Allanson Street Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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104758 Unique Reference Number 12 July 2006 Inspection date Linda Dawe 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 1989. She lives with her adult son and daughter. They live in a detached bungalow on a residential estate in South Moulton. The living room, hallways, kitchen, bathroom and third bedroom are available for childminding, and a large garden is easily accessible from the house. There are no pets in the household.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is able to collect children from the local primary school. She offers care from Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 18:00 and is currently minding seven children aged from 14 months to nine years old.

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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 enjoy a generally healthy diet of snacks of fruit and a drink during the day. Older children are offered a choice of cake, fruit or crisps when they come in after school provided they have eaten all their school lunch. Children bring a packed lunch and this is stored appropriately to prevent food poisoning with high risk foods being put into the fridge.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have ample access to fresh air and regular exercise as they walk to local parks and to school and also as they play in the childminder's garden. There are satisfactory arrangements for children to sleep or rest through the day according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn good hygiene practices as they are expected to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. The childminder has a policy regarding children who have been, or who are ill, although, this is not stringently enforced. Medication and accident details are recorded, although records do not contain sufficient detail and the childminder was unaware of the legal requirement to report serious accidents to Ofsted and the Health and Safety Executive.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected from the harmful effects of the sun by wearing sun cream and hats when outside. The childminder is vigilant about their safety when out walking, expecting young children to hold her hand to keep them safe and by her side.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can be alerted quickly in the event of fire as the fire safety officer has installed smoke detectors throughout the childminder's home. Generally, the childminder's home provides a safe environment for children to play in, although not all electric sockets are covered and this is a hazard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play freely with a satisfactory range of toys that are organised to make sure they are safe and appropriate for the ages of children that are playing with them. The childminder's home provides different areas for children to use, for example, the lounge and hallway provides floor space for children to play on whilst painting and craft can be enjoyed on the kitchen table. There are also areas where children can sleep or rest if they need to.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and relaxed with the childminder. Young children wake from their sleep happy to be in her care. The childminder encourages children in their play, giving them help and support if needed. For example, playing a game of hide and seek in a cardboard box with a child. She also knows when to let children play alone if they are happy doing so. Children are encouraged to be independent by making their own sandwiches and cutting up their own

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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 fruit. They also enjoy regular cookery sessions where they can make cakes, biscuits and pizza and have the satisfaction of eating the results.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The activities provided are appropriate for children's ages and stage of development and planned to help them make progress. For example, the childminder has 'labelled' items around the house to help a child prepare for school. As a result, this child can now recognise certain words and has an understanding that print carries meaning. They learn about the natural world as they grown sunflowers, which gives them a sense of achievement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children speak confidently with the childminder making their needs known and she responds well to them. Their artwork and photographs are displayed on the fridge which boosts their positive self-esteem as they take pride in their achievements. Children know of the expectations of their behaviour, for example, saying 'please' and 'thank you' and sharing with other children. If their behaviour lapses they are gently reminded of the 'rules' and the consequences of their behaviour and children respond well to this.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have access to a range of resources that increase their awareness of diversity. They are encouraged to take part in all activities and play with all toys regardless of their gender.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with disability are very well supported as the childminder is proactive in seeking training to help them where she can. For example, she completed two sign language courses to ensure she could communicate with a child with a hearing difficulty. As a result, the child is fully included in all activities. Children who are not reaching their milestones are quickly identified because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child development. Parents are sensitively approached about any concerns she has so that together they can support the child and obtain any additional professional help if needed. Children benefit from the positive relationships that the childminder builds with their parents. Contracts and consent forms make sure that children receive appropriate individual care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children clearly feel at ease in the relaxed homely environment that the childminder provides. Space in the home and garden is organised to provide children with opportunity to be active or relax if they need to. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to increasing her skills and knowledge of caring for young children by attending training in subjects such as child protection, sign language and Birth to three matters. Children's care and safety benefits from this updated knowledge.

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Organisation

In general, documentation meets legal requirements although some lack sufficient detail as stated in the outcome 'Being Healthy'. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure all persons living on the premises have been suitably checked, to make sure that the sandpit is clean and hygienic and to purchase a fire blanket.

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Improvements since the last inspection

All persons living in the home are suitably checked to make sure they are safe to be with children. The sandpit is now covered when not in use, making it cleaner and healthier for children to use. The childminder has also purchased a fire blanket to improve safety for children although this has not yet been wall-mounted to make sure it can be quickly accessed in the case of an emergency.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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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): • improve children's health by: ensuring accident records contain sufficient detail; improving knowledge and understanding of the legal requirement to report serious accidents to Ofsted and by making sure that existing injuries are recorded • improve safety by making sure electric sockets are covered at all times and that the fire blanket is quickly and easily accessible.

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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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