Rookwood School

Inspection report for early years provision

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116513 Unique Reference Number 08 August 2007 Inspection date Susan Mary Deadman 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 1998. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and seven years and adult stepson. They live in a house in Flackwell Heath, close to a range of local amenities. Most rooms on the ground floor are used for childminding with sleeping facilities situated on the first floor. There is a large fully 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 five children at any one time. She is currently caring for a total nine children, of whom seven are under the age of eight years. All children attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have two cats, four rabbits and some fish.

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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 are healthy due to the very good practice followed by the childminder. They understand the importance of hand washing routines. After nappy changing, both the childminder and toddler wash their hands. The use of baby wipes, individual flannels and clean towels minimises the spread of infection. The sickness policy ensures that children do not attend the setting if they are infectious.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is well organised to deal effectively with minor accidents. The first aid box holds the required contents and effective procedures ensure that all items are suitable for purpose. The childminder promotes children’s welfare, as there is effective communication with parents relating to accidents. Medication records are clearly maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides snacks and meals that are nutritious and varied. Menu plans include plenty of fruit and vegetables. The childminder provides meals to suit the needs of the children attending. For example, if they have sandwiches at school, she provides them with a hot meal in the evening. Children enjoy social mealtimes, as they sit together at the dining table. In addition to sandwiches, they choose from individual bowls of cucumber, peppers, grapes and snack biscuits. Children have easy access to drinks, which keeps them hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which contributes to their good health. They benefit from using the good variety of outdoor equipment and regular visits to soft play centres.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder promotes children’s safety as she takes suitable safety precautions, therefore minimising the risk of accidents to children within the home. This enables children to move around the home safely, freely and independently. For example, children roam from the playroom to the dining room and then into the conservatory.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children sleep safely upstairs as the childminder monitors them during this time. Children practise the emergency evacuation procedures and the childminder records the details. The garden is safe and secure and the childminder monitors them when using this area. She supports their understanding of road safety through discussing issues with children during outings. Children have access to books, which reinforce this issue.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder provides high quality equipment to meet the needs of the children. For example, stair gates, travel cots, booster seats and bathroom stepping stool. The childminder checks equipment on a regular basis and discards any damaged items.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder’s understanding of her responsibilities in relation to child protection promotes children’s welfare. She has a clear understanding of the indicators of abuse and the referral system. She maintains a record of any pre-existing injuries and parents sign the entry.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy in the childminder’s home. They are confident to explore and make good use of the play equipment. The exciting playroom offers children a homely and cheerful environment, where they independently access a huge range of age appropriate resources.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy imaginative play, art and craft, construction and tactile play with bowls of coloured rice. They organise themselves well and play with a purpose. For example, children use the puppet theatre to produce a show and invite adults and younger children to attend. Children giggle with delight during the show, as they make good use of the wide range of hand puppets.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder promotes children's learning as she uses the Birth to three matters framework training and guidance documents. She supports children's language development as she organises their day to offer them access to music tapes, songs and stories.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder displays children's artwork for others to see, which helps children to feel valued and secure. She gathers relevant information relating to the care of each child. The childminder has a clear understanding of the children's individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and the childminder manages minor age appropriate disputes in a way which reinforces children's understanding of right and wrong. Consistent strategies are used and children are clearly familiar with these. For example, to ensure children have a fair turn at certain activities, the childminder uses the oven timer. This denotes to children when it is time for the next child to have their turn. Children are happy with this system and come into the kitchen to ask the childminder to reset the timer for the next person.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is an exceedingly good partnership with parents. The childminder makes excellent use of photographs to share children's daily activities with their parents. The daily diary contains useful information such as food, outings, nappy changes and sleep.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents have access to the written policies and procedures, which includes complaints. They are confident with the service and provide positive written feedback.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder cares for children in a well-organised environment. The playroom offers children easy access to their toys. The childminder takes into account the children she has in attendance and offers them a good range of suitable activities.

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Organisation

The childminder clearly records children's contracted hours. She places information relating to their actual hours of attendance within daily records, however, these are not always on site. The records and additional spreadsheets allow her to identify the children attending the setting each day. This ensures she remains within her ratios at all times.

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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 The childminder supports the care of children as she adheres to a good range of policies and procedures. These include partnership with parents, confidentiality and equal opportunities. She update her knowledge and understanding of relevant childcare issues as she attends additional training. For example, she is currently completing her level 3 in childcare. Other training includes play and recreation, paper craft and environmental health awareness. 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 previous inspection the childminder was required to ensure the rotary clothes line in the garden posed no danger to children and to record medication administered.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The rotary line has a cover in place when not in use, which promotes children's safety when using the garden. The childminder maintains accurate medication records, which include the date and time the medication is administered. Both childminder and parent sign the record. The procedures are effective and promote children's welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the previous 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): • review the procedures for recording children's attendance.

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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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