Lowbrook Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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136712 Unique Reference Number 21 August 2007 Inspection date Stephanie Graves 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 1992. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Petts Wood, Kent. The whole of the ground floor and two upstairs bedrooms are 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under eight on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler groups. The family has pets, four fish and two geckos.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children take part in experiences that help to develop their knowledge and understanding of good health and hygiene issues. For example, they know when and why their hands need

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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 washing and do this using soap and water after toilet visits, or using hand wipes after messy activities. Effective hygiene procedures are in place. These include surfaces and equipment being cleaned with appropriate cleaning solutions and the childminder using disposable gloves and nappy sacks during nappy changes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children with contagious illnesses do not attend the setting. These procedures help to prevent the spread of infection. Children's good health is also promoted through records that log any accidents or medication requirements. Written consent has been gained for the childminder to administer first aid, although not to seek emergency advice or treatment. Children have regular opportunities to be active as they play in the garden or go on outings. They are also encouraged to follow good sleep routines, which helps to promote their sense of wellbeing.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to drinking water at all times and are encourage to eat healthy meals and snacks. Meals are provided both by the childminder and parents. They enjoy meals that include potatoes, salad and fresh vegetables, as well as being provided with a variety of fruit. They are encouraged to try new foods and older children help to make their own sandwiches. This helps them to learn about healthy eating concepts. Children's dietary requirements are respected because the childminder and parents work closely together to ensure their individual needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children can play safely within the childminder’s home, because she ensures they do not access any areas not used for childminding. She supervises them both indoors and out and makes sure all hazardous equipment and materials are inaccessible. This helps to prevent accidental injury. Children can reach the toys and resources easily because they are readily available and there is plenty of unobstructed space for them to move around freely. This promotes independence and choice. Toys and resources are checked regularly for safety and meet the needs of the children attending. Children learn how to help keep themselves safe, because the childminder explains why some procedures are important. For example, she explains why they shouldn't run inside the house, encourages them to use the stairs safely and practises the emergency evacuation procedure with them. These measures help children to develop an awareness of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare and safety are promoted through procedures to safeguard them at all times, although the childminder's knowledge and understanding has not been updated to current requirements. However, she has an understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what to do in the event of a concern. This helps to ensure children's welfare comes first.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled at the childminder's home and enjoy her company. They can access a range of toys and resources, which are readily available and cover all areas of learning. The childminder offers plenty of support and children enjoy her input as they confidently move around and make choices. This helps to promote their independence. The childminder has a sound understanding of children's developing needs. For example, she uses the Birth to three matters framework to adapt play experiences for younger children. Children are not afraid to ask for help, for example, as they ask the childminder to 'get it off' when they get a feather stuck on their finger during a craft activity. They enjoy drawing pictures of 'mummy and daddy' and

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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 playing with small world activities. The childminder asks questions to help them think and respond. For example, as they play on a toy telephone she asks who they are talking to. Children offer answers, such as 'I am going to call mummy.' This helps them to make connections and represent real life experiences through their play. Children enjoy art and craft activities, as they glue shapes and make creations to take home. They choose resources, such as, animal cut-outs and different shapes and set these out methodically. This helps to develop their creative skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder encourages children to complete tasks, for instance, by prompting them to 'look at the shape' of a puzzle piece before trying to complete it. Children enjoy her relaxed approach and as a result their learning is extended and they take pride in their achievements. Children talk about what they are doing as they play. They talk about squirrels in the garden and the childminder's pet fish who 'need food.' They talk about their home news and interests with the childminder, who listens and responds with genuine interest. Overall the childminder plans and provides a range of experiences that ensure children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities are promoted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed and treated according to individual needs. They demonstrate a sense of belonging because the childminder is attentive and regularly acknowledges them. This helps to promote a sense of belonging. They are provided with toys and resources that promote positive images of diversity. The childminder also takes them on frequent visits to the local toddler groups. This helps children learn about the similarities and differences between themselves and others. They enjoy outings to local places of interest, which helps to develop their knowledge of the local environment. Children are well behaved and respond well to frequent praise and encouragement. This is because the childminder is a good role model who encourages good manners and offers plenty of praise and encouragement for personal achievements. Behaviour management strategies ensure that children's welfare is promoted at

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from an effective partnership with parents. The childminder ensures parents are regularly updated about children's progress and parents feel she offers a professional and happy childminding environment for their children. This helps to contribute towards ensuring children receive consistency of care. The childminder takes positive steps to keep parents informed of all relevant polices and procedures, although she is unaware of the correct procedure for complaints. This could result in children being at risk as a result of a lack of appropriate information being made available to parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are content and play happily within a caring and generally well organised environment. They can freely access a range of developmentally appropriate toys and resources. Although improvements are required regarding the records kept by the childminder, she ensures all information is shared with parents. The childminder ensures children only come into contact with suitable adults and uses another registered childminder in the event of an emergency. Daily attendance records are in place and show clear arrival and departure times for the children, although some past records have been accidentally destroyed. This means that children could be at risk because their historical records are incomplete. Children's welfare, care and learning

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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 are promoted due to the procedures in place, which help to underpin the childminder's practice. The childminder offers a professional service and meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was left one recommendation: to ensure children's arrival and departure times are clearly recorded.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The recommendation has been addressed and children's arrival and departure times are logged.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has taken steps towards improving the service provided and ensuring children are safe and well cared for at all times.

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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): • obtain parental consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • update knowledge and understanding of current, local procedures for safeguarding children • update knowledge and understanding of the required complaints procedure • ensure the required records are retained effectively and for the appropriate time.

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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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