Kinlet CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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123480 Unique Reference Number 09 May 2006 Inspection date Kim Wailling 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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 1988. She lives with her husband and one child, aged 14 years and two adult children in St Albans, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding purposes. There is a rear garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children under five and one child over five, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children, and occasionally uses the family car. The family have one hamster.

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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 thrive as the childminder follows satisfactory practices which meet the health and nutritional needs of all children. The childminder sets out in an attractive way the packed meals provided by the children's parents that contain fresh fruit as well as offering drinks throughout the day. Children eat while seated at the kitchen table. Positive steps, such as supervising the wiping of hands before lunch, are taken to encourage children to maintain good self care skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual health needs are discussed before childminding commences which means that the childminder is fully aware of possible allergies or dietary restrictions. Appropriate documentation is kept to record accidents. It is clearly written and shared with parents. However, children's welfare is compromised if they have an accident as the childminder does not hold a current first aid qualification, which includes training in first aid for children and infants.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered many opportunities to exercise, including visits to the local park. The childminder has recently received a box of small equipment such as bats, balls and quoits from the local authority which she intends to use to further enhance children's physical skills. Children can rest or sleep according to their needs as the day is well organised to fit in with individual requirements. When caring for infants the childminder works very closely with parents to ensure that their individual routines are accommodated. Consequently, children's health needs on an every day level are satisfactorily met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a very clean and well maintained environment. They can move around freely in the house as the childminder has arranged furniture and the storage of toys to create uncluttered spaces. The childminder is aware of the need to be vigilant and makes adaptations where necessary taking into account the children's ages, for example moving toys with small pieces out of reach when infants are present. The childminder has devised an emergency evacuation plan, although it has not been practised with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can use the garden when weather permits as it is tidy. However, currently it is not fully secure as a partition fence has not been replaced following building work by neighbours. This potential hazard is being well managed by the childminder. The childminder is aware of safety issues when transporting minded children in the family car, including use of appropriate car seats for differing ages of children. Children are made aware of road safety when on outings. This means that there are adequate systems in place to keep children safe whilst in the childminder's care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Although the childminder has satisfactory knowledge of what to do if she becomes concerned about a child in her care, there is no procedure to monitor any existing injuries to children. This limits the effectiveness of the setting's systems to fully protect children's welfare.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children show interest in the many toys and activities on offer. They initiate their own play and freely access toys which are stored attractively. Opportunities are given for sustained play so that children can create their own games, which are satisfying and rewarding to them. Toys are rotated to provide challenge and to stimulate interest. However, familiar toys and music are always available to children, which helps them feel comfortable within the setting. Care is taken to ensure that older children are offered activities, such as construction sets, that are age appropriate.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's learning is promoted. The childminder makes herself available to the children. She engages them in conversation and takes a genuine interest in what they have to say. The childminder understands the interests of children and uses this to promote their development. For example, at the time of the inspection visit, the childminder enthusiastically practised ballet movements with two young budding ballerinas. Overall, all children are offered a satisfactory range of activities and experiences to promote their learning and enjoyment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happily settled and make positive relationships. The childminder's home is comfortable and well organised. This means that children access toys easily and play happily together. Children are given support to help them manage their own behaviour as the childminder gives them time to think about their actions and consequences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children enjoy the childminder's sense of fun and respond to her polite requests to help with simple tasks. Children are helped to gain an understanding of the wider community as the childminder is aware of the importance of doing this. There are many toys and resources, such as dolls with differing skin tones and books for children to use, which promotes an understanding of cultural diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder knows the children and their families well. Arrangements to settle children into the childminder's care are negotiated taking into account the needs of the children and the requirements of parents for flexible childcare. Information about the setting is verbally shared with parents. The childminder knows of the requirement to record any complaints made in writing by parents, although currently no procedure is in place to do this. Consequently, partnership with parents is underdeveloped.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children are looked after by an experienced parent and long-term childminder who cares about them. Children are offered a well structured routine in the childminder's family home. This allows children time for unhurried play and relaxed meals, as well as accommodating taking and collecting children from school.

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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 Most documentation which is required for the efficient management of the provision is in place. However, the childminder has not considered the potential impact of an oversight in training and organisation on children's health and well-being. She currently does not hold a valid first aid certificate and although there is a first aid box in the home, children's welfare is compromised. This means that overall, the needs of the children are not met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection, the childminder was asked to keep an attendance record and increase the range of resources available to children to promote their awareness of equality of opportunity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Both recommendations have been fully addressed. The childminder maintains an attendance register, recording the days and times that children attend. She has also increased the quantity and range of resources available to children that promote an awareness of the wider community. To ensure that children are offered a variety of toys, the childminder has instigated an arrangement with a small group of local childminders whereby toys are shared and rotated between the settings. As a result, children's care, welfare and learning have been enhanced.

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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