Huntercombe Hospital School Meadow Lodge

Inspection report for early years provision

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145025 Unique Reference Number 16 June 2006 Inspection date Paul Martin Kitchen 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 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 1999. She lives with her husband and son aged 14 near Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire. A part of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five all day and one child over five before and after school. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family have three dogs, one cat, a parrot and a hamster. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant. The childminder has experience of supporting children with learning disabilities.

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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. The childminder maintains acceptable hygiene standards by ensuring that children wash their hands prior to eating, after handling animals and after using the toilet. Children are taken out most days for fresh air and exercise, as the garden is currently not available. Children rest and sleep according to their needs, and parents wishes. Medication and accident records are adequately maintained. The Birth to three matters framework is currently not used. There is no parental permission for emergency medical advice or treatment. This could potentially cause a delay in the treatment of children in an emergency. The childminder is qualified in first aid and can effectively attend to children should there be an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their health and dietary needs met as the childminder consults parents about allergies and, records these facts. Children benefit from a healthy and nutritious diet of snacks, including fruit. This is in keeping with parents wishes and children's preference. Parents provide children with their own lunch boxes, for their main meal of the day. Children freely access drinks in their own cups, which are kept filled with either water or milk.

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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 home environment that is suitable, safe, secure and welcoming. All areas are child friendly with toys and play equipment available on the floor for easy access. There is a good range of toys and equipment. These include construction, paint, paper crayons, craft materials, cars, trains and dolls. All items are regularly checked for safety and hygiene. Children benefit from full range of facilities designed to meet the needs of children of all ages. There is sufficient space for children to rest and play. Children are kept safe from a resourceful range of safety measures designed to keep them free from accidents. These include stairgates, cupboard locks, safety glass, socket covers, and all doors are secure. The childminder has devised a suitable fire escape plan. However this has not been practised. This potentially could cause delays in the evacuation of children to safety. All animals in the household are suitable to be

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

with children. Children are fully protected as the childminder has a clear understanding of her role in child protection and can follow local written procedures. Parents are informed of this legal duty.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of play and learning activities. They visit other childminder's houses so that children can play and experience sharing with others. They experience and enjoy fresh air as they visit the park to play football. Children exercise and stretch their limbs when taken to indoor play centres. Here they climb, run, balance, shout and scream. They acquire new knowledge and skills, learning about colours, shape, numbers and letter recognition. Children are helped developmentally with their speech. The childminder encourages creative skills with craft materials from an inventive supply of raw materials. Children learn independent skills,

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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 they are taught to go to the toilet unaided, serve themselves drinks and sit at the table. Children have their individual needs met. They sleep according to their needs and parents wishes. The children are happy and content and clearly have a close relationship with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel a sense of belonging as they are welcomed into the childminder's extended family. They enjoy an appropriate range of resources that reflect diversity and difference. Children are helped to be aware of a wider society from books, puzzles, dolls and games. The childminder is positive about learning disability. She has direct experience of this type of care and works with parents to form a care plan, based on the needs of the child. Children receive effective support in the way their behaviour is managed. The childminder uses frequent praise and encouragement. Children learn about the house rules and play within these rules. 'Time out' and other such measures are used occasionally and parents informed. The childminder is proficient in her working partnership with parents. She keeps them informed through daily feedback of their child's activities, including essential information which is exchanged. The

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder has no policy for investigating complaints made by parents and the requirement to record them.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home and are welcomed within the family environment. The home and facilities are adequately organised to meet the needs of the children. The childminder, her partner and other persons residing in the household are suitable. An assistant is employed who shares all the childminder's duties in the care of the children. Children are protected from visitors to the house as they are not left unsupervised. The childminder has a sound regard for children's welfare as she maintains appropriate child to adult ratios. This ensures children are happy and settled. Records, policies and procedures are used to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. Individual children's files are shared with parents at regular intervals to review information and ensure children's needs are clearly recorded. All files are kept confidential. 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 asked to ensure resources are organised and readily accessible to children; provide a range of toys and activities in order to meet the developmental needs of children; obtain written permission from parents for transporting children in a vehicle; obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children; seek written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment; ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice; develop awareness of the local safeguarding children's board procedures; ensure all medication and accident records are completed.

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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 A full range of resources are now organised for children's play. There is an appropriate range of toys and activities, and they promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. Written parental permission is still not available for emergency medical advice or treatment. Written consent to being carried in a vehicle, and before administering medication is now available. The childminder now has a sound awareness of local safeguarding children's board procedures.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted has received one complaint relating to Standard 14: Notification of Changes. The complaint related to not informing Ofsted of changes or significant events. The matter was investigated and the childminder now keeps Ofsted informed. The childminder remains qualified for registration.

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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 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): • obtain written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • develop the Birth to three matters framework • ensure the fire escape plan is practised • ensure there is a satisfactory procedure in place for recording complaints

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The quality and standards of the care

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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