Sonning Common Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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123038 Unique Reference Number 11 January 2007 Inspection date Cheryl Walker 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 registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 years and 9 years in the London Borough of Wandsworth. Most of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding three children on a part-time basis. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local toddler groups, music sessions and takes children to the local park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is French speaking and has the NVQ 3 qualification in child care.

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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's health and welfare are important to the childminder. She makes sure children play in an organised and clean environment, where they learn from an early age the importance of good hygiene practice through effective daily routines. For example, children remove their shoes when they enter the home to minimise their chances of playing on dirty floors. Children are encouraged to wash their hands before and after meals, after messy play and after using the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds an up to date first aid certificate, enabling her to deal effectively with minor accidents. This together with prior consent to take children to hospital in an emergency, means the childminder will act in the best interests of the child if there is an accident. Good systems for maintaining records relating to accidents and medication are implemented. Children are protected from infections due to a clear sick child policy, which parents are made aware of.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a variety of home cooked meals. The childminder ensures she discusses children's dietary needs and respects parents' wishes. She shows a good understanding of the need to provide children with a healthy, nutritious and balanced diet, to aid their growth and development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a warm and suitably maintained environment, where they can move around safely. There is a variety of good quality play resources and equipment available, which are stored to enable self selection and age appropriate to ensure their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has taken appropriate steps to reduce risks to children in her home. For example, fire guards are in place to protect children from gas fires and safety gates prevent children accessing areas not suitable for them. However, some areas are still in need of attention. For example, currently there are an insufficient number of smoke detectors fitted in the home to effectively warn against fires and children have not yet practised an evacuation route from the premises. This could result in delays in leaving the premises in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well being is supported as the childminder has sound knowledge of child protection issues and knows how to proceed if she has a concern about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled with good levels of self esteem, due to the close relationship they have with the childminder. She interacts with the children in a gentle and positive manner, listening to them and valuing what they say. The childminder plays with the children at their level. She gets down on the floor and inspires their play by supporting and guiding them with

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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 enthusiasm and knowing them well enough to know what interests them. Children are confident to ask for help and support in their play, for example when they need help building a bridge for their train to travel underneath.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children explore and experiment through a range of activities that provide challenge and stimulation. For example, children enjoy cooking activities with the childminder and have regular access to malleable materials such as play dough. A good range of tools to support this activity, enable children to develop their fine motor skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder takes children to music groups and one o'clock clubs, where they have good opportunities to play and socialise with other children and join in with group activities. They enjoy creative and craft activities with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individuality is valued by the childminder. She has developed close and loving relationships with the well established children in her care and works closely with their parents to ensure consistency. Parents receive regular, verbal feedback, as well as a written diary of events. This keeps them well informed of their children's progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is proactive in taking action should she notice a delay in a child's development. She discusses any issues with parents in order to promote the welfare and development of all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have access to resources and outings that promote a positive view of the wider world. For example, by providing play resources that reflect positive images of race, culture and disability and visiting areas rich in multi culture, children gain knowledge and understanding of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has well-developed strategies for dealing with inappropriate behaviour, using distraction for the very young, her tone of voice and facial expression. She talks things through with older children, offering reason and explanations to help them understand right from wrong. As a result, children behave well because they understand the boundaries and are aware of expectations.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is well qualified and experienced, which means children's play opportunities are maximised. She is keen to attend training courses to develop her practice further. She ensures she understands the children's interests, inspires them to learn through lively discussion and promotes their enjoyment of the activities offered. The home is suitably organised to keep children safe and to allow them to play or rest according to their needs, though some attention is needed with regard to fire safety.

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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 All the required documentation is in place and is well maintained. Policies and procedures work well in practice to keep children healthy and safeguard their welfare. Parents are well informed about their child's progress and the service provided. All documentation is kept confidentially. 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 agreed to complete more comprehensive records with regard to the attendance register and to further the range of play materials and books that positively reflect culture and disability. Both recommendations have been suitably addressed. This means that detailed records are well maintained and that children have more opportunities to appreciate difference.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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): • ensure there are smoke detectors on every level in the home • practise fire evacuation procedures with minded children

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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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