Winchelsea Primary School Ruskington

Inspection report for early years provision

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120496 Unique Reference Number 04 September 2007 Inspection date Patricia Jane Daniels 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 was registered in 1989. She lives with her partner and two grown up children in a house in Addlestone, Surrey. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding two, who attend on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group takes children to the local park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean home where they learn about good hygiene through daily routines and explanations. For example, the childminder tells children that they need to wash

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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 their hands before eating because of the germs. This helps to develop the children's understanding.

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Helping children to be healthy

Written consent to administer medication is in place, so that children receive treatment in line with parents' wishes. The childminder holds a current paediatric first aid certificate. She has information about symptoms and exclusion times for childhood illnesses and uses this to inform her sick child policy, so that contagious illness does not spread to others.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents supply food and the childminder offers snacks of fruit and occasional biscuits, in line with parents' wishes. Drinks are freely available for children to help themselves. The childminder monitors this and makes sure that children have enough to drink.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children play outdoors in the garden daily, where they enjoy the benefits of fresh air and exercise. The childminder takes children to the local park to play on the equipment and to indoor play sites when the weather is poor. In this way, the children's physical development is promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have plenty of space to move around freely in the lounge and dining area. The rooms are divided by doors, which are closed to provide a quiet area for sleeping children. The childminder does not use the first floor of the premises for minding. The environment is made welcoming by a display of toys presented for children's selection. The toys are selected to be safe and suitable for the ages of children attending.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has assessed her home for safety and taken steps to remove risks to children. For example, she provides a guard to protect children from the gas fire. She has positioned stair gates to prevent children accessing the stairs and kitchen. The childminder considers children's safety on outings. She takes them to suitable venues and helps them to learn about road safety when out walking.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibility to safeguard children. She knows the possible indicators of abuse and the procedures to take, if she has concerns. She makes parents aware of her role through her policy. The welfare of the children is promoted within the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and confident in the setting. They have developed positive relationships with the childminder and they approach her freely for cuddles and support with play. These close relationships help young children to feel secure and develop the skills needed for communication. The childminder helps to develop communication further in everyday activities. For example, she talks to the children about animals and the sounds they make, and then praises their efforts to mimic.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoys investigating and choosing from the interesting range of toys provided. The childminder rotates the toys, to keep the play provision fresh. She demonstrates the toys to the children and encourages them to manipulate the shapes to fit the shape sorter. She talks about the colours and shapes and praises the children's efforts. This helps them make

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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 connections and learn through everyday play. Later, the children decide to go into the garden and enjoy playing in the sand, with the childminders support.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder takes children to local toddler groups, where they can develop their social skills. She offers an interesting range of activities for children, but she has not developed a written system of planning for these.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Young children learn to share and are encouraged to say 'thank you', which helps them to consider each other. The childminder enables older children to learn about the diversity within society by celebrating festivals, such as Chinese New Year and Divali.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are sought from parents, so that appropriate care is offered from the start. This helps young children develop a sense of belonging within the setting. The childminder uses positive strategies to manage children's behaviour. She praises good behaviour and diverts children from unwanted behaviour. She uses explanation for older children, so that they understand the effect of their behaviour on others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder makes time for daily conversations with parents and provides a file of policies and information linked to the National Standards. The file includes references from other parents. Written business agreements are used, so that all parties are aware of the arrangements. A positive relationship is fostered and the exchange of information promotes continuity of care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. All required suitability checks on household members have been undertaken. The childminder makes sure that children do not have unsupervised contact with any visitors to the house. She has recently completed a Level 3 qualification in childcare and attends workshops to update her knowledge.

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Organisation

The childminder organises her home to be safe and welcoming for children. All required documentation relating to the safety, health and welfare is in place and well maintained. Regulatory requirements are met and the childminder displays her certificate of registration for the benefit of parents. She has developed a range of written policies and procedures to underpin her practice. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, Ofsted requested that the childminder should ensure records of medication and children's details should be in place. These are all completed, in line with regulations. Ofsted also requested that sharp knives are inaccessible to children. These are stored out of children's reach and a stair gate prevents children's access to the kitchen. Ofsted also requested that the childminder should improve her knowledge relating to equal opportunities and child protection, which has been achieved through training. These actions have improved the standard of care for 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 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): • develop a system for written plans of daily activities

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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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