Greatfields Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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143720 Unique Reference Number 26 June 2006 Inspection date Linda Close 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 has been registered since September 1999. She lives with her husband and family in a three storey town house in a residential cul-de-sac adjacent to the River Thames in Fulham. Local transport facilities and parks are close by. The local authority is Hammersmith and Fulham. There are two teenage children in the family who are both studying at college.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The ground floor and patio garden area at the rear of the house are used for childminding. Children are cared for in the kitchen/dining area and the adjacent patio garden area at the rear of the house. There are toilet facilities on the ground floor. It is a non smoking household and the family has no pets. The childminder takes children on outings to places of interest, for swimming lessons weekly and to local playgroups on a regular basis. She is currently minding a nine month old baby and a five year old child who is collected 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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is safeguarded in the childminder's home. Medication is stored out of the reach of children and is only given to them with written permission from their parents. Minor accidents can be treated appropriately because the childminder has updated her first aid training and has a suitable first aid kit to hand. Children are not exposed to unnecessary infections because parents know that they must keep children away until they are fully recovered if they are unwell. Children learn about good hygiene from an early age. The childminder washes baby's hands after nappy changes and before they enjoy their snacks and meals. Older children are encouraged to wash their own hands which helps them to develop good habits.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy frequent drinks and healthy snacks. They are well nourished because the childminder plans carefully chosen meals that meet their dietary needs. Meals include fresh fruit and salads. Children are given food provided by their parents if they prefer. The children are not given food that does not agree with them because the childminder asks parents for information about any allergies and preferences at registration.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy energetic play in the park and at the playgroups which they visit three times a week. The childminder also takes them swimming every week with their parents permission. The childminder gets down on the floor to play with very young children and she encourages them to roll over, sit up and crawl. They are also encouraged to stand up holding on to the childminder's hands.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in clean, secure surroundings. The childminder does her housework when children are not present. She cleans her floor surfaces daily providing a clean surface for the children to play on. Children have sufficient space to play and rest in comfort in the childminder's home. They can play in the garden area in fine weather and the childminder makes good use of local amenities for the children to enjoy further play space.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys are stored in the hallway and in hall cupboards where older children can access them easily. A good selection of toys for babies are put out for them to explore each day. The childminder checks all of the toys often to ensure that they are safe and in good condition. Toys for babies are kept separately from toys for older children so that there is no danger of babies putting small toys in their mouths. Babies use their own buggies from home and the childminder has a travel cot ready for use if it is required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can play safely in the kitchen/dining room and the outdoor area because the childminder ensures that they cannot access any sharp or toxic items. Fire evacuation is practised often, smoke alarms are in place and a fire blanket is to hand in the kitchen which all contribute to children's safety in an emergency situation. However, there are some safety issues for the children that have been overlooked in the home. Numerous household items such as mouthwash

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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 and cosmetics are stored in the ground floor cloakroom and children can easily access them. The toilet door cannot be opened from the outside and consequently there is a risk of children locking the door from within. A tall fitted cupboard in the hallway has no lock and children can access the tools stored inside it. There is a risk of children slipping on the smooth floor covering on the ground floor of the house if they are not wearing suitable footwear.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded well in relation to child protection issues because the childminder is well informed. She has recently updated her child protection training. She can recognise any symptoms that suggest ill-treatment. She is confident in her knowledge of what steps to take should she be concerned for the welfare of a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their play with the childminder. She ensures that older children can make independent choices from suitable toys. She sets out an interesting selection of toys and play materials for the youngest children. At the time of the inspection a minded child was observed thoroughly enjoying exploring a range of toys that make different noises. The child was delighted with the sounds made by pushing buttons and shaking the toys and displayed great curiosity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children, who are just at the early stages of their development, are supported well. They eagerly respond to the childminder who talks to them clearly all the time. They are beginning to make a whole range of vocal sounds when playing and sharing picture books with her. They are learning how to turn the pages of their board books. Children benefit from their visits to local playgroups each week. They are learning to enjoy the company of other children and adults. They also enjoy weekly visits to the swimming pool with the childminder. Older children, who are currently cared for after school, enjoy more complex art and craft activities that include dough play, painting, drawing and making jewellery. They sometimes enjoy cooking activities with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are well met by the childminder. She finds out about their home language, culture, normal routine and special dietary requirements at the time of registration. Additionally parents and carers are invited into her home every day. This enables them to share details of children's care needs such as what they have eaten for breakfast and how well they slept. Children are assured of continuity of care through this daily exchange of information. Children have access to books and toys that reflect diversity. They also meet a range of adults and children on their weekly outings which helps them to understand, respect and relate to people from different backgrounds.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is not currently minding a child with learning difficulties although her previous work experience has helped her to gain first hand knowledge of the care of children who have complex care needs. Children respond well to the childminder's calm, sensible strategies for

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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 managing their behaviour. They are gently distracted if their behaviour is unwelcome. Children are secure and content in the care of the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good working relationship that the childminder has established with parents and carers. Written agreements are reviewed annually which clarifies the expectations of all of the adults involved. Children each have a diary book that is used to record details and observations about their activities, achievements and general day-to-day care. Parents can provide support at home using this information to help their children to make progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The house is secure and the childminder ensures that children are not left with non-vetted people. The area of the house used for childminding is well organised to allow children sufficient space to play and rest and to give them easy access to their toys. The childminder has a positive attitude towards attendance at training courses to enrich her work with the children and to ensure that she is up to date with current thinking in childcare. For example, she has attended a course about the current framework of Birth to three matters which helps her to support little children in their learning and development.

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Organisation

The main room used for childminding is well organised and made safe in most respects. However, there are some safety issues in the home that have been overlooked. All documents and records are kept according to regulation which supports the efficient running of the childminder's service to parents and their children. Documents are stored securely which helps to preserve confidentiality. The setting meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Four recommendations for improvement were made at the last inspection. The childminder agreed to retain records relating to individual children for a reasonable period of time after children have left the provision and to make them available for inspection. The childminder now maintains appropriate records and retains them for inspection. The childminder agreed to increase resources that reflect positive images of diversity. A good range of toys and books are available for the children to help them to understand diversity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder agreed to raise her knowledge of child protection procedures. She has attended a relevant training course and now has a good understanding of what steps to take if she is concerned for the welfare of children in her care. The childminder did not have written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice for the children in their absence. This written permission from parents is now in place which helps to safeguard children in the event of an accident.

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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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Complaints 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

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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): • ensure that children are safe when walking on smooth floor coverings in the home • ensure that children cannot access household materials such as cosmetics and mouthwash in the ground floor cloakroom • ensure that the bathroom door can be opened from the outside • make sure that children cannot gain access to the tools in the hall store cupboard.

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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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