Western Park School

Inspection report for early years provision

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120357 Unique Reference Number 06 August 2007 Inspection date Catherine Hill 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 1997. She lives with husband and adult children in a modern semi-detached property in Mytchett, Surrey. Local shops ,schools and preschools are within walking distance. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding with bathroom facilities upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder can care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding three children under five years, two children between five and eight years and one child over eight years, all on a part-time basis during the week. The childminder attends toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and Surrey County Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children keep healthy because they play in a very clean home environment. Young children learn about hygiene practice as they are given wipes to clean their hands before eating their morning snack. The childminder's policies and procedures ensure children are well protected

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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 from illness and infection. To support her practice she has a written sickness and accident policy which she shares with parents. Children receive appropriate care if they have an accident and both accidents and medication administered are recorded. They have very good opportunities to develop and maintain a healthy body, as they are regularly taken out for play and exercise in the fresh air. Children proudly show how they jump on trampolines and demonstrate good control of their movements as they climb to sit on sofas and as they manoeuvre the toy pushchair around whilst taking a doll for a walk indoors. Their dietary requirements are met as the childminder works in close partnership with parents. They freely access their cup of drink when thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's welfare is well safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of her role with regard to child protection. She has recently attended child protection training, has a written child protection statement and maintains relevant contact numbers and literature on file to support her practice. Children relax and play happily in the warm, welcoming and secure home environment. They have very good play space and access to a range of resources to promote learning in all skill areas. For example, they freely access books, construction blocks and small world figures. The childminder rotates resources to ensure they are age appropriate and allow for progression in learning. Children keep safe within the home as the childminder has identified and minimized hazards. For example, she has a safety gate to prohibit access to the stairs and the minding premises are kept secure, so children can not leave them unattended. Children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

learn how to keep themselves safe as the childminder discusses safety with them before they go on outings, such as to the park.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are totally at home and enjoy themselves as they engage in a variety of play activities. The childminder fosters children's love of books, as she sits and reads with them. Children enjoy listening to the story of the 'Brave Little Train' and ask the childminder to read it again. The childminder makes good use of questions about the pictures in books, to maintain children's interest and stimulate thought. Children freely select books of their choice and sit and use picture clues to tell the childminder a story about a panda. They handle books carefully and reinforce their language skills, as they correctly identify the different facial features in pictures. The childminder actively supports play and learning as she gets down to children's level to play with them, with small world figures. She uses opportunities as they arise to extend play and reinforce learning, for example, by encouraging children to count with her how many tiger

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

figures they have. Children have fun and laugh and giggle as they play. They initiate their own game of peepo and enjoy the freedom of independent exploration, as they absorb themselves in play with the small world house.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have very good self-esteem. The childminder regularly praises children's efforts and demonstrated through discussion a good understanding of children's likes and dislikes. Children have excellent relationships with the childminder and turn to her readily for support. They develop a sense of responsibility as they help tidy away resources, before getting new toys out

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 to play with. They behave very well as they are actively occupied and receive good support from the childminder. The childminder acts as an excellent role model with regard to good manners, by gently prompting children to demonstrate good manners themselves, as they are given a drink. The childminder has positive relationships with parents. She shares written information about her practice, although her policy with parents does not clearly detail her procedures for dealing with concerns and does not include Ofsted's contact details. She shares daily verbal information about the children in her care and maintains all necessary children's details, although a little detail is missing from some written agreements with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy at the childminder's and have fun as she sensitively supports their play and learning. She is well organised and proactive in attending training, to continually develop and refresh her knowledge and skills. She maintains records of children's daily attendance and has a range of documentation in place to support her practice. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection the childminder has improved her attendance records, to clearly identify individual children. She has strengthened her safety procedures by verbally reinforcing her emergency evacuation plan with children approximately every four weeks.

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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. 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): • devise and implement a procedure for dealing with any concerns raised by parents and include within the procedure Ofsted's contact details • ensure written agreements with parents regarding the care of their child are maintained with all necessary detail.

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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 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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