Sherborne School, Qatar (Mall of Qatar)

Inspection report for early years provision

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141439 Unique Reference Number 14 March 2007 Inspection date Sylvia June Crawford 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 registered in 1992. She lives with her husband and their two teenage children. on a well established estate in the north of Milton Keynes close to local shops, pre-school and schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder uses all downstairs for childminding with toilet facilities upstairs. There is a garden available for children's outside play. The childminder takes children to the local pre-school and attends a toddler group on a regular basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have one dog and two cats as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children. She currently has seven children on roll.

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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 satisfactory. Children get regular exercise and fresh air as they walk to and from school, go to the park and other local leisure areas. They enjoy the freedom to run around freely at the park and develop physical skills as they play various ball games. They also learn how to balance and co-ordinate on equipment such as sit and ride toys, slides and swings.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children stay healthy as the childminder follows environmental health and hygiene guidelines, ensuring children play in appropriate surroundings. Children understand simple good health and hygiene practices, such as washing their hands before handling food and after using the toilet. The childminder is a good role model, keeping her home clean and encouraging children to learn suitable routines. The childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare through her knowledge, experience and her sick child procedures, which she shares with parents verbally. Some records are in place to meet children's individual health needs, however, she does not gain written parental consent to give or seek emergency treatment. She does not hold a valid first aid certificate to enable her to deal with children’s accidents confidently based on current first aid practices.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a reasonable understanding of healthy eating. She provides snacks for the children and stores their lunch boxes appropriately. Children are beginning to have an awareness of their bodies, for example, knowing when they are hungry or thirsty. Drinks are readily available and children help themselves, this ensures that they have sufficient fluids during the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a family environment where they can move around safely and confidently. The childminder reduces risks and minimises dangers both inside and outside the home by conducting regular risk assessments. She helps children to understand how to be safe, for example, explaining road safety and keeping them within her sight or hearing at all times. Children learn independence through being able to select from the suitable range of toys, resources and equipment available, which are appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder has an evacuation plan in the event of an emergency although she does not explain this to parents or practise it with children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of child protection issues and she is able to take appropriate action to safeguard children’s welfare. However, she does not record pre-existing injuries and does not ensure that parents are fully aware of the responsibility as a registered childminder with regard to child protection issues. This means that children's welfare is not fully protected.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well into the childminder’s home, enjoying each other’s company. They are developing as individuals and have a warm relationship with the childminder, which contributes to children's sense of belonging. The childminder settles children gradually over a period of several days, ensuring they are confident in her care and parents start to build trusting relationships. The childminder finds out what children know and can do when they first attend by talking to parents and observing children when they are playing. She is therefore able to provide resources and experiences that meet the children's individual needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy regular outings and experiences that enhance their learning, for example, visits to the park, to the canal and to friends. They meet and interact with their peers and lean how to behave in a variety of settings. Children's language is supported and extended because the childminder talks to them through play and everyday activities such as reading books and playing with cars. The childminder helps them to negotiate and share together so they are developing independence skills. Older children have the opportunity to choose resources and activities which promote their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder plans activities on an informal basis and consults with children about what they want to do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children respond well to the praise and encouragement given by the childminder to promote good behaviour. She encourages children to be kind to one another and to say sorry when necessary. Children understand what is expected of them and behave well due to the childminder's consistent boundaries. The childminder shares information about behaviour strategies with parents to promote continuity of care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to develop an understanding of the local community and the wider world as the childminder takes them out to visit places of interest. For example, they go to the canal to watch the barges going past. However, the childminder has a limited range of resources to reflect equal opportunities and help children understand about diversity. The childminder has experience of supporting children who have learning difficulties. She does this by working sensitively to meets their individual needs. She encourages children to be as independent as they can and ensures that all children are included.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good working relationship with the parents; children benefit from their two-way communication system which helps to maintain continuity of care. The childminder provides a flexible service to parents, following their wishes and children's preferences, with daily information exchanges taking place. However, the childminder does not make it clear to parents how they can make a complaint and has not updated her procedures to meet the latest changes to the National Standards.

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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. Children feel at home and at ease within the child orientated environment and play happily together. Organisation of space enables children to play appropriately. Children benefit from the childminder's understanding of child development and the experience she has of caring for children in her own home. Children have sufficient adult support to help them feel confident and secure within the setting.

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Organisation

The childminder has a reasonable knowledge and understanding of the National Standards and the updates. She maintains the required documentation for childminding and informs parents of her policies and procedures verbally. However, she does not have all the necessary written parental permissions. The childminder has good systems in place for dealing with and recording accidents to children, but she does not have a current first aid certificate. Documentation is organised into a file and stored well to ensure confidentiality. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder had recommendations to keep a signed record of all accidents/injuries that the child may have had in her care or not. To record accurate times of arrivals and departures of minded children and to regularly review contracts and any other written information on all children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder now keeps a signed record of all accidents that happen to children in her care and these are countersigned by the parents. However, she does not record pre-existing injuries and therefore has not fully met this recommendation. Consequently, a recommendation has been set at this inspection regarding the recording and countersigning of pre-existing injuries.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder now keeps an accurate record of the times of arrival and departure of the children. She has the required documentation on all children in her care which she regularly reviews to ensure they remain up to date.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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.

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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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Complaints 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

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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): • ensure that written consent is obtained from parents to give or seek emergency treatment • review and update complaints procedures so that they meet the latest changes to the National Standards. • ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and help them understand the wider world • ensure that parents are aware of the childminder's role and responsibility with regard to child protection and that pre-existing injuries are recorded and countersigned by parents • ensure that a current first aid certificate is maintained at all times.

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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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