Castledyke Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

117967 Unique Reference Number 14 November 2006 Inspection date Daphne Prescott Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1998. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and 13 years in Greenford in the London borough of Ealing. Part of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and currently there are no children on roll. She attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have no pets.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder maintains clean premises, equipment and furniture, and is able to describe well established routines for cleaning. She mentions clear systems to maintain satisfactory hygiene standards. For example, she washes her hands before food preparation and uses different chopping boards for meats and vegetables. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of how children’s good health is promoted. She describes how children learn about their personal hygiene through their normal daily routines. For example, they would wash their hands after visiting the toilet and after certain activities. She describes how she implements an appropriate sickness policy as she protects children from infectious diseases by ensuring parents fully understand that sick children cannot be cared for. Appropriate procedures are in place for first aid as the childminder describes how she deals with a minor injury. The

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

childminder has training in first aid for infants and young children which helps towards ensuring that children are cared for appropriately. She has established appropriate procedures for administration of medication with parent's written consent. However, written parental permission has not been requested for the seeking of any necessary emergency treatment to safeguard children further.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

From discussions the childminder demonstrates satisfactory understanding of encouraging children's healthy eating, including the need to have drinking water accessible at all times. The childminder said that she gathers information from parents regarding children's dietary requirements and allergies. She has recorded details of children's allergies, likes and dislikes to ensure their individual needs are met. A healthy and balanced menu is planned for the children which includes fresh vegetables and fruit. The childminder describes snacks and meals as being a sociable occasion where children can sit comfortably together while they chat and eat.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the need to encourage physical exercise. She describes how children are taken for regular walks and visits to the local park, where she encourages the children to run around in the fresh air and play on the swings and slides. Children have access to a well maintained, spacious and secure garden. She describes games she plays with children outdoors, for example skittles and skipping ropes.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is warm and welcoming to children. Through discussion, the childminder demonstrates a secure knowledge and understanding of children's developmental needs. A good selection of toys and equipment are made available for children. Toys and equipment are easily accessible for children as they are stored in low level storage boxes and on shelves which helps encourage their independence. The selection of toys and equipment are maintained by the childminder to ensure that children are kept safe from harm.

p.3

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 childminder has taken action to ensure that risks in and outside her home have been minimised, so that children can play safely. For example, cupboards containing hazardous materials are locked. There is a fire blanket in the kitchen and a smoke alarm on the first floor which helps towards keeping them safe. However, there is no smoke alarm on the ground floor which would help further protect children. The childminder gives high priority to making sure children will be safe in an emergency. She has devised a plan to ensure that children are escorted to safety quickly. However, emergency procedures have not been practised with the children which would help further towards keeping them safe. The childminder describes sound procedures how she encourages children to understand how to keep themselves safe outdoors.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

For example, she teaches them how to cross roads safely. However, there is no written consent from parents for taking children on outings; this does not promote their safety and wellbeing.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrated a sound understanding of her role and responsibility in child protection. For example, she is aware of the indicators of abuse and the procedures for reporting any concerns.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder describes appropriate routines to promote children's enjoyment and achievement, which respond to children's preferences and stage of development. For example, she demonstrates a sound understanding of how to encourage children's language development as she arranges regular visits to the library; she aims to encourage their language through reading stories and promoting good communication through close interaction with children.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates clear understanding of how to foster their creative skills through drawing, sticking, painting and modelling with play dough. She talks about how she follows and develops children's interest in different activities and describes how children have a fun time making models out of sticking different size boxes together and sticking with glitter and other materials. The childminder describes how she involves herself with children's play, encouraging turn taking in games and suggesting ideas for crafts activities. She talks about how children enjoy dressing up, playing with the play food and dolls to help them to play imaginatively.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder describes a range of outings that she would take children on, for example, to parent and toddler groups and nature walks. She describes that children learn how to play and socialize with others at toddler groups, which helps to develop their social skills and widens their play opportunities. She understands that the outings enable children to learn about their local environment and extend and widen their play and learning experiences. For example, they count the number of bird's nests in the trees and look at the different flowers on their nature walks.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Through discussion, the childminder gives evidence of how each child in her care is treated with equal respect. Through a variety of toys and activities, the childminder demonstrates how she helps children to learn about cultural diversity and the wider world. She offers opportunities for children to learn about their local community as they use the library, visit local groups and go to the park. Children with disabilities or learning difficulties are welcome in the childminder's home as she demonstrates a positive attitude towards promoting an inclusive environment.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows a sound knowledge of behaviour management. She gives satisfactory examples of how she approaches a variety of situations for children of different ages. She describes the importance of praising and encouraging children to enable them to feel their contributions are valued and to enhance their self esteem.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of the issues to be shared with parents on a daily basis, which include the overall welfare and development of the child. For example, how they ate and how they participated in activities. The childminder completes contracts and children's personal information regarding their care with parents in order to promote consistency and continuity with what happens at home. However, not all the required consent has been completed with parents for children's safety and wellbeing.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates that she has an organised approach to her childminding role. She shows that she effectively supports children's individual needs by flexible planning which takes account of their interests. Daily routines are in place but are amended appropriately to respond to the different needs of the children cared for.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder explains that children have plenty of space to explore their activities as rooms are arranged so the children have plenty of floor space to play. She discusses how she ensures that the children are always supervised when they are playing indoors and outdoors to keep them safe.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder demonstrated a sound knowledge and understanding of childcare. The childminder keeps most of the required records that contribute to children's health, safety and wellbeing. She describes how children receive continuity of care as their routines and achievements are shared with parents. Overall, evidence suggests that the provision would meet the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve the range of toys and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. Maintain the daily record of children's attendance.

p.5

Improvements 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 There is a satisfactory range of toys and resources in place which promote equality of opportunity which helps children to learn about cultural diversity and people with varying needs. The childminder maintains a daily record of children's attendance which safeguards their welfare.

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

p.6

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): • obtain written parental consent for emergency medical advice or treatment in the future and taking children on outings • practise emergency evacuation procedures with the children • ensure that a smoke alarm is provided on the ground floor.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6