Sudbury Upper School and Arts College

Inspection report for early years provision

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124796 Unique Reference Number 11 July 2007 Inspection date Lorraine Sparey 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 has been registered as a childminder since 1991. She lives in a house with her husband and adult daughter and son aged 17 years. The home is located in a quiet residential area in South Norwood, within walking distance of local amenities. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have several pets including a dog, two cats, and birds housed in an aviary, fish, which live in a pond in the garden and an aquarium in the house.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A maximum of four children may attend at any one time and there are currently three children on roll who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis. She walks to and from school to take and collect children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy lots of opportunities to exercise and play in the fresh air. They walk to and from school and nursery every day. They regularly visit the park and play in the well resourced garden.

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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 Children benefit from their parents providing their own meals which the childminder prepares as requested such as spaghetti on toast. The childminder provides drinks throughout the day to ensure that children's fluid levels are maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children follow appropriate hygiene routines such as washing their hands before food and after toileting. The childminder encourages children to use baby wipes to clean their hands and reduce the risk of cross infection. Children are protected in the event of requiring emergency first aid because the childminder has recently updated her knowledge. The childminder records basic details of any accidents that the children have. This promotes their general health and well-being and ensures that parents are kept informed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe and welcoming environment. They can explore the play areas inside and outside safely because the childminder ensures that all areas are safe for young children. Prior to visiting local parks and places of interest the childminder completes safety checks. Children can safely choose from a range of toys and equipment. The childminder implements sound procedures to ensure that all the resources are clean and well maintained. Children's awareness of keeping themselves safe is increased through discussion and role-play. Children are reminded not to run too far ahead when out walking and to be careful and look for cars. The childminder talks with the children about evacuating her home in the event of an emergency. However, some of the children are not sure about how to exit the building quickly and safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound awareness of protecting children from child abuse. She has devised a policy, which is shared with parents. However, this does not include the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made against the childminder and her awareness is limited.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and content in the childminder's care. They can choose from a range of toys and activities that the childminder provides each day. For example, children participate in activities following on from nursery such as drawing butterflies. The childminder encourages them to design their own butterfly using the crayons and stickers. Children benefit from the childminder planning a structured activity each afternoon to ensure they are developing in all areas. Children's imagination and language develops through different play opportunities. For example, children build a train set and the childminder suggests putting animals in the train carriages. They talk about the different animals as they try to put them in the train carriages. Children enjoy using puppets and one child shows obvious enjoyment as they pretend the puppet is talking to the childminder. She actively joins in their game.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

During school holidays children visit the local park and ball pool. They participate in a range of creative activities such as painting, cutting and sticking and making cakes. The childminder encourages children to choose which activities they would like to do.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates an awareness of children's individual needs. She implements sound procedures to ensure that children's needs and interests are catered for. Children's awareness of the community and wider world are increased through discussion and visits in the local area to toddler groups. The childminder has some resources to support children's awareness of diversity. However, these are basic and are not easily accessible to the children. Children's behaviour is appropriate given their age and stage of development. The childminder is consistent in her approach to ensure that children understand the boundaries and expectations. Children benefit from the childminder using praise and encouragement to increase their understanding of being considerate to each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder developing positive relationships with their parents. She provides them with written information in her portfolio on her general routines and activities that she provides. The childminder and the parents liaise on a regular basis to ensure that all parties are happy with the arrangements. Some parents contact the childminder during the day to discuss how their child has been at nursery before the childminder collects them. This ensures that all information is shared on a regular basis.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She is generally organised in her documentation. However, she had forgotten to notify Ofsted of a significant event. This is a breach in regulations. All documentation is stored accessibly whilst she is childminding and in a cupboard at other times to maintain confidentiality. The space and resources are generally used appropriately to support children's play. However, the resources that promote diversity are limited and not easily accessible. Children freely move between all play areas increasing the choices in their play. The childminder implements a range of policies and procedures to support her in meeting the outcomes for children. However, the procedures to be followed in the event of a concern being raised with regard to child protection are not included in the policy and are not fully effective.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to increase her knowledge and understanding of local child protection procedures. She has obtained some booklets to increase her knowledge of child protection procedures. However this information did not cover procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made against the childminder. Therefore children's safety is not fully safeguarded. The childminder also agreed to request written permission from the parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder has written permission for all the children in her care. This promotes children's health and safety in the event of an emergency.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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.

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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 all persons living in the household over the age of 16 years are vetted • increase knowledge of the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made against the childminder or her family • increase children's awareness of diversity

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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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