St Ives School, A Technology College

Inspection report for early years provision

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112064 Unique Reference Number 19 October 2006 Inspection date Alison Jane Kaplonek 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?

This childminder has been registered since 2000. She is registered to provide care for six children under eight years. At present the childminder cares for two children under five years and two school aged children. The childminder lives with her partner in Winnall, in Winchester. There are parks, toddler groups, pre-schools, schools, shops and St Giles' Hill within walking distance. The downstairs areas of the property are used for childminding, and there is access to the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Older children actively care for their own health and hygiene needs as they access the downstairs toilet and washing facilities, although they are at risk from the spread of infection when drying

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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 their hands on the towel which they share. Younger children are helped to become aware of good hygiene as the childminder talks to them about making sure their hands are clean before they eat or after they have been playing outside. She also explains to them about not sharing cups or spoons or eating food which has been on the floor. The childminder keeps records of children's health needs and talks to parents about arrangements for sick children. However, she does not keep her first aid training up to date or have written agreements with parents for the seeking of emergency treatment or advice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a range of healthy snacks such as fruit or savoury crisps. Children who stay for the day are provided with lunches in accordance with their parents' wishes. Some children bring a packed lunch while others are provided with sandwiches and yogurts by the childminder. Older children are regularly offered drinks and can request others at any time and toddlers can help themselves to their trainer cups. Children have access to a fully enclosed garden for outside play where they can enjoy physical activities such as peddling and scooting in safety. They often visit local parks where they enjoy using the slides and swings or the splash pool in the summer months.

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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 safe and secure environment and are protected from any harm by the use of an appropriate range of safety measures, such as stair gates, smoke alarms and fire blankets. They have safe access to the downstairs area of the house and the fully enclosed garden and are supervised at all times by the childminder. Children are talked to about how to evacuate the house if there is a fire and all take part in fire drills twice a year. The childminder provides a satisfactory selection of resources for children to choose from each day, some of which they can help themselves to from the storage boxes. Children benefit from the use of some record keeping, such as those kept of any accidents or medication administered, and these are shared with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues to enable her to protect children in her care. She knows when to be concerned about a child and that she has a duty to record and report any concerns she may have.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are provided with a satisfactory range of resources for play and learning, such as baby toys, books, puzzles, dough, dressing up and outside play equipment. Younger children take part in activities such as looking at books or role play with dolls and small world equipment such as cars and trains. They enjoy singing action songs with the childminder and each other, for example humpty dumpty or head, shoulders, knees and toes. The childminder ensures that all children are able to join in and supports them in their learning by asking them to point to their toes or name the letters in their names. Children who attend all day are taken out for trips to the local parks where they can play on the large equipment or in the splash pool. They are often taken on nature walks or down to the river where they use their fishing rods and nets to

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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 catch minnows. Children are confident in their relationships with adults and each other. They are learning to play together and to share the resources.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are all looked after in a busy but caring environment. They are all treated with equal concern and are learning to be kind to each other, for example learning not to squash each other as they play in the rocking chair. Children are provided with a satisfactory range of resources which help them understand their own needs and those of others, although there are none which show positive images of disability. They are learning to make choices as they are asked what snack they would like or what resources they would like to play with.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's good behaviour is promoted by the childminder, who praises them for sharing or eating carefully. They are beginning to know the house rules, such as no jumping on the furniture. Any concerns are discussed with parents, and strategies agreed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are sufficiently well informed about issues such as equal opportunities, behaviour management and child protection, through regular discussion with the childminder. They also discuss the children's daily routines when they collect the children at the end of the day. However, they do not complete written agreements or contracts with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are settled and happy and their needs are sufficiently well met. They are never left with adults who are not appropriately vetted. They benefit from the full attention of the childminder who supervises them at all times. The childminder organises a busy weekly routine which meets the daily needs of the children and also ensures that they are provided with a range of different activities. Essential records, are in place such as a record of accidents, a daily register and children's detail forms. Although most issues are discussed with the parents, there are no written agreements between the childminder and the parents which set out the expectations of both parties with regard to the care of the children, the business arrangements or the seeking of emergency treatment or advise. Overall, however, the childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to make secure the area of fencing where the shrub has been removed, allowing children to exit. This has been completed and the garden is secure.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She was also asked to provide resources to show positive images of disability. No action has been taken and the recommendation has been set again at the present inspection.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 1 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.

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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 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): • ensure children are protected from the risk of the spread of infection when drying their hands. • ensure that first aid training is kept up-to-date. • ensure resources are in place to show positive images of disability. • ensure written agreements or contracts are in place between the childminder and all parents and that these include an agreement for the seeking of emergency treatment and advice.

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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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