St Lawrence Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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141347 Unique Reference Number 17 September 2007 Inspection date Sylvia Crawford 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 registered in 1993. She lives with her husband and their school age son. They live on a well established estate on the north of Milton Keynes close to local shops, pre-school, and schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder uses all downstairs for childminding including rest and toilet facilities. One bedroom upstairs is available for rest. Children regularly go to the park to enjoy physical play. The childminder takes children to the local pre-school and attends a toddler group on a regular basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children. She currently has six children on roll. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 enjoy a wide range of activities and experiences indoors and outdoors which actively contribute to their physical development and good health. They have the opportunity for fresh air and exercise at the local park, on outings and on walks in the locality. Younger children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs and parents wishes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for within a well-maintained and hygienic environment. The childminder employs effective and thorough hygiene routines and procedures that ensure children are kept healthy. Children understand that they must wash their hands after using the toilet or before eating and they have separate towels to prevent cross infection. Babies enjoy a lot of attention and interaction with the childminder at nappy changing time, which promotes their development. The childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare because she has a written policy regarding sickness and procedures in place to meet children's individual health needs. Children are protected because she has a current first aid qualification and consequently feels confident about dealing with emergencies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder works well with parents and has a good understanding of healthy eating. The childminder provides a range of healthy snacks and ensures that packed lunches are stored appropriately. She works with parents to ensure that babies routines are followed, which promotes continuity of care. Children have access to drinks at all times to prevent them from becoming thirsty. The childminder supports children to eat well and have good table manners.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children play in a safe and secure environment where the childminder identifies and minimises risks using appropriate safety measures. For example, using socket covers and ensuring dangerous substances are out of child reach. Consequently, children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder conducts regular risk assessments to ensure the environment remains safe. Children are well supervised on outings and the childminder helps them to understand road safety. She has a written fire evacuation procedure in place and smoke detectors on each level; therefore, children are beginning to understand about fire safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a good range of resources and equipment. The childminder, through careful supervision, ensures that toys and equipment are safe and appropriate for children's age and stages of development. She supports older children to be aware of dangers, for example, not playing with small toys when the baby is present.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a developing understanding of child protection issues, taking steps towards protecting children’s welfare. The childminder is clear about her role in the protection of children and is aware of the signs and symptoms that may indicate possible abuse or neglect. However, she does not have the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines and does not ensure that parents are fully aware of her role and responsibility as a registered childminder with regard to child protection issues.

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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 have a very good relationship with the childminder and are confident and happy in her care. They enjoy the welcoming, child-orientated environment and this contributes towards their sense of belonging. The childminder finds out what children know and can do when they first attend by talking to parents and observing children when they are playing. Children settle into the childminders care gradually over a period of several days, ensuring they are confident in her care and parents start to build trusting relationships.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relate well to each other and socialise with other children through visits to parent and toddler groups and organised trips. The childminder has extensive experience in caring for children and a sound knowledge of child development; this means that she is able to meet children's individual needs. Babies receive lots of cuddles and tactile experiences, which increases their sense of well-being. The childminder knows the children very well and is able to care for them according to parental wishes. She supports children's early communication skills extremely well through good quality adult-child interaction; this means that children receive good quality care and progress well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children flourish as they receive frequent individual attention from the childminder who shows interest in what they are doing. For example, she sits with babies on the floor, helping them play with the baby gym and actively takes part in imaginative play with older children. This supports and develops children's self-esteem and sense of worth. Children's independence is fostered as they make their own choices and decisions, for example, what card games or board games they will play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder meets each child's individual needs and follows their own routine after careful discussion with the child's parents. The childminder helps children to learn about their local community as they visit the shops, parent and toddler group and go for walks. They are learning about diversity and the wider world through a good range of resources and by the open and honest relationship they have with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has house rules in place and she gently helps younger children to know and understand them. There are appropriate strategies in place to develop children's understanding of right from wrong. They are encouraged to play and co-operate with each other and to treat others with respect and kindness. The childminder promotes good behaviour through the use of praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the two-way communication system between parents and the childminder, which helps to maintain their continuity of care. The childminder has several letters from parents giving very positive feedback. She shares information daily with parents about the children's routines, activities and achievements. They work together to support children's development.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home and at ease within the family environment and play happily in the childminder's care. They know routines well and are settled in the warm and welcoming atmosphere. The childminder's understanding of children's developmental needs benefit children's individual care. She organises time well and provides a good balance of indoor and outdoor play, which extends children's learning and development.

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Organisation

The childminder generally informs parents of her policies and procedures verbally. She maintains the required documentation and written parental consents for childminding. These are all stored securely in files and confidentiality is maintained. This helps maintain children's welfare, care and learning. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding and knowledge of the National Standards but does not have copies of them or the most recent updates. Consequently, she is not aware of the procedure to follow with regard to complaints. Overall, 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 last inspection, the childminder was recommended to consider alternative ways of recording the days and times that children attend, ensure that records of accidents, incidents, and pre-existing injuries contain the child's full name and are signed by parents and ensure that information about child protection issues and contact details for the relevant child protection organisations is readily available.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder records all children's arrival and departures on a calendar and this information is kept for the required length of time. The childminder is using a duplicate book to record accidents, incidents and pre existing injuries. All records contain full details and are countersigned by parents. The childminder now keeps information of who to contact at Social Services if she has concerns about a child in her care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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):

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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 • ensure that copies of the National Standards, guidance and relevant revisions are in place and update complaints procedures so that they meet the latest changes • ensure the local safeguarding children board guidelines are in place and that parents are aware of the role and responsibilities of the childminder with regard to child protection issues

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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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