Drayton Park School

Inspection report for early years provision

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130254 Unique Reference Number 31 May 2007 Inspection date Tina Kelly 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 registered since 1990. She lives with her husband and two teenage children aged 16 and 18 years. They live in Croxley Green on the outskirts of Watford. The house is within walking distance of schools, pre-school nurseries and local amenities. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with children mainly using the dining room a the back of the house. Children do not access upstairs except for young children to sleep in a travel cot in the main bedroom. There is a downstairs cloakroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a pet cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 6 children under 8 years. At the time of the visit during half term, two children aged fifteen months and three and a half years were being cared for and the childminders teenage children were also home.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is an active member of the Hertfordshire Childminding Association and the Croxley Green childminder support group.

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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 cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. Their health is protected as the childminder keeps records about the children's care and shares information with parents on a daily basis. The childminder has a good understanding of maintaining the health of the children as she has attended a range of courses that covers these issues. However the children's involvement in day to day activities could be extended further to develop their understanding of a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

They know they must wash their hands after handling the cat, using the cloakroom and before having a snack or their lunch. All children have their own flannels and towels, this helps to prevent cross contamination. They are beginning to understand the reasons for having clean hands and share the information with everyone present as they exclaim they have 'clean and dry hands.'

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's nutritional needs are well met. The childminder has a good understanding of maintaining hygiene procedures and providing healthy and well balanced meals for children having attended food hygiene and healthy eating courses. Details of the children's meals are recorded to keep parents informed about the various meals and snacks provided. Children learn about healthy eating as their likes and dislikes are discussed and they are introduced to new tastes and foods, such as dried fruits, throughout the week.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities for exercise each day. They walk to and from the local nursery and schools with frequent visits to parks and play areas where they can explore and develop their skills. Children enjoy playing on age appropriate apparatus that extends their balance and physical confidence. In the garden children are able to access a wide range of sporting equipment; bean bags, hoops, bats and balls to practise their hand to eye co-ordination and finer motor skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a secure environment. Children's safety is of high priority. The provider has had a home safety check carried out by the fire service. Risk assessments ensure the premises are safe and procedures are in place to ensure known adults collect the children to maintain their safety at all times. The lay out of the areas used by the minded children ensures children have easy access to clean, good quality resources and have floor space to play freely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe with reminders from their carer about not treading on toys and putting resources out of the way. Young children are closely monitored as they play. When they attempt to climb on the toy box they are gently shown how to steady themselves. The older children are very aware of the small toys that are a hazard to the younger ones. They know they must sit up at the table to play with games with small pieces. They explain that the baby would put it in their mouths they are not allowed to do this. They are learning simple rules that develop their sense of keeping themselves and others safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well-being is maintained as the childminder keeps appropriate records with regards to accidents and incidents. She has up to date first aid training which ensures appropriate action is taken in the event of an accident. The childminder has a good understanding of protecting

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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 children as she has attended both level 1 and level 2 child protection courses. Information is displayed for parents that outline the Local Safeguarding Children Board contact numbers they are also given this detail to take home to ensure they are fully aware of the process that is in place to keep their children safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The experienced childminder extends the young children's language and understanding with consistent, sensitive interaction. Children are competent learners, activities are provided that extend all aspects of their early learning skills. The 'tap a shape' game where wooden shapes are tacked onto a cork board with a small hammer is a favourite. Diagrams are copied with great concentration and with creative adaptations by the children. They compare and identify the different shapes and colours that build the picture. Children show a great sense of achievement and their work is saved to take home to share with their parents. Activities are adapted to meet the needs of the different ages cared for. Children are able to develop their play at their own rate. When icing biscuits a minimal approach to the detail on gingerbread men is praised and the end product is saved to take home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Photographs are used to record the activities that the children have taken part in. They show a wide range of events both in the home, the community and on trips to London. Children's experiences are extended as they also take part in events organised by the local childminding group. Picnics, meeting with other children and outings are a popular part of the children's routine. Children are able to recall the events and explain to their carer and to visitors about their friends and important aspects of outings and trips they have enjoyed in the past.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's understanding of the wider world is extended. They tell their carer about their holidays, how they travelled to Sicily, had seen Mount Etna and that it was a volcano with fire. Children are listened to; their experiences are valued with adults showing great interest in what is said. Appropriate questions are asked which develop the children's language and supports their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Parents are well informed about the activities that are provided for their children. Permission is in place for outings and trips. The childminder has developed a list of events and activities such as trips to London, local parks for picnics and journeys on buses and trains which extend and develop children's various interests and experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are highly valued as individuals, their self-esteem is promoted as they are able to explain and retell their carer about their experiences from home. Praise and encouragement promotes the children's confidence, they respond in a positive manner to visiting adults, sharing information about their activities and events they have taken part in. The childminder is consistent in her response to the children; they are secure in their environment and have developed a close relationship with their carer.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children access a range of resources which reflect diversity and other cultures. Outings to London and important venues such as Covent Garden and the Natural History Museum promote children's understanding of the wider world. The childminder has routines and documents in

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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 place to help all children reach their full potential and to meet their individual needs including cultural, special educational needs and physical disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Excellent relationships have developed between the childminder and the families she cares for. Detail about the younger children's personal care routines is recorded and shared with parents in a comprehensive daily diary. Parents have a clear understanding of their children's routines, daily communication ensure continuity of care between home and childcare setting. Comprehensive portfolios show the childminders strong commitment to training, documents with regards to the registration and early years outcomes. The childminder shares events with parents through an extensive album of photographs which show their children taking part in exiting and stimulating activities in the home, garden and on outings and picnics.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder organises her week around the care of children under two years, playgroup sessions and after school care. She is very aware of the importance of planning routines to meet the needs of the different ages that are cared for; she ensures there is time for young children to play and to rest when they need to.

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Organisation

The childminder uses the National Childminding Association document portfolio to full effect. She has comprehensive documents and records in place to maintain the smooth running of the childminding arrangements and to monitor the well-being of the children in her care. She is involved in the local Hertfordshire Childminding Association having attended annual conference and training opportunities. She also supports the local Croxley Green childminder group. The children benefit from outings and picnics in the local community with adults and other children they are familiar with.

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Organisation

The childminder has an exceptional commitment to training and to developing her childcare provision. She has attended a wide range of courses including the Certificate in Childminding Practice (CCP). She has a sound understanding of behaviour management, working in partnership with parents and providing both physical and art based activities for a range of ages and abilities. She has recently been re-accredited with the Hertfordshire Quality Standards which she originally completed in 2003. This shows that she continues to review her practice to ensure she offers a stimulating, caring and professional childminding service.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was given one recommendation; to ensure that attendance records show accurate time of arrival and departure. The attendance register now shows all required detail to maintain the safety of the children.

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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 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): • extend children's practical activities to further their understanding of being healthy

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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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