Harden Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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104218 Unique Reference Number 01 August 2007 Inspection date Joyce Bowler 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 since 1999. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Exeter, Devon close to shops, parks and schools. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding. This consists of a lounge/dining room and kitchen, with an enclosed rear garden. Children are accompanied to the toilet on the first floor. The childminder may care for a maximum of four children at any one time. There are four children on roll currently. The family have three pet cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and tidy home. There is provision for children to keep themselves healthy through daily routines, for example washing their hands before eating and after messy play or using the toilet. However there is a risk of cross infection as they share the family towel when drying their hands. The childminder uses the mats supplied in children's bags when changing nappies and washes her hands before and after all changes. However babies and

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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 young children are not fully protected from cross contamination as the childminder does not have a stock of gloves for use when cleaning up body fluids or changing nappies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's minor injuries are treated appropriately as the childminder holds a relevant first aid qualification which is supported by her first aid kit, book and written guidelines on procedures to take in the case of an unconscious casualty or an infectious disease. The childminder has a policy to exclude children who are sick or infectious. Children's accident and medication needs are recorded accurately and shared with parents. She has written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice and treatment in their absence. Children rest and sleep on the sofa or in their pushchairs in accordance with parents' wishes.

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Helping children to be healthy

All food is provided by parents in lunch boxes which are stored in the kitchen. This includes enough food for snacks and the childminder is happy to supplement this with fresh fruit. Children arrive with drinks in their own cups and beakers and these are replenished by the childminder during the day. There are no children attending currently with special dietary requirements but the childminder is aware of the need to adhere to parents' wishes and children's health needs or religious observance.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have a variety of opportunities to develop their physical skills and to play outside. They enjoy games in the garden and have access to a mini bouncy castle, a trampette, paddling pool, bikes, scooters, bats and balls. Children go on walks and visit the local park. The childminder is aware of the need to protect children in direct sunlight and provides shade in the garden under a parasol.

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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 indoor and outdoor environment where risks are identified and minimised effectively. This is demonstrated as there is a fixed fire guard, covers on electric sockets, stair gates on doors and at the foot of the stairs, locks on kitchen cupboards and a high handle fitted to the hall door. Children are learning to be aware of their own safety as the childminder reminds them not to open gates and to play carefully with the soft foam sword indoors. She is aware of their capabilities and that some children are able to reach handles and has introduced effective measures to counteract this and keep all children safe. The childminder checks and cleans her resources on a daily basis. She is aware of the need to clean the paddling pool regularly, explains why to children and invites them to help to clean it. Children are able to access toys and games safely as they are stored in a toy chest and low cupboard. Children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

have adequate space to play safely both indoors and out. The childminder has devised an emergency evacuation procedure and is aware of the limitations of having no rear access to an exit beyond the garden. In emergencies she could exit children via neighbours' gardens. Smoke alarms are fitted on both floors and there is a fire blanket in the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are collected by nominated persons only who are known to the childminder. All emergency contacts are recorded on her child record forms. The childminder maintains her public liability insurance. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder is aware of the procedures to follow in the case of a child protection concern.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy a warm and caring relationship with the childminder which helps them to feel at home and to play happily. They have access to an adequate range of toys, games and videos which relate to their age and stage of development and their interests. They benefit from the childminder's relaxed approach to organising each day and she adapts activities to suit children's moods, energy levels and the weather. Children enjoy free play and more structured one to one activities where the childminder helps them to learn to count, to recognise letters and to link them to sounds and to identify colours and the names of things. Children are able to extend their language skills and vocabulary by chatting with the childminder, asking questions and playing together. There is an emphasis on learning through play and everyday routines, such as going to the shops and helping with little jobs in the house like tidying up and cleaning out

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the paddling pool. Children have good opportunities to learn to socialise by attending toddler groups twice a week in term time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs and interests are met as the childminder holds information from parents on child record forms and has established an effective exchange of information at drop off and collection times. The childminder maintains contracts with parents. She displays a poster for parents with contact details for Ofsted and has a complaints log and procedure in place. Her equal opportunities policy is demonstrated in practice as she tailors her daily routine and activities to meet individual children's needs and has an established settling in policy. She encourages parents to visit with their children on more than one occasion in order for the children to feel familiar with the new environment before being left on their own in her care. The childminder has cared for the same families for many years and is confident that she has friendly and professional working partnerships with them all. She works closely with all parents

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and carers to ensure that children with learning difficulties or physical disabilities are cared for appropriately. This includes ensuring that any developmental delay such as a speech and language difficulty is addressed in line with advice from the speech and language therapy service. Behaviour management is sensitive and takes account of children's ages and stages of development. Children are learning to share and to play well together and to sit at the table for meals and to have good manners.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children benefit from satisfactory organisation of the available space, range of activities and the confidential storage of documentation. There are well organised routines and activities which enhance their experiences and offer good opportunities to learn through play. The register of attendance is complete although records are not countersigned by parents. The childminder displays her certificate of registration.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to address issues relating to documentation and fire safety. She now ensures that all accident records are countersigned by parents. She has improved fire safety precautions by mounting her fire blanket on the wall in the kitchen

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Improvements 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 and has smoke alarms positioned on both floors. Actions taken have addressed previous recommendations in full and improved children's safety in her care.

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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 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): • consider the use of individual hand drying towels to minimise the risk of cross infection • consider the use of disposable gloves when changing nappies and dealing with body fluids • ensure that parents countersign the attendance register.

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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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