Pollyplatt Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 120472 Inspection date 09 March 2006 Inspector Deborah Jaqueline Newbury

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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 good. 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 registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 5 and 8 years of age in a residential area of Byfleet in Surrey. The house is in walking distance of local shops, schools and railway stations. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor, with toilet and sleep facilities provided in this area. There is a garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for not more than 5 children under 8 years of age at any one time. She is currently caring for 6 children under 5 years of age. Children attend on different days of the week and at different times. The family has two cats.

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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 The childminder holds the Certificate in Childminding Practice qualification and she is an accredited childminder. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and a member of the local childminding network. She regularly takes children to local toddler and childminding groups. Children are taken to and from local schools and pre-schools.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, well-maintained environment. They stay healthy because the childminder follows good procedures and practices to protect them from the spread of infection. For instance, she uses separate flannels for each child when cleaning their hands and faces and makes a point of wiping children's noses as necessary. Young children begin to understand the concept of good personal hygiene practices, such as washing hands at appropriate times, because this forms part of the daily routine and the childminder makes a point of talking about what she is doing, thus reinforcing the message. There are effective procedures in place to protect children from illness and to ensure that family pets do not pose a health risk. Parents and childminder share responsibility for the provision of food for children currently in her care. Children enjoy a variety of nutritious meals and snacks that

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Helping children to be healthy

promote healthy eating. The childminder seeks information from parents about children's allergies, dietary requirements, and food preferences and makes sure that she has regard for these when planning meals. The childminder encourages good social interaction by enabling children to sit and eat together. Children sleep in comfortable surroundings, according to their individual need. They settle well because the childminder makes a point of talking to them about going to bed and ensures that each child has a favourite toy to cuddle. Her practice of regularly checking sleeping children ensures that they remain safe. Children enjoy a variety of activities which support their physical development and contribute to a healthy life style. The childminder chooses to walk to and from school in preference to using the car and therefore ensures that children spend time outside in the fresh air each day. Visits to the park and playing outdoors in the garden, when

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Helping children to be healthy

the weather is good, enables children to be active and investigate the different types of play equipment available. Indoors, the childminder provides tents and tunnels for children to explore.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children rest and play in a mostly safe and secure environment. The childminder identifies most potential hazards and takes steps to reduce risks to children. For instance, currently, following an extension to the house, which includes the creation of a play room, the garden is not fully secure. The childminder has identified this area

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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 of risk and has instigated contingency measures to ensure that children remain safe, until a gate is installed. However, her existing arrangements for the storage of some alcohol are not as well considered as they could be but the childminder does supervise children carefully. She is vigilant of their whereabouts whilst allowing them the freedom to move around those areas of the home used for minding. Children therefore gain confidence in their surroundings. The childminder protects children by ensuring that fire safety precautions are in place and functional. Children learn about keeping themselves safe through the input and support of the childminder. They use a variety of play materials and equipment that are developmentally appropriate. Children can access a range of resources independently. The childminder regularly

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

checks items to ensure that everything is safe and ready for children to use. Children are well protected because the childminder is secure in her understanding of issues relating to child protection and her role in safeguarding children. She is aware of possible signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect and the procedure to follow if she has any concerns. Parents are informed of the childminder's responsibility by means of a written policy statement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from a varied day which offers them opportunities to participate in a range of worthwhile activities, inside and outside the home and which takes account of their individual needs. They regularly mix with other children as the childminder takes them to childminding and toddler groups. Such outings enable children to experience different environments, explore other play materials, and develop their social skills as they begin to relate to a wider group of adults and peers. Children develop their creative skills as they play with playdough and paint. They concentrate well as they explore the range of different and interesting collage materials provided by the childminder. Her active involvement, for example, by asking questions about colours, drawing children's attention to other resources available, and making the activity sound exciting, stimulates their interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy trusting relationships with the childminder who treats them with kindness and concern. They respond well to her warm, friendly manner and, consequently, they are very settled and secure. Minded children also relate well to the childminder's own children, who are keen to play and help them, for example as they complete their collages. The childminder involves herself in children's play, by sitting on the floor alongside them and showing interest in what they are doing. The childminder is developing her use of the Birth to three framework of good practice. She has recently begun to monitor the progress and development of some children using the framework and intends extending this to other children in due course.

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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 treated as individuals and with equal concern. They benefit because the childminder makes a point of talking to them, seeking their views and explaining what is going to happen next. They receive good levels of support and encouragement, for instance as they participate in craft activities. This approach helps children build on their developing independence skills and means that the activity is achievable by everyone. Young children are encouraged in their relationship with the childminder because she spends time with them, gives cuddles freely, and offers reassurance. Children gain awareness of the wider world in which we live as they play with the range of resources available that reflect positive images. Children begin to learn good manners as the childminder encourages the use of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

please and thank you. The childminder's good use of praise and encouragement supports children’s developing self-esteem and helps them feel good about themselves. Children benefit from the good relationship the childminder forms with their parents and they settle well in the childminder's home because she works closely with families to meet children's needs. There is an informal exchange of information, which is supplemented, by a daily diary for some children. Written consent is obtained for all aspects of children's care and the childminder provides parents with their own copy of any accident records. Such strategies ensure that parents can feel fully included and consulted and can share in their children's day.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children have space to sit and play in comfort in an environment that is warm and welcoming. They receive equal attention and the support they need from the childminder which enables them to feel secure and self-assured. The childminder's use of consistent routines for some outings, for example, helps children look forward to their day. Required documentation and other records which promote the health, safety, and welfare of children are in place. Paperwork relating to childminding is organised and has regard for confidentiality. The childminder has developed a portfolio of information about her service which she shares with parents. This includes written policies about most aspects of her service and she provides parents with their own set of these, for their easy reference. However, currently, parents are unaware of the

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Organisation

procedure they should follow if they have a complaint as the childminder has not devised this. The childminder has a positive attitude to professional development through ongoing training.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to update her knowledge of Area

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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 Child Protection Committee procedures. She has addressed this matter by ensuring that she is aware of whom to contact in the event of her having any child protection concerns about the children in her care. At this inspection, the childminder has provided a copy of the child protection booklet "What to do if you're concerned a child is being abused" and she has also obtained contact information for the different local child protection teams. The measures she has taken contribute in positive ways to the safety and welfare of children attending the setting.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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 good. 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 existing arrangements for the safe storage of alcohol • make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint and keep a record of complaints relating to the national standards and any action taken.

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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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