Thornbeck College - North East Autism Society

Inspection report for early years provision

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132030 Unique Reference Number 11 September 2007 Inspection date Lindsay Ann Farenden 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 was registered in 1986. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in New Malden, Surrey. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom upstairs are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding six on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends a local toddler group and takes children to the park on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are nurtured and cared for in very clean and well managed surroundings. The childminder ensures a high standard of hygiene is maintained in all areas of her home. Children develop good personal hygiene routines as the childminder emphasises the importance of washing their hands with liquid soap before meals and after using the toilet. The childminder

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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 herself carries out good hygiene procedures to prevent the risk of cross infection, such as washing her hands before preparing food and after nappy changing.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is able to respond to minor injuries because she has a well stocked first aid box and holds a current first aid certificate. For continuity of care parents are notified of any accidents and medication given. They have provided appropriate consents for the childminder to seek emergency medical treatment, administer medication and apply sun protection cream. Through the sickness policy parents are informed that the childminder does not care for children with contagious illnesses, to prevent the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy nutritious home cooked meals and snacks which include meat, fish, vegetables and fruit. This helps children to develop healthy eating habits from a young age and develop a fondness of fresh fruit. The childminder works closely with the parents regarding children’s specific dietary needs and they are not given any foods that have an adverse effect on them. Children access drinks whenever they want to, as they are kept within their reach. This prevents children becoming thirsty or dehydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have opportunities to take part in a wide range of activities to develop their physical skills. They ride wheeled toys, use small slides and play with equipment in the garden. They visit soft play centres where they are able jump, climb and develop their balancing skills. Children enjoy visiting parks where they are able to play on swings and large play equipment. This ensures they receive plenty of fresh air and contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are very well supervised because the childminder cares for children in areas of the house where she can observe and hear them easily. They play mainly in the large dinning/lounge area which is organised to provide lots of space for children to play freely. They are cared for in a safe home, as the childminder has taken precautions to ensure hazards, such as cleaning materials and electrical sockets are made inaccessible to children, although sharp knives in the kitchen are not completely inaccessible to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety outside of the home is also given high priority. For example, the childminder ensures children sit on appropriate car seats for their age. When walking they hold on to the buggy or her hands. She helps children to learn about road safety, as she teaches them to cross the road safely at crossing whenever possible. On outings to places, such as the zoo, children wear wrist bands with the childminder’s telephone number, so they can be reunited with her quickly if necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to an excellent range of quality, age appropriate play resources of toys and equipment. The childminder keeps them in clean and good condition, which ensures they are safe for children’s use. They independently select from a good range of resources which are set out for them each day, which gives them freedom of choice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because there is a fire blanket in the kitchen and smoke alarms are fitted appropriately on each floor, which are in working order. The childminder has a written fire escape plan, which is practised with the children on a regular basis. This helps them to become aware of how to leave the premises quickly and safely.

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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’s welfare is supported by the childminder’s awareness of child abuse and what to do in the event of identifying a concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled within the childminder’s home, which she sets up as a child centred environment. She is kind and caring towards the children and joins in with their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children freely play between the garden and inside area. They play on garden play equipment and play with cars and garage set out on the patio area. They pretend to make meals at the play cooker with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children use their imaginations well, as they play for a long time with the dolls house, putting figures into the wheelchairs and putting them into bed. They get great pleasure in dressing up as Cinderella and as animals. Children like pressing buttons to make the toy telephone ring and pretend to talk to their parents. They really enjoy playing with trains on the large track set out for them and talk about the names of the engines. Children develop an interest in books, as these are available to them at all times. Children’s creativity is developed through painting and sticking activities on a regular basis in the home. They enjoy celebrating each others birthday’s with a small party.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are regularly taken on outings which contributes further to their enjoyment and learning. They visit the farms were they are able to feed real animals and learn to hold baby animals gently. On occasions they are taken on bigger outings. For example, to the zoo, ride on a steam train and to the seaside. They gain social skills as they attend toddler groups on a regular basis, where they access further play resources, art activities and join in singing sessions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children’s welfare is ensured because the childminder has established excellent relationships with the parents. She exchanges information with them on a daily basis and sends parents photos of their child doing activities via her mobile phone. This keeps them very well informed of their child’s day with the childminder. The childminder has devised a portfolio about the service she provides, which includes her polices which are available to parents at all times. This includes procedures on how parents can make a complaint. Letters and cards from parents provide evidence that they are extremely happy with the childminding service provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop an awareness of diversity and the wider world through an excellent range of books and toys portraying positive images of race, culture, gender and disability. These are fully integrated into every day play. Children have very good opportunities to develop positive attitudes towards the cultures and beliefs through a range of outings. For example, they visited a Hindu temple and watched a festival within it, watched a street parade at Chinese New Year and at Eid they tasted different foods and danced to Indian music. Children have opportunities to learn about their local community through regular outings to young children’s facilities and parks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued according to their individual needs. The childminder welcomes children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and provides a fully inclusive environment. She

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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 works closely with their parents to ensure they are fully supported in her care to help them reach their full potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides children with a positive role model as she talks to them in a kind and friendly manner. She manages children’s behaviour appropriately with simple explanations as to why they must not do certain things and by diverting their attention. She encourages children to say please and thank-you, which helps them develop good manners. Children currently minded are calm and very happy because the childminder responds to them with lots of praise.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s care is enriched by the childminder’s enthusiasm, who organises her time fully around the children when they are present. The children are relaxed and at ease in the childminder’s company and displays of their work and photo’s of them, make them feel welcomed and valued within the childminders home. Good use is made of space and the childminder sets out toys before the children arrive so they can access them easily and make choices. She plans her day so children have a stimulating time both inside the home and on outings.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps all the required records and documentation, which are kept in a confidential manner. This contributes to children’s safety, health and wellbeing. She makes very good use of contracts to invite discussions with parents about their children’s individual needs and uses this information to promote their welfare. The childminder’s registration certificate is prominently displayed for the parent’s to view. She attends regular training courses to keep up-to-date with current child care practice, thus promoting the care she provides for the children. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has attended an appropriate first aid course and has obtained the local authority child protection guidelines.

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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 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 sharp knives are made completely safe and inaccessible to children

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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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