Alma Park Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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105389 Unique Reference Number 22 March 2007 Inspection date Elizabeth Juon 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 1991. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in Cippenham near Slough. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is available for childminding and one bedroom for rest. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder's registration is to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and she is currently minding six children attending on a full and part-time basis. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local library and park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder maintains a clean home through suitable hygiene routines, helping to safeguard children's health. Children follow the childminder's guidance and learn good hygiene practices, such as washing their hands after the toilet and before eating. The childminder does not have

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 a current first aid certificate in place, which means that children may not receive appropriate treatment if they have an accident. Procedures for recording accidents and any medicine given are appropriate to safeguard children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a range of activities, which contribute to good health and physical development, such as walking to and from school each day. Children have opportunity to play out in a safe and secure garden. The children's own daily routines are followed to ensure they eat and rest according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children sit together to eat their meals at a small table or in the high chair. Parents currently provide packed lunches for the children, which sometimes include a microwave meal. The childminder stores the food appropriately in the refrigerator and follows any cooking instructions to ensure food is safe for children to eat. Drinks are available at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children are able to play in comfort and safety as the childminder takes practical precautions, such as removing hazardous products from low kitchen cupboards and keeping a stairgate in place. On outings, children are safe in the buggy and learn about road safety, using the crossing and the green cross code.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Space within the home is well organised and includes a varied range of good quality toys and resources that are easily accessible to the children, encouraging their independence, including child size chairs and table. Toys are clean, in good condition and regularly checked to ensure there are no broken parts that might harm children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder’s understanding of her role and responsibility in child protection is insufficient to protect children's welfare. There is no child protection procedure, current information or appropriate contact numbers to enable the childminder to make an informed decision should concerns arise about a child in her care. This is a breach of regulation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the family home. Children are happy, confident and settled. The childminder interacts with the children well to encourage and extend play, down at their level enabling children to play cooperatively. Children take part in a range of play activities that promote their development in all areas. Children use their imagination in role-play, pretending to push their babies to the shop, which they all know is behind the armchair. There are ample resources to encourage this play so that all children are included. Children have opportunity to use their creativity in art and craft. Regular visits to the local toddler group, the library and park extend children’s experiences, develop social skills and raise awareness of the local community. The childminder knows the children well, especially the family who have been in her care for several years, and meets their individual needs,

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. The children are comfortable and content because the childminder treats them with kindness and respect. Children form close attachments to the childminder and each child benefits from the close attention she gives to them. The childminder gathers some written information about the child’s needs and has a daily exchange of information with parents to provide continuity of care between childminder and home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are gaining an awareness of diversity through their regular outings into the local community and resources such as dolls and books promote positive images of people.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s behaviour is good. They respond well to the childminder’s routines and expectations of appropriate behaviour. The childminder praises and encourages children’s achievements to raise self-esteem and encourages turn taking and sharing, enabling children to play happily together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the favourable relationship the childminder has with parents. Parents are appreciative of the childminder and the care she offers which is evident as she often cares for a second sibling from a family. However, the childminder does not have a system to inform parents of Ofsted’s contact numbers should they have a complaint or a method of recording complaints. This is a breach of regulation.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children are at ease within the well maintained home. The layout of the play area gives children space to move freely and independently. Children easily access and self select toys and resources from well-organised, low-level storage containers. The children’s wellbeing is supported as the childminder organises her time appropriately, taking into account children’s routines and individual needs. The childminder maintains required documentation such as an attendance record, child detail forms, and accident and medication records. However, the childminder does not have sufficient knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulation to promote fully the welfare of the children. This has resulted in some breaches of regulation and a need for improvement. The childminder does not meet the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection, the childminder was requested to record accidents confidentially and keep a signed record of any medicine administered, make available to parents the procedure to make a complaint and also information to show that the household members have undergone vetting.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made improvements to provide accident and medication record books that allow entries to remain confidential and signed by parents. The childminder's husband received clearances at the time of registration and the childminder stated other members of the household have undergone the vetting procedure although there is still no record of this kept by the childminder. The recommendation to develop a system to keep a record of complaints relating to the National Standards and any action taken and devise a method to inform parents how

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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 they can contact the regulator, Ofsted, is now an action for improvement to safeguard children's welfare.

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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. 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • develop a system to keep a record of complaints relating to the National Standards and any action taken and devise a method to inform parents how they can contact the regulator, Ofsted • gain knowledge of child protection issues and the procedure to follow in the event of any concerns and ensure that the child protection procedure complies with those of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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