children to select play resources for themselves. New items purchased include dressing up clothes, books and puzzles to reflect positive images of race, culture and disability. Toys are regularly cleaned. Children are encouraged to help with this. There is an efficient system for checking that all toys and equipment are in a good state of repair and safe for children's use. The childminder uses the local toy library so that play equipment available to the children is varied.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Complaints 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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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 register of attendance is accurate in showing when children are on the premises and showing which of the childminders is responsible for the children • ensure that there is a working smoke alarm downstairs

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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