Buxted CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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114493 Unique Reference Number 05 June 2007 Inspection date Bridget Richardson 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 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 was registered in 1995. She lives with her husband and two children aged 18 and 16 years in Horsham. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group and takes children to the local library and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding eight children all of whom attend on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a clean environment where they learn to follow good hygiene practices. For example, children have individual towels, flannels, bedding, cutlery and drinking cups of differing

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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 colours to help to minimise the risk of cross infection. The childminder cleans her home before children arrive and ensures toys are appropriately clean for children to play with by cleaning with an anti-bacterial agent weekly. The childminder does not allow shoes to be worn in her home, to help ensure the areas children play in are clean. Clear procedures are in place on outings to ensure children are able to clean their hands before touching food.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder hold a current first aid certificate. This means she can give appropriate care if there is an accident. Parents give prior written consent to administer medication that ensures children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. Children who are infectious do not attend which helps prevent the spread of contagious diseases.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy varied and nutritious meals which meet special dietary needs and ensure children remain healthy. There are effective storage procedures for the food provided by parents to prevent spoiling. Children can help themselves to a drink whenever they need one and the childminder encourages children to drink plenty especially in warm weather to prevent dehydration. Children enjoy many opportunities to take part in physical play, both indoors and out.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder offers a warm and welcoming environment for children which is well organised to meet their needs. The childminder has a wide range of toys and resources that meet the needs of all the children attending. Children are interested and want to play with the toys available and are able to access the full range easily, promoting their independence and freedom of choice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are generally secure and there are good procedures in place for the safe arrival and departure of children. However, the garden is not completely secure, which means risks to children's safety has not been minimised sufficiently to prevent them from leaving the garden unsupervised. Indoors the childminder has minimised risks to children well. For example, stair gates have been placed at the bottom of the stairs and across the kitchen to prevent children from accessing. Low-level glass that is not safe has been protected with film to ensure that it does not pose a hazard to children. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have been fitted on each level of the property and a fire blanket has been suitably fitted in the kitchen to ensure that the childminder and children can leave the property efficiently in the event of an emergency. The childminder has clear procedures for outings that ensure children's safety. She has gained

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

relevant permissions from parents for outings by car and on public transport and teaches children from a young age to cross the road safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what action to take if she has concerns about a child in her care. This ensures the childminder recognises when a child is in danger and acts in the child's best interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are relaxed and settled in the warm, family atmosphere. They are happy and confidently choose toys and resources for themselves. They enjoy a good variety of activities that are appropriate to their ages. The interesting and worthwhile range of activities and outings provided

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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 help children learn about the world in which they live. For example, to local parks, farms, shops, travelling on public transport and visits to the airport.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relate well to the childminder and are beginning to learn important social skills. They have access to a good range of well chosen resources which are used to support children's learning and development in all areas. The childminder is very attentive and offers a range of both planned and free play activities. The childminder spends a great deal of time playing directly with the children and they listen with great interest as she explains things to them or joins in with their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder confidently adapts activities to ensure all children attending are included in activities. She praises and encourages children appropriately, which promotes their confidence and self-esteem. For example, following children's interest in counting by introducing a number book so that the child could count the items and start to recognise the number it related to. The younger child attending joined in with the activity pointing to the pictures as seen completed by the childminder and other child and pretended to count. The childminder praised the child's efforts and counted along with the child. Both children were engrossed in the activity and able to play co-operatively with support from the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder ensures she knows about children's needs with regard to culture so that she can help the child acknowledge their own culture and see it as important. She takes time to learn some words in children's home language so that she can understand children's basic needs. Children enjoy positive relationships with the childminder and each other. They are developing confidence and self-esteem. The childminder has a range of resources that reflect positive images of all aspects of society. This means children learn to acknowledge and accept differences. The childminder has good systems in place to support children who have special needs. Close liaison with parents means the childminder helps to ensure children's individual needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from lots of praise and encouragement and from some basic ground rules that are consistently applied. The childminder supervises children appropriately at all times to support and guide children in their play. Children behaviour is generally good and they play well together. They learn to share and take turns whilst playing, with support from the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. There are both formal and informal systems in place for the childminder and parents to share information about children's individual needs to ensure parents are kept fully informed at all times.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are very at home and benefit from the well organised play space provided. They receive good support from the childminder who enjoys their company and knows them well helping them feel secure and confident. The childminder is organised and plans routines around the individual needs of each child, ensuring each day is varied and interesting.

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Organisation

Documentation is organised and maintained confidentially. All persons living in the household over the age of sixteen have undertaken the relevant checks to ensure their suitability. However,

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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 some weaknesses remain in the outcomes for children as the garden is not suitably secure to prevent children from leaving unsupervised. The childminder has completed an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for babies and young children to enhance her practice. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two actions were raised to ensure all persons living in the household over the age of 16 years undertake the relevant checks and to ensure that the number of children attending at any one time does not exceed the certificate of registration.

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Improvements since the last inspection

All persons in the household over the age of 16 years have undertaken the relevant checks to ensure they are suitable to be around children and the childminder is clearly aware of ensuring that the number of children attending at any one time does not exceed her registration certificate and has reduced the number of children cared for.

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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 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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure the garden is secure so that children cannot leave unsupervised.

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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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