Etwall Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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112549 Unique Reference Number 03 September 2007 Inspection date Alison Jane Kaplonek 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 1993. She is registered to care for six children under the age of eight and at present cares for six children on a part time basis. She lives with her husband and daughter in the Basingstoke area of Hampshire. Areas of the property used by the children include the playroom, kitchen/diner, with sleeps taken upstairs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There is a secure garden available for outdoor play. Family pets include two cats and two rabbits. The childminder takes the children to local activity groups such as ice tots, gym tots, or a soft play area, and they frequently visit the local parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminders Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming, family environment where areas and surfaces used by children are cleaned regularly. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of

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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 simple good health and hygiene routines. Older children independently access the downstairs toilet and are encouraged to wash hands and take care of their personal needs themselves, although they are not fully protected from the spread of infection when drying their hands on the communal towel. Parents complete detail forms which include information regarding any health or dietary needs their children may have. They are also spoken to about the childminder's procedures in the event of an emergency. Children are provided with nutritious snacks and have regular access to drinking water. Main meals are provided for the children in accordance with their parents wishes and include packed lunches or cooked meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of the need for children to take regular exercise and children are taken out on most days to the local park, gym tots or a soft play area. They also have access to a well equipped and fully enclosed garden for outside play where they can enjoy physical activities such as sliding, jumping or pushing, in safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in safe and secure premises. They have easy access to the playroom, kitchen and downstairs toilet and can freely move into the fully enclosed garden when they wish. Children are protected from harm by use of an appropriate range of safety measures, such as cupboard locks and smoke alarms, although there is no fire blanket in place. They can safely access the downstairs area of the house while being supervised by the childminder and any sleeping babies upstairs are regularly checked. Children are spoken to about how to evacuate the house in the event of a fire. They benefit from the use of appropriate record keeping, such as those kept of any accidents or medication administered, and these are shared with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of child protection issues and understands that she has a duty to report any concerns she may have about the children in her care. However, she has not up dated her understanding of child protection procedures and does not have any written information to share with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are provided with a good range of resources and activities, such as books, outside play, board games, colouring and sticking and role play. Some activities are planned, such as visits to the local soft play area, gym tots or walks in the park, while at other times children have free choice and can access from the good range of toys in the well resourced playroom and garden. Children are gaining in confidence and relate well to adults and their peers. They play well together and are able to request particular activities or resources. Children ask questions as they play and the childminder responds well, asking children to identify which shaped pieces they need for the train track or helping them to count or recognise their colours. Children are interested and involved and able to concentrate well, for example carefully building houses with construction bricks or making their own trains to run on the track. They are beginning to

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are looked after in a caring environment where their needs are sufficiently well met. They are all involved in the life and routines of the setting, such as helping to tidy up the toys or choosing an activity. All children have equal access to appropriate toys and resources which enable them to talk about cultural differences, such as books and dolls, although there are none which promote positive images of disability. Positive behaviour management strategies help children understand what is expected of them, and they respond well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are verbally informed of the childminder's policies and procedures as they complete contracts and detail forms when their children first attend. The childminder discusses children's routines each day when parents collect them. Appropriate systems are in place for recording complaints.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder provides an organised environment where children feel relaxed and settled. They can be easily supervised and are able to move freely around the lower floor of the premises and the garden. Children are cared for by an experienced childminder, who keeps her first aid training up to date. A range of agreements with parents, such as permission to seek emergency treatment or advice, or to take photographs are in place, and a daily register is kept showing which children have attended each day. However, the childminder does not display her registration certificate and parents are unable to see how many children may be cared for at any one time.

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Organisation

Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to improve fire safety precautions by ensuring that a fire blanket, which conforms to BS EN standards, is accessible in the kitchen. The fire blanket has not been obtained. This has been set as a recommendation at this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She was also asked to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. This has been completed and is in place for all children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to up-date her understanding of the latest child protection procedures by seeking a copy of 'What To Do If You're Worried A Child Is Being Abused - Summary'. This has not been carried out and has been set as a recommendation at this inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 that children are protected from the spread of infection when drying their hands. • ensure that a fire blanket is obtained which conforms to BS EN standards. • ensure that up to date information is obtained regarding child protection and that this is shared with parents. • ensure that resources are in place to enable children to learn about disability. • ensure that the registration certificate is displayed.

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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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