Whitegate Primary and Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 144842 Inspection date 11 October 2005 Inspector Susan June Stone

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 lives with her husband and their daughter who is aged under 8 years, in a four storey house near the centre of Trowbridge. She has been registered since August 2000 and is registered to care for five children under 8 years. At present she is caring for three children, all on a part time basis. The ground floor is mainly used for children's play, and the first floor for sleeping and access to the toilet facilities. The basement and second floor are not used for childminding. There is a back garden which is safe and secure and used for outside play.

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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 family have a pet cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean, well maintained home where they are developing an understanding of good hygiene and personal care. The childminder ensures the children wash their hands before and after meals, and after using the toilet. This helps the children learn how to help reduce the risk of cross contamination and infection. The childminder sets good examples to the children in her own behaviour, like washing her own hands before preparing lunch. She provides healthy meals and snacks for the children, which take account of any special dietary needs. This means the children are able to develop an understanding of the importance of eating a balanced, healthy diet. Children sit to the table to eat their meals, they are developing their independence, and are acquiring the skills needed to feed themselves. The childminder organises time each day to allow for outdoor play, either in the

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Helping children to be healthy

garden or at the local play park. This ensures that the children have the opportunity to benefit from the fresh air, and helps them to develop and improve their physical skills. By implementing her sickness policy, the childminder ensures the children are protected from illnesses and infections like chicken pox or stomach upsets. However the childminder has not continued to update her training in first aid and does not have a current first aid certificate.

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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, homely environment where risks have been identified and minimised. The children's playroom is bright, cheerful and inviting to the children. Available space is well organised to allow the children to play in comfort. The childminder ensures that standards of safety are maintained in the areas used by the children, this allows them to move about freely and safely under her close supervision. Effective safety measures, like using safety gates have been put in place, which helps the children to play, and be cared for in a safe environment, although the storage of toys and resources in a large container could pose a hazard for the younger children. The childminder monitors and supervises the toys that the children play with to ensure that they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. This helps the children to learn new skills and make progress in all

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

areas of development. The childminder helps the children to learn about how to keep themselves safe, like reminding them to sit on chairs properly and encouraging the children to tidy away the toys when they have finished playing with them. This helps the children to take some responsibility for their own safety and well being. The childminder understands her responsibilities with regard to child protection; she

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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 has a secure understanding of the procedures to follow if she had a concern about a child in her care, so helping to ensure the children's safety at all times.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and at ease in the childminder's house. They make themselves at home and are familiar with the daily routines and where things are kept. Children are developing good relationships with the childminders, and they are confident and settled within the setting. The childminder values the children's opinions and respects their wishes. She allows the children to make decisions for themselves, like activities they wish to participate in. This helps to build their personal independence. Children's self esteem is reinforced well by the childminder valuing each child and supporting their needs. However the storage of some of the toys and activities hampers children's ability to freely access and use them. The childminder provides a range of structured and free play activities and opportunities that provide sufficient challenge for children attending. She actively

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

encourages the children to participate in activities that contribute to their development and learning. These activities allow the children to explore and investigate using all their senses as appropriate, for example number and letter activities, and visits to the local park. This means that childrens individual learning and well being are nurtured and developed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Good relationships have been developed with parents. A written document folder is available to parents to inform them of the care offered, however this does not contain details about the complaints procedure. The childminder and parents work together to meet the children’s needs. Time is allowed daily to talk and share any necessary information concerning the children. This allows for the children’s individual needs to be identified and addressed. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder interacts with the children well, encouraging them to feel valued and included. She provides suitable activities and resources to reflect diversity. This helps the children to recognise diversity and develop positive attitudes and respect for others. The children are encouraged to learn about their local community as they visit local places of interest, the park and shops. By exploring these places and the areas

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Helping children make a positive contribution

in which they live, they are beginning to develop self awareness and how they fit into their community and surroundings. The children know the levels of expected behaviour and are generally well behaved. The childminder uses appropriate explanations when behaviour does not meet expectations. This means the children are able to understand why their actions or behaviour are not acceptable.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in an ordered and structured environment where their individual needs are identified and appropriately addressed. The childminder organises time well to meet the needs of the children attending. She provides a variety of activities and experiences which offer appropriate challenge the children. Children feel comfortable and safe within the setting, which means they are confident to initiate their own play and learning. Children benefit from the childminders commitment to further developing her role as a childminder. She does this by enrolling to study and attending training courses to update, and develop her knowledge and understanding of various aspects of caring for children. Most documentation required by Ofsted is in place and suitably maintained. However accident records are not maintained and information is not available to parents of how they may voice any concerns or complaints about the provision. The childminder

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Organisation

ensures that all information kept for the children remains confidential. Parents contributions are valued, and this helps to contribute to the continuity of care. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were two actions and four recommendations from the last inspection. The two actions were to ensure that all household members have criminal records checks in place and ensure names and telephone numbers of lodgers are kept available for inspection. CRB clearance was obtained for lodgers staying at the premises at the time. There are no lodgers staying at the premises at present. The second action was to ensure that risk issues do not pose a hazard to children including exposed socket covers, low level window panes, exposed wires and cables and building rubble in the garden. All mentioned issues have now been suitably addressed. With regards to the recommendations which were to; devise and implement a system to record any incident of physical restraint. This has still to be addressed. With regards to ensuring procedures are in place to secure parental permission to administer medication and to record pre-existing injuries and keep appropriate signed

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Improvements since the last inspection

consent forms and a record of emergency contact and GP contact details. Suitable systems are now in place to address this. It was also recommended that the childminder ensure children can safely reach toys and equipment. This concerned a shelf which was quite high for the children to access toys stored on it. This shelf has now been removed. However children cannot easily access some toys stored in a large, deep container. The childminder was also recommended to improve her knowledge and understanding of the Area Child Protection committee guidance. She has now attended training and has an understanding of these procedures and a copy of the guidance for reference.

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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 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): • make sure first aid training is updated as necessary and a current certificate maintained • make sure required records are in place of any accidents occurring on the premises • ensure complaints procedure is made available to parents • review the storage and organisation of the play equipment, so as to improve children's access and enable them to make more independent choices.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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