Crookhey Hall School

Inspection report for early years provision

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119849 Unique Reference Number 09 May 2007 Inspection date Lilyanne Taylor 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 1994. She lives with her husband and three children, two teen-age and one school age. They live in a detached house on the outskirts of Shanklin on the Isle of Wight. All areas of the accommodation are suitable for their purpose. However, the childminder chooses to only use the lower floor of the property for minding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The premises are within walking distance to local shops, pre-schools, schools and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children while working alone and nine children when working with an assistant. Currently there are nine children on roll; of these two attend part time.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected from the spread of infection through the effective procedures and practices the childminder has in place. Children learn about their own personal hygiene through

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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 daily routines, for example, they use a wet wipe to clean their hands after toileting and prior to eating. The premises are kept clean and all surfaces are wiped prior to the serving of food. Although the childminder has effective procedures in place for administering medication and dealing with minor injuries, she does not seek the necessary permission from all parents to be able to deal with emergency first aid situations. Consequently, not all children's health is able to be fully protected. Younger children are able to sleep and rest according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Most of the time children bring in packed lunches from home. The childminder looks at the contents of lunch boxes and refrigerates any perishable items to ensure they remain suitable for consumption.

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Helping children to be healthy

If children are provided with snacks they usually consist of fresh fruit. Children have access to drinks throughout the time they are in the childminder's care, which ensures they do not go thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children do not have the opportunity to be out in the fresh air each day. As a result they do not regularly engage in activities that support their large motor development. Children are not taken out of the home for walks and they only have opportunities to use a small climbing frame, slide and ride on toys in the rear garden when the weather is fine.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure environment, which is organised to enable them to move around safely. The premises are kept secure and systems in place ensure only authorised persons gain entry. Good systems and procedures are in place for the collection of children; children are only allowed to be collected by persons their parents have authorised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All toys and equipment are appropriate for the age range of children attending. The childminder checks the toys children use to ensure they are safe. Children are able to access the toys and resources made available to them safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Although the childminder keeps a record of children attending these are not consistently filled in each day to show the actual time they are present. In addition to this records do not show when assistants are present, so it is not clear to see who has been caring for the children at any one time. As a result children's safety is compromised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Regular checks are carried out on sleeping children to ensure they are safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are able to exit the premises safely in the event of an emergency; regular fire practises are carried out.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected from possible abuse or neglect; the childminder has a good understanding of the procedures she is required to follow with any concerns she may have and is fully aware of the different types of abuse and the signs to look for. She is also aware of the procedures she should follow should an allegation of abuse be made against her or any other person living or working in the household. In addition to this systems are in place to record any injuries children may come in with.

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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 satisfactory. Children are happy, settled and well cared for in the childminders home. They are provided with a relaxed, home-from-home environment, which meets their individual needs and makes them feel secure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relate well to the childminder and her assistant and enjoy their company. They interact with the children well, which helps develop children's language and communication skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has little knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework. As a result the range of activities children under the age of three are provided with does not fully support their development in all areas. Children develop their hand and eye-co-ordination while building a tower with bricks, and when threading cotton reels and buttons onto string to make a necklace. They count the number of bricks they have and enjoy sitting on the assistants lap to listen to a story. However, children have few opportunities to develop their large motor skills by engaging in a range of outdoor activities or to explore, investigate and play with everyday household items or natural materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy playing alongside one another; they share play items and take turns. Children respond well to the praise they are given in recognition of their achievements which raises their confidence and self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed into the provision. Children's individual needs and those of working parents are able to be met because patterns of attendance are able to be flexible.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are able to make their own choices of activities from the range of resources available. They are learning how to respect and care for the toys because they are encouraged to help pack them away when they have finished playing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children show care and concern for one another; in the presence of the childminder they help to feed the baby, and they enquire where their friends are if they are not in attendance.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children become aware of the boundaries and behavioural expectations of the setting through the clear and consistent guidance they receive, which is appropriate to their age and stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the good rapport and working relationship the childminder establishes with parents. She obtains information from them about their child's needs which contributes significantly to their well-being. The effective two- way sharing of information on a daily basis ensures children are provided with continuity of care, appropriately supported and their individual needs met. New children feel welcomed and secure. They are able to attend pre-visits with their parents so they get to know the childminder and the environment in which they will be cared for. The childminder explains to parents the operational procedures she works to which ensures the child's transition from home to the childminder's is smooth. Parent's permission regarding the care children are able to receive is sought for the majority of children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are informed of the procedures they should follow if they have any views or concerns about the provision. The childminder has appropriate systems in place for dealing with complaints

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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 and procedures she would follow include responding to parents, informing them of the action she has taken in addressing any views or concerns they have expressed.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are well cared for by a suitably experienced and qualified childminder. They are protected from persons who have not been suitably vetted by the childminder's close supervision. In addition to this all persons living and working in the household have been vetted to ensure they are suitable to be in contact with children under eight years. Children feel confident and secure in the company of the childminder and her assistant.

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Organisation

Indoor play space is laid out to provide opportunities for children to engage in an adequate range of activities that support most areas of their development.

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Organisation

Parents are welcomed into the home and kept well informed of the care provided for their children. However, because some documentation is not in place and records are not maintained as required this has an impact on the childminder's ability to ensure the health and safety of children is effectively promoted at all times.

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Organisation

The childminder is aware the information she holds about children is confidential so is careful to keep it safe.

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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 written permission is obtained at all times before administering medication to children and keep a written record, signed by parents of all those administered.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Appropriate procedures for administering medication are now in place. As a result children's health is protected.

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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.

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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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Complaints 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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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): • ensure permission to seek emergency treatment/ advice is sought for all children • develop existing knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework so that the range of activities provided for children under the age of three supports their development in all areas • ensure children's records of attendance are consistently filled in to show the actual hours they are present and the names of adults that have been caring for them

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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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