West London Free School

Inspection report for early years provision

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136750 Unique Reference Number 20 September 2006 Inspection date Kay Bateson 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 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 has been registered since 1992. She lives with her two adult daughters in a house in a residential area of Beckenham, Bromley. The home is within walking distance of local shops, schools, parks, and transport links.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The minded children have access to the ground floor part of the property. The play room is used for playing, storing toys and for sleeping. The lounge and kitchen is used for additional play space, table activities and eating. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play, containing a securely protected pond.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to local parks, toddler groups, libraries and uses her car for minding purposes. She walks to the local schools to take and collect minded children from 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 childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Bromley Childminding Association. She holds a NVQ level 3 certificate in child care and education.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is currently registered for five children under eight years at any one time and currently has three part-time and two full-time children under eight years on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they are learning the importance of good hygiene practices and personal care, through daily routines. They learn about good hygiene as they consistently wash their hands after using the toilet, coming in from the garden and before eating. Babies are learning through the childminder following good procedures, as seen during nappy changing, before and after meal times. There are adequate procedures in place for hand drying. When all children use the same towel to dry their hands on, this increases the risk of cross infection. The childminder follows sound verbal procedures and contractual agreements with parents about the care of sick children. She has written consent to administer prescription medication only. She follows current first aid procedures when dealing with accidents and keeps thorough records of the child’s welfare when unwell. Therefore, children's health is promoted.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the good range of opportunities for physical play provided by the childminder. She fully supports their individual needs for rest and active play. They can use a good variety of outdoor play equipment. They happily run about, pedal small cars, and play ball games. Babies are able to shuffle at speed across the grass after balls, walk holding onto a toy or hand, as well as climb and slide with a little help. The childminder takes children to different parks in order they have a variety of different physical play experiences. These experiences help children and babies to develop strong body control, balance and skills, as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle for them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the nourishing meals and regular drinks prepared by the childminder. They acquire new tastes and are encouraged to develop good eating habits, as they sit together during a meal. Young children are beginning to understand the benefits of a healthy diet through the childminder involving them in the preparation of their lunch and choosing from a range of healthy options. Children’s thirst is satisfied as the childminder encourages them to drink plenty of fluid during meal times and when playing outside. The childminder correctly prepares the food and drinks provided by the parents for babies. This complies with the baby’s individual needs and parental wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a safe and secure environment as the childminder pays firm attention to protecting children from possible hazards in and outdoors. She fully supervises children while playing and is quick to distract mobile babies from shuffling off the grass area and onto the patio.

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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 There is an unprotected drain, which the childminder agreed to attend to immediately to ensure it does not pose a risk to children. Children have reminders about important safety messages as they play, when they are out with the childminder and whilst practicing fire evacuation procedures. Babies have suitable support and guidance when climbing or sliding on play equipment. As a result children are developing a firm understanding of personal safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to play in sufficient space with a wide range of good quality toys and equipment that suit all the needs and ages of the children. At times the amount of toys stored on the floor in the play room can limit the available free space for mobile young children to use. The childminder provides additional space in other areas of the home, especially in the garden, where children have plenty of space to play or run freely with the wide range of toys provided.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted by the childminder’s firm understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse, also who to contact for advice. She carries important contact numbers and identification when she is out with the children. The childminder verbally exchanges her safety and welfare procedures with parents at their initial meetings. Parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice is recorded on each accident record for each child. At the inspection some had not been updated, which delays the immediate care provided in an emergency situation and impacts on the overall safety of the child. The childminder agreed to address this matter immediately to improve the overall safety of all children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children become very involved and interested for a good length of time in their chosen activity. The childminder supports their learning well by providing a wide selection of toys. She joins in with their play and extends their thoughts by talking with them about what they can see. This is apparent when young children play with the 'duplo' bricks, roll balls or watch a television program. This provides sufficient challenges, maintains interest and promotes conversation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from the activities planned by the childminder that support their learning and development needs. They go on regular trips to different local places and toddler groups, which support their understanding and development of important social skills. Children are able to make choices from the toys and activities on offer. They become very interested in manipulating or exploring the objects for some time and enjoy joining in with each other. For example, when playing musical instruments, exploring the hoops and chasing balls. The childminder collects examples of art work and notes down significant achievements of young children to share with parents. She works closely with parents to help foster specific learning needs, such as walking and talking. This ensures children receive a balance of opportunities and learning experiences that support their individual needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s growing independence is fostered by the childminder. They are encouraged to find their shoes, feed themselves and select toys that they want to play with. Babies join in with wiping faces, moving towards toys they want to play with and feeding themselves with a biscuit or pieces of fruit. They benefit from the shared attention the childminder gives them. She talks to the young children playing while changing the baby’s nappy and responds well to the baby’s

