South Bromsgrove High

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

140292 Unique Reference Number 02 August 2007 Inspection date Roulla Xyrizos Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2001. She lives with her two children aged 16 and 11 years old. They live in a three bedroom flat on a large estate in South Tottenham within the London borough of Haringey, and there is no garden. There are a few local shops within walking distance, and the childminder uses local toddler group's when minding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Areas of the property used for childminding are the kitchen, living room, her son's bedroom and the hallway. The childminder's bedroom is only used for sleep purposes via the use of a travel cot.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children under eight at any one time, and is currently minding two children aged one year and aged six months. The family have no pets. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a satisfactory environment. Children are protected from the risk of cross infection because of the childminder's practice. For example, children have their own individual eating utensils, and bedding. Soiled nappies are placed in nappy sacks and stored outdoors. Children learn about hygiene practices because of the childminder's practice. For example, she will explain to children why they should wash their hands before mealtimes and after toileting and messy play activities.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder will seek written parental consent if she is asked to administer

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

medication. However, consistency of children's care and good health may be compromised because the childminder has not obtained written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice if required, and she does not have a record of children's GP, Health visitor, or details of children's inoculations.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing their physical skills because of the activities the childminder provides. For example, she takes children for daily walks, and regular visits to the park where children play and use large play apparatus. The children are also taken on regular trips to a local playgroup where they enjoy a variety of activities that promotes their physical co-ordination skills, for example, sand and water play and finger painting.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures children have the opportunity to rest or sleep according to their individual needs. For example, one child enjoys sleeping in a baby bouncer, whilst another child enjoys sleeping in the travel cot.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a sound understanding of children's dietary needs and discusses children's individual likes, dislikes and religious requirements before minding commences. Children's milk feeds are stored in the refrigerator and the childminder places bottles in a jug of warm water before feeding to children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe, clean and well maintained environment. Children have sufficient space to explore and play safely and the majority of play takes place in the living room and hallway. Children freely access safe toys and equipment. The childminder provides a variety of toys and resources which are suitable for the children's ages and stages of development.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe, and there is a sound range of safety measures in place because the childminder takes positive steps to promote safety. The childminder has fitted stair gates in place to the bottom and top of the stairs and to the entrance to the kitchen. She has written fire evacuation plans in place, a fire blanket in the kitchen and three smoke alarms throughout the premises. The childminder helps children to develop an awareness of safety. For example, when on outings the childminder explains the importance of not talking to strangers and always ensures that children walk on the inside of the pavement and not on the outside where the traffic is.

p.3

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 The childminder has satisfactory knowledge of child protection issues and is clear regarding her responsibilities and the procedures to follow should she have any concerns. The childminder has not been provided with new written Local Safeguarding Children's Board procedures, which are obtainable via her local authority.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder must also display the Ofsted certificate of registration which is currently situated in a folder, but should be displayed for parents information.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has satisfactory knowledge of children's development. She provides a sound range of activities both inside and outside and through visits and outings. For example, children enjoy attending the local playgroup where they take part in a wide range of creative activities including sand and water play and painting activities. Children are also taken to the park on a regular basis, where they enjoy playing with a variety of play apparatus.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Resources reflect children's individual interests. For example, the childminder always ensures that there are a variety of rattles, toy plastic keys, musical walkers, and toddler's activity table in order to stimulate the children's interest.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children respond well to the childminder's care and are happy and comfortable in her presence. Children enjoy making decisions about their play as they choose from a range of activities that enables them to explore and investigate.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has satisfactory knowledge and awareness of the importance of treating each child with equal respect. Resources and play materials depict positive images, for example, male and female dolls, dressing up clothes, jigsaw puzzles and books depicting different cultures. The childminder is also keen to work with parents in order to help provide activities depicting various cultural celebrations, for example, Chinese New Year. The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory awareness of how to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and this is due to the childminder's effective behaviour management. The childminder helps children to understand right from wrong and extends their learning by undertaking specific activities to reinforce positive behaviour. For example, if children are refusing to share toys, the childminder will cut an apple into sections, and encourage the children to share it amongst themselves.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops a positive partnership with parents, in order to ensure that she provides appropriate care. For example, before minding commences, the childminder will meet with the parents and ask various questions regarding their children's individual needs, likes and dislikes. She has clear procedures for keeping parents informed about her provision, and provides parents with verbal and written feedback about their children's progress. For example, the childminder keeps a diary of children's progress which includes their first steps, what they enjoy, their eating habits and physical development.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder will discuss any concerns she has with children's parents and seek to work in partnership with them in order to meet children's needs and provide appropriate care.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are secure because the environment is generally well-organised. Parents are provided with regular verbal and written reports regarding their children's progress. Children's development and general wellbeing benefit because the childminder has attended additional training. For example, the childminder has undertaken the to Birth to Three matters framework training and Safeguarding and Child Protection training.

p.5

Organisation

Children are kept safe due to all adults in the home being vetted. Parents are provided with verbal information relating to the services provided, although the childminder can extend on her practice by providing parents with written documentation, outlining her policies and procedures.

p.5

Organisation

Children's welfare is generally safeguarded, although the childminder does not have written parental consent to take children on outings, for example, to the park, playgroups and trips to local shops.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to provide a record of medicines administered to children. The childminder reports that she has not minded children for one year, and has only recently commenced minding again. The childminder states that she has not been asked to administer medication to her current minded children, and therefore does not have a written record at present. The childminder has demonstrated a good understanding of records that must be kept should she be requested to administer medication to children.

p.5

Complaints 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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):

p.5

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 • obtain prior written parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment or advice if required, and obtain up to date details of children's health records, and GP and Health Visitor details. • obtain Local Safeguarding Children's Board written procedures from your local authority, and ensure that the Ofsted certificate of registration is displayed. • obtain written parental consent to take children on outings • consider providing parents with written information regarding your practice, policies and procedures

p.5

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

p.6

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

p.6