Highclare School St Paul's

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 103577 Inspection date 27 July 2005 Inspector Linda Patricia Coccia

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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 was registered in 1996. She lives with her family in Parkwood, Rainham, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding nine children aged between 2 years and 8 years. When working with an assistant she can look after four children aged under five years at any one time. The childminder walks and drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The

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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 family has a dog and budgerigar. The childminder can support children with special educational needs. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. (NCMA)

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean home with a welcoming environment, where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Their clear understanding of why they must wash their hands before eating or handling food and after using the toilet, reduces the risk of cross contamination. Children are also encouraged to take themselves to the toilet. Children become independent in self care. Children are offered a good selection of food which is healthy and nutritious and have their individual dietary needs catered for. Parents are able to provide their own food if they want and are consulted about allergies or special dietary requirements. Children learn about healthy eating and are able to access drinks easily throughout the day. A new accident, medication and existing injuries record book has been purchased which the childminder now uses to keep a comprehensive record of children's

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Helping children to be healthy

accidents and incidents. Parents are instrumental in keeping these up to date. Children's individual needs are met.

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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 clean and comfortable home where risks are identified and minimised. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. Toys are kept clean and safe for children to use and they can help to clean and care for them. Children learn to respect their toys. They have access to appropriately sized furniture but generally use the large dining table for activities and meals. The children are kept safe when out in the car or off the premises. Well thought out procedures include physical descriptions of children and parents contact numbers should the emergency services ever need them. Minded children are aware of the list and would be able to assist in keeping themselves safe. The children are also aware of the childminder's emergency evacuation procedures which have been discussed. However, they only practise them infrequently. Children are able to keep themselves

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safe in emergency situations. Good procedures for the safe collection of children are used to ensure that appropriate persons collect children at the end of the day. Parents provide photographs of, or introduce the childminder to, their nominated collector. The childminder also uses very good child protection procedures, records existing injuries, and has supporting information and contact numbers which all help to keep

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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 safe from abusive situations.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a warm and caring relationship with their childminder. They are offered a range of activities, suitable for their ages and covering all areas of development. Younger children in particular are discovering numbers and colour through their play with toys such as Duplo and puzzles. The older children recounted their trip to a London museum where they found out about India and how to make tapestries. They said it was also 'cool' to travel on the trains and underground. Children enjoy a varied range of activities. Children are offered a wide range of craft equipment and activities, which they have easy access to. For example, different coloured paper, drawing templates and writing implements allow the children to experiment with colours and shapes. Children are also able to adapt and extend their activities e.g. although the children were using paper and crayons, one child developed this into making himself a pirate hat and eye

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

patch, using string, glue and staples readily available nearby. He enjoyed this activity greatly which resulted in a great feeling of achievement. Children show good self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminders experience of caring for children from different cultures. They openly discuss racial and cultural issues and are aware that all children are different. Children are encouraged to participate in all activities, regardless of gender or disability. They have access to some toys and books which show positive images of race and culture but there could be more showing positive images of disability. Children learn about each other's differences. The children are very well behaved, polite and considerate to each other. The behaviour management procedures are used to good effect as the children discuss their behaviour with the childminder and they learn about what is or is not acceptable. Distraction is used frequently with younger children. Children play within set boundaries. Children benefit from the childminder working in partnership with their parents. A

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Helping children make a positive contribution

range of procedures and policies are shared with parents both verbally and in writing. Children's records are regularly updated with parents help and the childminder has written permissions from parents concerning children's well being, for example, the administration of medication. Parents are consulted about children's trips and outings. Children receive continuity of care.

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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 The organisation is satisfactory. The children benefit from the childminder's commitment to on-going training such as a multi sensory workshop, and behaviour management training. She has also gained qualification to accreditation level but is not pursuing this at the moment. Her registration document is displayed and all adults in the household have been vetted. The childminder has acceptable levels of paperwork completed on each child. Her attendance register is marked daily and all relevant paperwork is shared with parents. The childminder has completed a service contract with parents which is regularly reviewed. Children's records are confidential and stored appropriately. The needs of the children currently attending are met.

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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 children practice the emergency evacuation procedures regularly.

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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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