St Mary's CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

144238 Unique Reference Number 05 May 2006 Inspection date Pamela Woodhouse 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 1992 and is registered to care for 6 children under 8 years. There are currently 8 children aged between 5 months and 10 years attending, 7 of whom are part time.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and two teenage children in a house in Verwood which is within walking distance of local schools, pre-schools and shops. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. This includes the playroom, lounge, dining room, study and ground floor bedroom. Toilet facilities are also available on the ground floor. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a small dog and two cats.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes the younger children to toddler group and soft play facilities. All of the children have opportunities to visit local parks such as Potterne and Moor Valley.

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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean environment where the childminder maintains good standards of hygiene and puts effective systems in place to promote their health. For example, she promotes children's awareness of good hygiene practice through routines such as washing their hands after visiting the toilet. Children who stay overnight have fresh bed linen and all children have their own towels. Babies toys are cleaned regularly and teething toys washed after use. In addition, the childminder maintains a sickness policy whereby children do not attend when they are ill. These sensible measures means that children's exposure to cross infection is reduced. The childminder makes detailed entries of any accidents which occur to the children whilst in her care and keeps parents fully informed through discussion and giving them a carbon copy of the record

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy their food which is supplied by their parents, and eat well. They learn about the importance of healthy eating through fun activities and projects that they do with the childminder. For example, they enjoy making mini quiches and pizzas to take home. During the activity they discuss the ingredients and the benefit these have on their bodies, such as cheese helps to make strong bones. They use different pretend fruit and vegetables in their role play and learn about less common varieties through discussion with the childminder as they complete jig-saws depicting these. Children have free access to drinks throughout the day which means that they can choose when they want to have a drink in addition to routine times such as mid-morning and afternoon, and with meals.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular visits to the park and toddler group to promote their physical development. They are able to use the adventure play equipment to develop skills such as climbing and balancing and have space to run around and exercise. They also use the childminder's garden to play, for example, games and with balls.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is assured because the childminder supervises them at all times and makes sure that the environment is safe for them to use. For example, family pets are excluded from the areas where children play and the premises are checked before they arrive. Children are kept safe in an emergency due to the childminder's procedures and back up system. She practices fire drills on a regular basis with the children which teaches them how to keep themselves safe and has an agreement with parents to use a designated childminder to assist in an emergency situation. Children handle tools such as scissors safely and are beginning to understand that sometimes danger can occur to others. For example, they know that they do not play with very small items when babies are awake to prevent them from putting these into their mouths. Children are kept safe on outings because they each have their own car seat and safety catches

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 are operated on the doors. They use the same routine each time to cross roads so are familiar with this procedure.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a warm, relaxed and homely child friendly environment and have access to a varied range of toys and resources which are clean, safe and well maintained. Their play provision is appropriate to their age and stage of development and promotes their learning. Some of the children's toys are stored in toy boxes on the floor and others in cupboards which are accessible to them. This enables them to choose what they want to play with and promotes their independence. Babies toys are kept separate for hygiene and safety but are kept within reach so that they always have a choice.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded due to the childminder's good understanding of her role in the protection of children. She has an appropriate knowledge of the records to be kept and procedures to follow should she have any concerns about a child in her care. The childminder has secure systems in place to protect children from harm, for example, only releasing them to people authorised by their parents if they are unable to collect their children.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are happy, settled and have a good relationship with the childminder who offers them good play and learning opportunities in an environment which is not pressured. They are made to feel special through the childminder's constant interaction with them and there is plenty of conversation and laughter. Children are familiar with the pattern of their regular routines such as attending toddler group but there is also flexibility to take advantage of spontaneous activities. For example, an impromptu visit to the park or an outing further afield. They enjoy going out on walks and meeting with other childminder's and their charges to socialise and do joint activities such as picnics.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans a range of activities for the children which offer suitable levels of challenge and capture their interest. For example, learning about healthy eating through cooking activities, and experimenting with different types of fruit and vegetables. They are able to play with a range of toys which promote their development and the childminder makes good use of informal situations to ask questions and to help the children to learn, for example, about shape, colour and numbers. The younger children particularly enjoy role play and copy the childminder as she attends to the baby. For example, feeding their dolls, putting them down to sleep at the same time and bouncing them up and down on their knee as the childminder and children sing songs to their respective 'babies'.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect and receive frequent praise and encouragement which means that they know when they have done well. For example, by helping to fetch toys for the baby and setting their own place at the table for lunch. The childminder's positive management of behaviour encourages children to behave well. She is consistent in her approach which ensures

p.4

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 that children know their boundaries and she sets simple rules which they can understand and relate to. For example, house rules such as not running when indoors to prevent accidents and being kind to others. Children are confident and respectful to their peers, they have a good rapport with each other and play well together.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning to have an awareness of their own needs and those of others. For example, when they are thirsty and being gentle with babies. They begin to learn about diversity through planned activities and using resources which portray positive images of, for example, culture and disability. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to caring for children with special needs and has a good understanding about making sure that all children are fully included and involved.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive and effective partnership with parents. There is a daily exchange of information about the children's care and progress which ensures that their individual needs are addressed according to parent's wishes. Parents know about the provision the childminder offers to their children because they receive a welcome pack which includes copies of her policies and gives information about her practice. The childminder displays her qualifications and insurance certificates to demonstrate to parents that she is committed to her role and has made them aware of her complaints procedure should they be dissatisfied with any aspect of her provision. This openness has fostered a good relationship with parents.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment and enthusiasm for her role. Her home is welcoming to the children and she makes effective use of space to enable them to be engaged in a range of activities. For example, she has a separate room where younger children can rest and older children can complete their homework undisturbed. The childminder is able to support the children well because she maintains the required adult: child ratios and can at times give them individual attention.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder maintains all required and necessary records, which are up-to-date and reviewed with parents regularly. She has suitable policies and procedures in place to support the children’s care and welfare. However, she has not met the requirement to ensure that criminal records checks are completed on all members of the household who are aged over 16.

p.5

Organisation

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

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to maintain a current first aid certificate. She has addressed this issue by attending an approved certificated course to update her training.

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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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.6

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.6

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 that criminal records checks are completed for all household members aged over 16 years.

p.6

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