Wentworth Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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118251 Unique Reference Number 18 April 2006 Inspection date Deborah Jane Starr 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 was registered in 1991. She lives with her husband and 2 sons aged 13 and 15 years in Nailsea, North Somerset. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have 2 guinea pigs and goldfish for pets

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time. There are currently 21 children attending on a part-time basis. The childminder takes children to and collects from local schools, nurseries and pre-schools. She attends a local toddler group, soft play area and visits local parks, shops and places of interest.

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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. Children learn about good hygiene routines through well established daily routines. Children know to wash their hands before meals, after messy play and spontaneously wash their hands after using the toilet. Policies and thorough procedures that effectively minimise the spread of illness and risk of infection are in place. For example there is a sick child policy, procedures for nappy changing, individual bedding for each child and individual paper towels, children know to wipe their noses. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. Accidents and the administering of medication are managed appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a variety of regular activities that contribute to their physical health and development. They enjoy experiences that promote control and co-ordination. Indoor games include crawling through tunnels and music and movement. Regular physical activities in the garden include sit and ride toys, bikes, balls games and a slide. Trips to the park offer opportunities to climb and balance and give older children the opportunity to play large group games such as rounders. Walking to pre-school and local schools improves children's fitness and provides fresh air. Flexible arrangements as agreed with parents to follow sleep routines from home ensure that children are able to sleep when tired and rest comfortably according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to develop an understanding of a healthy nutritious diet through well balanced snacks and meals and interesting activities such as food tasting. For example, children eagerly tuck into a wide range of fruits at snack time and record their preferences. The childminder takes account of children's individual dietary needs and provides all meals, except where parents choose to provide their own food for their child. Children enjoy freshly prepared meals using fresh produce. Children have access to drinks on request throughout the day; younger children's drinking cups are easily accessible at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe. They move independently around the well maintained home where risks are identified, hazards minimised and regularly checked, for example stair gates and smoke detectors. Children play with a wide range of good quality and age appropriate toys and resources. Children are actively encouraged and guided by the childminder to keep themselves safe both within the home and when outside. Children sit safely on chairs and regularly practise fire evacuation procedures. Young children's safety is promoted through the use of reins or wrist restraints when walking outside. The childminder makes clear her expectations that children hold onto the buggy and learn to cross roads safely. Children know how far they can walk ahead and where they can play in the park through the setting of clear boundaries. Older children discuss issues about 'Stranger Danger'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder thoughtfully considers a range of policies and procedures that ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and protected, such as the collection of children, a record of visitors

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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 and written parental permission to transport a child in a vehicle. She has a good knowledge and understanding of the issues linked to child protection and thoroughly discusses with parents her responsibilities to protect children by following local procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children make progress because the childminder uses her skills and increasing knowledge of child development to plan an interesting and flexible range of activities linked to themes throughout the week. Children enjoy drawing pictures of ducks and stick them using glue onto a large collage of spring. They are intrigued by shiny stickers of insects and persevere at peeling and placing pictures into a sticker book from the TV programme 'Balamory'. Thoughtful questioning by the childminder helps children develop their own thoughts and ideas and gain as much as possible from an activity. Outings such as visits to Backwell Lake to look at ducklings and activities such as planting bulbs and making spring paintings are thoughtfully linked to help develop children's learning and understanding of their world. Everyday experiences such as snack time, walking to school and helping with shopping promote children's senses, their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

understanding of number and exploration of colour through everyday objects such as fruit tasting, counting steps and cars and choosing vegetables. Children enjoy looking at books and listening to stories linked to activities and their experiences such as 'The Hungry Caterpillar'. Older children enjoy outings in school holidays that include tobogganing, the cinema and ten pin bowling.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are settled and at ease within the childminder's home. The positive relationship between the childminder and child promotes their self-confidence and enables them to develop relationships with others, for example the visiting inspector. Children's individual needs are clearly identified and met. This is achieved through regular discussion and sharing of information with parents. Activities are adapted so that all children participate. For example, a large collage is placed on the floor so that both 18 month old children and 3 year olds can paint and stick objects at the same time. Displays of children's work and photographs of themselves involved in activities develops their sense of belonging and children feel valued. To date the childminder has not cared for a child with special needs, but if asked would discuss the child's individual requirements with parents. Children access a variety of resources that positively represent

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Helping children make a positive contribution

people from the wider community for instance, dolls with glasses, small world figures with disabilities and non gender specific images through books and puzzles. Children gain a sense of the wider world through meaningful experiences such as food, music and craft activities linked to some celebrations such as Easter, Mothers Day, Divali and Chinese New Year. Children develop a sense of belonging to their local community through regular visits to the library, shops and toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children receive frequent encouragement and praise that promotes their self-esteem and well-being. The childminders calm, consistent approach, clear setting of boundaries and age appropriate strategies in conjunction with the appropriate use of stickers to reward positive

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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 behaviour is highly effective in managing children's behaviour. Children know what is expected of them and their behaviour is good. Children help to tidy toys away and show care and concern for other children and living things around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the close relationship between parents, carers and the childminder. Her approach ensures children are secure and parents are actively involved in the care given to their child. Parents and carers are fully informed of their child's daily experiences through a comprehensive information booklet, parent pack of policies and procedures, daily diary, parents notice board, discussion, photographs and newsletters. Parents speak highly of the childminder and are very satisfied with the care given to their children. The system for recording complaints needs further development.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are at ease within the well organised environment. This inviting home enables children to move independently and self-select and make independent choices from well organised, clearly labelled low level storage boxes and shelving. The childminder plans ahead effectively to ensure minimum disruption for the care of children. For example emergency and holiday cover is available from a group of childminders who are well known to the child.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to develop her knowledge and skills through training such as 'Birth to 3 matters' and 'Equality and Diversity'. Parent's comments gained through a written survey helps the childminder review the care she provides. Children's wellbeing is promoted through appropriate, regularly updated and well organised documentation that is stored confidentially.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection a range of recommendations were raised. First, consider the provision of written information about the setting for parents. Second, extend planning of activities to cover all areas of children's development. Third, extend resources to include people with disabilities. Fourth, improve safety in respect of the bookshelves in areas used for childminding. All issues have been fully addressed and children's welfare and safety is carefully considered and promoted.

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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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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): • develop further the system for recording complaints.

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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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