Southwood Infants' School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

101215 Unique Reference Number 14 May 2007 Inspection date Hilary Elizabeth Tierney Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives in a detached property in the semi-rural area of The Reddings in Cheltenham. She shares her home with her husband and two grown-up sons. The whole of the property is available for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden to the rear of the house available for outside play. The family has one dog, two sheep, two goats and some chickens. There are local shops and amenities within walking distance.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered for 17 years. She may provide care for six children under eight years of age. She offers part-time care on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the year. She currently has five children on the roll. Minded children attend two local parent-and-toddler groups and are taken on outings to the nearby park .

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children are beginning to learn about satisfactory personal hygiene practices. The childminder encourages them to wash their hands before meals, after touching the animals, using the toilet

p.2

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 and being outside. No children attend when sick, this helps to prevent the spread of infection. All necessary documentation is in place to record any accidents that may occur to children and any medication that is administered. However, the childminder has not renewed her first aid training, this puts children at risk. The childminder has obtained written parental permission to enable her to seek emergency medical advice or treatment should she need to. This prevent any delays in the event of an accident.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular access to fresh air and exercise. They regularly go on outings and play in the enclosed garden where they may access the paddock to see the childminder's animals. They are able to collect eggs and feed the animals.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy eating. Parents are able to supply their own food if required, but the childminder also prepares food for the children. Snacks comprise of carrot sticks, apples and biscuits. Drinks are offered during the day. Children are encouraged to eat and drink in the kitchen. The childminder has a suitable awareness regarding children's individual dietary needs.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The home is well maintained and welcoming for children. Resources although limited are adequate for the children attending and most are easily accessible.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has put in place adequate precautions to ensure children are safe when in her care. There are appropriately placed gates to restrict children's access to areas unsupervised. No parental written permissions have been obtained to enable the childminder to transport children in a vehicle or take them on outings. Although the childminder has thought about an emergency evacuation plan she has not practised this with children. This puts children at risk. Suitably placed smoke alarms are in place, which are checked regularly. Details of authorised people who may collect children are obtained on registration forms. This helps to protect children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected adequately. The childminder has a suitable understanding about the need to record existing injuries of children and share these with parents. She has a clear knowledge regarding the indicators of abuse. However she has a limited understanding regarding the changes to procedures under the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and content as they play. Although resources during the inspection were limited. Children play happily with what is on offer. This included a selection of cars, jigsaws, stickle bricks. Activities lack focus and have little direction to help children develop, the childminder has not yet implemented the Birth to three matters framework.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Interactions between childminder and children is satisfactory. The childminder talks to children with care and affection, offering cuddles to reassure them when needed. She speaks clearly to them as they play and carefully explains what they are playing with and how to put the jigsaws back together. When children hear an aeroplane outside, the childminder asks them to listen and tries to show them where it is, children point to the sky, then start to play with their own planes.

p.3

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 Children are regularly taken on outings and into the paddock at the rear of the house to help feed the animals.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. The childminder is caring and shows great affection towards children in her care. She talks to them as they play. Children who have English as an additional language are encouraged and supported appropriately in their language development. The childminder speaks clearly to them about what they are doing. However there are limited resources that reflect the diversity within the community, this limits the children's understanding about the world around them.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They are happy, play alongside each other amicably. They are learning to share and take turns. They have settled well during their time with the childminder. Verbal agreements with parents regarding the management of behaviour ensures consistency between the home and childminder. Praise and encouragement is used to encourage good behaviour.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

A satisfactory relationship with parents has developed. They are kept informed about their child's day and understand they are able to contact the childminder at any time during the day to discuss any issues. Parents' comments show they are happy with the care provided and they feel their child's requirements are met. However, the childminder has not kept them informed about the complaints procedure and how to contact the regulator if they need to. Not all written parental permissions are in place, which puts children at risk. The childminder has parental emergency contact numbers easily accessible and details of authorised people to collect children are collected on registration forms.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder had some paperwork available for the inspection. She displays her registration certificate so parents are able to see the conditions of registration easily.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder has not kept her first aid training up-to-date and this puts children's health at risk. She has a limited understanding regarding the complaints procedure and therefore has not developed a system for recording any complaints, from parents, should they occur. Although names of children attending are recorded for the week ahead, their daily hours of attendance are not. This means it is unclear to check if correct ratios are being maintained at all times.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The provider had two recommendations from the last inspection. These were to extend current documentation to include information on specific care needs and request from parents prior written consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment, and ensure that they acknowledge all entries in the medication records with a signature.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

These have been completed adequately and the childminder now has obtained parental permission for seeking emergency advice or treatment and they acknowledge entries in the medication records with a signature. This ensures children's health is protected. Contracts with parents, now include any specific care needs of children.

p.4

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

p.4

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care, the registered person must take the following actions: • Ensure first aid training is in place and kept up-to-date • Improve knowledge and develop systems for recording complaints, in line with regulations • Ensure daily accurate records of children's attendance are kept. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5