Griffin Park Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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119116 Unique Reference Number 09 August 2006 Inspection date Carol Patricia Willett 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 1997. She lives with her two daughters one is adult and the other is high school age. They live in a house in Sandhurst. The house is situated within walking distance of local amenities including schools, pre-schools, parks and shops. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with sleeping facilities provided for babies in the master bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under 8 years. There are currently four children attending on a part time basis, all of which are under 5 years.

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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 promoted by good daily routines to ensure the premises and resources are clean and well maintained. The childminder acts a good role model setting high standards of hygiene for the children. They use everyday routines to learn the importance of personal hygiene and children wash their hands at appropriate times, such as before meals. The childminder ensures parents provide children with their own flannels. The childminder offers children very good support when they are developing their skills, such as potty training, remaining calm and patient with little accidents and praising and clapping all efforts.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy daily opportunities for physical play outdoors which contributes to their health and well-being. All children benefit from the fresh air as they go on trips to the local park. They use large equipment to improve their physical skills and this helps them to develop control of their bodies. They play in the garden with equipment such as slides and ride on toys. They enjoy listening to the ballet music of Swan Lake where they dance to the storm and then the sunshine, matching their movements to the music. The childminder joins in with their dance and they all have fun and develop their coordination skills. Children's individual needs regarding sleep and rest are met well. Older children have a quiet time for relaxation where they sit and look at books and babies sleep according to their individual routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are discussed and recorded. Parents choose to supply all the children's meals and snacks. The childminder has a good understanding of how to store food safely so children remain healthy. She ensures children eat and drink sufficiently to maintain their health and discusses with parents if children need more or a different range of food. The childminder encourages good social interaction by enabling children to sit in high chairs at the breakfast bar in the kitchen and eat together. She talks to them constantly using everyday experiences to develop their understanding and skills, for example, talking about washing their hands because of germs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are very comfortable and at ease in the childminder's home. They play freely as the childminder has organised her home and garden well. The children can explore and develop safely with sufficient space to meet their needs. They play well with the suitable and sufficient range of age appropriate toys put out by the childminder. The toys are rotated to maintain children's interest. However, the limited space means they are not able to freely select from the full range of resources as they are stored in different parts of the house. The childminder has a good knowledge of hazards and checks the home and garden before children arrive to ensure their safety. She takes good measures to minimise risks both in and out of the home. For example, there is a door to the stairs, and young children are strapped securely into the high kitchen chairs and pushchair. There is a bolt on the garden gate which is inaccessible to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

the children. Minded children do not use the large trampoline in the garden.

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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 Children stay safe as the childminder carefully supervises them throughout the day and babies are monitored whilst they sleep. Children learn about keeping themselves safe as the childminder talks about road safety and house rules, for example, she explains children must wait for the green man at crossings. She develops their awareness of keeping safe as she discusses not putting too much food in their mouth as they might choke. The childminder gently reminds children not to stand on the sofa making them aware of the house safety rules.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has appropriate documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded. She has a good knowledge of child protection procedures and records accident and incident details appropriately. She ensures all persons in the home have been vetted to make sure children are fully protected. There is appropriate insurance cover in place. The childminder has updated her first aid certificate to ensure she acts appropriately should there be an accident.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very happy, content and confident as they form close relationships with the childminder. She has a lively, fun manner and is very caring and responsive to the children's requests. She joins in with their play as they dance and respond to the music from Swan Lake, dancing like the swans at the ballet developing their imaginative and physical coordination skills. The children play well together, developing good language and communication skills as the childminder has excellent interactive skills with lots of chatter and conversation. The childminder has very good questioning skills to extend children learning and thinking. For example, when cuddling on the sofa looking at books she asks children to explain why elephants are special and the children know they have long trunks. They make good progress in all areas as the childminder spends time talking and playing with them and helping them to learn. She

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

provides an interesting range of suitably challenging activities daily, such as playdough which absorb and maintain the children's interest and concentration as they make butterflies and snails. Children's social skills and relationships with others develop well. The childminder takes children to toddler groups and activities outside the home such as trips to the library and parks enabling them to meet other children and adults and become aware of the wider world. The childminder is experienced and has good skills. She manages the varied range of ages with ease in a calm manner. She uses good behaviour management strategies so the children are very well behaved and responsive to her clear calm guidance and explanations. The childminder is not using the Birth to three matters framework to full effect to enhance the range of experiences for babies.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy, secure and settled as the childminder is warm and caring. She is aware of and values children's needs and personalities. She gives the children hugs and cuddles and they enjoy sitting next to her on the sofa for stories, this develops their sense of well being and security.

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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 behave well and learn simple rules which enables them to develop good social skills. The childminder has excellent behaviour management strategies in place. She makes children aware of the house rules such as not standing on the sofa and reminds them is a gentle manner. Children are very responsive. She treats the children with respect, acts as a good role model using 'please' and 'thank you'. She talks to them in a fun, caring manner, giving them clear explanations to help them learn right from wrong. She praises them and encourages sharing and good manners. This ensures children are well behaved, play well and care about each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good relationships with parents which helps the children be secure. They share information daily to ensure children needs are met. The childminder uses a daily diary to record children's time at the childminders. She maintains appropriate records which are shared with parents, for example, accident and medication records are signed and parents receive a copy. The childminder makes parents aware of her practices through regular discussions. She has some written policies but she has not shared them with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very at home and benefit from the well organised play space provided. The childminder enjoys the children's company and knows them well helping them feel secure and confident. They receive good support as the childminder is very experienced and manages the range of ages with ease, in a calm manner.

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Organisation

The childminder develops good relationships with parents as she understands the importance of positive partnerships with them. She keeps a folder with her written policies and procedures but she has not shared these with parents. The childminder and parents share information daily to make sure the children's needs are well known. The childminder maintains most of her records appropriately to promote the children's welfare, care and learning. She uses a diary to record times children are not on the premises. She does not accurately record the times of attendance. She keeps up to date with training, for example, she has updated her first aid certificate to ensure she responds effectively should children have an accident. She meets with other childminders to share knowledge and experience. Overall, 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 required to improve procedures for the administration of medication and ensure all adults over 16 years have criminal records bureau disclosures. The childminder has made good progress in both areas. She has a copy of disclosures for all adults in the house and she records when medication is given. Parents complete slips giving written consent when medication is needed. This ensures children's health and safety is promoted.

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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 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 documentation by ensuring children's times of attendance are accurately recorded • further develop knowledge and understanding of the Birth to three matters framework to enhance the experiences offered to young children • share the written policies and procedures with parents to further develop partnerships.

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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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