Ditton Lodge Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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110624 Unique Reference Number 05 October 2007 Inspection date Alison Jane Kaplonek 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 1993. She is registered to provide care for six children under the age of eight. At present she cares for seven children on a part-time basis. She lives with her husband and two children, in the Alresford area of Hampshire, close to local amenities. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have one rabbit and a dog. The childminder attends carer and toddler groups on a regular basis and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's good health is assured as the childminder follows a range of good hygiene practices, such as wearing gloves when nappy changing, and ensuring that children do not come into contact with the dog's food. She keeps her first aid training up to date and has agreements with the parents to seek emergency treatment or advice. Children are actively encouraged to take care of their own personal needs if they are able, such as washing their hands after using the toilet or before eating. They talk about making sure they use soap and avoid using the hot

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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 tap in case the water is too hot. Children are offered healthy snacks such as fruit or breadsticks, and main meals are provided in accordance with the parents wishes. Some children bring a lunch box and others have a meal provided by the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to a fully enclosed garden where they can practise their physical skills on a good range of resources, such as climbing equipment, seesaws and tricycles. Older children visit local amenities during the school holidays where they can access larger equipment to develop their balancing and climbing skills. Younger children learn to manipulate simple tools such as scissors and glue sticks, as they cut and shape pieces of paper.

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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 safe environment where equipment and resources are in a good condition. They are provided with appropriate equipment, such as changing mats, a step which enables them to reach the toilets and travel cots, all of which are suitable for their age and stage of development. Children can safely access all areas of the house and the fully enclosed garden. Access to the premises is monitored and children know that the chain is on the front door to keep them safe. Risks are thoroughly assessed and clear emergency arrangements are shared with the parents. Children regularly practise the fire evacuation procedure, and they all receive a certificate to show their involvement. This enables them to recall the event as they talk to their parents, telling them where the pretend fire was and which exit they used to leave the house. Good records are kept of any accidents or medication administered and these are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and knows who to contact for support or to report any issues which may arise. She has a clear written policy, which states that she has a duty to report any concerns she may have about the children in her care, and she shares this with parents. She has an incident record to log any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are provided with a broad range of resources and activities, such as books, puzzles, outside play, board games and craft activities. Most children relate well to adults and their peers, talking confidently about what they are doing. Those who find it less easy to settle and interact with others, are provided with good support and encouragement from the childminder. Children ask questions as they play and the childminder responds well, encouraging new vocabulary or helping them to count or recognise colours. Children are able to request particular activities or resources, for example they ask for paper and scissors to cut shapes and carefully glue them onto the toy kitchen. They use their imaginations as they prepare cups of tea for the adults, talking about how hot the cups are. Children enjoy the stories that are read to them as they learn to use books with care. They are frequently provided with additional opportunities

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to interact with other children when they attend toddler groups or the childminder drop in session. Older children enjoy craft activities, board games and helping to organise the younger children as they play in the garden. They also enjoy trips out in the local area during the school holidays.

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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 all looked after in a caring, family environment where their needs are well met. They are all fully involved in the life and routines of the provision, for example hanging their coats up, changing their shoes to go into the garden and washing their hands. Children respond well to the childminder's calm and consistent approach to behaviour management. They learn good manners from a young age as the childminder encourages them to say please and thank you. Children are provided with a range of resources and activities which help them understand their own needs and those of others. For example, they can access dolls and books which enable them to talk about differences and they talk about the festivals of other cultures, such as Chinese new year. The childminder has a positive approach to supporting children with disabilities and learning difficulties.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. Parents are shown the full range of policies and procedures that supports the childminder's good practice. They are informed of how to make a complaint and records are in place to enable these to be logged appropriately. Parents are happy with the care and attention their children receive and feel they can discuss any issues with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are settled and happy in the family environment provided. Good organisation ensures that they are well protected and cared for. They are never left alone with unvetted adults and in the case of an emergency, arrangements are in place for children to be cared for by another registered childminder. The childminder keeps comprehensive records, such as a record of accidents, details of any religious or dietary needs and a register. The register is not always accurate, as information is not transferred from the attendance record sheets, to the register, until the end of the week. She ensures that a good range of agreements are in place, such as permission to take photographs or take the children on outings, although some agreements have not been signed by the childminder. Every child has a wallet containing their personal information and contacts. These are well labelled and easily accessible. The childminder is

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Organisation

constantly improving her knowledge and updating her training. This provides children with good continuity of care, ensures that they feel settled and secure and that their individual needs are well met. 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 childminder was asked to ensure that blanket consent to administer non prescription medication is removed from children's registration forms. This consent has now been removed from children's registration forms.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She was also asked to implement the use of an incident book to record significant concerns, and an incident record is now in place.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. These agreements are now in place for all children.

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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 1 April 2004 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 registers are completed accurately as children arrive and depart and that contracts are signed by all parties.

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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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