Upton County Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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111194 Unique Reference Number 31 October 2006 Inspection date Sue Williams 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 was registered in 2000. She lives with her husband and four children, three of whom are school age and one who is a toddler The family live in Waterlooville in Hampshire.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The entire home is registered for childminding purposes. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. There are currently two children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks/drives to local schools and pre schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have a pet cat. 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 are protected from the spread of infection and disease. They are learning the importance of good hygiene procedures through observation, daily routines, and discussion with the childminder. For example, she talks to them about why personal hygiene is important and why she maintains a clean a home for everyone to stay healthy. Children use tissues which are disposed of hygienically and see the childminder cleaning surfaces before presenting food and after activities. They have separate towels or use paper towels to dry their hands which minimises the risk of cross infection. Children's welfare is further protected because the childminder has written consent for emergency treatment and first aid. There are detailed procedures in place to record administration of medication, however there is no prior written consent from parents to sanction this, which is a breach of regulation.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive a balanced diet. Parents provide healthy packed lunches which are safely stored. The childminder promotes healthy eating by presenting nutritious snacks. For example, children enjoy grapes, bananas, raisins, apples and crackers. Occasionally children have a breakfast of cereal or toast. Children enjoy fresh fruit juice to drink, fresh water is also freely available throughout the day. Weaning programmes are supported in consultation with parents. Children are learning about the importance of eating healthy foods through discussion and provision of snacks. Meals are taken at the table and are a happy social time where children chat and interact with each other and the childminder. They are learning good manners and social skills from the examples set by the childminder and older children. All dietary needs are met because they are recorded and respected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are settled and relaxed in a comfortable home which is warm light and well ventilated. They use the ground floor most of the time. They have ample space to play and move around. Children extend their play into a secure garden which has suitable outdoor and imaginative play equipment. There are areas of shade which keep children out of fierce sunlight during hot weather.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have all the facilities they need to be comfortable during their time in the setting. The childminder has carefully arranged her home to maximise play space and keep children safe. Careful presentation and storage of resources enables children to make decisions by selecting the toys or activities of their choice. Children use clean toilet facilities which have all the necessary aids to support their particular stage of development. They have comfortable sofas to rest and relax on and suitable sleeping arrangements. Children use both high and low level tables and chairs as required. A high chair and booster seats ensures inclusion for all children at any activity or mealtime.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's safety is high on the agenda. Careful risk assessment and strategic planning ensures potential accidents in the home and on outings are minimised. For example, all harmful

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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 substances are inaccessible to children, low glass is safe and appropriate fire safety strategies and procedures are in place. Children are learning the childminder's rules about how to stay safe when on outings. They know they must hold hands, look and listen when crossing roads. Children practise road safety daily as the go to and from schools or enjoy other outside visits. Children are further safeguarded because the childminder takes a fully charged mobile phone when away from the setting. All emergency and parents contact numbers are programmed into her phone. The front door is locked and children are never released to unauthorised people.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety and welfare is protected. The childminder understands her duty as a professional to safeguard children. She has a good working knowledge of possible signs and symptoms of abuse and parents are made aware of this through a written statement of intent. The childminder knows the referral procedures but is unsure of procedures where an allegation may be levied at her or her family. Children are well supervised at all times. The childminder takes any action necessary to promote and maintain the safety and welfare of children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are warmly greeted and welcomed into a comfortable home. The childminder handles the children with great care and respect listening to them and responding to their requests. Children select from an extensive range of toys and equipment. The quality is excellent and the home corner equipment is exquisite. All toys are clean and substantial enough to withstand robust play as many items are made of wood. Children enjoy using the wooden rocking horse in the vestibule, the lovely inset puzzles and twisty bead runners. Presentation of resources is carefully considered and at child height. Children are able to access resources with ease which encourages them to think for themselves and make decisions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy, settled and confident and they are able to make their needs known. Children are busily engaged at all times. They play with programmable guitars, totally confident and uninhibited as they gyrate and 'play' the guitars imitating musicians they may see on television. They experiment with play dough using a variety of cutters, moulds and tools as the chatter eagerly together at their low level activity table. Children enjoy cooking and playing in the garden. For example, they have made cookies, sandwiches, cakes and planted sunflowers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children love to play imaginatively. For example, they arrange chairs into a line to create a ‘bus’. A toy giraffe and teddy join them as passengers on the ‘bus’. Children also play happily using the home corner equipment and dressing up. Children have many interesting outside visits arranged for them by the childminder. For example, they have been to the pumpkin farm to collect their pumpkins to hollow out and make scary faces for Halloween. These are displayed in the porch. They go to toddler group where they meet other children and adults. They collect leaves, acorns and conkers which they take home from the local park; sometimes examining these, sometimes using them in their art and craft activities. Children use construction, small world play items and select from a well chosen range of books; they also experiment with paint and craft activities. Resources meet the differing ranges of ability, they are well maintained,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

