Fairfield High School for Girls

Inspection report for early years provision

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136593 Unique Reference Number 30 April 2007 Inspection date Susan Linda Capon 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 has been registered since 1999. She lives with her son aged nine years in a home situated in the London Borough of Bromley. The childminder also has a lodger who lives on the premises. All areas of the ground floor are available for childminding. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years old. She is currently caring for six children on a part-time basis. The childminder also cares for three children over eight years on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a qualified primary school teacher. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder makes regular use of the local amenities including the parent and toddler groups, library and parks. The family have no pets.

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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 good. Children play in a clean environment, where infection and cross-contamination is significantly reduced. The childminder has good daily routines, cleaning her home after the children leave each day. This includes vacuuming her carpets and cleaning her work surfaces, using anti-bacterial spray. She uses good nappy changing routines as she washes her hands well before and after changing a child's nappy. She thoroughly cleans the changing mat between use and all soiled nappies are suitably disposed in a covered bin, preventing the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

All the children are developing a good understanding of how to keep themselves healthy and free from infection. Older children know they wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet to prevent the spread of germs. The childminder reminds younger children to wash their hands after stroking the animals when they visit the local farm and when they play with the sand. She covers the outdoor sand tray, ensuring the sand is safe and clean for the children's use.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder follows safe food handling routines when she prepares, stores, cooks and serves food, keeping the children free from cross-contamination.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are safe-guarded through the childminder's safe procedures for administering any medication to children. She only administers medication with written parental consent and shares the record with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive suitable treatment when they have an accident. The childminder has a relevant first aid qualification and two suitable first aid kits readily available for use. She always takes one with her on outings. The childminder records all accidents which she also shares with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents do not send their child to setting if they are unwell with an infectious or contagious illness. This is in line with the childminder's sickness policy and procedures, helping to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder follows good procedures when a child in her care becomes unwell, keeping the other children healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are developing a good understanding of the importance of being healthy. They enjoy regular walks to and from school and visit the local parks to use the large play apparatus. Younger children enjoy developing their climbing and sliding skills in the garden as they use the small climbing frame. All the children enjoy playing with the variety of balls in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

All the children enjoy regular drinks throughout the day. Very young children make their individual needs known to the childminder and enjoy a bottle of milk after playing in the garden. Older children access fresh drinking water independently.

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Helping children to be healthy

Some of the children enjoy the healthy meals and drinks their parents provide. The childminder ensures these are suitably stored and re-heated appropriately to prevent cross-contamination. Other children enjoy the healthy, nutritious home-made meals provided by the childminder. She uses fresh ingredients including fruit and vegetables. The childminder is aware of the individual likes and dislikes of all the children and keeps processed foods, including sausages and chicken nuggets to a minimum.

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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 The children sit together at the dining table for their snacks and meals. Younger children use a booster seat, enabling them to join the older children and be part of the group. The children are encouraged to use good table manners as they share their news with one another about their day. In the warmer weather, the children also enjoy sitting outdoors at the child-sized patio table, chairs and umbrella, having their meal or a picnic.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children spend their day in a warm, welcoming, child-orientated home. It is clean, bright, suitably maintained and adequately heated throughout.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All the children have ample space to move around freely in the large open-plan lounge, dining room. There is a dedicated play room filled with an extensive range of toys, equipment and activities. They are readily available to meet the needs of all the children attending the setting. It is very well-organised with equipment stored on low level shelving and in large containers. Younger children are unable to access any small pieces, keeping them safe from choking.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children under two years old use suitable, safe, clean equipment relevant to their individual developmental needs. For example, they use suitable car seats or a buggy when travelling outdoors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in a safe and secure environment. The childminder has identified all the potential hazards indoors and outdoors, minimising these to prevent potential accidents. For example, she has no trailing wires and all sockets are covered. Children are learning to keep themselves safe. They hold the childminder's hand when managing the small step on their way out to the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder supervises the children well. She is fully aware of where the children are at all times, checking on them if they go out of her sight in the garden. Indoors the open plan area enables her to see the children as they play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has good fire safety arrangements in place. She has working smoke alarms to both floors, a fire blanket secured in her kitchen and suitable arrangements for leaving the premises in an emergency. She practises the emergency evacuation procedures with the children, ensuring they know what they need to do.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe and secure when out and about away from the premises. When walking, younger children use a buggy and older children are encouraged to hold hands when they cross the road. The children are learning about the dangers of the busy roads and traffic. In a vehicle the childminder ensures all the children are using an appropriate seat and restraint relevant to their individual age and stage of development. She does not have written parental consent to transport the children in her vehicle or to take them on outings. This does not ensure the children's safety at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All the children are fully protected through the childminder's sound knowledge and understanding of managing child protection issues. She has the relevant documents and information to hand to enable her to seek help and advice if she is concerned about a child in her care.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children enjoy their time with the childminder. They have developed a good relationship with her and her family, making them feel safe and secure in the setting. This in turn helps them to develop and progress appropriately.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children are encouraged to develop their independence skills as they play. For example, younger children explore the climbing equipment under the supervision of the childminder. They develop their confidence and self-esteem as they manage to climb the steps and use the slide without help. Older children select their own resources and dress themselves without help.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children develop their all-round skills as they play with the toys and equipment available. They are able to progress and develop appropriately as the range is relevant to each child's age and stage of development. The childminder uses her teaching skills to help the children to develop their mathematical and language skills as they play. She listens carefully to younger children, encouraging them to develop their language skills and make themselves understood. The childminder is aware of the individual needs and likes and dislikes of all the children. For example, she plays word games with a child who particularly enjoys these activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All the children are encouraged to develop their imagination. Several children particularly enjoy dressing-up or using the range of art and craft equipment to make their own creations. For example, children enjoy making masks.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children enjoy many opportunities to develop their social skills as they attend a range of parents and toddler groups. They enjoy the local library baby bounce sessions and singing activities at a local group. Older children particularly enjoy the holiday activities at the local shopping centre.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder displays the children's art work on a notice board in the play room developing their confidence and self-esteem. All the children are learning about right and wrong as they are encouraged to play well together and share the toys and equipment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder keeps written records of younger children's development and progress which she shares with the parents on a daily basis. She is aware of Birth to three matters documentation and incorporates this into her setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder makes the children and their families welcome. She treats each child as an individual. For example, she incorporates younger children's routines into her day as required to maintain continuity of care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All the children access a good range of toys, equipment and activities, promoting positive images for all areas of equal opportunities. Children attend from a range of cultural backgrounds and the childminder ensures they learn about each other and the world around them. For example, the children learn about the importance of Henna art for other religions. Visits to other groups enable younger children to learn more about their local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses her previous experience of caring for children with special needs to ensure all children are fully included in her setting. She regularly observes the children and discusses

