Larkspur Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

108330 Unique Reference Number 22 February 2007 Inspection date Glenda Pownall 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 registered in 1998. She lives with her partner and three children, who are aged 12, eight and two years, in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding. Young children use a travel cot for sleeping in a first floor bedroom.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently minding one child under five part-time. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks, the library and toddler groups.

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 good. Children learn to follow good personal hygiene routines because of the effective practices of the childminder. For example, she encourages children to wash their hands before eating and after visiting the toilet. The childminder follows an appropriate nappy changing procedure, which includes separate changing mats for each child and wearing disposable gloves. This reduces the risk of cross infection. The childminder has a clear understanding of the procedure to follow with regard to administering medication including obtaining prior written consent from parents. This promotes the health of children.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of how to provide a nutritious and balanced diet for children. She liaises with parents to ensure children’s individual dietary requirements are met. The childminder is flexible with the provision of food and parents are able to provide food for their children to ensure children eat in accordance with the wishes of parents. The childminder has completed a food hygiene course to support her knowledge of storing and serving food appropriately.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to undertake physical exercise. They go on nature walks, visit play parks and walk to and from school. Young children use equipment at toddler groups to develop physical skills and attend indoor activity centres. Children are offered frequent drinks of water. This develops understanding of regular drinks as part of a healthy lifestyle.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a sound understanding of how to risk assess the premises to reduce the risks to children’s safety. For example, children do not currently have access to the garden as a fence panel has recently blown down in the wind, safety gates are in place at the top and bottom of the stairs and low level electric sockets have covers fitted. However, the fire blanket is loosely placed on the window sill. This does not ensure ease of use in the event of an emergency. This compromises children’s safety.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a secure knowledge of the procedure to follow if concerned a child is at risk of abuse or neglect. However, she has not accessed a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures to ensure her procedures comply with current regulations to fully safeguard children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained environment where they have sufficient space to move around and play safely. Rugs and mats are placed on the tiled floor to make it warm and welcoming for young children to sit and play. There is a good range of resources for the children currently cared for, which supports all areas of development. The childminder makes regular visual checks of equipment and resources to ensure they are clean and in a suitable and safe condition for children to use.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Young children play contently with resources because they are secure in the childminder’s care. For example, they push buttons on electronic toys and show enjoyment as they repeatedly make the car horn sound on the garage. Young children easily access resources for themselves as many are stored within reach on the floor.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder interacts warmly with children. They readily accept support from her as they practise their walking skills. They smile as the childminder encourages them to feel the cold Play Dough by placing it against their cheek. Young children show interest in books as the childminder includes them in the stories she reads by pointing out the characters and objects to them.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

From discussion the childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of providing a suitable range of activities for older children. These include cooking, card games and art activities.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Parents have access to the childminder’s written policies to inform them of the routines and procedures of the setting. The childminder informs parents of their child’s day verbally and through the use of a daily diary. This supports continuity of care. The childminder provides parents with a copy of a poster detailing the contact details of Ofsted should they wish to comment on the childcare their children receive. This promotes the welfare of children.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder treats all children with equal concern. Children learn about the local community through visits to parks, toddler groups and the library. Although the childminder has no experience of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities through discussion she shows a clear understanding of how to provide effective support for individual children. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of how to manage children and their behaviour. She is calm and patient and uses strategies such as distraction and explanation with young children. As a result, young children behave well.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Young children are settled in the childminding environment because the childminder limits the number of children she cares for to ensure she can provide sufficient support for each child. The childminder has attended a number of training sessions to update and refresh her knowledge of aspects of childcare and has a satisfactory understanding of her role and responsibilities under the National Standards. For example, children are not left alone with people who are not vetted and all required parental consents are in place. However, there are a few safety issues to be addressed to ensure children are kept safe. The childminder retains records relating to individual children for the required length of time. Records of previous children recently cared for are not easily accessible for inspection as they are stored in the loft. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

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

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has acted upon the eleven recommendations raised at the last inspection. This benefits children in her care.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

There are now written policies in place to support the childminder’s practice with regard to behaviour management, caring for sick children, providing food and drink and child protection, although this policy has not been reviewed to ensure it complies with current procedures.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder understands her responsibility with regard to record keeping and maintains a written record of the times children attend and medications administered to children. Prior parental consents are in place to administer medication and to seek emergency medical attention. The childminder has a clear understanding of the importance of recording accidents that happen to children whilst in her care.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Children access a small range of resources reflecting the diverse society in which they live but learn about the wider world through outings with the childminder.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 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.

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): • ensure retained records are easily accessible for inspection • review the child protection procedure to ensure it complies with those of the Local Safeguarding Children Board • ensure the fire blanket is appropriately located according to the manufacturers instructions.

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 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.6