Long Marston Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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121575 Unique Reference Number 30 July 2007 Inspection date June Fielden 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 was registered in 1998. She lives with her partner, two adult children and two school aged children of 12 and 14, in Merstham, Surrey. The childminder's husband is also a registered childminder. However, he does not yet have any children on roll, he occasionally assists his wife when she is minding. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding plus a first floor bathroom and bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, and is currently minding two children full-time, and seven children part-time. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder regularly attends local toddler groups and a childminding support group. The family have one dog, three cats, guinea pigs and rabbits as pets.

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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 outstanding. Children are cared for in an exceptionally friendly and welcoming environment. The childminder has efficient sickness procedures to maintain children's health. They are excluded if they have anything contagious, in order to protect the wellbeing of others. Her accident records are exceedingly well kept, and written permission is obtained before any medication is given. The childminder has a wide range of hygiene routines in place. These include, ensuring that the animals food and water bowls are inaccessible to children, and that they clean their hands when they have touched the pets. Children also wash their hands before they eat, and when they have been to the toilet, to prevent the risk of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered an extremely well planned diet, as the childminder has an excellent understanding of healthy eating. She encourages children to sample different foods, and offers a wide variety of fruit at snack time. Children are given nutritional dishes, which include food they particularly enjoy. Drinks are regularly offered to younger children, to ensure they are not thirsty, and older children help themselves from a water cooler.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with exceedingly good opportunities to exercise. They are taken on outings to parks, swimming pools and different groups, to strengthen their muscles while socialising with others. They also play in the childminder's garden where there is a substantial selection of toys and equipment for them to use. Children follow their own sleep patterns, and can rest either in their buggy, on the settee or in a travel cot.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from having the use of their own playroom. This is made bright and colourful by the pictures, photographs and posters which decorate the walls. Children move around freely in the playroom, where most of the toys are easily accessible to them. The equipment and resources available are appropriate to the age and abilities of all children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is assured through the effective measures the childminder has in place to protect children's wellbeing. The childminder regularly checks that smoke alarms are functioning properly, and she has written an emergency escape plan, which she practices with children. A fire blanket and socket covers are fitted, to safeguard them from harm. However, there are currently some hazards in the house and garden, which impact on children's welfare. These include a fire grate that is accessible to children in the house, and some ivy and bricks in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and is aware of the signs of abuse to look for. She regularly updates her knowledge of this subject, and is aware of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures, and how to seek advice when necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children quickly engage in activities when they arrive at the childminder's home, as they feel settled and comfortable in her company. They happily play ball with the friendly dog, and

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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 handle the other pets under the childminder's supervision. Young children are provided with a stimulating selection of toys to use, arousing their interest, and enabling them to play independently for short periods of time. Children show confidence when talking to visitors, as they are continually engaged in purposeful conversation by the childminder. She has an excellent understanding of children's personal circumstances, and as a result is able to show an interest in their conversations about home life.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children of all ages are encouraged to socialise effectively with each other. The childminder is committed to ensuring that children enjoy themselves, and monitors their interactions to check that their behaviour towards each other is appropriate. Younger children benefit from the attention of the older ones, showing them how to operate toys correctly, and extending their play. Children are made aware that their work is valued. For example, when one child had spent some time at a colouring task their picture was put on the wall, which raised their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are provided with extremely effective resources to promote their understanding of diversity. The childminder celebrates festivals from different cultures, such as Diwali and Chinese New Year to develop their knowledge of the world around them. Children are all treated with equal concern by the childminder, and she gives them individual attention to support their needs. The childminder has an exceedingly good understanding of how to integrate children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities into her provision.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents of younger children are provided with extensive written details of their child's day, including what they have eaten, and the activities they have been engaged in. All parents are welcome to talk to the childminder about their child's progress at the beginning or end of the day. She is quite adaptable, and will also communicate with parents by telephone, text or email. The childminder produces a newsletter for parents a couple of times a year, which includes photographs of things children have been doing. Parents have been fully informed of the childminder's complaints procedure, to ensure that they are aware of how any concerns raised will be handled.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is exceptionally positive with children, promoting good behaviour through praise. She uses a variety of strategies to handle challenging behaviour, distracting children where appropriate, and trying to defuse situations before arguments develop. Children know the boundaries set by the childminder, and what is expected of them. As a result, this is reflected in their behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's safety is assured when visitors are present, as the childminder remains with them at all times. The childminder is well organised and plans her week effectively, using activities that will motivate the wide age range of children she caters for. Her policies and procedures are regularly updated, and parents are requested to let her know of any changes to the information she holds on their children. Their records are stored securely to maintain confidentiality, and are made available to a child's parents on request. The childminder has a folder of information for new parents, which includes her insurance details, to make them aware of how she organises her practice. Her certificate of registration is on display, to allow parents to see the conditions

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 under which she operates. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last care inspection recommended that the childminder ensure that children's records contain information which enables appropriate care to be given and that she meet any recommendations made by the Fire Safety Officer. It was also recommended that the childminder ensure that positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder's records now contain details of children's specific requirements, such as whether they use a comforter, to enable her to fully meet their needs. A visit by the fire safety officer was arranged after some alterations to the childminder's house had been completed. The officer confirmed that no further action need be taken to ensure children's safety. The childminder now provides paper towels for children to dry their hands on, to avoid the risk of cross-contamination.

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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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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): • ensure the house and garden are free from hazards

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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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