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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 any concerns regarding a child's individual development and progress with the parents, encouraging them to seek further help and advice as required. The childminder fully supports the child and their family. She works together with any other professionals to ensure she meets the individual needs of the child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All the children behave well in the setting. They are aware of the consistent house rules. The childminder encourages good behaviour through regular praise and encouragement. She rewards older children with stickers. The childminder claps when a younger child achieves something new. She uses suitable strategies to manage undesirable behaviour with "time-out" being the ultimate deterrent. This is rarely required.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good relationships the childminder develops with their parents. Several of the children have older siblings attending. Some children have attended the setting for several years, demonstrating the parent’s confidence in the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All the parents have written contracts with the childminder, identifying each party’s expectations of one another and the care required for each child. Parents see the childminders portfolio, including the policies and procedures for the setting. They know how to make a complaint and are confident it will be dealt with appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder verbally discusses each child's day with their parents. A contact book keeps parents of younger children fully informed about their day. Both parties share information about the child. For example, parents may advise the childminder if their child has not slept well the previous night.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder will not release any minded child to an unknown individual. She only shares a child's records with their parents, maintaining confidentiality at all times.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is suitable to work with children and she never leaves them alone with an un-vetted person. The childminder has good arrangements with a local qualified, pre-school staff member to care for the children in an emergency. She has written consent from all the children's parents to do this.

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Organisation

The childminder organises her premises well to provide suitable areas for the children to rest, sleep, eat, play, enjoy "messy" activities and spend time outdoors.

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Organisation

The children's daily attendance is well-recorded, including their arrival and departure times. All holidays and sickness are also noted. This ensures the childminder always knows which children are in her care at any one time, keeping them safe and secure.

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Organisation

Several children attend on a part-time basis and the childminder organises her work well, keeping within her registration terms at all times. She ensures the older children attending do not adversely affect the care of the younger children.

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Organisation

The childminder demonstrates a professional approach to her work as she provides parents with good information about her setting through her organised portfolio. All her records are well-organised and suitably stored to maintain confidentiality at all times.

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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 The childminder keeps abreast of any changes to the National Standards. For example, she displays her certificate during working hours, enabling parents to see she is working to her registration at all times and keeping the children safe and secure.

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Organisation

The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made all the suggested improvements following her last inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She now has working smoke alarms to both floors of her home to improve her fire safety precautions. The childminder regularly practises her emergency evacuation procedures to ensure the children's safety at all times.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She keeps her front door locked with the key inaccessible to the children. This prevents children leaving the premises unnoticed, keeping them safe at all times.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Written parental consent to seek emergency treatment is now part of the general contract agreement made with the parents. This ensures the children's safety at all times.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order or 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): • obtain written parental consent to transport children in a vehicle and to take them on outings.

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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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