West Garforth Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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107856 Unique Reference Number 13 June 2007 Inspection date Susan Mary Deadman 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 1997. She lives with her husband and two school age children. They live in a detached house near Old Amersham village. Local shops, schools and parks are all within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with toilet and sleeping facilities located within this area. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and currently cares for three children under the age of five years. All children attend on a part-time basis. She offers childminding during school term times only. The childminder takes children to and collects from Henry Allen Nursery and Rectory Hill Nursery and St Mary's School. The family have a pet dog.

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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 have good hygiene routines and regularly wash their hands after using the bathroom. They benefit from the childminder's good hygiene procedures. The bathroom and kitchen area are clean and maintained to a hygienic standard.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy social meal times as they sit together with the childminder at the table for their lunch. Parents of younger children provide the main food, which the childminder stores in the refrigerator. The childminder discusses with parents the individual dietary requirements for the children. This ensures she has a clear understanding of snacks she can provide for them. Children keep hydrated as they have independent access to drinks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes children's welfare as she has a clear understanding of children's medical requirements. She supports the care of children after minor accidents as she holds a relevant first aid certificate; has a suitably stocked first aid box and gains parent's signature on accident records.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to a secure garden and the childminder takes them on walks in the locality, which provides them with plenty of exercise and fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children make choices from a safe range of toys and play materials. They have a good amount of clear space for various types of play in the lounge and kitchen diner. There is a suitable amount of equipment to support the individual needs of children. For example, babies sit in a high chair for their meals and have use of a travel cot for sleep periods.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes several steps to minimise the risk of accidents. The secure rear garden is on two main levels and the childminder is highly vigilant, which promotes the safety of children in this area. Some rooms contain items, which may be a hazard to children if they were unsupervised. For example, the low-level wine rack in the kitchen and the fire irons on the hearth. Children understand how to help keep themselves safe during outings, and they describe road safety procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards children's welfare as she has a basic understanding of her role and responsibility in relation to child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settle well in the childminder's home. They are confident, verbalise their needs and are sociable. The childminder extends the children's learning and supports their interest in their surroundings. Children enjoy discussions about the birds in the garden, which lead to further conversation about their various experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children gain much enjoyment from the good range of play items available to them. They have independent access to toys, which are safe for all ages. They also have a good awareness of

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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 other toys available to them. For example, the childminder keeps many items in a large cupboard and children ask for their particular favourite.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children enjoy sitting in a large tent and read books whilst doing so. They are competent at the large construction items, at which babies also join them. Babies have access to a variety of push and pull toys, which promote their increasing mobility.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children spend much time out of doors and very much enjoy walking the family dog through the local woods. They have access to a very large and exciting garden, which contains swings, slide and football net. Children enjoy lunch on the patio with friends.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder cares for children in a warm manner and meets their needs by giving them much attention. She supports children’s emotional well-being as she gives praise and encouragement. Children behave very well. The childminder encourages them to tidy up after each activity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a generally good partnership with parents. The childminder discusses the children’s requirements with parents and provides them with written feedback. The consistency of care enhances children’s security and promotes their well-being.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a basic procedure in place in relation to complaints. The childminder does not provide parents with the contact details of Ofsted as the regulators, although does tell them that there is a web site.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder's organisation is generally satisfactory. However, there are no effective systems to record children's daily attendance, which is a breach of regulations.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good understanding of caring for young children, which meets their individual needs. She provides them with a varied and interesting environment. The childminder discusses her working methods with parents on a regular basis. For example, she talks to them about behaviour management systems. She records information relating to children's meals, sleep and play on a daily basis and shares this with parents. The childminder gains permission for issues such as car travel and emergency medical treatment. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to develop her knowledge in relation to child protection issues, to devise and emergency evacuation plan and maintain the required records in relation to medication and attendance.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has gained the Buckinghamshire Safeguarding Children board information. This provides her with appropriate contact details should she have any concerns relating to the children's welfare.

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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 Following the previous inspection, the childminder devised a verbal evacuation procedure. There are various escape routes out of the home, working smoke alarms and a fire blanket in the kitchen.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Medication records contain the required information. The childminder gains parent's prior written consent and records the details after administering.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder had made some improvements in relation to the recording of children's daily attendance. However, she has not maintained the accurate recording system. Current records do not clearly show the times the children are on site. A recommendation from this inspection is in place to improve the accuracy of records.

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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 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): • consider completing written risk assessments which identify how children are protected from hazards • gain further understanding of the requirements of regulations in relation to complaints and provide parents with the contact details of Ofsted • further extend systems to ensure the accurate recording of children's daily hours of attendance.

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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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