Ebbw Vale Comprehensive School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 401848 Inspection date 02 August 2005 Inspector Lisa Toole

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2000. She lives with her parents in Lewes, East Sussex. She co-minds with her mother. A separate purpose-built extension to the house is used for childminding, which includes two play rooms, a bathroom and kitchen. There is a patio area for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children, four of whom attend on a full-time basis. The family have one cat and a dog.

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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 have a good relationship with the childminder, who is responsive to their emotional needs, offering reassurance and cuddles to an unsettled child. Children have daily opportunities for physical play which includes trips to local parks and playgrounds as well as outdoor play in the garden. The children enjoy opportunities to play ball games and ride around the garden on tricycles which helps develop their physical skills. Children are cared for in a generally clean and tidy environment, although the kitchen cupboard, where crockery is stored, and the fridge are unclean and this could impact upon children's health and well-being. Children learn about the importance of good personal hygiene; they follow daily routines washing their hands after using the toilet, before eating meals and talk about how this stops germs and gets the dirt off their hands. However, nappy changing procedures do not always reduce risks of cross

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Helping children to be healthy

infection to young children as the changing mat is not cleaned after each use. Children's parents are contacted promptly should they become ill while in the childminder's care and the required accident and medication records are in place to ensure children's welfare. The childminder does not have a current first aid certificate in place in order to care for children appropriately should they have an accident but is fully aware of the need to do so as a matter of urgency. Children are well nourished; they have regular snacks and meals which include fruit and are given meals either prepared by the childminder or brought in from home. Children are also given regular drinks of juice and water to ensure they remain hydrated throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from playing in a spacious and well organised environment. They have access to a dedicated play area with a large amount of space for them to explore and move around freely. There is a sufficient range of safe, developmentally appropriate resources that are organised to ensure they are easily accessible to children to encourage independence and freedom of choice. Toys with small parts are kept out of reach of young children to ensure they do not become a choking hazard. Risks of accidental injury have been reduced with the use of safety precautions such as safety gates, socket covers, electrical wires fixed securely to the wall and appropriate storage of hazardous materials. This enables children to be able to play safely. However, the fire blanket is not attached to the wall in the kitchen, the smoke alarm is not routinely tested and the childminder does not have public liability

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

insurance in place. On outings children learn about the need for good road safety

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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 and the childminder ensures children are always within her sight and are closely supervised when playing in the garden. Children are well protected as the childminder has a clear understanding of her role and responsibilities with regards to child protection. She is aware of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and has a sound knowledge of the procedures to follow should she have any cause for concern which helps to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care and they respond positively to her. Children are offered warmth and affection and the childminder shows some interest in what they are doing and have to say. Toys are easily accessible and children are generally able to make independent choices about what they do and play with. Children interact well with each other and play together in a co-operative manner. Children are offered a limited range of activities with the focus being on general play indoors and outdoor physical play. Children participate in and enjoy activities such as playing board games together, doing puzzles, free play and playing in the garden. The childminder supports children's learning by encouraging their letter recognition and number counting skills by doing puzzles and playing games. Creative activities are restricted to once or twice a week; these include free painting,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

play dough, sticking and chalking. The limited range of creative activities restricts opportunities for children to gain creative skills and develop their imagination.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated with respect and are made to feel good about themselves. The childminder has a limited understanding of equal opportunities and how to promote it with the children in her care. Children have access to a reasonable range of resources that promote equality and reflect positive images of diversity. However, they are not offered opportunities to learn about other cultures or the world around them in order to develop and promote their knowledge and understanding of the world. The childminder has a little experience of caring for children with special needs and does spend some time talking to parents about their children in order to have an understanding of each child's individual care needs. Clear behavioural boundaries are in place that help children to learn right from wrong. The childminder offers good explanations to children so that they can understand

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Helping children make a positive contribution

what is expected of them and how they should behave, for example asking and reminding children to share because it is a nice thing to do. She offers praise and encouragement to the children to help increase their confidence and self esteem.

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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 Children are appropriately cared for as the childminder gathers most relevant information from parents before the children are placed in her care. Parents receive daily verbal feedback which ensures they are kept informed about the progress and well-being of their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Most of the required documentation that contributes to children's health, safety and well-being is in place and is being accurately maintained, including children's accident and medication records. Although the childminder is completing a record of attendance, the previously completed record is not always available. The childminder implements an additional range of policies and procedures to enhance the care that she offers children and these are shared with parents to ensure they are fully aware of her childminding service. Children are given the opportunity to play and move freely due to the well organised space and resources available and they are happy, settled and confident in the childminder's care. 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 was set a number of actions relating to safety and security of the premises, first aid and documentation. She was also asked to provide soap for minded children to use to wash their hands. The childminder has not yet attended an appropriate first aid course and does not have current public liability insurance in place. She has reduced hazards to children and ensures the premises are kept secure to protect children's safety and well-being. The documentation is now accurately maintained and the childminder is aware of the need to ensure that all documentation is stored securely to maintain confidentiality. Children are now provided with soap for hand washing in order to promote good hygiene practices.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 1 2004 Ofsted has received one complaint relating to National Standard 1: Suitable Person. The complaint related to the suitability of the childminder. Ofsted investigated the complaint and found no evidence to support the allegations. No further action was taken by Ofsted. The registered person remains registered as a childminder.

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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 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): • improve the cleanliness of the kitchen so that children's good health and hygiene is promoted. • attend an appropriate first aid course in order to be able to promote children's well-being. • ensure that public liability insurance is in place at all times. • increase the range of activities to promote and support children's creative development. • increase the range of resources and activities for children to learn about equal opportunities and the world they live in.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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