Henleaze Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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108934 Unique Reference Number 12 April 2007 Inspection date Alison Weaver 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 has been registered since 1996. She has a childcare qualification. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and seven years. They live in a house in Lewes near to schools, shops and parks. The whole of the ground floor and an upstairs bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder has two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding six children. The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder promotes children’s health by ensuring that minded children play in a clean environment. Appropriate hygiene practices include ensuring that the cats do not go on the kitchen work surfaces. Children learn about good personal hygiene through effective everyday routines. They wash their hands after visiting the toilet and before meals. However, the use of

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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 a shared towel is less effective at preventing cross infection. There are good arrangements in place for children who become ill. The childminder is trained in administering first aid and has the necessary equipment so that she can act in the child’s best interest if they have an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy eating through the meals and snacks the childminder provides. They enjoy a variety of fruit at snack times. Easy access to drinks helps children keep their bodies hydrated. The children’s dietary needs are taken into account when providing meals. The childminder works closely with parents to encourage children to eat well. Meals are freshly prepared using fresh ingredients and vegetables. Children have individual salad bowls where they can choose from an interesting variety of foods. The children chat with the childminder about what is good to eat and drink. They learn about the need to stay healthy as they chat together when doing cooking activities and look at books. For example, they discuss the need to brush their teeth and the effect too much sugar has on their bodies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Physical activities are a regular feature of the day and good use is made of local parks and a soft play centre. The children experience a number of different activities on the premises including dancing and gym activities. These help contribute to children’s good health and improves their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Overall, children benefit from a secure and organised home where risks are minimised effectively. These include ensuring there are no trailing wires and using a fireguard. The children are closely supervised at all times in the different areas of the home. However, the cleaning products in a low kitchen cupboard are a risk to children as there is no childproof catch to prevent access to them. An appropriate evacuation plan, smoke alarms and an accessible fire blanket contribute to keeping children safe in the event of a fire. The childminder is currently developing the garden area and is taking the appropriate measures to ensure it is safe for the children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys and resources are age appropriate and well maintained so that children can play free from harm. The childminder organises the activities so that the older children can play safely with their smaller toys away from the younger children. The childminder has clear procedures for outings to help keep children safe whilst in her care; for example, appropriate child restraints are used in the car, emergency contacts are in place and a first aid kit is taken on outings. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder talks to them about stranger danger and the need to be careful of dogs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder’s satisfactory knowledge of signs and symptoms of abuse contribute to the safeguarding of children. She is fully aware of her responsibility to report any concerns about child abuse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy in the homely environment. The children relate well to each other. The older children learn to look after the younger ones and all play happily together. They chat to each other and to the childminder about their home lives and what they are doing. The childminder devotes her time to playing with the children. She builds good, close, caring relationships with the children. The childminder supports the very young children who have

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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 limited vocabulary by teaching them basic sign language. This is very beneficial for these young children as it helps them to communicate their needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children freely make their own choices from a good selection of age appropriate resources. They thoroughly enjoy the activities the childminder provides. Older children make ‘music bands’ and play the instruments. The children have fun using the cutters and rollers to make different shapes in the play dough. The older children make models with the lego. The children explore using their senses, playing in the rice and lentil tray. They bury the toy animals and feel the rice as it pours through their fingers. As they play, the childminder introduces new vocabulary and extends their learning. She helps them learn to count and recognise colours. She supports the children and interacts effectively with them, helping them to achieve and become independent. The use of the low coat pegs helps to promote their independence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a range of interesting experiences outside the home, including outings to the library, parks and Drusillas. They develop their social skills as they attend toddler groups and visit other childminders.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of equal opportunities. She values children as individuals and takes into account their needs when caring for them. The childminder obtains necessary details of each child’s routines and needs from parents so that she can provide consistent care. Children have access to some resources that show positive images of different cultures, religions and disabilities to help extend their understanding of positive differences in society. The childminder has no experience of working with children with learning needs and disabilities. However, she is fully aware of the need to work closely with parents and relevant agencies to ensure that the children develop whilst in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the praise and encouragement given by the childminder. The children are well behaved and show care for each other. They learn to share toys and take turns. The childminder has suitable strategies in place to deal with any inappropriate behaviour. She helps children understand why the behaviour is unacceptable by talking it through with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder verbally discusses her childcare practices with new parents. The childminder gives daily verbal feedback to parents so they are kept informed about their child’s progress. The childminder offers parents the use of care diaries to give written feedback for as long as they wish it. The childminder is not secure in her knowledge of how to deal with any complaints made about her childminding.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children receive appropriate support from the childminder and benefit from a day that meets their daily routine needs. As a result, children feel settled and secure. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The majority of the required documentation and consents are in place and satisfactorily maintained. Overall, the documentation helps to support the care of children and complies with the regulations. The childminder has not been displaying her registration certificate, which is a condition of her registration. The childminder is less well organised in her procedures for the

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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 administration of medication. She fails to keep the written parental consent that she is given for the administering of medication.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has improved some aspects of the administration of medication. She ensures that she gets parents to countersign any records of medicine she has administered to a child. This helps prevent the overdosing of children. The childminder has also increased the range of resources that show positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability. This helps develop children's awareness of diversity.

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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 knowledge of, and systems for, the recording of complaints in line with current regulations • ensure that the written permission from parents for the administration of medication is retained.

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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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