Carleton Endowed CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 121624 Inspection date 07 June 2005 Inspector Gillian Cubitt

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1993. She lives with her husband and three children of school age in a house, located in a residential area close to the A24 in Dorking. The main areas used for minding are on the ground floor, although a bedroom is available for sleeping babies. Children also have access to a large enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 5 children under the age of 8 years and provides care on a part time basis, currently minding three childrren under

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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 5 years of age. The family have pet cats and rabbits. The childminder collects children from local schools and nurseries as well as regularly attends parent/toddler groups. She is a member of the Surrey Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children play and eat in an environment that is clean and hygienic. Children learn the importance of eating healthy foods such as fresh fruit and salads at lunch time. They have interesting balanced meals and look forward to meal times eating together. They know that fruit is delicious and ask for more when they have cleared their plates. The childminder has completed her quality first assignment and included a weekly menu of balanced nutritious meals which she offers children. Children are protected from infection as the childminder ensures all surfaces are thoroughly cleaned with antibacterial spray. With encouragement children wash their hands before meals, after toileting and when they touch animals. They listen to the childminder when she explains the necessity and reasons for doing this. Children also learn the importance of putting sun protection cream on whilst playing in the

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Helping children to be healthy

garden. The home is maintained to a high standard and organised so children have opportunities to play and have quiet times where they can rest in comfort. Outside they ride cars and push trolleys, jump on the trampoline and run and play ball. Children also go on regular outings to local parks and toddler groups where they further develop their gross motor skills on swings and other climbing equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have the freedom to play safely both inside and outside of the home. They ride cars, play in the sand and access many other toys that are easily accessible. All toys are carefully chosen by the childminder to suit the age of the children she is minding as well as the safety features such as conforming to BSEN safety standards. Children have access to a large garden however the childminder has placed a gate to the entrance of the patio area although this has yet to be secured. Children know that they have to protect themselves from the sun when they play outside; they put on their hats and allow the childminder to put sun cream on them. At present children have their rest periods downstairs where the childminder can easily monitor them. Children are protected. The childminder follows her written policy if she has any concerns and she ensures that children always remain safe.

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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 enjoy a consistent daily routine that provides them with a wide range of play and learning opportunities. They make the most of inside and outside play. In the garden they develop their physical skills with various apparatus such as the trampoline and resources like hoops and balls. They have fun in the sand and the childminder develops this activity when she introduces water play. Children enjoy making the sand wet so they can build mountains and dig holes. Children interact well with each other and regularly socialise with other children when they go to local toddler groups, park and library visits. Children have a good relationship with the childminder. They are very affectionate and respond to her participation in their play. She uses her knowledge of Birth to three matters to increase her understanding of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

child development. She uses her skills to interact well with the children and follows their lead when they ask questions about the helicopter as it hovers overhead.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's needs are met well. They are respected as individuals as the childminder ensures she is aware of each child's requirements. This is done effectively through the process of discussion with parents and asking them to complete comprehensive registration forms. Children's dietary needs and sleeping and play routines are therefore built in with her planning of the day. Children develop positive attitudes towards diversity as they see clear images of children from different families and backgrounds reflected in books and in pictures. The childminder allows children to express their own ideas and develop their own interests. Children have their own favourite toys and resources, which they are allowed to play with freely. The childminder is patient and calm in her approach to behaviour, she creates an atmosphere where children happily play and respond to requests or suggestions

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Helping children make a positive contribution

initiated by the childminder. Children follow instructions and eagerly wait whilst the childminder opens up the sandpit and sets out the water play. Children sit well at lunch time, they become fully involved in making decisions about what they eat as the childminder makes various foods available for children to make their own choices. The childminder establishes good friendly relationships with parents. Children receive consistent care as parents and childminder keep in close contact. They chat each day at pick up time and children have their own daily diary which parents take home with them each evening.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the childminder's organised approach to childminding. She is committed to developing her skills and knowledge and this is aided through her participation in the Quality First project. This enables her to keep abreast of good practice and continually reviews her own practice to ensure children receive high levels of care. Daily routines are well planned, taking into account the differing needs of each child. This helps children feel secure and allows them to have some participation in the planning of their day. This helps children to look forward to their

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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 day and they happily talk about what they are going to do. As a result, the needs of the children who attend are met. The childminder keeps all the required regulatory documentation as well as preparing extra information in the form of policies and daily diaries for parents. Records on medication for children however are not completely clear.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last Children Act Care inspection the childminder was asked to look at two recommendations to enhance her childminding practice. These were to ensure that the attendance register was correctly maintained and cleaning materials repositioned in the utility room. The childminder now makes clear notes on children's arriving and leaving times in the register and all cleaning materials in low cupboards have now been removed.

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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 barrier gate between the enclosed patio area and the larger main garden is fully fixed in place whilst the children are being minded • ensure medication records for children are kept in one book so that accessibility and quick reference is possible • ensure that registration certificate is suitably displayed when minded children are present

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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