Pangbourne Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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128276 Unique Reference Number 27 July 2007 Inspection date Angela Jackson 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 was registered in 1995. She lives with her two adult children in Gants Hill in the London borough of Redbridge. The property is located on a quiet residential road and is within walking distance of shops, parks, toddler groups and Gants Hill underground. The back room, living room and bathroom facilities on the ground floor are used for childminding and there is an 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 and is currently minding four children under five and two children over five for various sessions throughout the week and school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder runs a local toddler group one afternoon a week and regularly attends another group. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are made welcome in this warm and clean home where regular hygiene routines are carried out. They are learning the importance of washing their hands after using the toilet and before eating, through the example set by the childminder and by the explanations given. Children have their own clean towel each day and use wipes rather than flannels. They are encouraged to be independent with prompts given as necessary.

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Helping children to be healthy

Risk of cross infection is minimised as children stay at home when they are unwell and do not return until symptoms of sickness are over. Parents complete permission forms giving details of prescribed medication. The childminder signs the record and lets parents know times and dosages administered. This is done verbally at the end of each session. The childminder has an up to date first aid qualification and basic first aid kit, giving children immediate access to treatment in case of injury.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a sound understanding of her role in helping to keep children healthy being, 'loving and caring' and providing a balanced diet and exercise. Children are offered a wide range of fruits such as bananas, raspberries and grapes, for snacks and as part of meals. They sit together at the table making mealtimes social occasions where they learn to understand the likes, dislikes and needs of others. The childminder finds out from parents the individual preferences and requirements of children to ensure they are not at risk of an allergic reaction or eat foods that they find personally distasteful. Children benefit from having drinking water available in a jug on the table, throughout the day. They are free to help themselves to the water or to ask for support to do so. This helps them to make choices for themselves and to learn balance and coordination skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of activities that contribute to their good health. They spend part of each day in the fresh air getting exercise by walking or through vigorous play in the garden running around and playing bat and ball games. Further opportunities for outdoor play are provided by regular trips to local parks and open spaces.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children quickly settle in and feel secure in the childminder's home as she works with parents to familiarise herself with children's routines and to let them get to know her at their own pace. This promotes confidence in children and helps establish a good relationship between them and the childminder. Children move freely and safely between the two living areas where they play and eat, and the downstairs cloakroom. Potential risks to children are identified and minimised. For example, all entrances to the property are kept locked or bolted and there are both smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in strategic places. There is a fire blanket and basic first aid kit in the kitchen. The childminder has recently updated her first aid qualification and there are sufficient items of first aid to enable children to be treated if injured.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children walk to and from schools and local facilities and are taken on longer outings during the school holidays. For example, to Victoria Park in Bethnal Green and to the maritime museum during pirates week. They travel by bus and train and, just as when they are walking along the roads; they either sit in the buggy or hold on to it. Children learn to keep themselves safe when

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 out by learning about how to cross roads. They stand and look and listen as a group, before making the decision to cross. Children learn the importance of keeping together and of walking alongside the childminder. They understand that they will sit in the buggy if they do not hold on to the handle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can access a suitable range of good quality, well maintained, toys and resources that are regularly checked for broken or missing parts. Toys and equipment are age appropriate and provide interest for the range of children that are cared for. Children are encouraged to develop awareness for the safety of themselves and others as they discuss how toys can be broken and damaged and what can happen as a result.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder understands her role in child protection and has documentation and information to hand that supports her role. She ensures children do not come into contact with adults in the home until the necessary checks and disclosures are carried out.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop confidence and good self-awareness as they happily engage in a wide range of activities including crafts and creative work. They make musical instruments such as rattles out of materials that include plastic bottles and dried pulses and use a range of sticking techniques and materials to decorate them. The rattles are then used to accompany the cymbals and other instruments they play as they listen to tapes of children's songs and rhymes. They are encouraged to express themselves singing and making a range of different sounds and levels of noise. Children play well together and take part in activities planned for a range of ages. Younger children learn by copying the older ones and older children join younger ones in the creative work. They are learning to respect others and value individuality and similarity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children feel good about themselves as they receive praise and encouragement. Good use is made of humour between adults and children promoting strong relationships and warm interaction. Parents are involved in what their children do by regular discussions about the day's activities and forthcoming topics such as the colour and shape of the week. There are no formal plans or assessment records in place although this is being considered for the future. Children learn about the world around them and develop a sense of time and history by being taken to visit places such as the science museum and London landmarks such as the Monument and Cutty Sark.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder encourages children to use and extend their vocabulary by discussing and explaining things to them in ways that make sense of things. Children are given good opportunities to express their own thoughts and feelings by being listened to with interest and by good use of questions that enable them to explore and develop ideas.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated as individuals and given opportunities to express themselves and to respect differences in others. They mix with children from a wide range of backgrounds and learn about traditions of other cultures and faiths by celebrating religious festivals and secular events such as Chinese New Year. Parents are encouraged to contribute to this by guiding and supporting

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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 activities through providing information and artefacts. This includes tapes of traditional music and Chinese lucky charms.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties or disabilities are supported well by the childminder's developing understanding of a range of special needs. She works with parents to find ways that promote children's social and emotional development although the range of techniques is limited. Time out on the bottom stair is one of the methods used to control unacceptable behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children are keen to attend and enjoy themselves in this cheerful setting. They feel at home and at ease with the childminder and confidently initiate play, independently choosing toys and moving on when they are ready. Space and resources are set out with children's interests and physical abilities in mind and they are familiar with the organisation of the toys and equipment. They are aware of what is available and have a sense of belonging as they ask for what they want.

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Organisation

Most records and documentation are in place, stored adequately and appropriately completed although some documents have not been reviewed for some time. The complaints procedure for parents is in the process of having extra details added to it. The childminder has a good understanding of parent's rights and her responsibilities. The childminder keeps the first aid certificate up to date but has done no recent training in other aspects of childcare. This means her knowledge of a range of recommended methods for managing children's behaviour and special needs, is limited. Children's welfare and happiness are prime considerations for the childminder and she is committed to providing a good experience for children in her care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop her knowledge of child protection procedures. She has since gained a sound understanding of what is required.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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. 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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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

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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): • continue the review of all policies and documentation to bring them in line with current requirements of the national standards • improve knowledge and understanding of current recommended behaviour management strategies and techniques

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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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