Skelmanthorpe First and Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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107652 Unique Reference Number 08 June 2006 Inspection date Helen Ann Woods 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 1999. She lives with her husband and three school aged children. Their house is situated in a residential road on the outskirts of the town of Chesham, Buckinghamshire. The property is a bungalow with a loft conversion. All rooms are used for minding. There is a large fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years of whom three may be under five years and of these one may be under one year. She currently has six children on roll part time with only four children present at any one time. The childminder holds a current paediatric first aid certificate.

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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 are cared for in a clean, healthy environment where procedures are in place to maintain good levels of hygiene. Children thrive because the childminder follows highly effective procedures and practices, which meet the children's physical, nutritious and health needs. Through excellent adult support and guidance children gain an understanding of hygiene and demonstrate a real desire to become increasingly independent in their personal care. Children explore, challenge and develop physical control in stimulating daily indoor and outdoor experiences. The children are confident to try out new skills, gesture or ask for help.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children help themselves to drinks of juice and water throughout the day and enjoy fresh fruit as a snack. All meals are well balanced and take account of the individual and cultural needs of all the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a warm and welcoming home where children feel safe and secure. Her close supervision of children maintains their safety. She keeps areas of the home secure and ensures safety equipment is in place to minimise risks. Children learn to adopt safe practices, such as not running indoors and clearing toys away so that younger children do not tread on them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted, for example, the childminder holds a current paediatric first aid certificate. A clear child protection policy safeguards children’s welfare and the childminder shares this with parents. She has a good understanding of all issues and is aware of the appropriate procedures to follow.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children take part in a varied range of activities, both indoors and out, which are fun, stimulating, and that aid their development. They have the opportunity for daily walks and visit a parent and toddler group each week. Children learn through play, by reading books, dressing up in role play situations such as 'playing house' and taking part in creative and imaginary play. Children are confident and have good self-esteem which is fostered well by the childminder as she listens with interest and praises their achievements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children express themselves and communicate confidently using gesture, expression and language. They regularly visit the local park to feed the ducks and benefit from the childminder's sound understanding of learning and developmental stages which ensures they make good progress. The childminder enables children to follow their established routines, such as sleeping

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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 and feeding patterns. Children are, therefore, happy and relaxed, benefiting from a caring environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's self-esteem is fostered through positive interaction with the childminder. They receive lots of praise and encouragement as she involves herself with their play; children feel valued and confident to try new experiences. Clear consistent house rules, based around safety and respect for property and people, are in place, which enable children to develop self-discipline. Children mix socially with others encouraging them to learn respect for differing cultures and abilities. The childminder's good understanding of children’s learning and developmental needs ensures she meets any child’s special needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder and parents form a close working relationship that ensures continuity of care for children. The childminder maintains confidentiality at all times.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children experience a high level of care and support, which aids their development, because the childminder organises her home and childminding well. The childminder updates her knowledge and children benefit from her experience gained working with children over many years. She completes all required records and paperwork accurately and stores them securely to maintain confidentiality.

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Organisation

Parents receive copies of any recordings made and records are updated as necessary to ensure children's details are current, however, Ofsted's telephone number is not visible to parents. 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 inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that records of attendance include details of arrival and departure times, children have an appropriate range of activities and play materials that provide positive images of diversity and to ensure that furniture meets the needs of pre-school age children at meal times. The childminder includes arrival and departure times in the attendance register, children have a range of resources and activities that reflect positive images, such as puzzles, dolls and books, and appropriate furniture, such as booster seats, is provided for pre-school children to be able to sit at the table for meal times.

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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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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

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

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): • display the Ofsted telephone number for parents to see.

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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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