Norbury Manor Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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126811 Unique Reference Number 11 August 2006 Inspection date Margaret, Ann Sandfield 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 was registered in 1998. She lives with her husband and one adult child in the town of Tonbridge. The whole of the ground floor area of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder walks to local shops and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding four children three of whom attend on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. She has an NNEB qualification.

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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 well. The childminder has attended the Birth to three training and she is experienced in caring for young children and babies. She supports their growth, health and emotional well-being extremely competently. All children have regular access to vigorous outdoor play in the garden and through outings to the local park and childminding group. This ensures children are starting to learn the importance of exercise in promoting their good health. The childminder is paediatric first aid trained and has a first aid box in the house. It contains basic equipment to treat a child appropriately should they have an accident. The childminder records any accident/incident children have in her care. However, they do not include the time the accident/incident happened. The childminder has a sick child statement outlining her exclusion period should a child have any infectious conditions. It also outlines

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Helping children to be healthy

what she would do should a child fall ill whilst in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered regular drinks of diluted fruit juice and water between meals and are provided with additional drinks of water with their lunch. Snacks and lunch meals are healthy, for example, the children are offered snacks of fruit and carrots sticks at snack time. Children's good health would be further promoted if children did not eat directly off the table at snack time. Older children are involved in the food preparation and help peel and chop the carrots. This encourages them to eat and enjoy what they have prepared. They also learn how to make a meal from fresh produce. Children are given lots of praise and encouragement to eat their meals and snacks and children are offered a second helping if they are still hungry. All food and drink is provided according to dietary needs and parent's wishes.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder checks and cleans toys, equipment and resources and throws away any damaged toys. This ensures children's good health is adequately maintained. Children enjoy an organised and reasonably clean environment. The childminder supervises young children in the toilet and they are all expected to wash their hands after going to the toilet. The childminder tries to remember to check that older children have actually done this. Children also wash their hands before and after eating their lunch. This helps to prevent the spread of infection. Children are following good hygiene practices and they all brush their teeth after they have finished their meal.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy a warm and welcoming environment that is kept at a suitable temperature. Children's welfare is safeguarded both in the house, garden and on outings. With the exception of the much worn section of carpet in the hall, the childminder takes many positive steps to prevent children from coming to any harm. Children cannot leave the premises unaccompanied as the house and garden are secure. In the garden the childminder provides lengths of carpet to prevent children hurting themselves should they fall. She has provided a higher section of fencing above the raised, securely covered pond, to prevent children getting out of 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 and therefore keeping them safe. Overall the childminder follows good routines both in the house, garden and on outings to keep children safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well-being is safeguarded. The childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, including contacting social services with any concerns. There is a child protection statement for parent's information and any concerns are recorded separately to maintain confidentiality. The childminder would share these concerns with parents unless this would put the children at further risk.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop their self-esteem and confidence well, because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of how to promote children's learning and development across the age range. The childminder provides a stimulating range of age appropriate activities and the children receive a great deal of consistent caring support and encouragement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have regular activities for vigorous outdoor play whether in the garden or local park. This helps children to develop their confidence and social skills. They are provided with good opportunities for art and craft work, which is displayed in the main childminding room. All of which stimulates their imagination and creativity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children of different ages are enthusiastically playing in the sand pit together, sharing and taking turns. The childminder is actively involved with the children, interacting with all them well, extending their language and supporting them in their play. She stimulates their thinking skills and helps them get the most out of the activities. Children's care and enjoyment is being effectively met as the childminder is competently meeting their needs and promoting all areas of their care and learning. As a result, children are developing in all areas very effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are settled very happily into the homely, welcoming environment as the childminder makes them feel very safe, wanted and valued. The childminder meets their individual and group needs extremely effectively. Children confidently make choices as they are offered a range of activities and happily move from the dining room to the lounge. Children happily chat to the childminder and to adults less familiar to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder knows the children and their families extremely well. She is sensitive to their individual needs, wants and interests as she creates effective partnerships with their parents. The childminder uses a variety of ways to exchange information with parents. She provides parents with a written complaints procedure, which needs up-dating, as the address of the regulatory body is incorrect. The childminder completes children's 'daily diary' for parents to share in their child's play experiences and routines. She encourages parents to add their own comments. The childminder also talks to the parents whenever they wish. Parents have completed detailed records regarding their children's needs, including special needs. The childminder has a broad range of experiences working with children with learning and physical difficulties. All

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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 learn to use sign language. Signing picture prompt cards are displayed in the dining room. They are used in the bathroom to enable children with special needs to understand the toilet and hand washing routines, so they can be independent. One child was competently using sign language as a fun activity during snack time. All children have equal access to a wide range of play materials, including multi-cultural toys and resources. The main multi-cultural resources are provided as a 'toy library' by the local childminding group, which the childminder is a member of. The childminder treats all children with equal concern.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children understand the childminder's expectations and, as a result, their behaviour is generally good. They are polite and well mannered and remember to say 'please' and 'thank you'. The childminder is a good role model. She demonstrates how she uses positive methods for managing their behaviour, for example, consistently giving them lots of praise and encouragement and responds to them warmly and with a great deal of affection.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder provides a welcoming and well organised environment that meets all children's needs. She regularly up-dates her knowledge and understanding of childcare issues by attending a variety of courses. The childminder uses this knowledge and her knowledge of the children to plan, deliver and evaluate the care she provides for children. Children are protected from persons not vetted because the childminder never leaves visitors alone with them. She, her husband and adult son have appropriate criminal record clearances. She strives to enhance the care she is providing for children and their families.

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Organisation

All required documentation is in place and is stored discreetly. The registration certificate is displayed for parents to see. Children's welfare is well supported by written records. She has personal information on children to ensure their needs are met effectively. She records the exact hours that children attend. 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 asked to increase children's opportunities to have access to a balance of resources that reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. This she has addressed by encouraging all children to understand some basic sign language and providing sign and picture labels for routines. The childminder borrows a box of multi-cultural resources on a regular basis.

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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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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): • ensure accident/incident reports include all relevant information to protect children's good health

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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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