Foundry Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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103364 Unique Reference Number 22 February 2008 Inspection date Cilla Rachel Mullane 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?

This childminder has been registered since 1989. She lives with her husband and one child. They live in a house in Rainham, Gillingham, Kent. The house is situated within walking distance of shops, schools and parks. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is registered to care for six children aged under eight years, and is currently looking after her grand daughter, and seven children aged between four and ten years on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association, and attends the local group on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very hygienic home. The childminder has recently had a food safety inspection, so children's food storage and preparation is safe and suitable. 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 keeps her first aid qualification up to date, so she can care for children effectively in event of an accident. Furthermore, thorough accident records protect children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides healthy food for children, and she encourages all children to make healthy choices. Cooking activities, which the children enjoy, help them to learn about the importance of healthy eating, for example, they make pasta dishes and fruit salads.

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Helping children to be healthy

During the school holidays, children benefit from plenty of play in the fresh air, both in the childminder's garden, and also on outings. Children ride their bikes and scooters on the local green, and at the park. A nearby play park has a good range of challenging apparatus, which is suitable for children of a range of different ages to play safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Parents and children enter the childminder's house confidently, and are made welcome. Children quickly make themselves at home, and are happy to find art and craft resources set out ready for use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children's safety is a priority. The house and garden are safe and secure, and furthermore the children know the rules, and so can keep themselves safe. For example, they know that they must stay with the childminder when outside the house, do as she says, and stay together in pairs. The childminder helps children understand the correct action to take in the event of a fire, and children can explain in detail which exits to use and where to meet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder keeps her child protection knowledge up to date, has current guidance and procedures to hand, and so would be able to act in a child's best interests if she had concerns. However, her safeguarding children procedure does not reflect her knowledge, and therefore does not fully and accurately inform parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and feel at home with the childminder, who treats them as part of her family, for example, by giving them Christmas and birthday presents. Children report that the childminder gives them hugs if they are hurt or sad, so they feel emotionally secure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy good quality imaginative activities with the childminder. She is led by the children's interests, and guided by what they want to do, recognizing that the time after school and in the holidays is the children's time. They enjoy creating and designing with an interesting range of craft materials, such as coloured sand and sequins. For example, they make cards and boxes on Mother's day. Cooking is a popular activity; children love decorating biscuits and making sausage rolls.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder belongs to the local childminders' group, who organise events and exciting outings, especially during the school holidays. Children recall with pleasure playing in foam at Chessington, and the bubble show at the Science Museum. They visit the cinema, farms, wildlife parks, museums and theme parks, learning while they are having fun.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are kept busy, challenged and engaged in meaningful experiences whilst with the childminder, and they therefore generally behave well. The childminder and her family are calm, respectful and polite, and children respond positively to their good example. The childminder shows that she cares about all the children, praising them, and appreciating their conversation, efforts and achievements, so children's self esteem is good, and good behaviour is well promoted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops friendly, supportive and professional relationships with parents, who some of which have used her childminding service for many years. Parents' thankyou cards show their satisfaction with the childminder's care of their children, stating that they appreciate the welcoming family, the children enjoy the childminder's company, and children are kept safe and warm, and always happy to go to the childminder. Children are cared for according to parents' wishes because the childminder seeks permission in writing for relevant aspects of care, for example, transport, nappy changing, and photographs. Parents wishes are respected, for example, some parents wish their child to do their homework with the childminder. Parents are kept informed about their children's activities, as children frequently have art and craft creations and food which they have cooked to take home. In addition, the childminder displays

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Helping children make a positive contribution

a list of outings and events in the hallway for parents to see. Parents are given Ofsted's telephone number, and the childminder is aware of the complaints procedure which she must follow, and would keep a record of any concerns. However, parents are not fully informed about the complaints procedure.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom care is provided.

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Organisation

The childminder organises her time well, planning activities such as crafts and cooking, but letting the children make choices and develop activities. Children therefore get the maximum enjoyment from activities. School holidays are exciting times, with an excellent variety of interesting and stimulating days out. The childminder is skilled at getting down to children's level and seeing things from their point of view. She is therefore adept at providing enjoyable and worthwhile activities. She plays an active part in the local childminding group, and therefore keeps up to date with childcare issues and legislation, such as the new Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

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Organisation

The documentation required for childminding is maintained to a good standard, for example, the record of attendance shows the exact times of children's arrivals and departures, and children's record forms include emergency contact numbers. She displays her certificate of registration, so parents can see her conditions of registration.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder obtain written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. Children are treated according to parents wishes in this respect, as this permission is now sought.

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Improvements 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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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): • ensure that the child protection procedure fully informs parents of local procedures and relevant issues • ensure that parents are fully informed of the complaints procedure.

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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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