High Beech CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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145600 Unique Reference Number 03 May 2006 Inspection date Pamela Woodhouse 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 satisfactory. 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 1997 to care for 6 children under 8 years. There are currently 3 children aged between 7 months and 4 years attending. In addition, an 8-year-old child occasionally attends during school holidays.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and 2 teenage children in a house close to the centre of Salisbury which is within walking distance of local schools and shops. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. This includes the dining room, playroom and lounge. Toilet facilities are also available on the ground floor. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The family have a small dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes the children to toddler group and to visit local places of interest, such as the park and playground.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She 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 satisfactory. Children benefit from regular physical activity and nutritious meals which promote healthy lifestyles. They have opportunities for physical play in the garden with a variety of appropriate toys that they can push-a-long and pedal, as well as a slide, swing, tunnel and small scale equipment. In addition, they enjoy regular visits to the local park using the play facilities there. Babies have opportunities to move about in their baby walker and on the floor where they have plenty of space to roll over. Children heartily eat the food provided by their parents. Mealtimes are social occasions around the table which encourages children to enjoy relaxing meals and converse with the childminder and their peers.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a clean environment where precautions are taken to reduce the risk of the spread of infection. For example, toys and equipment are in clean condition and attention is paid to making sure that the outdoor sand tray is covered when not in use to keep the sand clean and hygienic for the children to play with. The childminder's policy for not accepting children when they are ill means that sensible precautions are taken to protect them from sickness and infectious illnesses. However, there are times when children's health is compromised because hygiene routines, such as hand washing and having their own flannels is not consistently applied. Attention is paid to the health of the family pet dog, such as vaccination and veterinary check-ups so that she does not pose a health risk to children but they are able to access her food and water bowls.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder makes sure that her first aid certificate is up-to-date and has parental permission to administer medication and seek emergency advice. This ensures that children can receive appropriate treatment in the case of accident or medical emergency. She has also obtained parent's agreement to apply sun cream to protect the children when playing outside in the warmer months.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept safe and are able to move around and play both inside and outside of the home freely and safely. This is due to the sensible measures the childminder has put in place to protect them from harm. They are appropriately supervised in their play, and sleeping babies are visually checked regularly. Safety equipment such as using a harness in the high chair, fitting socket covers and cupboard locks further protect children. However, the accessibility of the wine rack is a risk to them. The separate area in the garden for the swing and slide means that children are unable to run into these when others are using them and the bark play surface cushions any falls the children may have. Children follow the same procedures each time they are out walking and crossing roads with the childminder. This means that they are familiar with the routines and learn how to cross the road safely. All children have their own car safety seat

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

or booster cushion and door locks prevent them from opening car doors. This ensures their safety when being taken on outings in the car.

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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 Children's safety in an emergency situation is promoted through the childminder's well thought out plan and back up system. This ensures that their care and safety is not compromised should an emergency arise. Fire drills are practised with the children at regular intervals so that they are familiar with the routine. However, the fire blanket cannot be released quickly from it's container.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with a satisfactory range of toys and resources which are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. They are able to access most of these independently from low storage boxes, shelves and units in the playroom. This encourages them to make their own choice about what they want to do.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded due to the childminder's understanding of child protection procedures. She is able to identify potential signs of abuse and demonstrates a satisfactory awareness of reporting and recording procedures. There is a satisfactory system in place to make sure that children leave the premises safely with only those people authorised by the parents to collect them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and enjoy a wide range of activities which promote their development and learning, for example, they enjoy playing football in the garden, mastering skills such as passing the ball and keeping it under their control. Their language development is promoted through activities, such as singing songs and listening to stories. Routines, such as hanging the washing out are used to stimulate children's interest in number, for example, counting the number of pegs needed. Activities are child led which encourages children's current interests, such as dressing up as the police in their role play and completing jig-saws which they do expertly.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have a good relationship with the childminder and a good rapport with each other. They respond positively to the childminder's warm, friendly approach and there is constant interaction which relaxes the children and makes them feel welcome. For example, babies giggle and gurgle as they are spoken to and when they join in on the swing and see-saw with the other children. Children play companionably side by side and sometimes together. For example, in role play, and by showing interest in each other such as discussing what the older children have been doing at pre-school. Children are familiar with their daily routines which means that they know what is going to happen next such as playing outside after lunch and which days they visit toddler group. This gives them a sense of security.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the childminder's good knowledge of their individual needs. Babies' home feeding and sleeping routines are followed and their changing needs discussed with parents each day. This ensures that these continue to be met appropriately. The childminder makes sure that resources are available to stimulate children's play and discussion around their current favourite activities helps to maintain their interest. She is alert to their individual stage of development and makes sure that activities and toys are suitably challenging and rotated to offer variety.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident, self assured and benefit from the childminder's good knowledge of their individual needs, family and home circumstances. For example, she works closely with parents to progress children's development, such as weaning and potty training. Children develop a sense of belonging through the childminder's welcoming, relaxed approach and her quiet encouragement. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards caring for children with special needs and making sure that all children are included. She does this by adapting activities and resources, and through liaison with parents, to ensure that she can provide the level of care required. Children's awareness of the wider world is promoted through resources such as dolls, puzzles, games and books which portray positive images of diversity. They regularly explore their local community, for example, through role play, walking to the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved. They confidently and politely make their needs known, for example, asking for a particular puzzle and are beginning to know what is right and wrong. This is due to the childminder's consistent and low key approach to managing their behaviour positively. Children happily share resources and play well together, taking turns and showing sensitivity towards their peers. For example, showing interest in what they have been doing at pre-school and rushing to greet babies when they have woken from their sleep.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive working relationship that has been established between their parents and the childminder. Parents are kept informed on a daily basis about their children's progress. This is a two-way process between parents and childminder with information being exchanged when the children arrive and leave. The childminder is open to parents about the service she offers and makes sure that they have appropriate information about her policy and practice and also where they can contact the regulator. This transparency reassures parents about the level of care their children receive. The childminder's complaints procedure, however, is not entirely in line with new requirements.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit because the childminder plans the day around their routines and individual needs, for example, she takes account of their meal and rest times. She organises her home effectively, making appropriate use of space which enables children to play and rest in comfort and ensures that children can play safely outside by siting the large play equipment in a separate area of the garden.

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Organisation

The childminder has a sound understanding of the requirements of the National Standards and makes sure that she meets these by keeping up-to-date with changes. She maintains training in first aid and child protection which ensures that she is aware of current practice to administer appropriate treatment and to protect children.

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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 The childminder maintains all appropriate documentation such as parental agreements, permissions and children's personal information which means that she has a clear understanding of children's individual needs and circumstances.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to increase resources that reflect positive images of culture and obtain written permission from parents to transport children in her car.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She has addressed both of these issues by purchasing books and dolls which reflect positive images to increase the resources already available. This means that there are more opportunities to raise children's awareness of diversity. The childminder has a written agreement with parents to transport their children in her car.

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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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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 satisfactory. 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): • ensure that the fire blanket can be released quickly in an emergency • make sure that glass bottles are kept out of the reach of children • ensure that good practices are in place regarding hand washing • ensure that pet food and water bowls are inaccessible to the children • continue to develop the complaints policy to take account of current legislation and make sure that this is shared with parents.

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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 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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