Friars School

Inspection report for early years provision

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131080 Unique Reference Number 01 August 2007 Inspection date Lisa Toole 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 satisfactory. 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 1999. She lives with her two children aged six and nine in Portslade, East Sussex. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five on a full-time basis. The family have a dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is protected regarding accidents because the childminder maintains a current first aid certificate and a basic accident record. She has positive relationships with the children in her care; she ensures their emotional well-being is as supported as their general care needs, offering children cuddles and reassurance when needed. However, the childminder's home is, in some areas somewhat untidy and cluttered and is not maintained to a high standard of

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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 hygiene both indoors and in the garden. There is also no changing mat available for nappy changing and these issues impact on how children are protected from risk of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a range of healthy snacks such as fresh fruit and children also enjoy meals which help ensure they are well nourished, encouraging them to try different foods to help develop their taste buds. Drinks are regularly offered to the children and this helps ensure they are hydrated as part of a healthy diet. Children sit together at the table for meal times and are encouraged to learn about the importance of good table manners, as part of their personal and social development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Their physical development is supported through regular opportunities to get fresh air and exercise. Children benefit from trips to the local play parks and other outings and younger toddlers are offered lots of support as they learn to take their first steps and develop their walking skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in an environment where there is sufficient space for them to be able to play and move around according to their need and interests. Not all areas of the home are well maintained in order to provide a welcoming environment for children to play but potential hazards have been reduced in order to safeguard their welfare. Fire safety equipment is fitted on each floor and there are effective procedures in place when children are taken on outings to help protect them and teach them about how to cross roads safely. Children's welfare is also protected regarding child protection as the childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow where a cause for concern is raised. She is less sure, however, of procedures to follow if an allegation of abuse is made against any adult in the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a wide range of toys and play resources to support children's learning and developmental needs across key areas of learning and children are encouraged to make their own decisions about what they do and play with. Equipment such as car seats, safety gates and booster seats for sitting at the table are used appropriately by the childminder in order to meet the children's individual needs as well as helping keep them safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well-settled and confident in the childminder's care and have a close and positive relationship with her. The childminder knows the children well and ensures they are happy and have sufficient toys to play with during the day, which are accessible to them at floor level. Her interaction with the children is positive; she spends lots of time sitting down at their level supporting them as they play and encouraging their communication and language skills by chatting to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are offered a general range of activities such as free play, painting, listening to stories, doing construction and role play to support their play and learning needs. However, the childminder lacks an in-depth understanding of how to provide toddlers with a broad range of age appropriate activities in line with the Birth to three matters framework so they gain skills in line with their developmental needs.

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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 satisfactory. Children have some opportunities to learn about the wider world and are all able to access an appropriate range of toys and resources to support their needs. The childminder has a experience of communicating with children who speak English as an additional language and this helps ensure that each child can be appropriately supported. Settling-in sessions are used by the childminder to find out as much information as possible about each child and specific care needs they may have, including any learning difficulty or disability. She also establishes with the parents what their children's routines are to provide consistency of care between the childminder and home for the child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is encouraged through lots of praise and encouragement in order to foster their self esteem and help them gain confidence. Appropriate strategies are in place to deal with any situations of negative behaviour and help children learn about right and wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure their children are being cared for in line with their wishes. She provides them with daily verbal feedback about each child's day so they are aware of what their children have been doing, what they have eaten and if they have had a sleep.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children are able to feel secure and comfortable in the childminder's care because of her friendly and caring approach. She is aware of the need to safeguard children from any un-vetted persons and she ensures that they are well supervised at all times. Children benefit from having access to a wide range of toys and a satisfactory range of activities to support their learning.

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Organisation

The documentation required for the safe and efficient management of her childminding practice is in place; children's records and the accident and medication records are all in place and the register of attendance shows children's hours of attendance. However, her documentation is not particularly well organised, is not all easily accessible or maintained in a good condition.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was set two recommendations. These related to the range of activities available to children and the use of space and resources. The childminder was also set five actions which related to hazards in the home, documentation, her understanding of child protection, the need to complete a first aid course and informing Ofsted of significant events. Since the last inspection the childminder has completed her first aid course, has a satisfactory understanding of child protection and these both help safeguard children. The childminder ensures that space is now better organised and that children are protected from hazards, which have been reduced, although the home is not maintained to a high standard. A recommendation has been raised in relation to this area. She ensures children have easy access to toys and an appropriate range of activities though there is a lack of sufficiently

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Improvements since the last inspection

appropriate activities for the children under three years old. A recommendation has been raised in relation to this and the use of the Birth to three matters framework. The childminder has the appropriate records in place for minded children and is aware of the need to keep Ofsted

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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 informed of any significant events. Her documentation overall is not all well maintained and a recommendation has been raised regarding this weakness.

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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 satisfactory. 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 all areas of the home used for childminding are appropriately clean and tidy and that nappy changing procedures reduce risks of cross infection • develop an understanding of the Birth to three matters framework in order to support younger children's learning and development needs • ensure that all documentation is well maintained and is easily accessible.

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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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