Langham Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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114730 Unique Reference Number 07 February 2007 Inspection date Susan McCourt 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 good. 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 1999, and lives with her husband and one child aged eight. They live in a terraced house in a residential area of Crawley. The whole of the downstairs is available for minded children and there is a garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six minded children under eight years of age, and currently has eight children on roll who attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has one dog and one cat. The childminder attends local toddler groups and music groups, and 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 good. Children play in a clean environment. The play areas are clean and free of clutter, giving children a spacious and hygienic setting. Children learn about the importance of good hygiene through well-established routines and learn to be independent in their personal care. Children can also play at cleaning with a trolley containing dusters, brushes and other such toys, modelling their behaviour on the childminder as she wipes surfaces before snack-time. The childminder maintains her accident and medication records appropriately which safeguards children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy diet in the childminder's care. Sample menus are available to parents and show that children have a varied and balanced diet including fruit, vegetables and a range of hot meals. The childminder gives children a choice about what they would like to eat, ensuring that children are becoming enthusiastic about food and look forward to mealtimes. The childminder is always alongside the children at mealtimes and the atmosphere is relaxed and sociable. Children enjoy a healthy lifestyle in that they have regular fresh air and exercise as part of the daily routine.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from having child-friendly, welcoming play areas, including a dedicated play room. All areas of the house are cosy and comfortable, although children do not use the upstairs rooms. The garden also has a dedicated play area including an inviting play house, and a range of physical play equipment. There is a wide range of developmentally appropriate toys and play equipment, which is stored in low boxes or shelves, ensuring that children can be independent in choosing what they play. All play areas are maintained to a good standard of safety, which safeguards children's well-being. The childminder is also vigilant about children's safety when they are out and about, using car seats, reins and buggies appropriately along with well-established rules about staying close by. The childminder has all the required fire safety equipment and has an emergency evacuation plan.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has kept child protection training materials for her guidance if she had concerns about a child in her care, and has had some professional experience of handling such matters through her work in a day nursery. She updates her child protection awareness with refresher courses and knows that the welfare of the child is paramount.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are comfortable and well-settled in the childminder's care. The house has various areas where minded children can store their belongings and see their work thoughtfully displayed, which helps them to feel a good sense of belonging. Babies and toddlers are able to follow their own routine in terms of naps and meal times, and they enjoy a varied day, with time for active play as well as quiet times. Children have a good choice of activities and play equipment,

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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 and the childminder is skilled at accommodating all the children's requests, negotiating with them about what to do. She balances the needs of the different age groups well, for example, while reading a story to an older child, the younger ones snuggle on her lap to look at the pictures and help turn the pages.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's emotional, social and intellectual development is fostered well. They take part in a good range of activities and the childminder brings out the learning in a very natural way; counting the dough balls a child has made, or talking about what might make a sick dolly feel better. Children also go on outings to local places of interest such as animal parks and farms, as well as music groups and the library.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn how to be positive about people's differences because the childminder has an anti-discriminatory approach, although this is not fully reflected in the play materials where there are few resources relating to other cultures. The childminder has experience of caring for children with special needs and works with the parents to ensure that children are included and all their needs met consistently.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well-behaved. They understand the house rules which are explained clearly and simply. The childminder guides children's behaviour gently and firmly, using positive language and encouragement at all times. The children have ample toys and time to play, ensuring that any sharing or turn-taking is easily accommodated. The childminder shows good insight into individual children's personalities and mood, and can adapt her methods to bring out the best in them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder builds friendly and professional relationships with parents. Parents have access to good information about her qualifications and examples of her working practice. Children are given time to settle and they enjoy consistent care because the childminder shares essential information at the handover, and provides parents with written information about the child's day. Parents comment on her warmth and flexibility in meeting the children's needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She is a qualified and experienced nursery worker and uses her expertise well to ensure that she provides a home from home for the children in her care. The childminder updates her knowledge through regular short courses and workshops. She maintains her records accurately and thoroughly, keeping all personal information confidential and secure. The childminder is alongside the children at all times, giving them excellent supervision and companionship. She organises her routine and her home to facilitate the children's play and it is clear that they are her first priority.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was set an action to maintain a current first aid certificate. The childminder has since undergone a recognised first aid training programme, which safeguards children's health in case of emergency.

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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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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 good. 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): • increase the resources that reflect cultural diversity

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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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