Wickham Common Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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142301 Unique Reference Number 17 August 2006 Inspection date Claire Sheldrake 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 first registered in 1992.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her husband and three children aged 19,17 and 16 years. They live in a semi detached house in Wells. There are local shops and a park within walking distance of their home. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 being introduced to managing their own hygiene routines, through being assisted to the bathroom and encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet. The childminder likes to keep a structure to each day, to help children settle and to meet their needs. The younger children are given the opportunity to sleep in a pushchair if they become tired, and there is a sofa available to relax, and drink a bottle of warm milk.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children have regular opportunities to extend their physical skills and coordination, through visits to the local park. They like to ride their bikes, run around and climb on the climbing frame and slide, enjoying the freedom and fresh air.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has made provision for children to be able to play outside in the shade by using a gazebo, reducing the risk of sunburn. The children are also familiar with the application of sun cream to protect their skin.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents are asked to provide their children with all their meals and drinks during the day. However some of these items are perishable and are not stored in the fridge.

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Helping children to be healthy

Any medication that is given to the childminder to administer, is kept out of reach of the children. A record is available to show medication has been administered, but it lacks detail to identify consent to give it, and record of how and when it was given. This detail continues to be missing from the accident records. The incident is recorded, however no information is given as to the first aid that was administered.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has made sure that children are kept safe whilst indoors, with the use of appropriate equipment. She uses a stair gate to restrict access to the kitchen, and has covered any unused electrical sockets. When playing outdoors children stay safe, as the garden is enclosed and the childminder can supervise them closely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of the children's individual abilities and is able to tailor her care for each of them. The younger children need support to use the bathroom upstairs and she encourages independence in the older children to go by themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has some consent forms available for parents to sign, these include transporting children in the car and letting the children go to the park alone. These are not always signed and dated by the parents to ensure they are current.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

A daily record of attendance is kept to ensure that the required adult: child ratios are maintained. This is particularly important as the childminder increases the number of children she cares for, when her assistant is present.

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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 Fire safety measures have been addressed with the use of two smoke alarms, and a fire blanket in the kitchen. This ensures children are not at risk from fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has some knowledge of child protection, although further reading, will help her improve her understanding of this subject.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children are interested in the toys that have been laid out for them. They are suitable for their age and stage of development. The younger child enjoys playing with the threading activity, where she is helped by the childminder's daughter. They talk about the colours, shapes and sequences of beads, whilst making a necklace.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

She then plays with a large shape sorter. They talk about putting pieces in, and how they fit as the child places each one. The childminder responds to her effort and praises her success.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The child is aware of where further toys are kept, and goes confidently to get a selection of puzzles to do herself. She enjoys colouring in a colouring book with pencil crayons, and she is able to name each of the coloured pencils that she is using.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children have regular opportunities to be physical. They are able to use toys and equipment in the rear garden, as well as extending their skills in a larger open area, at the local park.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are encouraged to help tidy up after they have finished playing with their toys, this introduces them to taking responsibility and teaches them good routines.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children are beginning to develop an awareness of themselves and how they fit into their surroundings. They seem settled and secure, and are treated as one of the family.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Books and videos are shared with the children, introducing them to culture, religion and disability. This makes them aware of similarities with others and respectful of any differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are aware of boundaries set by the childminder and manners are encouraged and introduced. These are set with respect to a child’s level of understanding and maturity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder cares for the children by identifying their individual needs. She is aware that some children need opportunities to expel excess energy, and some need help and support to settle to an activity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept informed about their child's routines through verbal exchanges of information at the beginning and the end of each day. There is currently no procedure in place for recording complaints from parents.

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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. The childminder first registered fourteen years ago. She has a current first aid certificate, and public liability insurance is in place to ensure children's safety. Her childminding certificate is displayed in the lounge for parents to see.

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Organisation

Checks have been completed for the childminder and her husband, however checks are now needed for the childminder's own children. These have now been applied for.

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Organisation

Adult: child ratios are met. This allows each child enough individual support and attention to feel valued and secure.

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Organisation

Her daily register is filled out appropriately and is up to date, therefore giving a clear record of daily attendance.

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Organisation

Documentation is available, however it lacks essential and important detail.

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Organisation

Her childminding provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was set four recommendations;

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Improvements since the last inspection

To ensure all household members over the age of 16 years, have completed relevant checks. The childminder has applied for these checks to be carried out in August 2006. Therefore suitability has not yet been cleared.

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Improvements since the last inspection

To maintain a daily record of children's attendance. Her daily register is now filled out appropriately and is up to date, therefore giving a clear record of daily attendance.

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Improvements since the last inspection

To obtain written consent from parents to administer medication. The medication records are incomplete. They do not contain enough information to be relevant.

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Improvements since the last inspection

To provide a suitable range of toys and activities, in order to meet the developmental needs of babies and young children from one to under eight years. There is a selection of toys available, these are mostly suitable for younger children.

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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 may 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 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): • keep a detailed record of any medication administered to children • make sure a detailed record of any accident is maintained • ensure all consent forms are complete • develop knowledge and understanding of child protection • ensure a record of complaints is maintained

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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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