Kineton High School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

125734 Unique Reference Number 08 May 2006 Inspection date Jackie Liffen Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1988.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her husband in Frittenden, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of 6 children at any one time and is currently minding 3 children under 5 years on a part time basis and 4 children before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are beginning to learn simple good health and hygiene practices; helped by the childminder, who ensures that they wash their hands after going to the toilet and before eating. They are protected from infection by the childminder who uses disposable gloves and antibacterial cleanser when necessary. Children are well taken care of if they have an accident or become ill because the childminder is familiar with first-aid procedures and is clear about putting her medication policy into practice. Children sleep, when they are tired, in a travel cot, where the childminder ensures cleanliness by using individual linen, which is washed regularly. They go for a number of walks with the childminder, although other physical activities are limited. Although the childminder provides healthy snacks, children tend to eat meals that their parents provide. They are given a drink when they are thirsty.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into the large house where they tend to play either in the specified playroom or take toys into the sitting room. They do not stay in the passageway, which is unsuitable for play because there are some hazards such as loose wires. The childminder is not using her risk assessment on a daily basis meaning that sometimes areas of the house are dark, however, children quickly become familiar with the layout and remember to step carefully down from the kitchen into the hall, where sometimes it is quite difficult to see. Children use equipment such as highchairs and pushchairs which are appropriate for their purpose and help to create an accessible and stimulating environment. They are kept safe on outings because the childminder plans carefully and takes out suitable emergency equipment such as a first-aid box. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a good knowledge of child

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

protection procedures and knows how to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children settle extremely quickly and become very happy in the setting as they search out the appropriate activities which the childminder ensures are easily accessed. They rapidly gain in self-esteem as they persevere and achieve a number of tasks by themselves; they are complimented by the childminder who gives them lots of praise. Children are constantly involved in a broad range of planned activities and spontaneous events which support their development and learning exceptionally well. For example, once they are undertaking an activity the childminder asks them a number of questions to develop their ability and stimulate their thinking and sometimes the responses lead on to further projects. Children are curious and confidently help themselves to toys from the cupboard and in the playroom whilst increasing their knowledge and ability. For instance a 2 year old takes out the playdough from the cupboard to put on the

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

table, whilst counting and checking on the colours. Children relate exceptionally well to each other and respond with interest to any adults who communicate with them.

p.3

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 Some of the children are progressing quickly through the stepping stones as they begin to undertake pre-maths and pre-reading/writing exercises with the childminder who plans their learning on a daily basis. Younger children and babies are included in all activities as the childminder uses her excellent knowledge of Birth to three matters framework to extend the provision appropriately.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have a number of toys and activities which help them become aware of the diverse nature of our society, for example they play with different cultural dolls and puzzles and also celebrate festivals from different religions such as Divali and Christmas. The childminder constantly ensures that every child is valued and included by using detailed child record forms to check that each one receives appropriate attention. Children have their specific needs met well by the childminder who works in close partnership with parents to ensure that all children reach their optimum potential. Children learn to respond to appropriate expectations for their behaviour and their self-esteem is maintained by the childminder, who ensures that they are happily engaged in a diverse number of activities. She takes every opportunity to praise children for their efforts, resulting in hardly any unwanted behaviour. Children benefit from continuity

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

of care because the childminder uses contracts to establish professional relationship with parents and also provides daily contact books, recording children's achievements and activities.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children progress rapidly in the setting because the childminder is extremely well organised. Although she is a very busy lady undertaking other duties on the farm, she uses her experience and training to provide very well for each child in her care. Children's enjoyment and achievement are enhanced because the childminder ensures that she arranges her time and space to promote their ability to make a positive contribution. The childminder ensures children's comfort by liaising closely with parents via a daily contact book and children also benefit from continuity of care. The childminder has a number of policies and procedures which work in practice to promote children's welfare and she keeps her paperwork neatly filed and stored confidentially, so that the records are used well to meet children's needs.

p.4

Organisation

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

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that parents' agreements are sufficient for the purpose; she now enhances the continuity of care for the children by asking parents to sign for a number of things, such as taking photographs. The childminder was asked to ensure that a first-aid kit is available on outings in case of emergency and she has now obtained a special kit. The childminder has developed further policies and ensures that all her paperwork is easily accessed as requested. She was also asked to ensure that children use individual linen; she now makes sure that children do not suffer from cross-contamination by supplying clean,

p.4

Improvements 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 colour-coded linen for each child. As requested at the last inspection, the childminder also ensures that there are suitable arrangements to protect children from persons who are not vetted by completing a visitors book.

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

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

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • provide further opportunities for children to extend their physical development in appropriate surroundings • ensure that the risk assessment is used daily.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5