Stockbridge Village Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

136222 Unique Reference Number 09 May 2006 Inspection date Sue Hill 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and 3 children aged 2, 4 and 5 years in Yate, South Gloucestershire. The whole of the ground floor, except the kitchen, is used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a cat and a dog.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 3 children at any one time, and is currently minding 1 child under 5 years part-time during the day and 2 child over 5 years before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder also cares for children over eight years of age. She attends the local parent/toddler group and takes children on outings.

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 good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home, where their health is actively promoted through well established daily hygiene routines and effective practice. The management of pets and regular cleaning routines ensures that children play in a hygienic environment which minimises risk of infection. Children's health is actively promoted. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. She appropriately manages accidents and the administration of medication, and shares the records with parents. The risk of infection is minimised through the exclusion of children who are sick. Procedures for nappy changing and using individual towels for children sustain good levels of hygiene and prevent the spread of infection.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to enjoy a range of physical activities through using the childminder’s well equipped garden. Regular visits to local park areas improve children’s physical skills. All are able to rest and be active according to their needs. Children are developing an understanding of healthy eating through encouragement from the childminder. They have drinks easily available throughout the day, and the childminder follows parent’s wishes for the types of food given to their child. Children are developing an understanding of healthy eating through planned activities such as creating their own pizzas for tea. Meal times are social occasions, as all children sit together at the table and talk to each other and the childminder.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment where children are relaxed and safe. They move around freely as they are cared for in a spacious, well maintained home where risks have been identified and minimised. The ground floor is organised to meet children's needs, with furniture placed to the side of the rooms to provide a large play space. Many of the clean and safe resources are kept in this area in cupboards, tubs and on low-level shelving and children are able to help themselves. Their interest is sustained by regularly providing new resources which take into consideration each child's stage of development. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children’s choice of toys to make sure they are appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children are able to access a good, safe range of outdoor equipment; for example, play house, slides and bikes.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of potential hazards outside the home and puts appropriate measures in place so that children are safe. Children learn to protect themselves as they are taught road safety and not to talk to strangers. As the childminder has addressed potential hazards in the home, children's freedom is maximised. The childminder explains safe practices, such as why children should be careful of small pieces of toys when the baby is present; helping children to understand how to keep themselves, and others, safe. Children are protected by clear and well-detailed accident and medication records and the childminder has all the required documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. They are kept safe through the childminder's clear understanding of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child and regular practices of fire evacuation procedures.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled and make progress as the childminder is friendly and welcoming. She understands how to help children learn through practical activities. This enables them to practise and develop their skills. The childminder promotes language development well through her constant interaction and conversation with the children. They confidently use their language skills and gestures to communicate thoughts, feelings and needs to each other and the childminder. They are starting to socialise with other children, regularly attending the local toddler group. This provides them with opportunities to develop and use their language skills.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children become independent as they choose between a variety of toys, books and activities which appeal to all. Babies are stimulated with a range of sensory resources which encourage their progress. Older children spend their time freely, with some organised activities, developing their concentration and enjoying activities such as art and craft, games and cooking. Although children make progress in the setting, there is nothing recorded to show how the childminder is extending her activities to promote further development, for example by using the Birth to three matters framework.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a good range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world, enabling children to learn positively about differences. The children learn about the diverse society in which we live through discussion and resources reflecting positive images of difference being included in everyday play. Awareness of their own environment is developed through use of the garden, and local visits, for example, to the park and soft play.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are secure as their individual needs are met well. The childminder follows their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents. They behave very well as a response to the childminder's use of positive praise, discussion and encouragement to share resources. Children show care and concern for each other and enjoy playing together, as well as alongside one another. They make themselves at home, becoming confident about making choices and asking for what they want to play with from a young age.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Positive, friendly relationships with parents promote an informal exchange of information about children’s development. They are welcomed into the home and at the end of the day there is a two-way discussion so that both parties are fully aware of what is happening in a child's life. The childminder’s prospectus provides information about her services, enabling parents to be clear about what is available for their children.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The children are at home and at ease in the well organised environment, which means they are confident and feel safe. The childminder provides an inviting environment so that children move around

p.4

Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 without being inhibited and confidently help themselves to toys they wish to play with. Activities and toys are well presented encouraging children to explore and initiate play. The childminder attends relevant training courses regularly, using the knowledge gained to support the children's learning. Good routine enables her to provide a high level of support and to maximise the time she spends playing with children.

p.4

Organisation

Information, policies and procedures are shared with parents to keep them informed about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care. All relevant documentation with contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is accurate and up to date and shared with parents. However, the childminder has not informed Ofsted of changes to the setting, for example, she has not notified Ofsted of the birth of her third child.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has met the four recommendations made at the last inspection. She has improved her range of resources for older children, so that they can play and learn. She has extended opportunities for children to interact and learn through play by taking children to groups as appropriate, and introducing the Birth to three matters framework for the younger children. However, there are no records to show achievements or future plans for childrens' learning.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Children are now protected as the childminder has obtained written permission from parents to seek emergency medical aid as appropriate, and has all necessary details about the children to enable her to care for them as parents wish. She has further improved safety by maintaining working smoke detectors, and devising and practising her fire evacuation procedure.

p.5

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 the 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 satisfactory. 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):

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 • develop a system for recording achievements and planning the next stage of learning, using the Birth to three matters framework • inform Ofsted of any significant events or changes within the household

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.6

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.6