Longacre Preparatory School

Inspection report for early years provision

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129734 Unique Reference Number 01 August 2007 Inspection date Suman Willis 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 adult daughter in the Bovingdon area, close to local shops, schools, parks and the countryside. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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 four children, of whom one is under five, one under eight and two over eight, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder has a car to transport children, and takes children on regular walks to the local park and woods. They also visit the library.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children move freely between the lounge and the garden. They move with control as they play running games. Children are excited as they practise their catching skills when playing 'piggy

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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 in the middle'. They have access to a broad range of outdoor resources, such as ride on toys, slide, a rocker, and bats and balls; this helps to extend their physical skills. Children are taken for daily walks to the park and enjoy visiting the woods. Consequently, they stay healthy because they have regular exercise and fresh air. Children rest and sleep according to their individual routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Most documents to monitor children's health needs are shared with parents. For example, permission from parents to administer non-prescribed medication and administer emergency aid is in place. However, procedures for recording pre-existing injuries children arrive with are not made; this potentially comprises children's health and safety. A clear sickness policy and the childminder's knowledge of first aid enable her to maintain children's good health. Children are developing a good understanding of managing their own personal hygiene as they independently take themselves to the toilet and wash hands. They are familiar with the routine of washing hands before and after snacks, therefore minimising cross infection. Procedures for maintaining hygiene around animals are effective.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well nourished and their individual dietary needs positively met because the childminder shares sample menus with parents. Children enjoy the social occasion of snack time as the childminder sits with them talking about the different fruits they are eating, whilst encouraging them to try unfamiliar tastes. For example, they enjoy eating grapes, bananas, pears and apples. They independently manage their own thirsts and are developing a good understanding of their own body needs as they freely access drinks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, welcoming and secure environment. Their photographs and samples of their work are displayed in the lounge; this makes children feel valued. Children have easy access to a wide range of safe, age-appropriate and well maintained resources which promote their development in all areas. The house is organised to offer children a choice of activities, thus developing children's independent choices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children stay safe because the childminder has a clear procedure for carrying out risk assessments and practises fire drills with the children, therefore ensuring children's safety. However, certain areas of the house have not been identified as risk areas; this refers to the banisters on the stairs, and the childminder's daughter's room which could potentially put children at risk. Children learn about safety as they are reminded about how to use the garden furniture safely. They develop a good understanding of road safety as they go for daily walks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a sound understanding of the child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and actively engage in their chosen play with confidence. They are fully challenged as they engage in games and make decisions on rules. Children are delighted as they play word extension games. This encourages children to use their imagination, develops their vocabulary and extends their social skills. Children's mathematical skills are fully extended as the childminder finds different methods for children to learn with. They learn their times table as they complete appropriate jigsaw puzzles. Children are given ample opportunities to

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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 be creative as they use the garden storage unit as a play house, and play with sand. They freely access felt pens and pencils as they colour in pictures and create drawings of clothing. Children are excited to learn as the childminder uses every opportunity to extend their knowledge. For example, the childminder shows them a spider and talks to them about cobwebs. Consequently, children are fully challenged, confidently acquiring new knowledge and skills because they initiate their own play and are fully supported.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn right from wrong because the childminder promotes a positive relationship between adults and children. Therefore, children develop meaningful relationships.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident and feel a strong sense of belonging. They approach visitors with enthusiasm and introduce themselves and the childminder. Their independence is fully respected and valued by the childminder who encourages them to make their own choices. Children value the childminder's input as they happily ask her to join in their play; this helps them to feel fully supported. Children develop a good understanding about their local community as they go for daily walks to the park, shops, and visit the library. Their knowledge of the wider world is extended through play and resources as they have easy access to a good range of play people, puzzles and books. Consequently, children learn to value and respect people's differences and other cultures. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to working with children with learning difficulties and/ or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is exemplary. They all play and work harmoniously within their peer groups and with other adults. Children are delighted as they set ground rules to different outdoor games. Children's self-esteem and their respect for others is developing very well because the childminder constantly praises their achievements and speaks very proudly of them. Children proudly share their friends achievements with the childminder. Therefore, children show a good understanding of their own needs and needs of others; this helps them to feel valued and respected in return.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from a strong relationship developed between the parents and the childminder because of the consistency of care. Information given to parents about the care provided by the childminder is very good. A clear complaints procedure ensures that parents are fully aware of what to do should they have any concerns about the care of their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's well-being is highly regarded by a childminder who attends training and updates her knowledge and skills to ensure that children make good progress. Children are safeguarded because of the appropriate procedures implemented by the childminder. Children are positively supported by the childminder who is very well-organised to enable all children to participate in age-appropriate activities. Most documents work in practice to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution, which are effectively shared with parents.

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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 agreed to: extend the range of play equipment to include cultural resources; and provide written information for parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children are developing a good understanding of different cultures and learning to value the differences in people because the childminder has incorporated a variety of resources which promote positive images of people. Parents are now fully informed of the childminder's policy and procedures which helps to promote children's care, learning and play.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the registration 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): • develop procedures to record pre-existing injuries children arrive with • develop procedures to ensure that all areas of risk are clearly identified; this refers to the banisters on the stairs and the childminder's daughter's bedroom.

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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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