Wilson's School

Inspection report for early years provision

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136621 Unique Reference Number 06 September 2006 Inspection date Melissa Tickner 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 1999. She lives with her partner and two adult children aged 16 and 20 in Orpington, Kent. A family friend also resides at this address.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding a total of six children - three under five and three aged seven or over. The childminder collects children from the local school. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a dog and two guinea pigs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of 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 good. Children are developing a strong understanding of keeping themselves healthy as they are reminded when they need to wash their hands - before snack and lunch time. They dry their hands on paper towels and also have their own individual hand towels in the bathroom. They enjoy a range of healthy meals and snacks, and during the inspection enjoy cheese on toast with salad such as carrot sticks, cucumber and tomato. They are offered healthy, freshly cooked meals in the evenings, and as a result children are well nourished and developing good eating habits during their time with the childminder. A menu planner is available for parents to view the kinds of meals provided. The childminder has a food hygiene certificate, which contributes to her knowledge and understanding in this area. Children are cared for in a welcoming home environment, however, some areas are not sufficiently well maintained, such as the carpets in

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Helping children to be healthy

the hall and conservatory and cleanliness of some toys. Children enjoy regular physical activity, including outdoor physical play with a good range of outdoor play equipment and local trips and walks including trips to indoor physical play centres. As a result, they are beginning to develop a sense of enjoyment of physical play. All relevant medical and health documentation is in place and the childminder has a valid first aid certificate. These aspects ensure she is suitably equipped to deal with an emergency, accidents or illnesses.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe through the childminder's good understanding of safety issues. For example fire drills are regularly carried out with children, use of practical safety measures including stair gates, reins at highchairs and socket covers, and encouraging children to be careful, for example not standing on their chairs. As a result, children are developing an awareness of keeping themselves safe and they are well safeguarded in the childminder's care. Children enjoy helping themselves to toys and books from low level storage units and at floor level, in the conservatory which is mostly dedicated to their play and activities. They also have use of the rest of the ground floor which is child friendly and suitable for their use. Children enjoy playing with and choosing from a good range of toys and activities, which are age appropriate and appear safe. Children are kept safe on outings, and when playing in the garden,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

through the childminder's clear procedures and supervision levels. For example she has wrist bands with her contact details that the children wear when they go out. The childminder has a strong knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow should she develop concerns. She has also attended training in this area and has a good range of information. As a result, children's welfare and well-being is considered a high priority and is promoted by the childminder at all times.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children play confidently with one another and are settled and secure in the childminder's care. They respond well to her and show they are happy and content and enjoy their time. A good range of activities and outings are planned on a regular basis, the childminder has also recently started working to Birth to three matters framework for the under threes. She has attended training in this area and records ideas and themes, and has recently obtained literature and resources to help her expand on this. Observations are made of the children's progress and tracker books are used to help identify children's achievements. Details of how to help children make further progress are kept and consequently children are able to enjoy and achieve well in the childminder's care. Their day is well organised and a good variety of activities are planned. The childminder keeps photographic evidence of these and children have enjoyed activities

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

such as celebrating Diwali, making papier-mache plants pots, dressing up, trips to the farm and enjoying a Hawaiian theme day. During the inspection the children enjoy colouring and using stencils, playing a game of skittles and helping themselves to toys and activities accessible to them. The childminder supports them as they play, chatting to them about what they are doing and encouraging them. She also promotes learning opportunities, for example encouraging counting and colour recognition. As a result, children are able to enjoy and achieve whilst in the childminder's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder treats children well as individuals, meeting their needs and supporting them closely. She encourages children in their activities and recognises and values the children's backgrounds and home lives. For example, they talk about the children's parents and siblings. Consequently, children feel settled and secure in her care. There is a very good range of resources promoting diversity and disability, such as puzzles, books and dressing up. Other cultures are positively celebrated such as Diwali and Wesak - the Indian festival of light. This helps to promote and teach children about the diversity of our society. The childminder has a positive approach to managing children's behaviour. She praises the children regularly and encourages good manners. Children talk to each other about the fact they need to share the colouring pencils. This is unprompted by the childminder and shows that they are learning about good

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Helping children make a positive contribution

behaviour in her care. Children are praised as they play well together and positives are used regularly by the childminder. As a result of these aspects, children are learning about good behaviour, and this helps contribute to building their self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are worked with closely. They are communicated with daily and provided with diaries in which they can also record relevant information about their children. The childminder also provides parents with questionnaires to gather their views on their children's care, and feedback on those seen is positive. Parents are also provided with a full set of policies and an information booklet when they start. These aspects help ensure children's needs can be met and parents are able to receive a full range of information about their children's care.

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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 good. The childminder has a very organised approach to her childminding which enables her to promote strong outcomes for children. A wide range of detailed documentation is in place, which is well organised and supports the childminder in her role. Parents are provided with a wealth of documentation, including a comprehensive set of policies and photographic evidence of children's activities. The childminder has completed a wealth of short training courses and is very committed to updating her knowledge and understanding of child development issues. The childminder is also a member of the quality assurance scheme 'Quality First'. The childminder works from a welcoming home environment. 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 in April 2004, the childminder was set two recommendations. She has completed relevant criminal records checks on all adults over the age of 16 resident in the home and regularly practises a fire drill with children. These aspects contribute to keeping children safe whilst in her care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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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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): • consider developing systems for ensuring strict hygiene of equipment and flooring

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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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