Headlands School

Inspection report for early years provision

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126466 Unique Reference Number 23 April 2007 Inspection date Beth Kingsland 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 was registered in 1993. She lives with her husband and adult son in Westgate, Kent. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed play area for children's outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding six children on a rota basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has a dog, three cats and one rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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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. The children benefit from daily opportunities to engage in physical activities and enjoy opportunities to play outside in the fresh air. Children develop their co-ordination and climbing and balancing skills using equipment, such as the climbing frame and slide in the childminder's garden as well as using larger apparatus at local parks. This helps them understand the importance of taking regular exercise as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Children receive regular snacks, such as biscuits or pieces of fruit from the childminder, which helps them begin to gain an understanding of healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is satisfactory maintained because the childminder implements effective health and hygiene policies to ensure the risk of cross infection is minimised. However, younger children are not introduced to effective hand washing routines during nappy changing procedures, therefore children's health is not assured. The childminder has completed relevant first aid training and deals with accidents effectively recording and sharing information appropriately with parents. Children's health requirements are known and the childminder implements effective procedures to administer medication to children, ensuring they remain healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are fully protected from unwanted visitors through the childminder's clear knowledge of security. The childminder regularly takes children on walks into the local area, and introduces them to the importance of road safety. Consequently, children are kept safe when away from the childminder’s home. Babies can sleep safely within a comfortable environment and the childminder has introduced clear procedures for checking babies as they sleep.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is satisfactorily ensured inside the childminder's home and garden because she generally removes all potential risks and hazards. For example, plug sockets are inaccessible and sheds and greenhouses are kept locked and secured preventing children from accessing these areas. However, insufficient emphasis has been placed on removing medication from children's reach. For example medication is kept in a low level un-locked cupboard. Therefore children's safety is compromised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of child protection issues and was able to discuss what she would do if she had a concern about a child's welfare. The childminder is aware of the procedures to follow and the agencies to contact for support and advice. However, she was unable to confidently discuss the signs and symptoms of abuse as a result, children's safety is satisfactorily protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident, enthusiastic and eager to participate within the activities provided for them. Children are happy and are aware of their surroundings. An appropriate range of activities and equipment are available. However, equipment is generally provided for the children, as a result, opportunities for them to self select and make independent choice is limited. Children

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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 show good levels of concentration and perseverance, discussing the activities they complete and receiving support for the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have opportunities to develop their social skills and play alongside other young children as they attend a variety of groups, enabling them to develop an understanding of sharing, taking turns and securing relationships with their peers. They benefit from opportunities to go on planned outings and visits, for example to the local beach and park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from very secure informal relationships between the childminder and their parents enabling them to settle well and feel self assured. Detailed information is exchanged verbally, including details about what children have eaten, activities they have been involved in and trips out ensuring parents are well informed about what their child has been involved in on a daily basis. Parents are well informed about the service the childminder provides.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about the community through regular walks in the local area. The childminder provides satisfactory opportunities for the children's individual needs to be met. Children begin to gain an understanding about the similarities and differences between themselves and others as the childminder encourages them to value themselves and their peers gaining an understanding about diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children behave well. However, procedures used are the same for all children and do not effectively ensure that children are aware of positive strategies to learn about unacceptable behaviour. For example, 'time-out' is used as a system for punishment. As a result, the childminder's handling of behaviour is not developmentally appropriate, to meet individual children's level of understanding or maturity.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit because the childminder knows them well and is effective in the way she organises her day ensuring she spends individual quality time with each child. She makes appropriate use of her home and garden providing a relaxed and friendly environment in which children are well cared for and outcomes for children are successfully promoted. Consequently, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps clear records of children, which includes details of children's likes, dislikes and individual needs. All information is kept safely and securely to allow for confidentiality.

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Organisation

There are appropriate planning systems in place to ensure effective procedures are adopted to keep children safe and enable them to make satisfactory progress.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The outcome of the previous inspection was inadequate and following this five actions were raised. These were to, develop knowledge and understanding of the regulation pertaining to the administration of medication and ensure that medication records are maintained correctly, provide a suitable range of activities for children, which foster their creativity, are appropriate for their stage of development and are based on their individual needs, develop awareness and

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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 understanding of effective ways to manage children’s behaviour, taking into account their age and stage of development, keep a record of complaints relating to the National Standards and any action taken and ensure that all persons over the age of 16 years living or regularly present in the household when children are being minded undergo checks including a criminal records check. Each action has been addressed, however, issues remain in relation to procedures used to manage children's behaviour. As a result, this forms a recommendation following this inspection.

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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.

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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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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): • develop effective procedures for hand washing to ensure younger children are protected from cross infection • ensure all medication is stored safely • continue to develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues • ensure behaviour management strategies are specific to individual children and reflect their individual needs.

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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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