Shirebrook Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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136127 Unique Reference Number 02 May 2006 Inspection date Karen Elizabeth Screen 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 outstanding. 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 is a qualified nursery nurse and has been registered since 1993. She also has experience of working in a nursery and in a school for children with special needs. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 14 and 12 years old. The family have a dog. They live in a 4-bedroom house on the outskirts of Thornbury, in South Gloucestershire. All areas of the home are suitable for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. A number of local shops and amenities are within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder offers full- and part-time care throughout the year and is able to collect children from Manorbrook Primary School and Rainbow Teddies Pre-School. There are 4 children aged under 8 years old on roll. The childminder attends local parent-and-toddler groups twice a week. She regularly takes children for walks in the local community, and to places of interest such as the Zoo, in the holidays. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 outstanding. Children enjoy close, warm, relaxed and supportive relationships. Their emotional well-being is further promoted, through the strong working relationships that are quickly established between their parents and the childminder. The childminder has an excellent knowledge of children's individual needs. She is currently working closely with parents and health professionals to support the children. This collaborative approach has very positive results. For example, by adjusting and adapting her facilities, children make rapid advances in their physical development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's growth and development is fostered by a childminder who knows the children very well and responds quickly to their needs. She promotes their development by providing numerous chances for babies and toddlers to practise the movements necessary to gain good control of their bodies. For example, through playing on the floor with the children, demonstrating and encouraging by example. Children are afforded excellent opportunities to develop fine motor control, such as through opportunities to fully explore the properties of 'gloop' made from cornflour and water. Older children are also afforded very good chances to enjoy more robust activities, such as playing games of catch in the garden and park. The garden is very inviting and children are making good use of this readily available space to extend their activities on a daily basis. For example, growing vegetables and flowers in the garden, or in containers.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is very well protected within an environment where the childminder has a clear understanding of the treatment of minor injuries and the administration of medication. The sick child procedure works very well in practice because the policy messages are re-enforced. For example, a list of the incubation times for various diseases forms part of the welcome pack for parents, and is regularly reviewed and updated when necessary. Children are cared for in a clean and tidy environment, where the childminder undertakes daily cleaning of the environment, toys and resources, in order to prevent the spread of infection. Children learn about personal hygiene and to care for themselves and their environment, such as taking their shoes off at the door, in order to keep the home clean. The childminder talks about the "sunny, but cool" weather and helps them to put on their shoes and warm clothes before going outside. The

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Helping children to be healthy

importance of hand washing is explained and children are confident to use the facilities with minimal assistance from the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning to appreciate foods which help them to grow and thrive. A wholesome range of healthy foods are offered during the day; and even the youngest children help themselves to drinks whenever they are thirsty. The childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating, which she shares with the children and their parents. She works closely with parents to ensure that they are fully involved in the choice of foods offered to their children, so that they can plan their own meals in advance. Good routines for meal times are well established. For example, children are very keen to be involved in washing the surface of the table, in preparation for snack-time.

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Helping children to be healthy

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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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The childminder takes positive steps to promote safety inside, outside and on outings. For example, she ensures that children are able to move around the floor free from hazards and harm. Risks to children from house fires have been substantially reduced through well-thought out emergency evacuation procedures. Risks to children from accidents have been minimised, through the close attention paid to regular, well-documented risk assessments and safety checks such as the dated carbon monoxide checks. Children are also very well protected by a childminder who is clear about child protection procedures. She is aware of the possible signs of children at risk and of her responsibility to report her concerns without delay, according to local child protection procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home is warm and welcoming, with comfortable adult- and child-sized furniture, such as sofas, tables and chairs. Up-to-date photographs of children engrossed in a wide variety of activities and experiences, adorn the walls. Many well-chosen and good-quality toys, books and resources have been purchased since the last inspection, such as a doll's wheelchair. Indoor and outdoor resources are attractively displayed for children to select for themselves. There is also an excellent supply of well-maintained equipment for babies, toddlers and young children. The childminder has well-thought out plans for making the most of the space, including the garden which is suitable for use in all but the harshest of weather conditions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children make decisions about their own play and learning, such as choosing and setting out the tea set on a white table cloth. They ask for and receive water, which they pour into the cups by themselves. They notice spills, but are unconcerned saying "oh dear!" They drink their 'tea' and pour more into their cups. They ask the childminder if she would like a drink. She says "no thank you" and points out that she already has a cup of tea to finish. Children imitate the childminder, using soft tones and expressions, whilst fully engaged in imaginative play, such as feeding their 'baby'. The childminder joins in extending play with rich use of language. Children are gaining an excellent understanding of past and present through their enjoyment of re-visiting the recent experiences depicted in their photographs on the walls, and in looking through their old baby photographs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are curious and have a positive approach to new experiences. Their concentration is good. They are encouraged and supported to choose and test the properties of different materials. For example, one the children spends a few minutes making pincer movements with her index- and fore fingers, as she slowly and carefully stretches glue to breaking point, then begins again. Children are encouraged to be independent and take pride in helping to tidy away the toys before snack time.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relate very well towards other children and adults, for example they are confident to approach and interact with the inspector, such as smiling and giving the inspector a doll to play with. Children's confidence and self-esteem are raised by a childminder who is sensitive to their

