Holton St Peter Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 124590 Inspection date 25 July 2005 Inspector Gillian Cubitt

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1991. The childminder lives with her husband and three adult children and one child of school age. They live in a house in a residential area of South Croydon close to local shops and schools. The whole of the ground floor including a playroom is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered for four children and is currently caring for two children

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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 on a full-time basis. It is a non-smoking household. The family have a pet snake and cats. The childminder takes minded children to the local primary and nursery school on a daily basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy healthy meals. These are freshly prepared each day and they reflect a healthy balance, providing children with nutritious and appetising food. Children talk about food they like such as pizza, sausages, mash and other vegetables. They enjoy available fruits, especially bananas. Children are aware that they can have drinks at all times and older children are able to help themselves to drinks from the kitchen. They also enjoy cooking times when they help with the preparation of pizza as they learn about different ingredients and healthy foods. Children learn the importance of washing hands before meals and after touching animals. Children have plenty of exercise when they walk to school each day and they extend their physical play in the home and garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children have their own playroom, which is made safe so children can access a range of appropriate toys easily. Children happily choose their toys such as construction blocks to make a wrestling ring for their play figures. Children, however, are not safe within other areas of the home. This is evident as children are able to access rooms upstairs unsupervised and the full glass panels on the internal doors are a potential hazard to children, especially when children do somersaults or run around. Children play in a safe rear garden, as there is a fence installed around the pond and garden sheds which prevents children accessing hazardous areas. The childminder does not drive but ensures that children stay safe whilst walking to and from school by walking close to her. Children are happy and feel secure in a comfortable family environment, however their safety is compromised as some members of the adult household have not been

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

vetted in line with the requirements for protecting children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The daily routine offers children a range of activities, especially in their playroom which is organised so they can access games and toys that interest them. Children

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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 are able to select dolls and push them in prams, they have plenty of books, construction toys, stimulating their imagination and developing their communication skills, as they explain what they are doing. Children talk about their favourite toys, for example, batman figures, and games such as 'hungry frogs' and 'pop up bears'. They have opportunities to play interactive games on the computer. Children enjoy plenty of physical exercise such as, kicking a soft ball to each other and playing in the garden. They are secure in their daily routines, such as going to and from school in term times. During school holidays children look forward to going out with the childminder, as well as watching television whilst they relax. The childminder demonstrates her awareness of caring for babies and small children as she makes

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

suitable provision for the new baby she is going to care for.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder discusses children's personal needs with parents so she can include these into the daily routine. For example, the childminder plans her days around the needs of the children to have a good breakfast before walking to school and pre-school. The childminder has appropriate resources and a positive attitude towards the customs and specific needs of others, which benefit children. Although she has limited experience in caring for children with special needs. Children develop their own interests as they play freely with their favourite toys and show their skills, as they do headstands and cartwheels. Children behave well. The childminder creates a relaxed atmosphere where young children respond well to her and feel comfortable in her care. The childminder establishes friendly relationships with parents. She keeps essential information written in her diary and provides verbal feedback each day to ensure that

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children's routines are a priority and meals and school times are scheduled well into the daily activities. The childminder ensures children's day runs smoothly as she takes them to school and preschool. The childminder is reorganising her records as she begins to use the documentation supplied by the National Childminding Association. All basic details are in place. However, there are no records maintained regarding significant incidents and limited information held on accidents. This impacts on children's safety. Most actions from the last inspection have been addressed although, by not paying heed to the actions on the internal glass doors and vetting of adult members of the family, the safety of children is compromised. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she 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

The last Children Act inspection required the childminder to improve safety aspects within the home such as, making the pond and garden sheds inaccessible; the removal of hazardous equipment, cleaning materials and water containers; ensuring fire detectors are operational, and ensuring that the glass internal doors met with safety standards. She was also required to improve documentation records, attend first aid training and obtain clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau on all persons living in the household over the age of 16 years. The childminder has addressed most actions to improve the safety within the home environment. However, she has not ensured the safety of the glass internal doors or ensured all adults in the household are suitably vetted, compromising the safety of children.

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • prepare and implement an action plan on how glass doors in the home will be made safe or inaccessible to children • ensure that all members of the household over the age of 16 years are appropriately vetted These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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