Mill Hill Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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121330 Unique Reference Number 08 June 2007 Inspection date Anne Jacqueline Nicholson 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 a registered childminder since 1993. She lives with her husband and three children in a residential area close to Knaphill, Horsell, Goldsworth Park and Brookwood. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding nine children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler groups and takes children to the local park. The family have one cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children regularly enjoy opportunities to get out in the fresh air and access some form of physical activity each day. They walk to and from their local pre-school and school, play in the garden or at local parks. They develop a good awareness of how to maintain a healthy body. The childminder ensures that their need for active and rest periods each day is built into the daily routine. They develop a good awareness of personal hygiene skills, washing their hands

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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 before food and after the toilet and messy play. Younger children receive support to wash their hands and faces.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a valid paediatric first aid qualification and has comprehensive systems in place to clearly record any accidents, incidents and medication she may administer. Parents provide prior written agreement for the childminder to administer medication. When children hurt themselves or feel unwell the childminder uses her training, policies and documentation to ensure that they receive the appropriate care and treatment. Parents read any entries and acknowledge these by signing against the details.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents record their children’s individual dietary needs on initial contact forms. Children receive a healthy balance of foods through the day provided mainly by their parents with the childminder providing additional snacks. They are well-nourished and have access to drinks throughout the day. Children sit at the table or in highchairs to eat together. They develop good hygiene routines and wash their hands before eating. Good table manners are reinforced whilst sitting with each other and the childminder. They learn to understand which foods are good for them and discuss what they do to help the body.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children receive care and can safely play in an environment routinely made safe and secure from any potential hazard prior to their daily arrival. The childminder ensures that children can independently access an excellent range of resources and activities that help promote their continual development. Plenty of space is accessible for them to play freely with resources both on the floor and on table tops. Children have regular access to the garden and nearby parks for more physical play opportunities. Children practise a fire drill approximately each month, the time and day of this is varied to ensure that all the part-time attending children can participate. The childminder keeps written records of when these occur and who is present. Children gain an excellent awareness of how to keep safe, both within the setting and outside, as the childminder reinforces with them about road safety and their own personal safety whilst

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

out. Holding onto the pushchair, staying in sight of her and listening to instructions reinforcing appropriate behaviour.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's personal welfare remains strongly protected through the childminder's excellent knowledge of current child protection procedures. She has recently undertaken child protection training to ensure she remains up-to-date with current practice. She has clear written policies in place highlighting to parents her obligation to put children's welfare first. Any pre-existing injuries on children are clearly recorded and parents sign these entries.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy a good range of play opportunities and creative activities both inside and outside of the home environment. The childminder ensures that she plans a flexible timetable for the week to meet the needs of all the children who all attend on a part-time basis. She plans in her regular commitments, for example nursery and school drop off and collections and then provides activities and play opportunities to meet the individual needs of the children attending on the day.

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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 Children access resources from the floor and shelving within the room. They receive encouragement to assist with the tidying up after play has finished to ensure there is space for new toys to go out. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of Birth to three matters framework training and she uses this as guidance when considering and planning activities. Younger children receive excellent support with the childminder getting down to their eye level and playing on the floor with them. She listens to them, developing conversations on what they see and are doing and valuing what they say in response. Whilst children play with interactive toys, developing their co-ordination skills, the childminder supports them providing verbal encouragement on where to place pieces and excitement when they manage this. Children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

enjoy meeting up to play with other children at parent and toddler groups and at a soft play gym. Children receive a wide variety of opportunities throughout the year to participate in activities that promote a positive awareness of the wider world. They enjoy doing creative work and children display good relationships with the childminder. These activities along with the positive interaction they receive from the childminder helps them to develop in confidence, independence and self-esteem. They interact positively with her and happily seek her support and assistance when they need it.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder promotes the positive inclusion of all children and this is supported in her equal opportunity and special needs policies. Children receive opportunities to gain an awareness of other countries and cultures through using resources and taking part in planned activities relating to festivals and themes. Their awareness of the wider world develops further whilst participating in practical activities and opportunities that explore nature and other countries. They enjoy doing creative collages using leaves and paint and their tree is on display on the wall. Children are valued as individuals and the childminder uses her knowledge of them to identify any learning difficulties. Activities and resources promoting children's awareness of other types of disabilities are limited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children gain an understanding of what constitutes good behaviour and receive plenty of appropriate positive praise during the day. Younger children behave extremely well in relation to their level of understanding and maturity because the childminder is consistent with her reinforcement of the boundaries and allows them to learn to control their own behaviour. She ensures that they hear consistent messages on what is acceptable behaviour and also what may happen to them if they do not follow this guidance. For instance if they climb on a toy they may fall. There are house rules in place as well as a behaviour management policy. Children constantly receive plenty of verbal encouragement, praise and physical reassurance. She reinforces achievements with words of encouragement. Children display good manners and younger children demonstrate a good awareness of what 'no' means and the appropriate and inappropriate ways of playing with toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder's partnership with parents and carers is very good. Parents receive information relating to their child's day both verbally and in the daily diary. They also see comprehensive written information about the provision in her policy file. The childminder works closely with parents to develop partnerships supporting children to achieve their full potential. Children settle quickly aided by the parents and childminder acting together to provide consistent messages. Parents see the procedure to follow if they wish to raise a complaint or concern about the service they receive and the information is compliant with the Addendum to the National Standards October 2005 legislation.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Since her last inspection the childminder has made a strong commitment to furthering her professional and organisational development. She is working hard to continually develop the provision she offers and also to complete additional training to increase and consolidate her childcare knowledge. Clear and comprehensively written policies and procedures are provided for parents.

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Organisation

The children and parents benefit from the effective organisation of the provision. Children are well cared for in a setting where the childminder ensures that children’s health, safety and developmental needs are actively met. The childminder ensures she plans in time for each child individually and that all adults who come into regular contact with the children are suitably vetted. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the following recommendations were made. The childminder was to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and this has been effectively addressed through her completing additional child protection training and updating her policies to reflect this. It was recommended that she ensure all incidents and existing injuries involving minded children are recorded, that she obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children and record information about children's allergies. These are now all effectively recorded and acknowledged with parental signatures.

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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. 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): • increase the activities and play opportunities available that positively promote an awareness of disabilities and learning difficulties.

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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 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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