Elson Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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116163 Unique Reference Number 02 October 2007 Inspection date Sandra Laura Bates 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 registered in November 2000. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding five children of whom only one attends on a full time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and their two children aged over eight years, in a semi-detached house situated in a residential road in Feltham, Middlesex. The minding is generally confined to the ground floor of the home with access to a first floor bedroom for sleeping children. Washing and toileting facilities are also situated on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play and the childminder makes use of local play venues and groups. The house is situated close to public transport, schools and other local amenities. The family have two pet house cats, and reptiles that are securely contained in suitable vivariums in upstairs rooms where children may have only closely supervised access.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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. Children play and rest in clean and well managed surroundings because the childminder maintains high standards of general hygiene throughout her home. She has in place suitable resources, records and training to enable her to provide appropriate care for children in the event of an accident. Children's personal hygiene needs are managed well. Children play energetically at the setting using a range of garden equipment that is regularly serviced or renewed. They enjoy outings to places of interest and local groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a varied range of healthy eating options and some children's favourites. The childminder plans menus that include fresh ingredients and introduces children to the tastes and textures of meals from other cultures. Menus are shared with parents so that they have a good idea about what their children are eating. Children sit safely restrained in a high chair, as age appropriate, to enjoy a snack of fresh fruit for example. The childminder ensures that the fruit is portioned so that children can manage the pieces safely and easily. Children sit together at meal times because the childminder recognises the social value of the shared experience and the encouragement of good table manners. Children freely access drinks that are replenished at regular intervals so that children are adequately hydrated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children stay very safe and secure in the childminder's care. The home is very warm and welcoming to children with resources arranged so that children can easily and independently select their preferred materials. The childminder has regular routines for the maintenance and cleaning of resources. The play materials are safe and suitable for the age range of the minded children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder identifies all potential hazards and takes appropriate steps to reduce risks to children. She puts in place suitable features such as safety gates, child proof catches and safety film on low level glass for example. She tests the smoke detectors regularly and practises fire drills with the children so that they will understand what to do in the event of an emergency. The childminder takes particular care to be sure that she can identify any potentially dangerous plants by carefully consulting relevant reference material.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted due to the childminder's clear and thorough understanding of child protection procedures. She confidently identifies all forms that abuse may take and knows the steps to take if she has any concerns. The childminder makes sure that parents understand her responsibility towards their children in this respect by providing comprehensive details within her portfolio, however, some of this material is not completely up to date.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled and confident in the childminder's care. They happily spend time selecting and playing with a range of easily accessible materials and involve the childminder and any other adults in their play. The range of resources are such as to encourage and support early learning for children.

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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 interacts with the children in a very positive and enthusiastic manner. They sing well known rhymes together and play 'row the boat', for instance, sitting on the childminder's lap. Children snuggle in comfortably to the childminder for a cuddle when they are tired. The childminder and the children clearly delight in one another's company.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder knows the needs of the individual children and caters for them well. She takes positive steps to ensure that all children can access the play materials and ensures that any kind of stereotyping is avoided. Children use a range of resources that reflect positive images of social diversity including special needs. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are likely to be well supported due to the childminder's positive and accommodating personal attitude.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and respect the childminder's wishes. They feel secure within the sensible boundaries and ground rules set by the childminder. The childminder discusses these with those children who are old enough to understand so that they are clear about her expectations. She outlines fair and equitable sanctions for managing challenging behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the consistency of care achieved through close relationships with parents. The childminder makes time to discuss any problems discreetly, respecting the confidences of children and parents. The childminder encourages strong links between the children's homes and her setting. For instance, the childminder plays with the children using a toy telephone to 'call mummy'. She manages the daily separation from parents in a positive way so that children know where their parent is going and when they will return. Parents have good initial information about the service and regular discussions about how children spend their days.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is experienced and has completed the required training. She understands the need to renew and up date such qualifications as first aid training. The childminder keeps herself well informed about any changes to legislation or guidance that may affect her practice. She ensures that the required ratios are maintained at all times and informs the regulating authority of any changes that may be necessary.

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Organisation

The childminder provides a comprehensive portfolio of information that under-pins her service, but this is not fully up to date in respect of changes to local authority child protection arrangements, and also contains some redundant documents. The portfolio is very informative, but is not presented in a very 'reader friendly' way.

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Organisation

All the regulatory documentation is in place and is properly maintained. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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 then 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 information that is shared with parents includes only valid documents and those that are up dated in line with current guidance

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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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