Heathfield Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 138179 Inspection date 12 January 2006 Inspector Judith Mary Scott

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 has been registered since 1990. She lives with her husband, adult son and son aged 15. They live in a three bedroomed house in Colliers Wood, London, within walking distance of shops, schools, a park, a library and transport links. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding. This consists of a sitting room, a kitchen/diner, a play room and downstairs toilet. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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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 The family have no pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered to care for six children at any one time, and when working with another childminder at the premises, she is registered to care for eight children. They are currently caring for 2 babies, one aged 9 months and one aged 13 months, full time, plus 2 children aged 3 years old who attend nursery in the afternoons. She attends regular training workshops and is a specialist childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and clean home that is welcoming and friendly to children and their families. They benefit from the childminders’ good physical and emotional care and are given plenty of affection, reassurance and attention. Babies follow their routine and sleep in line with their needs and parents’ wishes. They enjoy lots of cuddles with the childminders and are content and settled. Older children are happy, comfortable and relaxed and are freely able to express their feelings. They interact positively with the childminders. Children’s meals and the babies’ food, milk and bottles are provided by their parents and are nutritious and varied. These are supplemented by the childminders with Asian snacks, fruit and so on. Children’s healthy eating is encouraged by the childminders through discussion, example and role play activities. Children’s health is well protected by the childminder’s knowledge of First Aid, health

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Helping children to be healthy

and safety and general good hygiene practice. Children learn the importance of personal care, hygiene and independence through discussion and daily routines, such as washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet and messy play activities. Children benefit from physical activity and exercise to help them develop control of their bodies. The garden is used regularly for outdoor play, in better weather, with outside play equipment, plus trips to parks and groups for more varied activities. Children benefit from fresh air and opportunities to improve their physical skills with the childminders’ encouragement and support. They also like dancing and music. One baby is learning to stand and likes to pull himself up on toys and equipment, the other is crawling. Both babies interact warmly and affectionately with the childminders and are talked to and played with at regular intervals, responding with speech and

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Helping children to be healthy

pleasure noises, laughs and smiles. Both enjoy singing and action rhymes. The children’s individual needs are met and information shared effectively with parents by the childminders maintaining records regarding accidents, incidents and medication.

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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

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children benefit from a clean and well arranged home. Children are safe and secure in this environment as there is designated play space and they can easily access toys and activities provided by the childminders. Children are cared for on the ground floor and they can move freely around the play room and kitchen/diner. The childminders have taken effective measures to reduce potential hazards and are aware of the importance of good risk assessment. The children are well supervised and made aware of the importance of using toys and play equipment safely through explanation and discussion with the childminders. They encourage children to take risks within play activities to build their confidence and extend their development through discussion and example, such as throwing balls, skipping and jumping off equipment. Children are given clear boundaries and the childminders ensure they are safe on

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

outings on foot and in the car. Appropriate systems are in place and they supervise the children, use suitable safety restraints and car seats, and ask them to hold hands or onto the buggy. They ask older children to wait by the kerb, look and listen, walk together and stay where they can be seen in outside areas. There is a very good selection of toys, resource materials, books and play materials that are stored and presented effectively. Children can choose activities from the childminders’ daily selections or by request. This includes creative materials, puzzles, imaginary and role play, books, construction, musical instruments and educational games and covers the whole age range. Children are provided with specific toys for under eighteen months so babies can independently select some activities. The childminders monitor and ensure these are suitable for the child’s age and stage of development. Children also have access to a range of appropriate childcare

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

equipment. Children’s welfare is paramount and they are safe and protected as the childminders have a good understanding of child protection issues and procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children experience a varied range of activities that meet their needs and are they are happy and relaxed in the home environment. Children enjoy being with the childminders and interact warmly and affectionately. They relate positively to adults and one another and play together well. They are friendly and chatty and talk about nursery, coming to the childminders’ home and what they like. Children experience a regular childminding routine that includes indoor and outdoor play activities, meals and naps and caters for the children’s individual ages and needs. They have regular trips out which includes the nursery run, parks, library, groups, shops and visiting friends. Children benefit from this with opportunities for

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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 new experiences, to socialise with others, to encourage speech and social skills and to use large equipment with more space to develop their physical abilities. Children benefit from the use of a designated play room and participate in a good range of play activities that contribute to their enjoyment and learning such as creative activities, books and stories, free play, construction, puzzles, imaginary and role play, educational games, some TV, singing, music, dancing and cooking activities. The childminders are extending activities to introduce growing seeds and plants in the garden and simple science activities to provide more opportunities to explore and investigate. Children are encouraged to talk and express themselves by the childminders who sometimes join in their play with plenty of discussion to extend their imagination,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

vocabulary and ideas. Children confidently select toys from available supplies or ask for specific activities. Their independence, personal skills and ability to make choices are promoted by the childminders to prepare them for school. Babies have access to appropriate toys and equipment. They experience activities that meet their needs and enable them to explore their environment. The babies are interested and involved in the activities available and particularly like sensory and tactile stimulation toys, looking at picture books, singing songs and action rhymes. The babies enjoy being with the childminders and interact warmly and affectionately. They communicate with sounds and smiles and are offered recognition, acceptance and comfort. The children experience a warm, consistent standard of care from the childminders working well together as a team that is tailored to meet their individual needs and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

encourage their progress. The childminders intend to find out more about the Birth to three matters framework to promote younger children’s learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children experience appropriate settling in arrangements and introductory visits are tailored to suit different families’ specific needs. Children become familiar with the childminders and are valued as individuals. They get to know them well and exchange information regularly with parents about their daily care and progress. Children benefit from the positive partnerships that the childminders have with parents who indicate they are very pleased with the quality of care provided. Children are given clear boundaries of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. They are encouraged to share, take turns, show concern for others and the environment and play together co-operatively. The children benefit from the childminders’ appropriate, consistent behaviour management strategies such as anticipation and distraction, talking, explaining, praise, positive language and time out if necessary.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and respond to the childminders’ requests and guidance. Children are treated as individuals and with equal concern. They have access to the full range of activities offered which include a good selection of resources that

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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 promote a positive view of the wider community and increase their understanding of diversity. Children are introduced to different festivals and sample a variety of food and music from around the world. This is a tri-lingual household and two children share the childminders’ first language. The childminders display positive attitudes towards special needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are settled, content and at home within an organised and secure environment. They benefit from a regular childminding routine of meals, naps, outings and play activities. Space and resources are well utilised to support children’s needs and this encourages their confidence and independence. The childminders work well together as a team and keep the required records that contribute to children’s health, safety and wellbeing. However, the complaints procedure system lacks some details. They share information regularly with parents to keep them well informed about the care that is provided and display positive attitudes towards training and implementing additional documentation to promote further good practice. Overall, the childminder meets the range of needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has improved her documentation. She ensures she obtains emergency contact numbers for all minded children, medication records are signed by herself and the parents and the contents of the first aid box are kept updated.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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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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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • amend the written complaints procedure and implement a complaints log

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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