Collierley Nursery and Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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149616 Unique Reference Number 30 August 2007 Inspection date Gyatri Rupal 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 husband and two children aged 20 and 10-years-old in a house in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden used for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has two cats.

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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 six children on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment where they can play, rest and sleep according to their needs. They develop a healthy lifestyle as they enjoy a range of indoor and outdoor activities to develop their physical skills. For example, they play various sports games in the garden such as football, basketball and cricket and use a suitable range of indoor and outdoor

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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 play equipment which contributes to the development of their physical skills. Children’s well-being is generally promoted as the childminder ensures that most of the required documentation, policies and procedures are in place and work in practice. However, the childminder has not updated her first aid course which can impact on children’s health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from infections due to the appropriate procedures the childminder has in place. Daily hygiene routines are clearly explained to children which increases their understanding of the importance of personal care. For example, children wash their hands before eating and after going to the toilet. Most children bring their packed lunches from home although the childminder is willing to provide healthy meals if required. Younger children are offered drinks throughout the day so that they do not get thirsty. Older children are beginning to learn about a healthy diet as occasionally they are encouraged to prepare healthy snacks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel safe and secure as they independently move around freely and safely between the activities. The childminder carries out daily visual risk assessments to ensure the environment is safe for children. Children are closely supervised when playing in the garden. They use a suitable range of safe, well-maintained and developmentally appropriate resources. All items are checked regularly for safety. Children learn to keep themselves safe through the childminder’s guidance. The childminder has set up some safety rules for children to follow to keep themselves safe such as always play in an area where the childminder can see them and tidy up toys after play. Older children understand what action to take if there is a fire in the home as they regularly practise the fire drill with the childminder. The childminder safeguards children's welfare as she clearly understands her duty to protect children in her care and she is confident she will

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

be able to take appropriate action if she has any concerns about the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and happy in the welcoming environment. The childminder provides a range of suitable activities to meet the individual needs of children. Children develop confidence as they initiate their own play and explore an easily accessible and suitable range of play resources. They play with each other and share their toys. Children are developing their language as they explain their play ideas to each other and to the childminder. They develop their mathematical logic within their daily play. For example, children count numbers when they play games of cards and choose higher or lower numbers. Young children develop their confidence as they dress their dolls during imaginative play. The childminder interacts appropriately at the children’s level to help children develop their language and learn new words. Children develop their creative skills as they use suitable range of play equipment and art-craft material, to express

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder meets their needs through the daily routine as discussed with their parents. Young children bring their comfort things from home which helps them to settle and make them feel a sense of belonging. Children begin to show care and concern for each other and they play well together. Children have a good

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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 rapport with the childminder as they are confident enough to ask for what they require. They behave well in response to the childminder's clear boundaries for acceptable behaviour and consistent expectations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about the local community through regular visits to parents and toddlers groups and through visits to the local parks. They learn about diversity through their play resources and the childminder's discussions. Children benefit from a positive partnership the childminder has established with the parents. The childminder ensures parents are informed about her practice. There is a regular discussion between parents and the childminder to discuss the children's daily activities which helps build a trusting relationship with parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home and at ease due to appropriate organisation of play resources and environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder uses most of the policies and procedures appropriately to promote the welfare, care and learning of all children. She ensures most of the required documentation relating to children’s welfare, safety and care is in place and is regularly reviewed and updated. However, parents are not fully informed to enable all to work together to support the children’s well-being as the childminder has not updated her first aid course, she does not display her registration certificate and she cannot find her valid childminding public liability insurance certificate. The parents are kept informed about the children's progress through daily discussions. Overall, all children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to ensure that the daily record of attendance is accurate and ensure that parents sign the medication record book to acknowledge every entry. She was also asked to practise the emergency escape plan with children. The childminder uses daily diary to keep children’s attendance records and practise fire drill with children. The procedure for obtaining written parental acknowledgement of all administered medication is in place. This has positive impact on children’s well-being and safety. Children are aware of what action to take in emergency.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by the parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been a complaint made to Ofsted since the last inspection. Concerns were raised about the quality of care provided to children. These concerns relate to National Standards 1; suitable person, Standard 2; organisation, Standard 3; care, learning and play, Standard 6;safety and Standard 11; behaviour. Ofsted carried out an unannounced visit to the premises to investigate these concerns.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The visit showed that the provider was not keeping accurate records of the children’s attendance; they were not up to date and did not show arrival and departure times. An action was set under National Standard 14 ;documentation to ‘ensure that the register of children's attendance, including arrival and departure times, is kept up to date’.

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Complaints 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 A further action was also set under National Standard 14 as records relating to childminding were not readily available for inspection; this is to ‘ensure that all records are always available for inspection by the early years' childcare inspector’.

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Complaints since the last inspection

At the visit there were two parents present, who gave feedback on the service provided by the childminder and they were both happy with the care being provided for their children. A satisfactory response has been received and the provider remains qualified for registration.

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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 registration certificate is displayed all the time and a valid public liability insurance is in place • complete a local authority approved first aid course which includes training in first aid for infants and young children.

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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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