Allington with Sedgebrook Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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120511 Unique Reference Number 04 January 2007 Inspection date Louise, Caroline Bonney 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 was registered in 1984. She lives with her husband and adult son in Knaphill, near Woking. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding with sleeps only taken upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder currently cares for nine children, including after school, and is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. The childminder occasionally walks to local schools to collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group and adventure gym.

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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 have daily opportunities for physical exercise. They enjoy climbing and balancing on large equipment when visiting the park, adventure gym and toddler group each week. Indoors toddlers have space to push wheeled toys along as they become confident walkers, and play in the garden. This contributes to their good health. Younger children have their individual routines taken into account around sleep and meal times. This helps them cope well with their busy day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about good hygiene through the procedures the childminder establishes. They play in premises that are clean, warm and well ventilated, and use toys and equipment that are clean and hygienic. Toddlers brush their teeth in the morning with the childminder's support, and recognise their own allocated face flannels. They clean their hands appropriately, and toddlers watch as the childminder immediately cleans up any spills during mealtimes. This helps them learn how to keep themselves and their environment clean.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy relaxing and sociable snack and meal times when they sit together at the table to eat. Parents provide most food for the children which the childminder refrigerates. She is careful to thoroughly reheat any pre-prepared meals. This helps to prevent the spread of contamination. Children enjoy healthy snacks the childminder provides, such as fruit, and have frequent drinks including milk. This helps children develop understanding of how to eat and drink healthily.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their medical needs met well. The childminder seeks information about their allergies and medical conditions, and understands how to deal with these. She shares her sickness and emergency procedures and medical records with parents and has current first aid training. This means children receive good medical support and benefit from good continuity of care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in premises that are welcoming, safe and secure, both indoors and in the garden. They confidently move between rooms downstairs as they play, with doors preventing their access to less safe areas such as the stairs. Children use toys and equipment that are well-maintained and which the childminder carefully checks each week to remove any that are broken. The childminder rotates equipment to ensure a suitable range is set out according to the ages of the children attending to provide a sufficiently stimulating choice. Children safely select their activities from toy boxes kept on the floor and low shelves. Children attend outside activity groups which the childminder knows to be safe and suitable, such as the adventure gym or play park. This helps to keep the children safe from accidental injury. The childminder carefully monitors sleeping children upstairs. She agrees collection and emergency procedures

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

with parents, and they know who the childminder will seek support from in an emergency.

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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 Children learn how to be safe. They have frequent opportunities for more challenging activities. For instance, they develop control as they balance and climb at the adventure gym or on large equipment in the park. At home toddlers learn to avoid obstacles safely as they push trolleys around. The childminder encourages their awareness of how to be safe as she instructs them about how to turn on the Christmas lights while not touching the light bulbs. Older children understand the rules around their collection after school which support their safety, and children learn about road safety as they walk to and from school. This helps children recognise hazards and learn to control risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children receive protection through the childminder having a clear understanding of how to manage any possible child protection concerns. She attends additional training to ensure her understanding and procedures are up-to-date, and shares her written policy with parents. She has contact numbers listed for easy reference, and knows to record any existing injuries. This safeguards the children well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children feel secure and settle well in the friendly and comfortable environment. They have good relationships with the childminder who is warm and caring towards them, and sensitive to their care and developmental needs. Toddlers approach her with confidence, and enjoy sitting on her lap for a story. Children find the resources stimulating, and busily select their own activities sometimes independently, sometimes with the support of the childminder. The childminder plans activities in advance and children spend much of the day out. For instance, they attend the local toddler group, meet friends in the park, or go to the adventure gym. This provides children with good opportunities to socialise and develop friendships with others. At home children have a sufficiently good range of toys and activities, such as playdough, dressing up, art and craft activities, cookery. This provides children with a varied and interesting day

