The Len Wastell Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 114808 Inspection date 29 September 2005 Inspector Elaine Simmons

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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 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 1994. She lives with her husband and 2 teenaged children, in a house in East Grinstead. Local shops, pre-schools, schools and parks are within walking distance. All areas of the property, except for the children's bedrooms, are used for childminding. There is a fully-enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family has a rabbit and 4 guinea pigs, to which children have access under the childminder's supervision. The childminder helps run, and regularly attends, local

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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 carer and toddler groups. She is also the chairperson and vacancies coordinator for the local childminder's association. The childminder minds 8 children over the course of the week. She does this on a full and part-time basis. There are 3 children aged over 8 years and 3 under 5 years. She is registered to mind 6 children under 8 years and to care for a child overnight

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder cares for the children in her clean, warm and well-maintained home. The children feel welcome and secure. The childminder helps the children to understand the importance of good hygiene and personal care. She encourages them to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. The children have access to individual flannels and use disposable towels to dry their hands. This helps to prevent the spread of infections. The childminder also provides good resources and has effective procedures in place for overnight care, thus meeting the needs of parents and children. The childminder is aware of hygiene risks when animals are present in the home. She ensures that these risks are minimised. The childminder provides a healthy and nutritious, home-cooked evening meal and basic snacks and drinks throughout the day. She works alongside parents to meet the children's individual dietary needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children regularly have opportunities for physical exercise; they walk to, and from, school and visit local parks and activity centres. This contributes towards their good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is secure and safe. The children are happy and content in the homely environment she provides. Good safety procedures are in place to keep children safe at all times. The childminder, for example, routinely teaches the children good road-safety procedures as she walks them to, and from, school. The childminder's vast range of stimulating toys and resources, which are stored suitably in clearly labelled, plastic storage-containers and kept in a dining-room cupboard for easy access, is beneficial for the children. The children can choose the toys they want and can request others if they wish. The toys, which help the children's development in all areas, are clean and maintained well. The children enjoy playing with them.

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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 The childminder has a good understanding of the Area Child Protection Committee procedure. This safeguards the children's well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children enjoy a wide range of activities which encourage their imagination and creative skills. The childminder provides a whole range of suitable indoor and outdoor activities in order to support the children's individual needs. She ensures that activities are available to allow all children to participate. She builds their confidence, self-reliance and independence by giving them opportunities to make choices and to help with daily routines like, for example, laying the table and tidying away the toys. The childminder also gives the children a lot of encouragement and praise, which builds their self-esteem. The children benefit from being able to socialise with their peers at toddler groups, at the local childminding group, and during coffee-morning with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides ample, and varied, resources to reflect the diversity of modern Britain. She understands each child's needs, which she meets effectively. The childminder's good understanding of special needs is beneficial for the children. Older children are encouraged to be considerate of younger children's abilities and understanding. The childminder teaches them about disabilities and shows them simple sign language skills in order to help them communicate with, and appreciate, the difficulties people with speech and hearing loss have. The children behave well and play together happily for the childminder has good behaviour management techniques. She teaches the children to negotiate and to share. She also encourages good manners and helps them distinguish right from wrong. Parents are given good, written information about the children's day. The childminder completes and uses a daily diary as a tool between herself and the parents to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

exchange information and to ensure that the children receive appropriate care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises the environment well so that the children can access resources and play freely, and safely, under her constant supervision. She is organised well and her documentation is up to date and in order. However, she lacks written permission from all parents to apply sun-cream to the children, and this

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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 means children's well-being is not always safeguarded. She clearly displays and gives good information to parents about her childminding service and about the children's day. She is proactive in forming good, friendly relationships with the children and their parents. This makes the children feel confident and happy in her home. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous Children Act inspection, the childminder agreed to ensure that hazards from worn carpets are minimised, and that knives and aerosols are inaccessible by children. The childminder has replaced the carpets and ensured that the knives and aerosols are inaccessible, thus safeguarding the children's well-being.

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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): • obtain written permission from all parents to apply sun cream to childminded children.

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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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