Elm Road First School

Inspection report for early years provision

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129612 Unique Reference Number 04 January 2007 Inspection date Sheila Harrison 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 1990. Previous to this she worked with young children. She lives with her husband and three children aged 17, 13 and seven years. They live in a two storey house on the outskirts of Hemel Hempstead. It is within walking distance to parks, shops and schools. Childminding takes place on the ground floor consisting of a lounge, dining room and hall. The front bedroom and the first floor bathroom are also used for childminding. The family have no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There is a fully enclosed garden with a secure side entrance for outside play. Steps lead from the patio to the grassed area. The garden has a shed which stores outdoor toys.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for five children aged under eight years and there are five children on roll. The childminder regularly meets other childminders and attends a local toddler group and the toy library.

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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 have their dietary needs met as parents provide meals for them. Lunch boxes are returned to parents at the end of the day to ensure parents know exactly what their children have eaten. Mealtimes are social occasions where the children sit together. They always start with the savouries first. Children are encouraged to have frequent drinks. Fruit and biscuits are available at snack time. Children rarely bring sweets and they then share them with each other. Children are learning the benefits of a healthy diet as they discuss that milk helps their bones grow strong and that some foods gives them energy. They borrow books from the library to give information on how the body works.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from the spread of infection as the childminder informs parents of her sickness procedures. They are encouraged to cover their mouths when coughing and to wipe their own noses. Children have valuable opportunities to learn how to keep themselves healthy. They know the significance of washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet. The childminder explains the need to wash hands after outings and children are reminded of the leaves and trees they have touched.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has suitable first aid equipment, records, permission for emergency medical treatment and she carries contact numbers on outings. The childminder has maintained a current first aid certificate but it does not meet the required standard and therefore, children are potentially at risk in an emergency. Children can rest and sleep according to their needs. Young children will sleep in their buggies to be closely supervised by the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy worthwhile physical exercise. They can play in the garden where they have a range of bats, balls and sit and ride toys which are suitably graded for the children’s stage of their development. Children have frequent walks to the park and the childminder encourages children to play I spy games and other observational games to help the children walk further than they realise.

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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 comfortable and inviting environment where they have sufficient space to move freely and play on the ground floor. They choose from an ample range of resources kept in good order and displayed at a low level. Toys are appropriate for their developmental needs and rotated to extend their interests.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected as risks are identified and minimised. When a new child starts, the childminder undertakes new risk assessments linked to the child's stage of development. Risks are assessed for the storage of new materials and resources. Appropriate safety equipment is easily available. The childminder has sought advice from road safety professionals to ensure all the seat belts in the car meet new regulations.

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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 are developing an awareness of how to keep themselves safe as they follow the house rules. The childminder ensures children discuss the consequences of their actions. They understand not to jump on the furniture or put things in their mouths. Children are beginning to consider the needs of others as they put the toys with small pieces on the table away from the babies. They are learning to cross roads safely by looking for the green man and left and right at crossings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of child protection issues with the required documentation. This ensures the children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and busy as the childminder provides a wide range of resources which are of interest to them. They have access to complicated jigsaws to help them take the next steps in their learning. Children are learning to take care of the precious toys of others by playing carefully with them. The childminder ensures activities are appropriate to the children’s current stage of young children’s development as she is beginning to use the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework. The childminder is aware of children’s need to explore their environment through their senses and experiences after attending a course on developing children aged nought to two. Older children’s development is extended as the childminder has expanded role play areas after attending a course on the Foundation Stage. Children enjoy experimenting with music and movement as they create and tap out various rhythms. Walks around the local

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

neighbourhood give children the opportunity to count. For example, children count the total number of Father Christmas's they see displayed in local houses. Children choose and play co-operative games of picture dominoes and colour lotto with the childminder and they become responsible for shuffling and dealing the dominoes. The childminder encourages the children's thinking skills when she asks them if they are sure they cannot find the required card.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel settled and secure as the childminder offers a long term commitment to them and their families. There is a strong and positive relationship with the parents. Daily feedback on the children’s day and development is friendly and professional. However, the childminder is unaware of the need to respond to complaints by parents and to keep a written record. This is a breach of regulation and potentially limits the safe management of children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from a consistent behaviour management system. They learn the childminder’s expectations and house rules. They are supported to take turns and good manners are fostered. Children’s individual needs and the requirements for their care are suitably supported.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are beginning to respect others as they are encouraged to greet and say goodbye to each other. They are learning about the wider world with a few multi-cultural resources and they celebrate their birthdays and other traditional festivals with the childminder.

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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 ease as they receive consistent care to maintain their comfort and security. The childminder has adequate documentation which is suitably managed. For example, contracts and contact numbers are up to date and the attendance registers are complete. Children’s well-being is supported as the childminder is committed to her role. She frequently undertakes training in child care and education to update her knowledge and review her practice. Children are overseen by experienced and trusted adults. Overall the children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to devise an emergency evacuation plan and place a fire blanket in the kitchen, develop an illness policy and share this with parents, improve knowledge on behaviour management and obtain information regarding the Area Child Protection Committee.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children’s welfare is suitably supported as the childminder has adequately addressed the previous recommendations. The childminder has developed an emergency escape plan and has practised the route with the older children present. The fire blanket is attached to the wall when the kitchen. Children’s health is promoted as the childminder has developed a leaflet to inform parents of her procedures in the event of an illness. This includes examples of contagious diseases and exclusion periods.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children’s welfare is adequately safeguarded as the childminder has attended child protection training through her local church and has obtained details of the local authority procedures. Children’s behaviour is aptly supported as the childminder has received some information on the procedures for pre-schools and has attended a course on the development of the nought to twos.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that 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 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): • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • improve knowledge and develop systems for the recording of complaints in line with regulations.

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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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