Askam Village School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 112409 Inspection date 20 March 2006 Inspector Doreen Forsyth

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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 2001. She lives with her partner and 3 children aged 14, 11 and 6. The family live in a semi detached house in Andover, Hampshire. All of the home may be used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for 5 children under the age of 8, of these, only 3 may be under the age of 5 and only 1 may be under 1. Currently the childminder cares for 2 toddlers on a full time basis and a 6 year old after school.

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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 family have two pet cats and some tropical fish. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are kept adequately well and healthy because the childminder follows appropriate hygiene and health routines, for example, children are encouraged to wash their hands after visiting the toilet and before eating. Children learn about eating healthily, the childminder discusses with the children what is good for them and encourages them to eat the fruit and vegetables from their lunch boxes. Children's lunch boxes are well stored in the fridge. Children have access to their own drinks which they can help themselves to if they are thirsty. Children are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment. Children's well being is promoted as the childminder records any accidents or medications she administers, but the childminder does not have all parents' written permission for her to seek emergency medical assistance for the children if necessary. Children have some opportunities for physical play outside, but this is usually in

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Helping children to be healthy

warmer weather. In some school holidays, children visit local farm and play parks, or go for walks. Children are able to rest according to their needs. The childminder has a travel cot she uses in her bedroom when necessary; at present children sleep on the playroom sofa.

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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 welcoming and suitable environment. They are kept adequately safe because the childminder is aware of any hazards in her home and has taken positive steps to minimise them; for example, there is a safety gate at the bottom of the stairs to prevent children gaining access to them, and all hazardous materials such as cleaning products are stored out of children's reach. However, the fire blanket is not stored in a suitable position and would not be easily accessible to protect children in an emergency. Children are safeguarded as the childminder is aware of some of the indicators of abuse, but her understanding of the procedures to follow if she has child protection concerns are limited. Children play with a sufficient range of safe and clean toys, which are suitable for their ages and stage of development. The toys are stored where children can easily

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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 are very settled and relaxed with the childminder; they interact well with her and with each other. They enjoy the childminder's individual attention and support. Children play with toys that help them to learn and develop such as puzzles and shape sorters. They look at books and talk about them together, which helps to encourage children's language development. Children watch television programmes with the childminder or listen to music tapes, when older children arrive back after school they like to watch television before going home. The children enjoy moving to music and singing along with television songs. In school holidays children go out with the childminder, they enjoy trips to a local farm park, local walks and outings to nearby attractions. Younger children do not have many opportunities to interact with other adults and children and develop their social skills as they do not go out to toddler groups,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminding groups or meet with others on a social basis. Children enjoy playing imaginatively with the play kitchen and home play resources. Children sometimes have opportunities for creative play, such as painting and drawing or making cards for special occasions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed and valued by the childminder, who endeavours to meet each child's individual needs. Children are beginning to learn to behave appropriately, their suitable behaviour is praised and their achievements encouraged. They learn to share and play harmoniously with each other. Children's learning about the wider world and diversity is very limited as they do not play with resources that portray different backgrounds, cultures or disabilities. Children benefit from the childminder's good relationship with parents. Each day the childminder exchanges verbal information about the day's activities with parents, for younger children she also provides parents with written information. The childminder has provided parents with a written complaints procedure, but does not keep a log of complaints which is available for them to see.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is experienced in childcare, and both her and her partner have been vetted and are suitable to have contact with children. She works well within the adult to child ratios to ensure children receive suitable care and attention. The childminder does not have a current first aid training certificate. Most of the required records, documentation and procedures that help to protect the

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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 children and ensure their well being are kept, but the record of children's attendance is not accurately maintained. The childminder does not display her certificate of registration. The childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to promote children's safety and well being by improving some documentation; some child protection and safety issues, and by obtaining more resources that help promote children's understanding of equal opportunities and anti- discriminatory practice. Some of these issues have been addressed, but others have not. There is still cat food within children's reach in the kitchen, the childminder's understanding of child protection issues is limited, and children do not use any resources that help them to value and understand diversity.

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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 procedure 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): • attend a suitable first aid course that includes first aid for infants and young children • ensure children's attendance is accurately recorded • provide children with resources and activities that will help them to value diversity • ensure you are aware of the procedures to follow if child protection concerns arise.

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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 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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