Enstone Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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123001 Unique Reference Number 21 August 2006 Inspection date Mauvene Burke 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 has been a registered childminder for four years. She lives with her husband in a four bedroom house in the Tooting area, situated in the London Borough of Wandsworth. The whole of the ground floor area of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available 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 five children under five all who attend on a part time basis. The childminder attends local parent/toddler groups in the area. The family has two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is a specialist minder for the London Borough of Wandsworth.

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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. Although the premises are clean and overall the children are being exposed to some satisfactory hygiene practices, for example, children know why they must wash their hands before eating, they are at times being exposed to some not so good hygiene practices. For example, the childminder does not always remind children to wash their hands; younger children are allowed to share the same drinking beakers and the childminder does not always wash her hands before preparing snacks and feeding the children, this exposes children to the risk of infection. Systems regarding nappy changing are satisfactory.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's welfare is maintained because the childminder has the required documentation in place regarding accidents and the administration of medication. She works closely with parents to ensure they are aware of her policy regarding sick children and the administration of medication. She also has written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Children's welfare is further promoted because the childminder has a valid first aid certificate enabling her to provide treatment in a medical emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy meals and snacks that are provided for them by the childminder. The childminder makes a note of children's dietary needs and provides meals accordingly. Children are given fresh drinking water during the day, a bottle of water is available at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular fresh air and exercise as the childminder takes them out daily. They are taken to local play groups and parks where they are able to develop their physical skills as they have access to climbing frames, swings and plenty of space to run around. Indoors they are able to join in with lively musical games.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy the ample space they have to play in the very attractive environment the childminder's home provides. Photographs of the children, posters and children's artwork are displayed in the playroom, and all areas accessible to the children are well organised. Children can wander from room to room safely, securely and independently. Children make choices as to which room they would like to play in. The living area is used as a separate room for children to sleep undisturbed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All the appropriate resources are in place and are in good condition. Children are able to make their own choices as the toys are organised which makes it easy for the children to reach and see. A separate area is provided for messy and creative activities as well as for meal times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe by the good precautions the childminder has taken. The childminder has a fire blanket and smoke alarms are in place. Children enjoy practising evacuating the premises as if there was a fire as the childminder ensures that fire drills are planned periodically. The childminder checks play materials regularly and makes sure toys with small parts are not within

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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 the reach of very young children. She is aware of how to proceed if she has concerns about a child possibly being abused.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children play with appropriate resources for their ages and stages of their development and have a good range of play materials available that enables them to experience a variety of play such as imaginative, construction and creative play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children enjoy a range of toys such as activity centres, puzzles, toys with mirrors, and ball games. However, although play materials are stored in a way that makes them easily accessible, there are so many toys to choose from that these children do not spend any period of time exploring or learning new things as specific challenging activities with learning intentions are not planned for each day. The childminder often allows children to "get on with it" whilst she gives older children more of her attention. However in saying this, younger children receive plenty of cuddles and their individual needs are met appropriately by the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children have a more planned day, for example, they have access to paints which they can mix themselves whilst talking about the change in colour, building train sets, using the play doh and having stories read to them so forth. The childminder encourages their language through constantly talking with them and asking meaningful questions which makes them think.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are able to enjoy the company of others and to experience new play experiences outside the home when they attend toddler groups such as the One 0' Clock club, when they go to music sessions and when they go to the park and join up with other childminders and their children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are settled in the childminder's care. She is aware of children's different needs and routines and adapts her care to meet these. Children's own cultures and home experiences are reflected in the books and play equipment that the childminder provides. For example, children's interest in sharks is encouraged by the childminder using posters of sharks and other sea animals and children's books and posters of people using wheelchairs reflects a friend of the children, who also uses a wheelchair.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well because the childminder is calm and uses effective ways to talk to children and provides them with good reasons for behaving well. Children are learning to share and older children often sit with younger children and help them through their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the partnership with parents the childminder has developed. The childminder obtains information about new children's individual needs and chats with parents daily. She provides a "notice board" for parents which gives information about weekly activities, a poster which describes how they can complain, details about meals provided and details about

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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 infectious diseases. The childminder keeps individual books on each minded child which contains details about the child's day. This is shared with parents on a daily basis. Letters from parents past and present confirm that they are happy with the care that the childminder provides for their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the care of the childminder. However, there are some weaknesses in how well play materials and activities are organised to encourage all children's learning and development and issues around hygiene practices.

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Organisation

The home is well maintained and clean and offers a safe environment for children to play. Children are able to move around safely and securely because the childminder has minimised potential hazards and has ensured that there is enough free space for children to be independent.

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Organisation

The childminder has developed good record keeping systems to ensure she understands children's individual needs and is able to keep parents well informed about their children's care.

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Organisation

The childminder is continually developing her knowledge and skills of childcare by attending training provided by the local authority. She has recently attended training in the Birth to three matters framework and is currently trying to plan her activities for under threes with this in mind.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has taken steps to improve the service she provides for children. She was asked to ensure that all hazardous materials in the kitchen cupboards were made inaccessible to children; to devise and implement an emergency evacuation plan and improve documentation with regards to recording children's attendance and significant incidents. This improvement helps to promote the well-being and welfare of children. The childminder was further asked to ensure that good hygiene practices are in place regarding hand washing, this remains an issue and has again been highlighted for an area of improvement following this inspection.

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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 seen 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): • improve hygiene practices by ensuring than good hand washing procedures are in place for children and adults and children are provided with separate drinking cups • ensure that children under two are supported through their play and learning by organising play materials and planning activities more effectively

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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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