King Ecgbert School

Inspection report for early years provision

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138841 Unique Reference Number 07 August 2007 Inspection date Shirley Amanda Wilkes 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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1993. She lives with her husband in the Newport area of Shropshire. The whole of the downstairs is used for childminding activities and there is a garden for outdoor play. The childminder visits places of interest in the local area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently no children on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The environment is clean and well maintained. The childminder showed a good knowledge of how to promote children's good health; for example, she protects them from infectious diseases

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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 by ensuring parents fully understand that sick children cannot be cared for. She describes how she talks with children about the need for good hygiene practices so that they remember to wash their hands before meals. She explains how she asks parents to provide sun cream and sun hats in hot weather so that children are protected.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has established appropriate procedures for administration of medication with parent's written consent and the recording of accidents. However, her first aid certificate has expired.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder shows a clear understanding of the importance of a healthy, balanced diet with lots of fresh foods. She encourages children to eat together at the kitchen table and gave a descriptive account of the sorts of conversations she promotes to raise children's awareness of the importance of healthy eating. In discussion, the childminder shows that she respects parent's wishes regarding food given to children and their wish to provide their own food, if preferred. She takes times to learn about children's preferences, encouraging them to try out new foods; she indicates that she introduces new fruits and vegetables to encourage them to extend their tastes. She has recorded details of children's allergies, likes and dislikes to ensure their individual needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder places strong emphasis on safe supervision. Discussion with the childminder suggests that she has taken appropriate action to ensure risks in her home have been minimised, so that children can play safely. For example, she teaches them to keep away from the cooker when meals are being served. She has considered safe evacuation in an emergency and has a written plan, however the fire blanket is not easily accessible if needed. Available space is used effectively to meet children's different needs and ensure they are safe and comfortable. Children can safely access a reasonable range of toys and equipment. They are able to move around freely, independently selecting toys from the toy boxes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of child protection procedures and recognises the need to establish clear support systems for herself. She is developing ways to share information about her role more fully with parents, so that they understand her responsibility to record and report any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder describes in detail the ways in which she plans to encourage children to share their interests, so that a suitable variety of activities is offered to meet their individual needs. She encourages them to suggest play ideas and has found that craft and drawing activities are chosen frequently and that children often ask if they can bake. Younger children love playing with the dolls and role play developing their imagination.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder describes how she encourages children to behave well, by offering lots of praise and being very clear about expectations. She aims to offer a warm and caring environment so that children are happy and secure in her care. She talks about how she encourages children to share, take turns and be considerate to each other's needs. Children are usually busy and contented; they enjoy playing with the toys provided, supported and warmly encouraged by the childminder. The childminder describes how she involves herself with children's play,

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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 encouraging turn taking in board games and suggesting ideas for crafts activities. She suggests regular visits to the library, which the children love; she aims to encourage their language through reading stories and discussions arising from interest in non-fiction books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Play resources are organised successfully to help promote children's free choices. She recognises the need to provide activities which offer appropriate levels of challenge, suitable to children's age and stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Discussion with the childminder suggests that children are very much valued and respected as individuals. The daily routine is flexibly responsive to their individual needs and the childminder takes parent's wishes into account effectively within her planning, for example, regarding meals. She offers lots of opportunities for children to learn about their local community as they use the library, visit local groups and go to the park. The childminder has resources which promote children's awareness of other cultures and abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows how she responds appropriately to meet the individual needs of the children in her care. She takes time to get to know them well and understand their likes and dislikes. The childminder showed a good knowledge of behaviour management, giving good examples of how she would approach a variety of situations. She places strong emphasis on politeness and good manners, encouraging children to behave well by using lots of praise and encouragement. She talks quietly with children when their behaviour is not acceptable so that they begin to understand right from wrong through her clear expectations and consistent approach. She notes that this often helps them to develop a more positive attitude towards others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder makes time for daily conversation with parents about what their child has been doing.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates that she has an organised approach to her childminding role. She shows that she effectively supports children's individual needs by flexible planning which takes account of their interests. Daily routines are in place but are amended appropriately to respond to the different needs of the children cared for.

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Organisation

Required documentation and record keeping systems are in place, available for inspection and stored safely. The childminder has established procedures for sharing information with parents on a daily basis. She has not yet developed clear systems for ensuring they understand her policies, responsibilities and overall child care practice, for example, relating to child protection or behaviour management. She ensures they are aware of the procedure to follow if they wish to raise any concerns. Children are kept safe and their welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's satisfactory understanding of required policies and procedures.

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Organisation

Overall, the evidence suggests that the provision would meet the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to ensure Ofsted is informed when a household member reaches the age of sixteen years and appropriate vetting procedures are applied for, and to complete a certificated First Aid Course which includes first aid training for infants and young children. The childminder is aware of the need to notify the regulator of any significant events and did complete a first aid course the certificate has now expired and a recommendation has been raised for the childminder to complete a first aid course.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to obtain a copy of the local area child protection procedures and become familiar with them, to record the hours of attendance for the children looked after and to ensure medication records include the dosage to be administered and the dosage that has been administered. The childminder has attended child protection training and is aware of the new safe guarding children procedures. The register is maintained to ensure the hours of attendance are recorded and medication records contain all the required information.

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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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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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 first aid training that includes first aid for infants and young children is completed • ensure that the fire blanket 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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