Alderman Peel High School

Inspection report for early years provision

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121170 Unique Reference Number 19 July 2007 Inspection date Michelle Julie Gutcher 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 1994. She lives with her family in a house in Ashford, Middlesex. She is registered to care for six children under the age of eight years at any one time. Currently there is one child on roll. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. Local shops, schools and parks are all within easy walking distance. The family have a cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Good daily routines and explanation from the childminder help children understand that washing hands after visiting the toilet and before eating reduces the risk of passing on germs. Children play in a clean environment. There are effective procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection as the children use individual hand towels or the electric hand drier to dry their hands. Children receive appropriate care if there is an accident as the childminder holds a current first aid certificate. All required documentation is in place and accurately maintained. This means that children are cared for in accordance to parents' wishes.

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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 Parents currently provide food for their children and the childminder provides some snacks. The childminder ensures they have a varied and well balanced diet and foods are prepared and served attractively. Children sit at the breakfast bar and eat toast with spreads of their choice. The childminder consults with parents regarding dietary needs and preferences, ensuring all individual needs are met. They enjoy healthy snacks, such as fresh pineapple, strawberries and melon. They have access to flavoured water throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder follows good daily routines for the children, providing them with opportunities to play, rest and eat. Children are free to play in the garden in fine weather. They enjoy walks, trips to the park and activity gyms where they can run and take advantage of the open space. Children benefit from going swimming with the childminder on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in an organised environment. This allows them to move around and play safely. Children benefit from easy and safe access to a range of age-appropriate toys and resources to encourage their independence. They help themselves to toys from the shelving unit in the utility area. The childminder has undertaken a risk assessment and reduced potential hazards to children. For example, all medicines are stored out of reach, she has locks on the kitchen cupboard doors and electrical sockets are fitted with covers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected from the risk of fire. A fire blanket is available and the smoke alarms are regularly tested. The childminder discusses the fire drill with the children and this helps children to understand what to do in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The outdoor area is safe for children to enjoy fresh air and to have opportunities to develop large motor skills. Children run around freely and enjoy the open space. The childminder closely supervises the children when playing outside. Parents give written permission for their children to be taken by the childminder in the car and on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and fully understands the procedures to follow if she is concerned about a child. This promotes and safeguards children’s welfare within the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are provided with interesting and exciting play materials. They play well with their chosen activity. The childminder supports and encourages them, giving lots of positive praise. Children are confident and freely chat with the childminder. They enjoy a close and loving relationship. Children play happily in the lounge sitting with the childminder building models using the small construction bricks. They are proud to display their creations on the window sill.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Routines planned well ensure children have opportunities for play and rest. They enjoy visits to places within the local community, such as the shops and the local park. Children often go on walks, which stimulates their interest in the outside world and promotes their learning. They enjoy attending the local toddler group where they experiment with paints and have fun with the play dough.

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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 The children's learning is constantly extended by the childminder's skill of talking to them about the activities they are engaged in. Children are beginning to learn how to protect the environment. They plan trips with the childminder to the local recycling bank. The childminder exchanges verbal information about the children's development on a daily basis, this helps the parents to be aware of their children's achievements and identifies any areas for improvement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder helps children to learn about themselves through discussion and talking about events that have happened in their lives. Children are valued, respected and treated as individuals. Children are developing a positive attitude to others. They talk about things that have happened to them in their every day life both recently and in the past. Children watch the builders from the windows upstairs and they express excitement as they see the workers banging the roof. Children have access to a range of play resources which show positive images of diversity and include various types of books and small world figures. They learn about the community through visits to the local parks, shops and walks. Children enjoy celebrating festivals at the toddler group, for example Diwali.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning to share the toys and take turns through the simple guidance and good explanations given by the childminder. The children and the childminder share appropriately warm, close and caring relationships. This means that the children are confident and comfortable in the homely environment and are able to progress at a pace suitable to them. The childminder shows respect and understanding to the children. She praises their achievements. They are aware of the boundaries that the childminder sets, consequently, because they feel secure and are aware of the daily routines, their behaviour is very good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with the parents, sharing both written and verbal information about the children in her care and the service that she provides. The childminder has put together a file which contains her policies and procedures relating to her childminding practice. This information enables parents to make an informed decision on the quality of care their children will receive. Parents have been informed of the complaints procedure, however, Ofsted's contact details are not correct. Written feedback from parents indicates that they are satisfied with the care being offered. Comments include, "The childminder is child focussed, has endless patience, boundless enthusiasm and always has a smile on her face. She puts all her efforts into keeping the children busy and happy."

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder makes good use of the available space and organises the children's routine well by planning activities, outings, rest and quiet times within her daily programme. This helps children to feel secure and confident in the childminder’s care.

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Organisation

All the required documentation needed to support the running of the childminder's business is in place, including all required written parental consents. However, the complaints policy details some incorrect contact details. The certificate of registration is displayed within the utility area, where it is easily seen by parents so they know the conditions of registration. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection one recommendation was raised and this related to special needs. The childminder has developed her understanding of special needs and related issues as she has completed two specific training courses.

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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 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): • update Ofsted's details in complaint policy

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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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