Kenton School

Inspection report for early years provision

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138120 Unique Reference Number 01 February 2008 Inspection date Patricia Jane Daniels 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 was registered in 1984. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Morden, Surrey. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding three, who attend on a part-time and full time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends various activity-based groups, takes children to the local library and park. She takes children swimming on a regular basis.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean home, where good hygiene procedures protect them from cross contamination. Daily supervised routines help young children understand the importance of washing their hands after visiting the toilet and before eating. The childminder has current training in paediatric first aid and she has written parental consent to seek emergency treatment. This ensures that children have access to appropriate care if they have an accident. Sick children are excluded appropriately to ensure that contagious illnesses do not spread to others.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder values physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. She ensures that children have access to a wide variety of worthwhile physical activities. For example, she is a qualified swimming instructor and teaches her minded children to swim to a high standard, from an early age. Children have opportunities to take part in other physical activities that contribute to their health and develop their physical skills, such as visits to activity groups and to the local park. Children have regular periods of rest and sleep to balance their physical activity.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents supply food and the childminder checks the contents of the lunchboxes to ensure that children follow a healthy diet. Children are provided with regular drinks during the day and have extra drinks after physical activity, to ensure they remain well hydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Toys and books are displayed for children's selection, to create a welcoming environment. Children play in a secure environment where they can move around freely and safely. Toys are in good condition and selected to be safe and suitable for the ages of children attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Regular fire drills help children become familiar with the procedure, so they learn how to leave the premises quickly and safely. Children learn about road safety and the importance of using pedestrian crossings when out walking. A song about crossing the road safely supports this, to make children's learning a fun activity.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective child protection procedures promote and safeguard children’s welfare in the childminder's home. She understands the possible indicators of abuse and the procedures to take, if she has concerns. Parents are made aware of the childminder's responsibilities through the written policy provided.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and confident in the childminder's home. The minded child approaches the childminder freely, indicating that trusting relationships have developed. The minded child is encouraged, praised and has opportunities to select resources and activities independently.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The minded child makes a finger puppet and puts on a show. The minded child then chooses to dress up and selects from a variety of dressing up clothes. The childminder rotates the resources to maintain children's interest and keep the play provision fresh. The minded child enjoys playing with the resources and spends time investigating a variety of activities.

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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 childminder supports and extends the minded child's developing language by responding to the child's speech and talking about what is happening. For example, the child says 'I tried to catch Ollie' and the childminder talks about the cat running away, to develop the communication further.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder finds out about children's individual needs from parents, so that she can provide appropriate care. Children develop confidence and self-esteem through the childminder's support and encouragement. For example, the childminder helps children to develop dressing skills for themselves and enables them to achieve very well at swimming. Children learn about the diversity within our society through a range of resources and careful explanations from the childminder. For example, the childminder and child discuss a toy wheelchair and its use.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is managed positively, according to their ages and levels of understanding. Good behaviour is endorsed with praise and unwanted behaviour is managed with distraction. The childminder makes time for daily conversations with parents and uses written agreements to ensure that all parties are aware of the business arrangements. A positive relationship with parents is fostered and the regular exchange of information supports continuity of care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. All required checks on household members are in place, indicating their suitability. The childminder organises her home to be safe and welcoming for children. She is vigilant in ensuring that children are safe from any visitors to the house.

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Organisation

Systems are in place to obtain written parental consent to administer medication and to record any treatment given. An accurate record of children's attendance is maintained and required children's details recorded. The childminder provides a portfolio for parents, which includes her policies and procedures and her certificate of registration. However, the certificate of registration is not displayed in line with regulations because the childminder is concerned that her unique reference number could be used fraudulently. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, Ofsted requested that the childminder should develop knowledge of local child protection procedures and maintain an accident book signed by parents. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of safeguarding children and has a suitable system in place to record and share any accidents with parents. As a result, the standard of care for children is improved.

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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 any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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 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 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): • display the certificate of registration in line with regulations

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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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