Finlay Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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128938 Unique Reference Number 10 July 2007 Inspection date Jan Healy 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 1995. She lives in Forest Hill, Lewisham with her husband, one adult and one child who is 15 years old and her 10 month-old grandchild. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and 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 a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently minding two children under eight years. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect the children and attends the local toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children remain healthy during their stay, as the childminder is well organised, having a cleaning routine and she prevents the spread of infection, by ensuring items, such as comforters or teething aids are not shared. She encourages the children to learn about the importance of personal hygiene, such as making use of paper tissues for the blowing of their noses and to

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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 discard them after a single use. They are taught to wash their hands correctly using soap to remove any germs. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and is confident to deal with an accident. All accidents are recorded and shared with the parents, so they are aware of any injury to their child. She does not, however, have written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice, which, if in place, prevents the delay in the children receiving appropriate medical attention.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides the children with healthy, nutritious home cooked food, for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with the children having the option of snacks during mid-morning and afternoon. Mealtimes are sociable occasions, when the children sit together with the childminder at a dining room table and chat about events that are important to them, helping to enhance their vocabulary. The children are able to eat at their own pace, with the childminder being respectful of their likes and dislikes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder is warm and friendly, providing a safe and secure environment, where the children feel confident to take part in activities that are new to them, as they are interested in the toys available and are motivated to learn. The home is kept to a comfortable temperature, with consideration being given as to whether the children are moving about or are sleeping. The space is well organised and consists of areas where the children are able to take part in active or more quiet activities as well as a fully enclosed outdoor play area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The furniture, equipment and toys are safe and checked for any damage before use, so they do not pose a safety hazard. Equipment provided helps to create an accessible environment, for example, a booster step and seat enables the older children to use the bathroom without adult help, which also helps to enhance their independent skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has strong understanding and awareness of the children's constantly developing abilities, therefore, she constantly checks the children are safe, taking positive steps to prevent accidents. There are no dangerous substances, sharp objects or medication stored where the children are able to reach them. Particular attention is paid during arrival and departure times, with the childminder working in partnership with the parents, to ensure the children leave her premises with an appropriate adult. The outdoor play area is stimulating with the provision of resources and is fully enclosed, preventing the children leaving without adult supervision.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has accurate knowledge about child protection issues, understanding that her first priority is the children. Therefore, she keeps herself up-to-date about current legislation, attending regular training courses. The childminder knows the children in her care very well, so is quickly alerted to any changes in their appearance or behaviour and is confident to challenge parents for an explanation about any pre-exiting injuries.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children share a warm relationship with the childminder approaching her for reassurance and affection. They are happy and contented to be in her care and enjoy the games they play together, for example, when they take part in card games, which encourage the children to learn their numbers and to count. There are a wide range of picture and story books, which the children enjoy looking at and snuggle up to the childminder for story time. This is not only

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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 cosy, but also a time when the children learn to develop a positive sense of themselves, as they feel wanted and secure. There is a large fully enclosed garden for physical play, with the childminder taking the opportunity to make use of chimes, which she hangs from the trees, which make delightful sounds the children enjoy listening to. They are taken on trips to the local park where they learn about nature and the changing seasons and to The Natural Museum which they thoroughly enjoy, evident by their smiles and excitement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder is a good role model to the children in her care, avoiding stereotypical language when speaking to them and encouraging both the girls and the boys to make use of all the resources available. She works in close partnership with the parents, enabling her to provide for their individual needs. The children have the opportunity to taste different foods from around the world and to learn about their own and the culture of others through the reading of books and the telling of stories.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a broad understanding of the range of learning difficulties children may have. She is proactive in the identification of such needs, to help prevent the delay of appropriate action being taken, to aid the children in their progression and further development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children behave very well, as the childminder speaks kindly to them and listens carefully to what they have to say, therefore, the children build a feeling of importance, which helps to enhance their self-esteem. They are occupied with challenging and interesting activities, such as joining in with group games, such as 'Whatever Next', so they learn to take turns and to share. The childminder encourages the children to think about the effect their behaviour has on the other children in the group and reassures them that strong feelings are acceptable, particularly when the children do not have the language to express how they feel.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder and parents work together for the benefit and happiness of the children. During the application stage, they discuss issues, including child protection, behaviour management and equal opportunities, so the parents are aware of the childminder's responsibilities. The childminder and parents keep each other up-to-date about the progress the children are making and about any concerns noted, so plans can be made as to their further learning. The parents are aware of the procedure to follow in the event of wishing to make a complaint, preventing any delay in dealing with a concern.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The childminder is well organised and is successful in providing stimulating opportunities for the children in her care. She ensures they are supervised at all times for their own health and safety and maintains the adult: child ratio. She is self disciplined, in attending relevant training courses, so she is kept up-to-date about current legislation. An attendance register details the times of the children's arrival and departure, so they are accounted for in the event of an emergency. All her records and documentation are retained for a reasonable period, so historical checks can be made.

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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 requested to keep an accurate attendance register, detailing the times of the children's arrival and departure, which is now in place, aiding the childminder to account for all the children in her care in the event of an emergency and to ensure historical records can be checked.

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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 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): • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment

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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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