Lancing College Preparatory School at Worthing

Inspection report for early years provision

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126114 Unique Reference Number 20 August 2007 Inspection date Mary Van De Peer 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 1995. She lives with her husband and three children in Ashford, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean home with a welcoming environment. They are learning and developing an understanding of why they must wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet, this helps reduce the risk of cross contamination. The children benefit from the childminder’s sick child policy and parents are kept informed about any illnesses going around. Consequently, cross infection is reduced. Although parents provide consents for administration of sun creams and emergency medical treatment, there are no individual written permissions

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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 for the childminder to administer prescribed medication. The childminder has a current paediatric first aid certificate and a first aid kit, so children's minor injuries can be treated effectively. Accident and medication details are recorded by the childminder, with parents' signatures requested for each entry. Children are usually able to play outdoors in the back garden. However, as extensive building work is taking place at the rear of the house, the childminder currently takes them out to local parks and walks daily. Children benefit from the exercise and fresh air. They are also able to rest when they need to. Parents tend to provide their children's food, which is usually in packed lunches. In addition, the childminder offers a healthy selection of snacks and drinks, such as fruit, water and other sugar-free drinks. Children are beginning to

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Helping children to be healthy

learn about the importance of healthy living.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children have free access to the downstairs area of the childminder's home. The garden is usually available for children to play in, however, building work means it cannot currently be used. The areas of the house children have access to are safe and child-friendly, they can move around freely and independently. The childminder ensures she has a range of age appropriate toys and resources available for children to choose activities from. An emergency evacuation procedure is discussed with older children, this means that children are learning how to keep themselves safe. The childminder has the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded. For example, the childminder has an adequate knowledge and understanding of what action to take if she has concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have a warm and caring relationship with the childminder. Their individual needs are being catered for by the use of age-appropriate toys and activities. These resources are made available by the childminder daily, so children can make some choices in their play. However, there are limited opportunities for children to use their imagination, such as playing with role play activities. Children relate well to each other and are able to socialise with other children through regular visits to local toddler clubs, for example, tumble-time. Children enjoy their time at the childminder's home. They are progressing appropriately, according to their age and development, because the childminder is caring and has an adequate understanding of how young children develop. They also experience a sense of their local community through regular outings to local parks and feeding the ducks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children are developing self-esteem and confidence. They are provided with a few positive images of the diversity in our society, for example, books and dolls showing other cultures and disabilities. The childminder also talks to the children about the different people they see and meet when out in the local community. This helps ensure that their individual and cultural needs are met. The childminder shows all the children respect and values their contributions to situations. Their behaviour is good and they respond well to guidance from the childminder. The childminder has developed working partnerships with the parents. Although she has procedures for different aspects of her childminding service, for example, child protection and managing behaviour, there are no written policies or procedures. She ensures she discusses

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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 children's backgrounds with parents. The childminder also provides them with regular verbal feedback about their children's progress and achievements. This enables her to provide continuity of care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children's welfare is very important to the childminder. Children feel at home and at ease with the relaxed environment. They are offered an appropriate level of care for their age and level of understanding. Children display confidence and are happy in their play. The childminder has an acceptable knowledge and understanding of her role and responsibilities. Her Ofsted certificate is displayed for parents and visitors. All persons living in the household have been vetted. The childminder has a few relevant procedures in place, although they are not written down. The required paperwork is in place. However, some of the record-keeping is not consistent with current practices and is not always kept up to date or in a confidential manner, for example, accident and medication records. This results in important procedures regarding the welfare of children not being made clear for parents. The childminder meets the needs of the range of

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Improvements since the last inspection

The provider has followed the previous six recommendations to improve the provision.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The first recommendation was for the childminder to develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She has been unsuccessful in getting a place on relevant training but has obtained information and literature from other sources. She has developed an adequate knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The second recommendation was for the childminder to ensure that attendance is recorded accurately on a daily basis. She now keeps a daily record of children's attendance times on a calendar.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A third recommendation was for the childminder to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The childminder provides children with various positive images by way of books and dolls; she also discusses people's differences with children. Children are beginning to learn about the diversity in today's society.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The fourth recommendation was for the childminder to establish a written agreement with parents that sets out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the child, activities provided and business arrangements. The contracts used by the childminder provide parents with some of her business arrangements and child care information, but are not fully consistent with current good practices.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A fifth recommendation was for the childminder to make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint. As it is not a requirement for a childminder to have a written statement of procedure, she has only shared this information verbally with parents. There have been no complaints received in writing by the childminder to be recorded.

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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 The final recommendation was for the childminder to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. There is written information providing permission for the childminder to seek emergency treatment from parents. This helps to ensure children's well-being is protected.

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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 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): • consider obtaining individual written consents from parents for each new medication situation • consider providing additional resources for children to use their imagination • review record-keeping procedures to ensure confidentiality is observed and relevant information is written down

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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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