carefully chosen and thoughtfully presented. Children are honing their skills daily, they are confident and relaxed, extending their understanding of the local environment each day.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are learning about the wider world. They use resources which promote positive images of diversity. They mix with children who have special needs and discuss people they see when they are out and about. The childminder is sensitively aware of different family structures when presenting craft activities, such as making mother or father's day cards. Through consultation she carefully considers when families are fragmented whether it is appropriate for both parents to receive information, art work and photographs. This is to ensure children engage fully with both parents about their activities and development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Through discussion the childminder was able to demonstrate how important inclusion is in her childminding practice. The childminder aims to work with parents and outside agencies to maximise children's development and potential. The childminder is skilled at adapting activities and resources to meet children's individual needs and abilities. Privacy is assured for intimate care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good. The childminder imposes clear house rules and safety boundaries both in the home and on outside visits. Children are learning the rules, such as only eating while sitting at the table and not eating food walking around the house. They know they must take off their shoes when they come in from outside play and are also learning road safety. The childminder is very aware of children's differing levels of behaviour and understanding. Children receive praise for good behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the strong partnership the childminder has with parents and carers. Together they discuss the children's individual needs, drawing up contracts and record forms. They discuss consents, policies and the need for exclusion when children are sick. This ensures children's safety and welfare is safeguarded and their individual needs are met. Parents telephone during the day to check how their children are. The childminder offers reassurance engaging with parents in a friendly manner which is tempered with professionalism. Daily diaries are kept about the children's day, their activities and achievements. Parents may access their child's diary at any time. The childminder has a complaints procedure in place which is in accordance with the regulatory framework. She knows how to progress this within the given timescales. The regulators contact details are made available to parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is suitably qualified and experienced and has a current paediatric first aid qualification. She is prepared to pursue ongoing training where it may enhance her provision. She demonstrates great care and respect for the children throughout the day as she handles and interacts with them. This ensures children are safe, well cared for and feel secure and settled while in her care. All household members have suitable clearance. Children are protected from un-vetted people by vigilant supervision at all times.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's organisational skills. They enjoy the interesting activities and outside visits which she arranges for them. Registers are up to date showing actual times

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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 of arrival and departure. Children receive optimum time, space and care because the childminder organises her diary to ensure ratios are maintained. All insurance and car documentation is valid and displayed in the parent folder.

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Organisation

Most documentation is detailed and in place, however the childminder was unaware of the need to obtain prior written consent for administration of medication. Records are professionally filed in respect of confidentiality and regularly reviewed. Information is shared with parents. Records are easily accessed and readily available for inspection at any time. The childminder displays her registration certificate during childminding sessions.

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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 inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that an emergency evacuation procedure was in place, to make sure low level glass is safe or inaccessible and to make sure harmful substances, knives and the front door were inaccessible to children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children now play in a safe home environment because the childminder secures all harmful substances and knives. The front door is locked; visitors ring the bell and are requested to show ID before gaining entry and children are supervised at all times. All low level glass is now safe and the summer house doors are plastic and not glass.

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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

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.

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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 prior written consent from parents to administer medication to children • update knowledge of child protection procedures.

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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 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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