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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 needs and knows them well. Children communicate very well with the childminder, she offers appropriate praise and listens carefully to what they have to say.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The plans, patterns with in the day and the weekly routines, are well established. This helps children to predict what will happen next and to extend their skills in a secure environment. The childminder's plans are used as the basis for the day, but they are not rigid and are subject to change according to the children's interests and other variables such as the weather. The childminder makes very good use of the Birth to three framework, to help support her work with young children. She recognises that it is a useful tool in planning appropriate experiences and tracking children's progress. She uses it to good effect, to evaluate the benefit of the experiences she provides; and links these effectively to her planning for individual children's developmental needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are developing a sense of belonging through the very warm welcome extended to their whole families. Excellent relationships between the childminder and parents, contribute to the children's confidence in the childminder. Close partnership with parents is achieved through the high quality prior information she provides about planned activities, experiences and their purpose. This strong link is also achieved through the daily exchange of verbal and written information regarding many aspects of the children's lives whilst with the childminder and also whilst in their parent's care. This helps to build a genuine understanding of what is on offer and the development of a full partnership with parents. Some children will continue to benefit from many of the sensory experiences, because their parents choose to repeat these at home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Initial contact between the parents and childminder is a positive experience. Parents are greeted by a friendly childminder and provided with very useful and concise information about her childminding facilities and business. The childminder ensures that parent's views are regularly sought and acted upon, for example through the use of a questionnaire, designed to reflect the format of the five areas covered in inspection. Here parents have reported how highly they value the individual childminding journals, which are filled with anecdotes, photographs, developmental milestones. Parents are also invited to make suggestions for improvement at any time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are helpful and polite. They behave very well and respond promptly to guidance about rules and boundaries. The childminder provides a very good role model, through her calm and polite manner. Children understand that there are certain rules to follow for everyone's benefit. Behaviour management procedures are clearly set out and shared with parents so that continuity may be agreed and followed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a 'can do' attitude towards finding solutions to any difficulties affecting the inclusion of all children. Children are beginning to learn about the different activities and the people involved in their market town community. They take part in regular visits to the wider community, for example they ride in their pushchairs to the local shops and library. All children are valued as individuals and the childminder strives to ensure that all children can be

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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 included in any activities on offer. Children learn to appreciate and value each other's similarities and differences. The childminder uses books and resources especially chosen to reflect diversity and acknowledge cultural differences, such as the book 'Children of Britain Just Like Me'.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder supports the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children are very well supported by a childminder who uses her time efficiently, to organise space, resources and herself, to the best advantage, in order to ensure that the children receive excellent adult attention. The childminder is well qualified and keen to update her knowledge and understanding, in order to improve outcomes for children. The childminder has a clear sense of purpose, and a commitment to continual improvement. She devises her own training plans to enhance her practice; and has recently completed several short courses on specific approaches to learning, child development and assessment, such as 'Information Sharing and Assessment Training'.

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Organisation

Children's welfare is promoted through comprehensive, well-organised and well-maintained paperwork. Policies and procedures have been developed by the childminder for the efficient management of the provision, such as her uncollected child policy. The childminder takes positive steps to ensure that parents are kept very well informed about all policies and procedures. This includes reviews of all documents; and is done annually, or sooner if necessary, in order to reflect any important amendments, such the recent changes required in the recording of any complaints. In preparation for this inspection, the childminder has produced a very detailed and accurate self-assessment of her childminding practice.

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Organisation

Registers and records surpass regulatory requirements and are easily available at all times. Emergency numbers are clear and easily accessible both on the premises and on outings. Detailed personal information and permission for specific activities, is obtained well before the children are due to attend and is filed separately and securely for each child.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of the 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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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