Alexander Hosea Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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109023 Unique Reference Number 18 May 2006 Inspection date Karen Louise Prager 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 1989. She lives with her husband and daughter, son and son's fiancé in Toothill, Swindon. The childminder takes and collects children from Westlea Primary school and pre-school. Regular outings are made to the local library, leisure centre, shops and parks. There is good access to bus routes.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for children to use under supervision. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children under eight, part time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have several pets including a dog, cat, rabbit and guinea pig.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder runs the local childminder meetings and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She has a NVQ 3 qualification, and is also a NVQ Assessor.

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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 health is promoted through effective procedures and practices in place which meet children’s individual physical and emotional needs. Children take part in a range of activities which help them learn about good health, for example discussions about teeth and oral health. The childminder encourages children to develop independence in personal care, for example washing hands after the toilet, or using hand to mouth when coughing.

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Helping children to be healthy

Regular drinks are provided by the childminder. The children’s health is promoted through the childminder's regular discussions with the parents regarding their food requirements. Children develop physical skills through regular use of local play areas. A variety of outings allow children to enjoy robust exercise and develop more controlled skill when, for example, climbing on play equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment which is both safe and secure. Risk of accidental injury is minimised by the thorough and regular risk assessments carried out. Regular fire drills are undertaken and recorded to ensure all adults and children present are confident of actions to take in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children develop a high awareness of safety issues and are learning to keep themselves safe. For example, children know how to stay safe when walking by the road and are taught about safety when crossing roads. Children’s safety when travelling in a car is promoted through provision of correct car seats. Resources used by the childminder actively promote children's development and learning. Older children are able to access some resources from their storage in the utility area. Younger children are able to select from toys in the lounge.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted through the childminder’s comprehensive knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder’s house. The enter confidently and make themselves at home. The children are developing patience, independence and autonomy because the childminder gives them time to complete tasks for themselves. The children relate well to each other and socialise with other children through regular attendance at toddler groups. Children become independent as they choose games and activities stored in the utility room.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's learning and play opportunities are extended through the provision of a broad range of experiences, such as activity books, puzzles in the home The children are also provided with a range of regular learning experiences outside of the home including visits to local toddler

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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 groups and childminding meetings. The childminder uses the Birth to three matters framework when considering activities for the younger children. She enhances the children’s communication skills by speaking clearly with them and listening carefully to responses.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder encourages respect for each others feelings among the children in her care and has a clear, positive approach to managing behaviour. The children learn about their local community as they visit places of interest such as routine visits to the library and local parks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationship that the childminder has established with parents through her communication skills and professional approach. The childminder takes full account of the children's needs, which includes children with special needs, and enables full inclusion for the children in her care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children feel at home and at ease in the well organised environment. The childminder effectively uses her policies and procedures to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. She shares them regularly with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child’s activities. This contributes to continuity in children’s care. Documentation is generally well maintained. All records for the children are up-to-date, easily accessible and confidentially stored. However, one member of the household has not been suitably cleared.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to furthering her knowledge of childcare and recently Birth to three matters training has been undertaken to extend the childminder’s understanding of young children’s stages of development. The provider meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved her organisation and now maintains appropriate adult to child ratios.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004.

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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

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): • ensure all adults are suitably cleared.

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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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