Maryhill High School

Inspection report for early years provision

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124405 Unique Reference Number 09 August 2007 Inspection date Gillian Cubitt 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 1991. She lives with her husband and one adult daughter in a residential area in Coulsdon, Surrey. All areas of the home are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden or outside play

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently minding four children on a part time basis. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. She also goes to mother and toddler groups and the local library and park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s health is promoted because the childminder has set routines for cleaning her home so that children play in a clean environment. She encourages children to be aware of germs and to develop good hygiene habits. They wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. Nappy changing is a pleasant experience for babies and is carried out under hygienic conditions which supports their comfort, health and wellbeing.

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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 Children’s health is protected because the childminder is aware of the system of administering medication and recording accidents, although her methods of recording are not clear. This has an impact on children's health if details of medication administered is not noted correctly and appropriately shared with parents. Recent first aid training however, ensures that the childminder knows what to do in the event of an accident which protects children's health and wellbeing.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are noted and they benefit because the childminder provides nutritional snacks and meals in accordance with their dietary requirements. Most meals are freshly prepared for children and the childminder is happy to puree fresh vegetables for babies in line with the wishes of parents. Children enjoy a variety of sandwiches and freshly prepared fruit such as grapes, bananas and strawberries. They have a regular supply of drinks to keep them hydrated, especially in the warm weather.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy playing in the garden where they have opportunities to take part in energetic play. They happily help to put on sun cream to protect their bodies as they play in the sunshine. They then participate in a variety of activities which helps their growing physical abilities. Children enjoy riding bikes, playing with soft balls and skipping with ropes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is a warm and welcoming environment, where children feel relaxed and at home. The main room is child friendly where children are able to access their toys and activities independently. The wide selection of toys supports children’s different stages of learning and development. The childminder checks the toys frequently to ensure that they are safe and suitable for the children in her care. All rooms in the childminder’s home are safe and safety issues are considered. For example, the childminder has a fire blanket in the kitchen and smoke alarms fitted throughout the home. Children are able to safely pursue active play as well as rest in quieter areas. The terraced garden has been well adapted and secured by gates to ensure children’s safety whilst playing outside. When on outings, children’s safety is promoted when being transported in the childminder’s car with appropriate child seats and restraints. Children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

learn road safety from an early age because the childminder makes them aware of the hazards of traffic.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are sufficiently protected because the childminder is aware of the procedures if she has any concerns about children’s welfare. She follows set guidelines from the local authority on safeguarding children although the information with regard to her responsibilities is not shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are provided with stimulating and enjoyable activities to promote their learning and development. They have opportunities to explore resources and games that are appropriate to their ages and stages of development. For example, all children enjoy using crayons to create pictures on plain paper in anticipation that the childminder will help them to make paper aeroplanes. Children have fun watching their aeroplanes fly inside and then extend their game into the garden where they see them rise higher and go further. Children become animated in their activity, chatting to each other, developing their communication skills when describing what happens when aeroplanes fly. Younger children develop their physical skills, riding small bikes and playing on low level slides. Babies happily squeeze and roll soft balls and enjoy

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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 watching older children play as well as benefiting from their company. Inside, children delight in dressing up in dragon and fairy costumes; they also enjoy playing board games such as Frustration where they have fun whilst learning to play together in harmony.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s individual needs are clearly noted so the childminder is able to provide for each child appropriately. Children benefit because the childminder has some resources that reflect diversity. She also takes children to local shops as well as to parks to extend their understanding of their immediate community. Children’s understanding of their wider environment is promoted through visits to farms where they meet animals and participate in fruit picking.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates an understanding for meeting the needs of children who have physical and learning disabilities. She is aware of the need to work closely with parents to provide the appropriate support and care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. This is because the childminder has set boundaries and children know the rules of the house. For example, children say they are not allowed to stand on the furniture because it is not safe. Children are encouraged to be polite and well mannered. They show care for their friends and learn to share their toys. This helps children to develop balanced social skills and how to play well together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are aware of the daily routines and of the service the childminder provides through completing information about their children when they start. Also, the childminder keeps parents updated on children's achievements and care through general discussion at the end of each day. Parents, however, do not have written guidelines on policies and procedures. For example, there is not a clear procedure for making a complaint or information about the childminder’s responsibilities with regard to safeguarding children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder's home is well organised with clear areas for children to enjoy their play as well as quiet sleeping areas for babies. Adults in the home are safe to be in close proximity to children, however, the childminder has not yet taken action to vet her daughter who has now turned sixteen. This is a breach of the conditions of registration of which the childminder is aware and agreed to follow through.

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Organisation

The childminder has the basic information with regard to the children in her care and her records are available for inspection. However, some record keeping methods such as accident and medication are not sufficiently clear which impacts on the daily practice for children's health and safety.

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Organisation

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 last inspection the provider agreed to undertake a recognised first aid training course for infants and young children, she also agreed to obtain details about the procedures regarding child protection. The childminder was also asked to ensure that she obtained from parents their

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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 agreements, in writing, for taking children out in vehicles and to seek emergency medical treatment if required. The childminder followed up these recommendations and has taken appropriate first aid training so she knows what to do in the event of a child having an accident. She obtained child protection procedures from her local authority which she follows if she has any concerns about a child’s welfare. Also, the childminder has the correct written agreements from parents with regard to taking children out in cars and for seeking emergency medical treatment which supports children’s welfare.

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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 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): • improve the present system of recording accidents and medication so that dates and times are clear and parents acknowledge this • ensure all persons living in the household over the age of 16 undergo a criminal records check • keep parents informed appropriately with procedures that affect them such as how to make a complaint, and the childminder's responsibilities with regard to safeguarding 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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