Longdendale High School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

148431 Unique Reference Number 07 March 2007 Inspection date Sheila Collins 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 was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and five children aged 22, 20, 15 and 11 years of age in Woodley, near Reading in Berkshire. The whole ground floor of the house is used for childminding, which includes a conservatory playroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family pets are fish in a tank.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding eight children. Of these children, four are aged under eight years; two children aged under five years are cared for full time and the school aged children on a part time basis. The childminder takes children to and collects children from the local pre-school and schools.

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. Children learn about personal hygiene through their daily routine. They wash their hands before eating. The childminder actively promotes the good health of the children and responds appropriately when they are ill. She has accident and medication records in place but not written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. She has a valid paediatric first aid certificate and understands how to keep the children healthy.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has knowledge of the children's medical and dietary needs. She ensures that the children have plenty of drinks throughout the day. The childminder takes into account the wishes of the parents when feeding the children and has a good understanding of healthy eating.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy physical exercise and the childminder successfully ensures that they have a wide range of activities, both indoors and out, to help them develop their physical skills. They have opportunities to play in the local park.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children move around the rooms safely and freely. They use the dining room, living room and conservatory as play areas. The children access resources easily for themselves as these are stored at a low level. The childminder rotates resources to ensure that the younger children choose from a variety. Additional resources are kept in a cupboard in the kitchen, which the childminder will get on request. She checks resources regularly to see that they are clean and in a safe condition.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has thought about potential risks for the children and is vigilant to ensure that there is little risk of accidental injury. For example, she locks the front door when the children are present. She is aware of risks both in the garden and the home as ongoing work takes place. She supervises the children in the garden to keep them safe from any hazards. The childminder takes children out in the car but does not have written permission from parents.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good working knowledge of safe guarding the children issues and procedures to be followed if she has any concerns about the children, which also contributes to their safety.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident and relate well to each other and adults present. They select what they would like to do from the good range of appropriate toys, which the childminder puts out to support their learning and development. They benefit from the childminder's planning that

p.3

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 ensures a variety of activities available through out the week for them, both within the home and outside.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children direct their own play, supported by the childminder but also respond well to new experiences and activities, which the childminder suggests to maintain their interest and stimulation. They help to tidy up before lunch and a different range of toys is put out for afternoon play. The childminder praises and encourages the children's efforts and achievements, which promotes their self-confidence and self-esteem.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children know the rules for acceptable behaviour and the childminder talks with the children so that they are aware of why any unwanted behaviour is unacceptable. The children generally behave well. The childminder knows each child and their individual needs well. The children access a range of age and stage appropriate resources, which allows for their individual development and abilities. They use resources that promote positive images of different cultures, for example books and puzzles.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

By working in partnership with the parents, the childminder ensures that she is meeting the children's individual needs. Business arrangements and child detail forms are in place and are updated by regular ongoing dialogue with parents. The older children tell their parents what they have done during their time with the childminder and the childminder talks with the parents on a daily basis.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the well-organised environment, which the childminder has created for them.

p.4

Organisation

Continuity of care for the children is assured through the effective use of contracts and other documentation needed to support the running of the childminder's business. However, written permissions for the seeking of medical advice or treatment in an emergency and for the transporting of children in a vehicle are not in place. The detailed information that the childminder and parents share about their individual child ensures consistency for the children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was given one recommendation. This was to update her first aid qualification when the current one expires.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has a current first aid certificate, which is valid until 30/09/2009. This ensures that she has up to date first aid knowledge, which helps to keep the children healthy.

p.4

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

p.4

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.

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): • obtain written permission from parents for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment • obtain written permission to transport children in a vehicle

p.5

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

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.5