Norbury Primary School and Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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123385 Unique Reference Number 19 December 2006 Inspection date Suman Willis 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 1993. She lives with her husband and three children aged between nine and 15 years in a residential area between Harpenden and Luton close to all local amenities. The whole of the house is used for childminding, and there is access to a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding four children, and providing occasional care for two children, of whom one is over eight years; all attend on a part-time basis. The childminder collects children from the local school. She attends the local toddler group, and takes children to the local park and library.

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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 walk to and from school, have access to a well equipped garden, and move around the house with control. Therefore, they have regular fresh air and develop their large motor skills. They develop their fine motor skills as they carry out a variety of activities, and particularly enjoy rolling little balls as they make chocolate truffles. Children rest and sleep according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children stay healthy and information about their health is monitored appropriately. For example, permission is obtained from parents to administer emergency aid and medication. Records of accidents and pre-existing injuries are shared between childminder and parents. Children develop a very good understanding of managing their own personal hygiene because the childminder promotes herself as a good role model and has clear rules. All children wash their hands as they prepare for cooking activities, and know if they lick their fingers they have to wash their hands again before continuing. This ensures that cross-infection is minimised.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well nourished and enjoy eating one freshly cooked hot meal a day, such as spaghetti bolognese with pasta or roast chicken. Information about their individual dietary needs is provided by parents, and the childminder ensures that these are met. All children independently access regular drinks. Consequently, children stay healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a well maintained home where they have access to different rooms for different activities. Their work is proudly displayed in the breakfast room, which makes them feel valued. Children have easy access to a broad range of resources which are safe and age-appropriate. They are also familiar with where these are stored, and know that the request for specific toys will be met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is regarded, and risk assessments are carried out. However, areas of risk in the garden have not been identified, and permission for children to use the trampoline has not been obtained. Therefore, children's safety may be compromised. Procedures such as emergency evacuation have been drawn up and are available for parents, thus ensuring everyone is familiar should the need arise. Resources to promote their well-being, such as cupboard locks, a fireguard and socket covers are in place. Consequently, children generally stay safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and knows what to do should the need arise.

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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 are confident and happy to engage in a wide range of interesting activities which are well planned to ensure that all children can participate at their own level. They all enjoy choosing their own play materials and are fully engrossed as they play games. Children enjoy playing board games, older children learn to negotiate rules with younger children, while younger children are learning to take turns, count and work with numbers. Children are excited as they make chocolate truffles, and they are fully challenged as they are left to carry out the activity independently. The childminder is at hand to offer support and guidance if required. Older children give younger children tasks which they can carry out and they all work extremely well together. They proudly share their finished products. Consequently, all children are fully challenged and want to extend their knowledge. Younger children enjoy being cuddled as they

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

have a story read to them with enthusiasm. They learn right from wrong as they put away their toys before bringing out different ones.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are made to feel a sense of belonging as the childminder has good settling-in procedures to ensure children are settled. They are given choices, and enjoy making decisions when selecting games and toys they want to play with. Children develop a good understanding of their local community as they visit both the toy and the book library, the local shops and the park. Their understanding of the wider world is extended through books, play materials and food. All children are given support to enable them to participate in all activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well because the childminder sets clear workable boundaries and promotes herself as a good role model by providing a calm and friendly environment. They feel valued and respected as individuals as they are praised for their achievements. Children and adults work harmoniously together throughout as they carry out activities and play board games.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationship developed between the childminder and parents. All information is shared informally, and a communications book is used to share information when the childminder cares for babies. There is a parents' notice board which ensures that they are familiar with her registration conditions, qualifications and other relevant information. Parents are informed about the childminder's complaint procedure; however, parents are not informed that they can see the complaints records.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of children because she updates her training needs, and implements her knowledge to ensure that all children are safe, and developing well. Children feel secure and have a sense of belonging because the childminder provides a routine which they are familiar with. Activities are well organised and appropriately planned to ensure all children are able to participate at their own level, and have their learning

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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 extended. Children are fully supported by a childminder who is at hand to offer guidance to ensure children take an active part in the setting. Consequently, children thrive in an environment which promotes their care, learning and play. Most policies and procedures work in practice to foster children's health, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to: develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues; make sure that electric sockets in areas accessible to children are fitted with socket covers.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children are better safeguarded because the childminder has updated her training in child protection, and all sockets are now covered to ensure children stay safe.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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. 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): • develop risk assessment to ensure children can play safely outside • develop the complaints policy to ensure that parents are informed of the new procedures.

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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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