The Telford Langley School

Inspection report for early years provision

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139766 Unique Reference Number 19 July 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 1999. She lives on her partner in Sutton, Surrey. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house and the bathroom/toilet on the first floor 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 five children aged under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding two children on a full and part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children to various parks and children’s play facilities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play in a very clean environment in which the childminder ensures high standards of hygiene are maintained throughout the home. Children learn the importance of good personal care, because the childminder reminds them to wash their hands after using the toilet and talks to them about why they need to do this. Children are protected from the risks of cross infection;

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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 the childminder carries out daily cleaning routines and children are provided with individual towels in which to dry their hands. The childminder carries out good nappy changing procedures, so children remain comfortable throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide children’s meals, which the childminder stores and heats up appropriately. The childminder provides children with a variety of fresh fruit, which helps them develop healthy eating habits. The childminder finds out about children’s dietary needs and allergies and ensures children do not receive foods that may have an adverse effect on them. Children do not become thirsty, as drinks are accessible to them at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities which develop their physical skills. They play on wheeled toys in the garden and at toddler group. They regularly visit soft play centres, where they have lots of opportunities to jump, climb and learn how they can use their bodies in a variety of ways. They often go on outings to parks where they are able to use large play equipment and access sand play areas. This contributes to keeping children healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s health and welfare are safeguarded because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and the first aid box is well stocked. Parents provide appropriate consents in relation to emergency medical treatment. This means children are safeguarded in the event of an accident. The sharing of the accident records with parents enables them to watch for any further symptoms that may develop. Children who have an infectious illness do not attend thus preventing the spread of infection.

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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 home where the childminder has taken very effective precautions to ensure there are no hazards to children when they are present. For example, kitchen cupboards have locks on them and there are gates across the kitchen door and at the bottom of the stairs. This means children are able to move around freely and safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded by suitable fire equipment fitted in the home, but there is no smoke detector fitted on the second floor. The childminder has a written fire evacuation plan, which is practised regularly, so children are well aware of how to leave the house quickly and safely. Children are also protected outside of the home, because the childminder ensures children sit in car seats appropriate for their age and when walking younger children wear reins. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder teaches them how to cross the road safely and on some outings children wear wrist bands with the childminder's mobile number and she explains to them what to do if they get lost.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access a good range of quality toys and resources, which are appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder belongs to the local toy library, which further extends the choice of resources children play with. The childminder has a good range of equipment, such as buggy's to meet children's needs. Children are very well supervised because the childminder cares for them in areas of the house and garden where she can observe and hear them easily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well safeguarded because the childminder has attended child protection training and has a good knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very confident and relaxed in the childminder's home. This is evident as they enthusiastically play with the resources and enjoy the company of the childminder. She joins in with their play and helps them with activities, such as joining puzzle pieces together. They enjoy playing with train sets and small world people. Children use their imaginations well on first hand experiences, for example, making toast for breakfast with the play toaster. Children talk positively about visits to the library and how they look at books there and choose them to take back to the childminder's. This provides children with good opportunities to develop their interests in books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s creative develop is encouraged through a good range of different activities, such as brush and finger painting, sticking, making cards, sand and water play. Children enthusiastically colour in pictures of animals, which they are going to make a jungle scene with. Children enjoy many outings with extend their learning and interests. For example, they visit farms where they see real animals and access further large play equipment. Occasionally they visit the seaside, which they find very exciting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children regularly attend toddler groups, where they socialise with others and access further play resources, art activities and sing songs. This contributes to children’s all round development and enjoyment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are made to feel good about themselves, as their individual needs are valued and respected. Children settle well because the childminder spends time with the parents finding out all about children’s needs, interests and daily routines. Parents access copies of policies and procedures that under-pin the service the childminder offers. They are informed of complaint procedures. Children benefit from the childminder’s positive relationship she has with the parents. Information about how children spend their day is shared both verbally and in written form. The childminder produces a lovely record of activities children have enjoyed whilst in her care in the form of individual photo albums and gives these to parents when their child leaves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Regular trips out of the home to parks and children’s facilities develop their awareness of local and wider communities. Children begin to learn about cultural festivals through activities at toddler group. For example, children made masks at Chinese New Year, dressed up in Indian clothing and tasted different cultural foods. Children access a good range toys and books reflecting diversity, which provides them with positive images of both themselves and others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and respond positively to the childminder’s calm and fair approach. She uses appropriate strategies to manage behaviour, such as time out for a short time. The childminder helps children to share and take turns and her use of praise contributes to children’s high levels of self esteem and confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are no children currently attending with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The childminder has a very positive attitude to caring for children with special needs and would provide a fully inclusive environment for them.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder organises her home very much around the children when they are present. For example, she provides a child size table and chairs in which they can do activities and toys are laid out, so the most is made of space and to maximise children’s play opportunities. The childminder plans her day so children have a stimulating and exciting time both inside the home and on outings. Children’s art work is displayed in the hallway, which gives them a great sense of belonging.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures are used very effectively to promote the welfare and the safety of the children. All required records are in place, which contributes to the welfare and safety of the children. The documentation is very well presented and maintained and kept in a confidential manner. The childminder has a detailed profile of information about the childminding service she provides, which is shared with parents. They are also given good written information on their child’s day and a record of when fire drills took place. The childminder displays her registration certificate for parents to view. The childminder attends regular training, which ensures she keeps up to date with current child care practices. 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 devised a sickness policy and obtained written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. This further ensures children's health and safety.

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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

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): • provide smoke alarms which meet BS EN standards on all levels of the house

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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 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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