Grange Farm Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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107923 Unique Reference Number 29 August 2007 Inspection date Keriann Belcher 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 July 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged 17 and 19. They live in a detached chalet bungalow in Seer Green in the County of Buckinghamshire.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor area of the property is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding eight children under eight years. All children attend various hours on a full time and part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends toddler groups 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. The childminder promotes children's health and welfare as she has a clear understanding of children's medical requirements. She supports the care of children after minor accidents as she holds a relevant first aid certificate; has a suitably stocked first aid box and gains parent's signature on accident records.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy social meal times as they sit together with the childminder at the table for their lunch. The childminder discusses with parents the individual dietary requirements for the children. This ensures she has a clear understanding of the food she can provide for them. Children keep hydrated as they have independent access to drinks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children play and rest in very clean and well maintained surroundings. The childminder has high standards of hygiene throughout her home. Children begin to learn how to manage their own personal hygiene needs such as washing their hands after using the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Regular opportunities are available for physical exercise as children enjoy making good use of the back garden, and often visit places of interest such as Black park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children receive their care in safe and secure surroundings. The childminder has suitable nursery equipment to facilitate the needs of the children cared for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder provides versatile and well managed spaces and facilities where children can play freely and access suitable resources independently. Children use play materials that are in good condition and that help to develop children's early learning.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes several steps to minimise the risk of accidents. For example smoke alarms and socket covers are in place. The rear garden is not secure. However, the childminder is highly vigilant, which promotes the safety of children in this area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection matters. She is aware that children's welfare is paramount, and that any concerns relating to their welfare must be reported.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well-settled and relaxed in the care of the childminder. They have good opportunities to develop their skills through a varied selection of resources and well planned activities, for example, board games like ludo, use of the computer and role play. Children are able to choose resources independently, which contributes to their enjoyment and learning. Their play and learning is further extended by the childminder, as she is interested in what children are doing and saying, asking questions which make them think. They have great fun being creative and imaginative through such activities as making their own piggy banks using papier-mâché and act out giving birthday gifts to each other.

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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 displays the many examples of the children's art and craft work, as well as keeping work sheets that show how well their literacy and numeracy skills are developing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children behave well and respect the childminder's fair and equitable manner. They share and take turns when politely asked by the childminder to consider each other's wishes. The childminder is alert to the needs and behaviour of the children and intervenes promptly to diffuse and resolve any problems.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning about diversity within society as they access a range of resources that reflect positive images of other cultures and abilities such as sari to use for role play. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are likely to be well supported due to the childminder's accommodating attitude.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the consistency of care achieved through close liaison with parents. This ensures she has a clear understanding of their individual needs and preferences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Although the childminder has not received any complaints, she is aware that she must investigate any concerns made by parents about the service she provides. However, she does not have a system in place for doing so.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel comfortable and at ease within a family home environment. The childminder organises the day to include quiet times indoors and physical exercise outdoors. This helps to ensure the children's overall developmental progress. Children profit from the good working relationship the childminder enjoys with the parents. She shares all relevant information with them, and respects their wishes. This effective partnership contributes towards children's sense of well-being and contentment.

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Organisation

The childminder is generally effective at maintaining all required records. Written information is detailed, and kept up-to-date to ensure accuracy, thereby safe-guarding the well-being of the children. However, the attendance register does not always record the actual times of children's arrival and departure. The childminder was not aware of the need to have a system to record complaints from parents in line with the new National Standards regulation, but has a basic awareness of how she would manage any concerns received from the parents.

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Organisation

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 childminder was asked to improve fire safety precautions by ensuring that a fire blanket, which conforms to BS EN standards, is accessible in the kitchen. A fire blanket has been located in the kitchen which will enable it to be accessed quickly and can be used to minimise the risk to children should a fire start during cooking.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to develop her knowledge and understanding of local area child protection committee procedures. She has obtained the Safeguarding children's guidance from

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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 the local authority, which will ensure she is aware of the procedures to follow if she has a concern about a child.

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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): • establish a system for recording complaints made by parents that includes contact details for Ofsted • ensure children's actual times of arrival and departure is recorded in the attendance register.

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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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