Castle View Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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119131 Unique Reference Number 26 April 2007 Inspection date Carol Patricia Willett 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 since 1997. She lives with her partner in a house in Yateley. The family has two dogs. The property is within walking distance of local preschools, schools, shops and amenities. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding with two bedrooms on the first floor identified for use by children requiring sleeps. 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 6 children under eight years. There are currently three children on roll. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is promoted satisfactorily as the childminder provides a clean healthy environment so the areas the children use for resting, eating and play are suitable. There are generally good hygiene procedures in place including when changing nappies. However, the childminder does not consistently wipe the changing mat between use to minimise the risk of

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 cross infection. The children eat a variety of meals and snacks including fruit, vegetables and biscuits and they have regular drinks of water in order to maintain good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Outings to local parks and garden play provide the children with opportunities to develop their physical skills well. The garden is unavailable for use at the moment due to a new puppy in the house. The available space indoors provides good opportunities to develop balance and co-ordination as they climb on and off the sofa and use toys and resources to develop their manipulative and coordination skills. Children have opportunities for quiet and restful activity as the childminder recognises the children's need to have both busy and restful times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Suitable measures are taken to promote children's health. For example, the childminder generally obtains comprehensive information from parents to enable her to understand and meet the child's dietary and health needs. She has overlooked some consents from some families, when she reviewed her forms, to enable her to be aware of parents' wishes should their children need emergency aid or treatment. The childminder does not record injuries children arrive with in order to safeguard their welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a comfortable family home which is in the process of redecoration. They play on the ground floor which provides sufficient space for them to play and explore freely. Arrangements for children to have a rest are good as the childminder has travel cots and separate bedding in the bedrooms.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a range of toys and equipment which are suitable for their age and of good quality. The childminder selects some toys she knows the children like and these are arranged so the children can freely select them to initiate their own play. They do not have free access to all the toys, due to limited space many of the resources are stored in boxes in the loft.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a sound awareness of safety. She takes positive steps to minimise risks, for example, there are safety gates across the stairs and the kitchen so children stay safe. She encourages the children to develop their understanding of how to keep themselves safe as they learn about walking and not running indoor, to look for cars as they cross the road and wear their safety belts in the car. The childminder has suitable safety measures regarding smoke detection. She has not discussed or practised fire evacuation to develop children's confidence and awareness in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's security is promoted well as they are always in the childminders care and they are closely supervised when out. They are unable to leave the premises unsupervised. Children's welfare is satisfactorily safeguarded by the childminder's understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and her understanding of the action she needs to take if concerned about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well settled and at home in the childminder's house. They enjoy a suitable variety of activities that are appropriate to their ages. They are happy and confidently choose toys and resources for themselves from the range selected by the childminder. Whilst the children

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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 enjoy playing with the selected toys they are not able to freely choose from the whole range of toys available and this limits their choice and independence. Children confidently move around the childminder's home initiating play and enjoying the childminder's interaction with them. The childminder joins in with the children's play and makes suggestions and helps the children to develop their play ideas. For example, she sits on the floor and plays with the kitchen and play food as the children feed the dolls. This activity encouraged imagination and language development. The childminder knows the children very well and gets out activities they like. They enjoy craft activities and the childminder uses the time to develop their knowledge of counting, shapes and colour. She talks about their pictures as the children stick the shapes on

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

paper. She provides a range of tools and activities to further develop play and manipulative skills. For example the children use cutters and rolling pins with the playdough and they enjoy making the bodies for the Bob the Builder play set which absorbs them for long periods of time.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is warm and affectionate making children feel comfortable and valued. They like to sit on her lap and listen to stories. The childminder has good relationships with the children, she enjoys their company and knows them well. She spends a lot of time talking and playing with them, consequently children are supported in their play. Children enjoy a good variety of activities over the childminding week which ensures they have fun and make progress in all areas of development. They meet with other childminders and visit toddler groups and have outings to places such as Sandhurst and Child Beale Parks. This enables them to meet other adults and children and develop their social skills and knowledge of the local community. The childminder ensures the children have suitable opportunities for activity, rest and nourishment in their daily routine recognising that it ensures the children enjoy their day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder knows the children well as she finds out about their individual needs and adapts activities and organises the resources and the environment to meet them. The childminder forms good relationships with parents through the continuity of care she provides for all children of the same family. She was invited to be godparent to the youngest child. The childminder has some written policies and procedures which are shared with parents to inform them of the service offered. They mostly sign appropriate records to keep them well informed though the childminder has not obtained parents signature on the register of attendance. The childminder does not inform parents of the procedures to follow should they have a complaint. She does not ensure they have Ofsted contact details and she does not have documentation to record any concerns from the parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children generally behave well. They are learning to share and take turns using the toys and resources. The childminder acts as a good role model to the children, she is calm, gentle and patient. The children are praised and encouraged frequently as they play reinforcing their positive behaviour. The childminder has good strategies in place to promote children's behaviour giving them lots of attention and plenty to do. She ensures the children are aware of unacceptable behaviour giving them explanations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children undertake a variety of suitable activities in the home and in the local community which increases their awareness and understanding of their local community and society. They undertake activities relating to traditional and cultural events such as making Easter and mothers day cards which encourages their awareness.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder organises her day well to ensure she provides the children with the attention and care they need. She enjoys her time with the children and joins in their play, listens and responds attentively. The childminder has a sound understanding of the requirements of registration and maintains correct ratios at all times so children are well supported.

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Organisation

Resources are used effectively to promote the children's care. They can access selected toys and resources easily and independently and have sufficient space for their play. The childminder generally maintains suitable documentation to underpin her practice and keep parents informed. They sign appropriate records and discuss the children's needs daily. Some written consents are not in place for all the children. Children's records are stored well and maintain confidentiality. The childminder does not have documentation to record any concerns the parents may have. Overall, 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 the childminder was required to make improvements to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded. The childminder has made suitable improvements and parents receive copies of accident and medication records that they have signed so they are fully informed. The childminder takes positive measures to minimise risks in the home and all sockets are covered. This ensures children stay safe. The childminder's older children no longer live at home. She has a new partner and he has completed relevant forms in order to enable Ofsted to complete suitability checks to ensure children are protected.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 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 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): • obtain written consent from all parents to seek emergency aid or treatment to ensure their wishes are known in the event of an accident or emergency • ensure all injuries children arrive with are recorded in order to safeguard their welfare

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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 • practise or discuss fire evacuation procedures to develop children's confidence and awareness in an emergency • develop documentation to record any complaints and ensure all parents can see them should they wish.

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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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