Thomas Gainsborough School

Inspection report for early years provision

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124797 Unique Reference Number 27 November 2006 Inspection date Sandra Patricia Jeffrey 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 1992. She lives with her husband and three children, two of whom are over 16 years of age and one who is 14 years of age. They live in a two storey house, in a residential area of Croydon, within walking distance of schools, shops and a main line station.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eights years and is currently caring for three children under eight years on a part time basis. No children were present during the inspection visit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole ground floor plus bathroom facilities on the first floor of the property are used for childminding. There is also a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder through discussion shows how children are cared for in a clean environment where they learn to follow effective daily hygiene procedures. She demonstrates a sound understanding of how children's health is promoted. Children receive appropriate support to develop personal skills as they learn the importance of hand washing after toileting to prevent the spread of infection, for example.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the benefits of encouraging the children to enjoy a range of daily physical activities including walking to school and regular trips to local parks and Epsom Downs to fly kites. Regular physical exercise contributes to keeping children healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

The procedures in place for recording the administration of medication to children and the recording of accidents involving the children are not fully effective. This results in gaps in the records with some relevant details missing. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate and has a well stocked first aid box.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder describes a suitable range of healthy meals and snacks that are available to minded children. The childminder also demonstrates through discussion, a clear understanding of the importance of following parental wishes and the children’s choice. This encourages children to develop healthy eating practices and ensures that food meets all of the children’s dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from playing in a well-organised environment where they are able to move around and play freely. The childminder through discussion demonstrates how children choose from a wide range of toys, equipment and activities, which the childminder ensures are suitable for their age and stage of development. Children can independently select from this range of toys, which gives them freedom of choice. Clear and consistent boundaries, along with the close supervision, enable the children to play safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children do not practise emergency evacuation procedures with the childminder. This hampers children's ability to know what to do in the event of an emergency and does not safeguard their safety. Suitable fire safety equipment is in place, including smoke alarms and a fire blanket.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

In the main, the childminder describes a sound understanding of child protection procedures in line with the latest government guidance. However she is unclear of the procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of the household. The childminder does not have the necessary contact details to hand, to be used in the event of

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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 any concerns about the children in her care. This does not safeguard or promote children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates how children can enjoy a varied range of activities that are stimulating and well balanced for all ages. The children can choose from toys and resources that are easily accessible and well organised. A mixed balance of adult and child initiated games, such as board games and decorating biscuits, help children to make progress in all areas of learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A varied balance of indoor and outdoor activities and visits to other environments, such as local parks, also helps enable children to make progress in all areas of learning. Children’s creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as art and craft, colouring and growing plants and bulbs to take home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of how she treats children with respect and uses praise and encouragement to promote their self-esteem, which contributes to children’s sense of well-being.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

House rules help children learn important social skills, such as, why it is kind to share and to take turns. Appropriate strategies, according to the age and stage of development of the children, are in place to help children understand right from wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive attitude towards diversity. She provides children with opportunities to become aware of their own and other cultures through a range of toys and resources that reflect diversity and cultural awareness and as they acknowledge different festivals such as Divali for example.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has not cared for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities but displayed a positive attitude to caring for children with such needs. She is aware of the need to work closely with the parents and any other agencies involved in the care of the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrated a clear understanding of the benefits of working in partnership with parents. Parents are asked to share relevant information about their children with the childminder. This helps ensure children receive individual care and attention and ensures continuity of care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is aware of recent changes in legal requirements in relation to complaints and investigations and is aware that she is to make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to follow if they have a complaint.

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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 layout is organised appropriately to allow children to play freely. The daily routine is well thought out allowing children time for quiet and active play. The childminder shows through discussion that she uses her time well and that children benefit from her support and guidance. This means they are able to be confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning experiences.

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Organisation

Written policies and procedures are available to guide the childminder in her daily practice. These help the childminder meet the needs of the children in her care. Most required records are in place, but are not always well organised or readily available. Information obtained from the parents is kept for the children and is relevant and helps promote their welfare. Records relating to the children and their families are confidentially stored.

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Organisation

Overall, evidence suggests that the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

During the previous inspection the childminder was asked to obtain local child protection guidelines and to ensure that the garden gate was secure.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The relevant documentation has now been obtained and the garden gate is appropriately secured. These improvements protect children's wellbeing.

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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. 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 then 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): • develop an emergency evacuation procedure to be practiced with the minded children

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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 • improve current child protection arrangements: including awareness of the procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against a member of the household and improve the availability of contact details to be used in the event of a concern • improve medication and accident records - keep accurate written records, signed by parents, of specific medication administered to children and of accidents - including any action taken

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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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