Audlem St James' CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

148489 Unique Reference Number 14 November 2006 Inspection date Glenda Pownall Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and two children, who are aged three and seven years, in Charvil, Berkshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding. Young children use a travel cot for sleeping in a first floor bedroom. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently minding one child under five full-time and three children under five part-time. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks and toddler groups.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a generally satisfactory understanding of how to promote the health of children. For example, she shares her written sick child policy with parents and has updated her first aid certificate to ensure she gives appropriate care if there is an accident. The childminder’s record keeping is not sufficiently rigorous to ensure that prior written consent is always obtained before administering non-prescribed medication to children. This is a breach of regulations. The childminder is not totally familiar with the format of the accident reports. As a result, she does not always record the date of the accident to ensure this information is available for future reference.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children learn to adopt good personal hygiene routines through the effective procedures in place. For example, the childminder encourages children to wash their hands before mealtimes, after playing outside and after visiting the toilet. The childminder’s thorough nappy changing procedure reduces the risk of cross infection. The childminder has a good understanding of how to provide a healthy balanced diet for children. She discusses with parents and records their wishes and children’s dietary requirements to ensure children’s individual needs are met. Children access a variety of healthy snacks including fresh fruit and bread sticks.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children develop physical skills through regular outings to local parks and using equipment at toddler groups and soft play sessions. Children gain understanding of the importance of regular drinks as part of a healthy lifestyle because the childminder offers all children frequent drinks of water or diluted fruit juice.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and welcoming environment where they have a good range of resources suitable for their stage of development. Children can choose resources for themselves as many are stored within easy reach on low-level shelves. The childminder has effective procedures in place to ensure young children cannot access the smaller resources used by older children. She frequently checks and cleans the toys to make certain they remain in a suitable condition for children’s use.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of how to provide a safe environment for children. She is vigilant of small children and reassesses her safety measures as necessary. For example, she uses a stair gate to prevent access to the kitchen because young children have become more mobile. The premises are secure to ensure children cannot leave unsupervised. Children learn to keep themselves safe whilst out as the childminder encourages them to follow good road safety practice.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse. She knows the procedure to follow and where to seek advice if concerned a child is at risk. However, she

p.3

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 does not have the local contact numbers or a copy of the Berkshire Safeguarding Children Board procedures to fully safeguard children.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are content in the childminder’s home. They form warm relationships with the childminder and snuggle into her as they fall asleep. The childminder responds positively to the sounds and gestures young children make developing their language skills and self esteem. The childminder sits with young children on the floor whilst they build with bricks. She extends the activity by talking about what they are doing, counting the number of bricks and naming the colours. Children learn to follow simple instructions such as ‘push the brick on’ and they chuckle with delight as the tower topples over.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children show pleasure as they push buttons to make electronic toys sound repeating the activity several times. Young children happily sit on the childminder’s lap to look at books and the childminder involves them in the activity by encouraging them to point to objects on the pages, which they attempt to do. The childminder regularly changes the toys within reach of young children to ensure they remain occupied and interested in the resources.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children find out about the wider world through outings and clear explanations to their questions from the childminder at their level of understanding. The childminder treats all children with equal concern and meets their individual needs through working closely with parents. The childminder is calm and patient and treats all people with respect. She has positive strategies in place to manage children and their behaviour. For example, she offers praise and encouragement and effectively distracts young children from becoming upset when they want to play with the same toy. Children behave well.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder fosters a positive working relationship with parents. She shares the written policies of the setting with them and uses a daily diary and an effective verbal exchange of information to ensure continuity of care. Parents are provided with the contact details of the regulator should they wish to comment on the care the childminder provides. This promotes the welfare of children. Parents state they are very happy with the care their children receive and particularly like the nurturing and encouraging atmosphere in the house and the flexibility of the service provided.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has an adequate understanding of her role and responsibilities under the national standards. For example, there are effective measures in place to ensure children are not left alone with people who are not vetted. Any variation to the hours children attend is clearly recorded and parents sign the register each month as a true record of attendance.

p.4

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 However, the childminder occasionally cares for children on different days and hours to those stated in her conditions of registration. This is a breach of regulations.

p.4

Organisation

Children are cared for in a well organised environment where they are settled and secure because the childminder spends most of her time actively involved in their play. Most required documentation is in place although not all records relating to children's health are accurately completed. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to make available to parents a complaints procedure and obtain permission from parents to take children in vehicles and seek emergency treatment.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder informs parents of the complaints procedure and provides them with the contact number of the regulator should they have a concern. Written permission is obtained from parents to transport children in a car and to seek medical attention. This promotes the wellbeing of children.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 the conditions of registration are understood and adhered to • ensure prior written consent is always obtained from parents before administering medication and ensure the accident records contain sufficient detail • ensure the child protection procedures follow those of the Berkshire Safeguarding Children Board and obtain a copy of the local contact numbers to use if there is a child protection concern.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.6