Pemberton Boys' School

Inspection report for early years provision

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129696 Unique Reference Number 01 August 2006 Inspection date Sheila Harrison 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 1993. She co-minds with her daughter, who is a registered childminder, in Northchurch, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. Household members include the childminder's adult son and her daughter's partner. The whole of the house is used for childminding purposes. There is fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 one child under five on full-time basis and two children over five before and after school and during the school holidays. The childminder takes children to the local library and to the local parks. The family have no pets.

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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. Children are beginning to learn about simple hygiene routines. Older children are encouraged to independently use the toilet. A watchful eye is kept by the childminder on the younger children to ensure they understand the need to wash their hands. Children’s health is supported through appropriate cleaning routines and the childminder ensures all new toys are thoroughly cleaned before use. The childminder has a verbal agreement with parents regarding the sickness procedure to stop the spread of infection. Children’s health in an emergency is well protected as the childminder has recently attended a first aid course and keeps the first aid box fully stocked.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are adequately nourished and they are offered meals and snacks containing fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as drinks throughout the day. They are encouraged to try new tastes and are allowed occasional chocolate bars for treats. Children’s dietary needs are met as the childminder discusses their individual needs and preferences with the parents. Babies intake of food and drinks are recorded in their personal daily diaries. Children are encouraged to treat meals times as a social occasion as they sit together in quiet conversation and learn appropriate table manners.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have sufficient opportunities to take part in physical exercise outside. They have daily access to the garden during clement weather with a range of challenging play equipment. Children eagerly decide to go into the garden where they have the space to run and practise their skills as they kick and throw balls and learn to use a skipping rope. They know that exercise is good for their heart. Children move competently indoors with space in the hallway as they enjoy practising push-ups. Children’s rest and sleep patterns are taken into consideration within the daily routine. Young children sleep undisturbed upstairs in a travel cot and older children sleep on the settee whilst the others are having a quiet time watching a video.

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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 secure, comfortable and well maintained environment. Risks are informally identified and minimised with the appropriate safety equipment available. For example, the fireguard is fixed and the front door is secure with a high bolt. Children are well supervised in the garden to ensure they can explore their surroundings safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning to keep themselves safe as they follow the house rules, such as putting toys away before getting out others and ensuring they stay on the carpet in the kitchen whilst the childminder is cooking. Children discuss and practise the emergency evacuation procedures and the nervous children are given gentle reassurance and support.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children choose from a sufficient range of resources kept in good order and appropriate for their developmental needs. The childminder rotates the toys in order to keep the children's interest.

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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’s welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has improved her knowledge of child protection issues and has most of the required procedures and documents in place

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and busy as the childminder provides a routine and activities which are of interest to the children. They play with their favourite games and toys. Children access the resources stored at floor level around the room with sufficient amounts of Lego for them to play co-operatively. Children are developing their imagination with the pattern tiles. They were making complicated flowers and rockets and could describe the burners, windows and space rocks. Younger children’s concentration to complete the house is supported by the childminder sitting alongside. However, the childminder does not yet use guidance materials for children from birth to three years, therefore, areas of young children’s progress are not fully developed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well in a familiar family environment. They are actively welcomed and enjoy close and caring relationships with the childminder. Children are developing confidence and willingness to participate as the childminder shows an understanding of their individual needs. They talk about their likes and dislikes and have the opportunity to play with non gender specific toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to learn about the wider world as they are encouraged to view positively the similarities and differences in other people. There are a few multi-cultural resources to support their discussions and play. Children have the opportunity to investigate the environment with nature walks to the park and under the trees in the garden. Children enjoy trips to the adventure playground and the Tring Natural History Museum.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and respond to requests for good behaviour. They are encouraged to learn important social skills such as sharing. The childminder is a good role model as she encourages please and thank you. Children feel secure as a consistent approach is well maintained with the co-minder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the parents and childminder and co-minder’s positive, friendly and open relationship. Parents are confident to share home experiences and discuss their child’s development and needs. Discussions take place in private between the childminder and parents in order to establish suitable care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder and co-minder are committed to their role with a high regard for the well-being of the children. The high adult: child ratio and consistent care given by the childminder and co-minder positively supports the children’s comfort and security. Children are supervised by

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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 experienced and trusted adults, the childminder ensures all adults living in the house are suitably vetted. The procedures and documentation are generally sound but some of the records lack clarity and this could limit the welfare of the children. Overall, the children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to complete a relevant first aid course and comply with the local child protection procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has attended a suitable twelve hour first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children. Information on the local child protection procedure including the necessary telephone numbers has been obtained.

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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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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): • improve the outcomes for children from birth to three by using an approach in line with 'Birth to three matters'.

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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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