Eastburn Junior and Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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107274 Unique Reference Number 04 March 2008 Inspection date Glenda Kathleen Field 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 has been registered since 1989. She lives with her three adult children in a flat in Dulwich. There are shops, parks and schools within walking distance. All areas of the property are used for childminding apart from one bedroom. There are no household pets. Registration is for a maximum of three children at any one time. There are currently three children on roll, all attend on a part-time basis. There is no direct access to an outside play area. Children are taken out daily to parks and playgroups, woodland walks and for visits to other childminders.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children’s health is generally very well promoted. This is because the childminder gathers relevant information from their parents to meet their particular needs. First aid training is kept up-to-date so she is able to respond appropriately to help children in the event of an accident. Written parental permission for the seeking of emergency advice or medical treatment is in place. Good standards of hygiene in the home help to keep children well and they are learning how to manage their personal hygiene effectively. For example, older children understand the

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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 need to wash their hands after going to the toilet to get rid of the germs. Little children are sensitively supported during nappy changing and toilet training to promote their self-esteem.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of freshly prepared meals and snacks that promote healthy eating. The childminder understands dietary needs, preferences and prepares meals using fresh produce. For example, pasta, fish and meat dishes all accompanied by fresh vegetables and a plentiful supply of fresh fruit. Children sit together to enjoy their meal. Children who bring a packed lunch are fully included in this sociable time. Children chat freely with the childminder about what is good for them and healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children frequently play in the fresh air learning a range of physical skills and how their body works. The childminder does not have a garden at her premises but ensures that children have plenty of fresh air. For example, trips to the park enable them to run more freely and extend climbing skills on large apparatus under the watchful eye of the childminder. Visits to parent and toddlers clubs and other childminders enable children to develop their social skills. When children are tired they rest according to their individual needs. Older children enjoy sitting comfortably on the sofa and watching the television for a short time. Little children have a sleep in a travel cot or on a floor mattress.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s safety is well promoted. The childminder has a clear understanding of how to minimise risks in her home and when out and about with the children. She ensures her home is secure so children cannot leave without supervision and unauthorised persons cannot gain entry. Stairgates are used across the door to the kitchen. Children understand and respect these boundaries. Children are learning how to be safe. They practise road safety when out for walks and the childminder reinforces 'stranger danger' with children. An emergency evacuation plan has been devised, however, this is not practised with children. Therefore, children they may not be aware of how to keep themselves safe in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play happily in a warm and welcoming family home. They particularly enjoy playing in the lounge with the childminder. This is a child-centred environment with a range of furniture that enables children to make their own choices of resources and organise their play effectively. This helps to promote their independence and self-esteem very well. Children understand the need to help tidy up and the childminder asks what they would like to leave out for next time, acknowledging that some children like to extend and continue their play at another time. Children benefit from the wide range of resources which promotes play and learning across all areas of their development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of child protection issues and has a comprehensive file with information to support this area of her work. As a result, she knows how to check out concerns, or make a referral if needed, to ensure children remain safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children’s welfare and individual needs are very well met because the childminder has a good understanding of how children learn, daily activity plans are in place and the childminder provides the sensitive and caring support they need to make good progress in all areas of their development. They are very well settled and obviously enjoy the time they spend playing with

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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 their friends and the childminder as they are confident and relaxed in her care. They make many of their own choices from the good range of resources in the lounge. Little ones play with a range of appropriate resources that are within their reach and accessible.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities in the local community help children understand about the wider world and they enjoy meeting people at other local childminders and parent and toddler sessions. Trips to the park and local walks provide other positive experiences for the children. Children’s creative development is promoted through an interesting range of messy play and craft activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident, independent and developing their self-esteem. They are treated with equal concern as the childminder knows them well and provides continuity of care. All are very settled and happy. Their routines and needs being well met by the childminder. Children play with a wide range of resources that helps them learn about our multicultural society and how to respect and value all people. The childminder has experience of working with children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She displays a clear understanding of the flexibility required to work effectively with parents and other professionals to meet children’s needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. This is because the childminder implements her sensitive behaviour management policy consistently. Children follow the positive role model she portrays and listen to explanations if their behaviour is not as required. This is helping them learn right from wrong in a sensitive and supportive way.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s care and welfare is promoted through the good partnership with parents and carers. They receive clear information about the service the childminder provides and there is a full discussion of how she can work to children’s routines and meet their needs before care starts. A daily chat enables all to keep up-to-date. The childminder has not had any complaints. She has a complaints policy which gives clear guidance on how formal complaints will be dealt with and the contact details for Ofsted. Parents are therefore well informed and ensured that if they have concerns about their children they are dealt with appropriately.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s safety is promoted as relevant checks have been conducted on the childminder and she supervises them at all times to prevent inappropriate contact with persons who have not been vetted. The childminder is well qualified and shows a commitment to keep training up-to-date and use new knowledge to extend her service to the children and their families. Children receive sensitive and caring support that keeps them safe and helps them make good progress in all areas of their learning and development. As a result, children play happily and good use is made of the space in her home for children to play rest and enjoy meals together. Children are happy and enjoy attending.

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Organisation

Record keeping is good with information filed for easy use so that children may be cared for according to their individual needs. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Organisation

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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to keep records of children's progress, use these to plan activities and share children's progress with parents. The childminder was also asked to ensure that articles stored in the hallway do not hinder emergency evacuation. The childminder agreed to organise toys and materials to provide children with a choice of activities including those that enable children to build and construct. It was also agreed that the childminder would develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has written activity plans in place which she uses to plan activities for individual children. Children's progress is shared verbally with parents. This ensures that opportunities for children to progress are in place and that parents are kept aware of their children's progress. The storage of articles in the hallway has been organised to ensure safe emergency evacuation of the premises. This ensures children's safety in an emergency. Toys and materials now include construction toys are organised in floor based containers and portable storage units to provide children with a choice of activities and give them free choice to self-select. The childminder has attended child protection training and has the required documentation in place to ensure 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 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 fire drills are practiced and logged.

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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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