Sunningdale School

Inspection report for early years provision

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111776 Unique Reference Number 31 August 2006 Inspection date Nikki Whinton 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 1994. She lives with her partner and two grown up children in Andover, Hampshire. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is a 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 three children, two of whom attend on a full-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She attends the local carer and toddler group. The family has a pet rat.

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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 lead a healthy lifestyle whilst in the childminder's care. They have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise when playing in the childminder's garden or whilst walking to and from outings in the local area. In addition, children visit the nearby park, where they can develop their physical skills by using a range of age appropriate apparatus.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their awareness of good hygiene practices through the childminder's good role modelling. There are a range of measures in place to promote the children's health. For example, they each have their own hand towel, to help reduce the risk of cross contamination and written parental permission has been obtained for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice. They benefit from the childminder's understanding of first aid and her awareness of the correct administrative procedures to be followed if accidents occur. However, whilst parents sign the record book to acknowledge when medication has been given, written permission is not obtained prior to giving a specified medicine. As a result, children's health is at risk.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children freely help themselves to drinks throughout their time in the provision. This helps to ensure they are drinking fluids in sufficient quantities to meet their differing requirements. Parents provide lunches and snacks for their children, which are appropriately stored in the fridge. The childminder is aware of the importance of ensuring children develop their awareness of healthy options, so makes sure children eat fruit if necessary, to supplement the food brought from home. Allergies or dietary issues are discussed with parents prior to a child commencing in the setting. These discussions are recorded and any needs accommodated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and sleep within premises that are clean and well maintained. Children's labelled artwork is displayed, which helps to promote a welcoming environment for children and parents. Children sleep in a designated bedroom and are able to visit the toilet independently, which helps to build their self-care skills. They are learning to share responsibility for their safety through practical activities, such as practising emergency escape procedures. There are a range of measures in place to support children's safety and help prevent accidents. For example, smoke detectors are maintained in working order, hazardous materials are inaccessible to children and stair gates prevent children accessing the stairs. However, the garden is not secure and children could leave the provision unsupervised. As a result, children's safety is at risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children freely access a range of age appropriate resources that are rotated to ensure children continue to be stimulated by the toys. They benefit from the childminder's good understanding of safety issues regarding the purchase and maintenance of equipment. As a result, children play with clean, well-maintained resources that are safe and suitable.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well-being is promoted by a childminder who has a secure understanding of child protection issues and the correct procedures to be followed if concerned about a child. There

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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 are effective arrangements for making the parents aware of the childminder's child protection responsibilities, prior to a child commencing in the setting. Children's welfare is actively supported.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children appear relaxed and settled within the provision. They are well occupied, freely making independent decisions regarding the activities and resources they wish to explore. For example, the children choose to play in a large cardboard box that had been adapted into a car, before deciding to investigate interactive puzzles. Children's enjoyment is enhanced by the involvement of the childminder in their games, such as when showing children how to roll a ball through a tunnel. Children are developing their social skills. They are learning to play cooperatively together, to share resources and to take turns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children have a warm, positive relationship with the caring childminder. This friendly atmosphere helps children to gain confidence and a sense of belonging within the provision. They regularly undertake a variety of outings, such as to the library, carer and toddler group or Rooksbury lakes. These age appropriate opportunities enable children to gain a greater awareness of their local environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated and acknowledged as valued individuals. For example, the childminder arranges the daily routine to ensure a child can have a long sleep each afternoon, as requested by the parents. They benefit from the childminder knowing them extremely well, understanding their differing needs and having a good awareness of their home circumstances. Children access a suitable variety of resources, including books, dolls and small world figures, to help them gain an awareness of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well, as appropriate for their age and stage of development. They benefit from the childminder's good role modelling and her understanding of effective, age appropriate strategies for promoting children's positive behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's welfare is supported by the effective partnership that exists between parents and the childminder. Daily diaries are provided as requested by the parents. In addition, there are regular informal opportunities to discuss children's progress or any childcare issues. This good liaison helps to ensure a consistency in children's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is an experienced early years practitioner. She is well organised, making good use of her home and local facilities, in order to offer children a varied programme of play

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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 opportunities. Children feel settled in their care routines, motivated to initiate their own play ideas.

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Organisation

All legally required documentation is maintained and easily accessible to support children's care, such as in an emergency. The daily register of children's attendance is accurate and kept up to date. This ensures there is an accurate true record available of when a child is actually in the childminder's care.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of the last inspection the childminder was given a recommendation to help develop the quality of the provision. This referred to ensuring the register of children's daily attendance is accurate and up to date.

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Improvements since the last inspection

An accurate daily record is now kept of children's attendance. This improvement has had a positive impact on the quality of care offered to the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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 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 written parental permission is obtained prior to administering any medication • ensure the garden is secure in order that children cannot leave the premises unsupervised.

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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 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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