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

which supports their development well. Most children attending after school often only stay for short periods and do not attend during the holidays. They visit the park on their way home from school, and those staying longer have time to do their homework, use the computer, watch television and play games with the childminder and the younger children. This helps to occupy them well as they relax after a busy day at school.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children with English as an additional language make good progress. The childminder shares key words with parents to help her understand what the children are saying. She provides activities which encourage language development. Toddlers love to repeat words as she clearly labels toys such as 'car', or asks questions such as 'where is the fire engine?' or 'find me the elephant'. They join in as they look at books together, repeating the childminder's descriptions as they develop their language skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop independence well. They select their own activities, which the childminder helps them to extend by introducing extra resources. For instance, when interest is shown in playing with cars the childminder suggests they might also like to use the road mat, or makes a bridge with the railway set for the child to drive cars up and slide down. This helps children develop their play and concentrate on their activities for longer periods. The childminder encourages them to undertake tasks for themselves, such as wiping their hands after lunch or

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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 brushing their own teeth, when she is on hand to offer support. She gives toddlers simple problems to solve, such as when they leave a toy in another room she asks 'where is the police car' to encourage them to remember and look. Children develop good levels of confidence and self-esteem as the childminder frequently praises them, such as when they find their car or wipe their hands clean.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, but is not using this yet to develop her provision for younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the good relationship the childminder has with parents, who express her care as being 'exemplary' and 'fantastic' in letters of commendation. Parents receive copies of the policies and procedures and share their children's records. The childminder seeks appropriate consents, such as for attending specific toddler groups, for administering medication and transporting children by car. Parents are aware of other outings taken, such as to the park or to collect others from school, although there is no overall written consent sought for these trips. Children under two have a daily diary in which parents and the childminder log their developmental progress and care. The childminder also shares information when completing contracts and verbally daily during handover. This helps to provide good continuity of care and enables the childminder to support the children's and parents' individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Toddlers relax, play independently and enjoy interacting with the childminder. They confidently move about the premises as they select their activities, and look to the childminder for support when they need it. Toddlers feel secure with the familiar routines, such as around going to sleep when they say goodnight to a framed photo, to the cars, have their cuddly toy and then lie down to sleep in their cot. Each child has their own flannel which they recognise, and older children know where to store their belongings on arrival home from school. This helps children develop a sense of belonging at the provision.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children attend from a variety of cultural backgrounds and use resources which reflect diversity, such as books and play people. They have good opportunities to socialise in the community as they attend gyms, toddler groups and regularly meet other childminders and their children. They make cards and gifts for festivals such as Christmas or Mothers Day. This helps children begin to recognise and value the differences and similarities of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well through the childminder sensitively anticipating how they may react to any situation. For instance, when a nappy change is due the childminder warns them beforehand, and encourages them to find a toy to hold so that they willingly co-operate. Children respond well to the frequent praise they receive for behaving well, and the youngest children learn to be polite with the childminder encouraging them to say please and thank you. This helps them develop a clear understanding of acceptable behaviour and supports their developing good self-esteem.

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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 good. Children benefit from the good organisation of the provision. They have sufficient space to move about in freely and safely during their activities. They participate in a wide range of activities both at home and out, which provide variety to their day while supporting their individual needs and levels of development. Children receive good support during their activities through the childminder's careful management of ratios.

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Organisation

The childminder maintains close links with other childminders and organisations. She attends additional training, such as for Behaviour Management and Child Protection. She is aware of new initiatives, such as the curriculum guidance for 'Birth to three matters'. This helps her evaluate her provision and identify areas for development, to the benefit of the children.

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Organisation

Children have good continuity of care through the childminder sharing her written records, policies and procedures with parents. The childminder maintains documentation and seeks most consents in writing from parents. However, some records such as accident/medication records and emergency medical treatment consents do not show children's full names for clear identification.

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Organisation

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 Children Act inspection, the provider was recommended to improve children's access to their resources, safety around the car, and awareness of when to notify Ofsted of significant events. Children now easily access their toys from boxes that are safely within reach. This allows children to independently select their activities. The childminder is careful to supervise children as they transfer from the house to the car. This ensures their safety. The childminder is now mostly aware of the types of changes or events to notify Ofsted of. This helps to protect the children's safety and welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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 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): • use guidance such as the 'Birth to three matters' framework to develop provision for younger children • improve documentation by seeking written consent from parents for all outings, and by always including children's full names on consents for seeking emergency medical treatment and medication/accident records.

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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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