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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 actions or early talk whilst sharing books. This supports their self-help skills and boosts their confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and contented in the childminder’s home. They know where to find toys and able to follow their ideas when playing. The childminder gives children full attention, praises and values their achievements; which in turn boosts their self-esteem. Older children are independent in managing personal care needs and young children are encouraged to master self-help skills. They are making firm relationships with each other and the childminder. Young children are reassured and settled with the comforting words and actions the childminder uses. This ensures children feel safe and emotionally secure whilst away from their parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing a sound understanding about the diverse community they live in when they play with each other and go on walks to local places. They are able to foster their growing curiosity about positive images of people when they look at posters, books and play with toys or puzzles the childminder provides. Young children are learning about different cultures and the wider world whilst discovering and playing musical instruments from different countries. The childminder works very closely with parents when supporting a child with special needs or with English as an additional language. This in turn maintains the continuity of care for the individual child and supports their individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and benefit from the consistent praise and encouragement given by the childminder. They are polite, respond well to requests to tidy up and to stop playing at home time. They are encouraged to respect each other, property and living things. This is apparent when babies reach out to touch flowers, young children say excuse me, please or thank when asking for things or for people to do things for them. This fosters children's good understanding and learning about important social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are happy with the standard of care provided. They have built firm working relationships with the childminder. She keeps all required details about the current children, contact numbers and most written agreements signed and up to date. She verbally shares her procedures about the care she provides to parents during their initial meeting. The childminder agreed to review her current method of sharing important information with parents, to ensure that the good working relationships continue. This ensures the maintenance of the overall welfare of children at all times.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel secure and at home in the way the childminder organises the play space for them. There are areas for active and quiet play with toys are stored low and with help accessible by young children. They have a balance of outdoor and indoor play experiences organised around their daily needs of meals and rest. The childminder organises additional activities for children

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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 by taking them to local toddler groups, parks, the library and other places of interest. This ensures children broaden their learning experiences and knowledge.

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Organisation

The childminder pays firm attention to keeping all required training and certificates renewed and up to date. She keeps all required information about the children on roll up to date and annually reviews contracts with parents. She has sound systems in place to record incidents, accidents and the administration of medication. Written parental permission is in place for most important agreements and are stored in the different record books. This means the childminder takes time finding the signed agreements giving her permission to take children on outings, administer medication, travel in the car and seek emergency medical advice or treatment. She agreed to review her present method of organising all documentation to ensure they are quick to access on request or in an emergency situation. At the inspection, the childminder was unfamiliar of the current regulation and guidance regarding complaints procedures for parents

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Organisation

and how to log them. She agreed to address this issue immediately ensuring the children’s overall safety and welfare is maintained.

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Organisation

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 agreed to ensure that any person appointed as an assistant completes appropriate Ofsted forms and is fully vetted. She currently does not work with an assistant and understands the requirements to comply with if an assistant is employed to ensure the welfare of the children is fully supported.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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 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):

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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 • review current systems in place for documenting parental consent and develop a complaints log.

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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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