Manor Park Church of England First School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 149484 Inspection date 01 September 2005 Inspector Diane Mary O'Neill

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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?

Philippa Doherty has been a registered childminder since 1998. She lives with her three children aged 3, 8 and 10 years in a detached house in Barley, a village close to Royston. Mrs Doherty works together with co-childminders on these premises. The areas used for childminding are the playroom, conservatory and kitchen. The sitting room is only used for quiet activities. There is a downstairs toilet. The fully enclosed rear garden is used for outside play and in the garden there are two 'pram rooms' for sleep and rest.

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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 Local amenities include a music group in the village hall, a mobile library, a primary school and parks. The family has a pet dog. Together with co-childminders Mrs Doherty cares for 16 children on various days and at various times. 3 co-childminders and 7 children were present on the day of the inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and well maintained home. Although the children being cared for are very young, the childminder is helping to show them about the importance of good hygiene such as washing hands before meals and after using the toilet. The childminder and other childminders she works with wear protective aprons at all times, she uses good cleaning and hygiene practices when changing nappies, ensuring children’s safety and well-being. All information is recorded so that parents are kept fully informed. Children have a good daily routine that includes time for sleeping. They spend their sleep time within large prams, which are housed in a covered outside area, so they are safe and secure. The childminder has a good system where she records and checks the children ensuring their needs are catered for. Children are well protected from the sun by having sun tan cream administered and

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Helping children to be healthy

sun hats are worn. If children forget theirs the childminder has plenty of spares so she ensures they are safe. All medication and recording of accidents is documented, however there are times when dates have not been recorded as they should have been. Children are provided with healthy snacks and meals for example, bananas, apples, grapes, and raisins. The childminder prepares fresh meals every day so children are getting a varied and well balanced diet that helps with their growth and development. Children are provided with drinks which they can easily access. This enables them to develop their independence which is also apparent at snack times as they are encouraged to feed themselves. Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills through a variety of play experiences both inside and outside. The children move freely and confidently within the childminder’s home, selecting play equipment independently. They have

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Helping children to be healthy

access to equipment in the garden such as bikes, slide, push along toys, water play and paddling pool with appropriate play materials to enable them to fully enjoying playing with the water. Inside they have a variety of toys such as puzzles, books, dolls, cars and creative materials that help develop their finer psychical skills. The childminder further develops children’s outdoor play experiences within the local community by taking them to the local park as well as visiting the mobile library.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a welcoming and safe environment as the childminder is aware of risks and has taken positive steps to minimise these. She carries out informal risk assessments daily and regularly checks the equipment to ensure children's safety whilst in her care. The childminder is aware of procedures to follow should she need to evacuate the premises. This is something that she has practised with the children, so they are beginning to learn the importance of staying safe in an emergency. Children have good opportunities to access suitable play space and play equipment both inside and outside. This contributes to developing their independent skills through choice of activities and play materials which the children have available to them. Children are beginning to learn about the safety of boundaries and to develop their awareness of road safety especially when on outings. For example, the childminder has discussed the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

importance of road safety with the children. The childminder has suitable understanding of child protection and is planning on undertaking a child protection training course to help further develop her own knowledge and understanding of this subject in order to help protect and safeguard children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very settled and happy in the childminder’s home. They are secure and confident with themselves and other children attending, for example, playing games with their peers and learning to share such as when playing with the tool bench. The children are extremely sociable and relate well with each other, with the childminder and other childminders who work at this provision. The good use of communication and effective interaction enables the children to be relaxed in her care. Children are supported very well by the childminder who provides a broad range of stimulating and challenging play experiences. Their independence is enhanced by being able to easily access play materials from within the childminder’s home. Children are able to freely make choices for themselves as well as having some activities planned for them, such as playing with toy cars and tractors, books and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

fuzzy felt. Younger children also enjoy tactile type toys which the childminder will help them play with. They clearly enjoy playing and experimenting with water out in the garden, enjoying the sensation of running and standing under the water fountain in the paddling pool. Children have good opportunities to extend their play and learning through trips out such as going to the park or visiting the mobile library, where they get a good opportunity to look at and choose different books.

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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 satisfactory. The children are beginning to learn about their community and the diversity of the world around them such as festivals, cultures and customs. This is achieved through the childminder’s positive attitude and use of resources that she provides to extend their learning, including books, looking at different countries and doing a topic such as looking at Africa and the animals and people who live there. Children’s needs are met very well as they follow their daily routine. The childminder has built up a good and trusting relationship with the children that enables them to feel confident and happy within their surroundings. The children are starting to foster good relationships with one another and this is promoted through positive contributions by the childminder. Children are beginning to learn and have an awareness of boundaries and rules, such as sharing and taking turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s care is enhanced through the childminder having a good working partnership with parents which impacts on the confidence and security of each child. Each parent has sufficient time to discuss their child’s progress on a daily basis as well as having a daily book that informs them about their child’s day. The childminder willing shares all relevant information with the parents to keep them updated.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel relaxed, secure and comfortable within the well organised environment. This enables them to be confident, energetic and engaged well in their play together. They seek adult support when needed, clearly showing confidence within their surroundings and the good relationship formed with the childminder. The childminder has access to sufficiently organised records and documentation, however some documents need to have all relevant information within them. Verbal and written information is shared regularly with parents so they are kept fully informed about their child's well-being, progress and achievements. This contributes to a trusting relationship which impacts positively on the children. Through ongoing training the childminder is further developing her knowledge in child care practices. This enables her to successfully meet the emotional and developmental needs of children in her care. Overall, the needs of all the children

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were made to ensure that any assistant employed is suitably vetted. The childminder ensures that she see copies of staff's criminal records bureau disclosures and curriculum vitaes. All staff working with the childminder are childminders in their own right and Ofsted has therefore vetted them.

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Improvements 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 She also agreed to make sure records of incidents are retained on the premises and available for inspection. The childminder has all relevant documents stored in a file and these were available for inspection. There were no incidents recorded but accidents are clearly recorded. The childminder also agreed to make sure that privacy and confidentiality is respected with reference to accident records and to clearly record parent's permission to administer medicine. The childminder uses a separate page in an exercise book for each child, so confidentially can be maintained. She has recently purchased the National Childminding Association accident incident book to record these incidents even more clearly. The only weakness that was found is that dates when accidents happen are not recorded; this

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Improvements since the last inspection

has been raised as a recommendation at this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder agreed to make sure that the children are under the direct supervision of a childminder or assistant at all times, this was with reference to children going into the kitchen, conservatory and sitting room. She was asked to maintain a valid driving licence and make sure that low-level glass panels in the conservatory are safe or inaccessible. All children are supervised when using the kitchen, conservatory and sitting room. A letter from a glazer was seen to confirm that the glass is toughened. The childminder has an up-to-date driving licence. The childminder agreed to make sure that daily routine and planning meet children's individual developmental needs, with reference to snack and creative activities requiring children to sit in high chairs or booster seats for a long time. Plans for each child are displayed on the wall and all parents are quite happy for this to take place. Children were not observed sitting for long periods and when they were sitting they

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Improvements since the last inspection

were involved in interesting activities.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There was a complaint that was investigated in April 2004, about the childminder taking on assistants and not informing Ofsted and the need for planning consent. The matter was investigate and the case closed with a recommendation that an early inspection take place. The inspection took place with several recommendation raised which have been covered within this inspection.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure written consent is in place for the administration of suntan cream • ensure all recording of accidents are clearly dated.

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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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