Lynn Grove VA High School

Inspection report for early years provision

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121215 Unique Reference Number 09 November 2006 Inspection date Louise, Caroline Bonney 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 registered since 1994. She lives with her husband and one school-aged and two adult children in Ash, near Aldershot. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden area for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder currently cares for seven children, two of whom are over eight. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. The childminder takes and collects children from the local preschool and schools. The childminder attends local drop-in groups for children each week. The family has a pet rabbit and cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the 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 satisfactory. Children enjoy a varied and sufficiently nutritious diet. They have fruit such as satsumas for their snacks, as well as cake or biscuits after school. The childminder provides all weaning foods, and these and older children's cooked meals include many fresh ingredients. Children go shopping to buy and later eat unusual foods, such as sweet potato and pumpkin. They help prepare dishes, such as apple crumble. This helps them develop interest in different foods, and to develop their likes and dislikes. Children have drinks, such as water and milk, available at all times. This supports their developing understanding of healthy eating and drinking.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children become aware of how to maintain their personal hygiene through the routines in place. Babies have their hands wiped prior to eating, and the childminder has suitable nappy-changing procedures. Older children learn to wash hands appropriately, such as after handling the rabbit or using the toilet. This helps to minimise any risk of infection or cross-contamination. Young children settle well and follow their routines around sleeps and feeds. This helps them cope well emotionally with their day. Children have their medical meets met by the childminder fully discussing their medication needs and allergies with parents. However, she does not seek written permission from parents prior to the administration of prescribed medications. This is in breach of regulations.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from have frequent exercise. In good weather they use the equipment in the garden to climb and swing on. They go to indoor play areas to use soft-play equipment. Younger children attend toddler groups and have space to use wheeled toys such as sit and rides. The childminder walks to the local preschool to take and collect children, providing them daily opportunities for fresh air. This supports the children developing a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in premises that are secure and welcoming. The childminder risk assesses the premises and equipment, and removes most hazards effectively. For instance, children play in designated areas through the use of safety gates which prevent their access to upstairs and the kitchen. Stickers on glass doors show children whether they are open or closed. However, not all low glass is marked as safety glass, and may be hazardous.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to be safe through the rules and daily routines. They know the procedure for collection after school, and all use appropriate seats and restraints in the car. Children talk about how to cross and walk near the road safely when out with the childminder. They know to only use the trampoline one at a time, and with the childminder's permission. Babies develop their skills and awareness of risk with the close support of the childminder. For instance, they develop physical control as they clamber onto furniture or stand up without help. Older children have opportunities to manage appropriate levels of risk as they use larger equipment in local play parks, or chop apples with knives as they participate in cookery activities.

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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 Children use equipment that is safe and suitable for their ages and stages of development. They independently access much of their equipment from open storage shelves and boxes. Older children have opportunities to use toys that are not appropriate for younger children as they sit up at the table. This reinforces their understanding of how to keep younger children safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has good understanding of how to safeguard children through attending additional training in child protection. She shares her written procedure and records of existing injuries with parents. This promotes the safety of the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop caring and trusting relationships with the childminder. They settle well and feel at home as they move about freely as they play. They have a good range of toys and equipment, with their favourites always easily accessible. The childminder rotates the equipment to maintain the children's interest and to stimulate their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children participate in a good variety of planned and child initiated activities which contribute well to their development. Babies enjoy playing with toys that make noises when they press buttons and turn wheels. They develop communication skills as the childminder responds to their noises and actions. They listen as the childminder describes what they are doing, or explains what is about to happen. They interact with the childminder, practising sounds as she speaks to them and does finger rhymes with them. She encourages children to develop new skills in their own time, such as when they first use a bouncy castle. They then celebrate their achievement and children develop self-confidence. The childminder is aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, but does not yet use this to develop her provision for younger children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

After-school children participate in interesting activities and have good opportunities to develop their own ideas. Although they watch some television, the childminder is keen to limit this through the provision of more stimulating activities. For instance, they make clay masks which they then decorate, and develop plays for which they make the puppets, stage and props. In the holidays children enjoy outings to Paultons Park, go by train to Guildford, and visit indoor adventure playgrounds. This enhances the children's learning and development well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle and relax in the comfortable setting. Babies follow home routines, such as taking their favourite cuddly toy to bed at nap time, and enjoy the warm and caring attention they receive from the childminder. Older children know to place their belongings in their boxes when they arrive after school. They influence the provision as the childminder supports their ideas for future activities. This helps them develop a sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationships the childminder develops with parents. She seeks information about their individual care needs. She is aware of their religious backgrounds, and

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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 discusses the activities she provides to ensure parents feel they are suitable. She shares her records with parents, and has most necessary consents in place. This helps provide the children with appropriate continuity of care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children reinforce their awareness of social diversity as they use resources indoors such as books, jigsaws and dressing up. However, none reflect disability. They learn about the wider community as they visit local toddler groups, shops and the library. This helps them to recognise and, through discussion with the childminder, to value differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well through the childminder using appropriate and consistent strategies, which take into account children's different levels of understanding. For instance, she helps older children develop awareness of how to behave appropriately as she shares her house rules with them. She is consistent, such as when allowing only one child at a time on the trampoline. She encourages children to respect each other and her home. This provides children with clear boundaries. Babies receive prompt and sensitive support from the childminder, and benefit from having their routines met around rests and feeds. This helps them to settle and happily participate in their activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children play in a friendly and comfortable environment, where there is sufficient space, furniture and equipment to support their care and play. The childminder organises her time and ratios well, and establishes routines around sleeps and school collection which children are familiar with. This helps children settle and feel secure.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder attending additional training, such as for food hygiene, child protection and the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She maintains close links with other local childminders by attending their monthly support meeting. This helps her keep up to date with any regulatory changes, and provides her with opportunities to discuss and evaluate her provision. The childminder maintains most documentation appropriately, and shares her records, written policies and procedures with parents. This supports the children's safety and welfare.

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Organisation

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 Children Act inspection, the provider was recommended to seek written permission from parents for requesting emergency medical advice or treatment. She now has these consents in place. This helps to ensure children receive suitable health care in case of an emergency.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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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Complaints 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

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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): • seek written permission from parents prior to the administration of medication • assess the risks to children in relation to low glass and take action to minimise this • develop the provision by using the 'Birth to three matters' guidance.

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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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