Langdale Primary School and Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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107852 Unique Reference Number 11 June 2007 Inspection date Keriann Belcher 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 registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and 13 years in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under the age of five and one child after school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with toilet and sleeping facilities situated on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the local toddler groups and park.

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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 are beginning to learn basic hygiene routines. For example, they are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. They are generally protected from cross infection, as the childminder has a policy of excluding children with infectious illnesses.

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Helping children to be healthy

They receive appropriate care if they have accidents as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. Accident and medication records are maintained. However, the records do not contain what to do in the event of medication required to be administered in an emergency, which could compromise children's safety.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are met in consultation with parents. The childminder provides children with a variety of nutritious meals to meet their individual needs. They enjoy healthy foods, such as strawberries, cucumber and grapes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to develop healthy bodies. They go out daily in the fresh air and move freely and confidently around the childminding areas.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is friendly and welcoming for children. There is their own art work and pictures of day trips they have been out on displayed in the playroom. Children use all available space well; they access the toys and equipment with ease.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children keep safe whilst in the childminder's care as she is generally vigilant to potential hazards and reminds children to take care when running for example, so as not to bump others or hurt themselves. She has devised a fire evacuation plan. However, this has not been practised with the children to ensure that they are familiar with the procedure in the event of an emergency. The garden has not been made totally safe since it was last used.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's sound knowledge and understanding of child protection matters. She knows the signs and symptoms a child may exhibit that could indicate they were being harmed and also the procedure to follow to report such concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are progressing in their development as there is a good range of activities and experiences provided by the childminder. For example, through everyday activities such as, visiting local toddler groups, shopping and musical song times. Children are making good progress in all areas of their development as the childminder has a good understanding of how children learn. For example, older children are encouraged to develop their language skills and thinking. As they enjoy looking at pictures of animals collected on a recent trip and answering related written questions. Younger children are included in the activity as they look for colours and shapes.

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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 are encouraged to be creative and imaginative through such activities as making cards for Fathers day using a variety of different materials. They have great fun singing and dancing to musical rhymes such as "The Wheels on the Bus and Heads, shoulders, knees and toes".

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's behaviour is managed by the childminder using positive and age-appropriate methods. Consequently they learn right and wrong in ways they understand. The childminder also encourages children to respect each other, and each other's property. For example, children apologise to each other if they accidentally hurt each other and politely ask for equipment. This approach fosters children's self-esteem, and makes them feel valued.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties or disabilities are welcome in the childminder’s home as she has a positive attitude towards this area of childcare, and some experience. However, children have very limited access to resources or activities that enable them to develop a positive view of diversity within society.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are confident and at ease within the childminder's home. This enables them to fully engage in meaningful activities throughout their day with her. She is generally efficient about maintaining all required records. Written information is detailed and kept up-to-date to ensure accuracy, thereby safe-guarding the welfare of the children.

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Organisation

The family home is clean and offers sufficient space for children to play freely and safely. Overall, the childminder takes steps to reduce hazards both inside and outdoors. However, the safety of the garden has not been maintained or the fire evacuation plan regularly practised which compromises children's safety.

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Organisation

The effective working relationship the childminder enjoys with parents adds to children's sense of belonging and contentment. Overall children's individual needs are respected and they are treated with equal concern. However, there are limited resources that reflect positive images of diversity.

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Organisation

The childminder is committed to enhancing her childcare skills by attending further training courses and workshops, such as the introductory to childminding practise and the Birth to three matters. She is also a member of the Buddy scheme in the Local Council which supports newly registered childminders. As a result, the children's experiences while in her care remain positive and in-line with current good-practice.

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Organisation

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 last inspection, the childminder was asked to ensure hygienic procedures are followed during nappy changes to prevent the spread of infection. She has purchased a changing mat to use for nappy changing and applies high standards of hygiene, for example soiled nappies are sealed in a bag and disposed of in the bin outside.

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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

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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 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 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 guidance for giving medication in an emergency • enhance the resources and activities for diversity • practise the fire drill • ensure the safety of the garden is maintained.

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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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