Sir John Barrow School

Inspection report for early years provision

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112232 Unique Reference Number 06 September 2007 Inspection date Coral Hales 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 1994. She lives with her husband and their daughter aged 19 in the village of Church Crookham, Hampshire. The whole of the house is used for childminding however, care takes place on the ground floor and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has caged birds and rabbits.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three under fives during the day and two over fives before and after school and in the holidays. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends local toddler and childminder support groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 cared for in a warm and clean childminding home. They are encouraged to develop good hygiene practices through daily routines. For example, they play in the garden and then come in to wash hands before lunch. Younger children are cleaned using wipes. Children are protected from infection as the childminder has effective nappy changing routines in place and her policy informs parents that she does not care for sick children. Emergency treatment/advice consent is maintained for most children, other parents have been asked to sign the new documentation being used as soon as possible. Children's medical needs with regard to medication and accidents are met and appropriate records kept. Their welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has maintained her first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's needs for sleep and active play are effectively met. For example, the baby slept in the pushchair and woke happy and keen to join the other children playing in the garden. They all regularly exercise in the fresh air, for example, they walk to school, visit pre-school groups and love to play in the garden. Children use the good range of both large and small equipment with enjoyment and this helps them to develop new physical skills. Babies are encouraged to try out their developing skills, for example they crawl, stand and walk a few steps as they play in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary requirements are met through close cooperation between the parents and the childminder. For example, the childminder ensures that the mealtimes for the baby follow the home routines. Children enjoy cooked meals provided by their parents and snacks of toast, fruit and biscuits as provided by the childminder and they begin to have some understanding of healthy eating. Children have their own cups and these are filled with water regularly throughout the day. The older children have access to drinks at all times.

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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 welcoming home where risks are identified and minimised. For example, stair gates prevent babies and younger children having unsupervised access to the kitchen. Fire evacuation procedures are in place, however children are not fully secure in their knowledge as regular emergency practises do not take place. Children begin to learn the importance of keeping safe by responding to guidelines set out by the childminder. For example, they learn how to walk by a road and how to cross safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select toys and equipment which are clean, well-maintained and age and stage appropriate. For example, a good selection of toys suitable for children under three are displayed and enable them to safely self-select to develop their play. Toys and equipment are routinely cleaned.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are suitably protected because the childminder has a working knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of her responsibilities to the children in her care and also the appropriate procedures to follow should she have concerns about a child. She is however, not fully secure in her knowledge of the guidance issued by The Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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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 are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They independently choose from a good range of bright, colourful and stimulating toys, building on their natural curiosity as learners. The childminder uses her knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework well to develop children's play. They are fully involved in purposeful play throughout the inspection and interaction between adult and child is close and caring. Babies explore using their senses, developing their fine manipulative skills and hand to eye co-ordination. For example, babies feel the soft toys, investigate simple construction toys and enjoy watching the older children playing. All children enjoy themselves as they explore in the garden, for example, they pick up leaves and twigs and run around chasing each other.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy regular outings, for example, trips to the park, the local woods and to toddler groups. This broadens their range of experiences and social development. Older children enjoy a relaxed session after a busy day at school and during the holidays and their learning is well supported by the good range of suitable resources and planned outings. For example, they use their imagination as they play with a puppet theatre, use instruments and enjoy creative activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have warm relationships with the childminder who is aware of and sensitive to their individual needs. They begin to develop a positive view of society and the wider world though discussion and as they look at books. Meeting different individuals within the local community helps them to socialize and appreciate similarities and differences as they play. However, resources are limited and the childminder does not provide specific activities that encourage children to have an awareness of diversity. Children's individual needs are discussed with parents in detail. Any special requirements are noted and consistent communication and information exchange takes place. The childminder works closely with families to offer support and to ensure all children, including any with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to make good progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well because the childminder has a consistent approach to managing behaviour that effectively teaches them to share. Their self-esteem is well promoted through praise and encouragement. Older children are encouraged to discuss any issues and are helped to manage their own behaviour. Their understanding of right and wrong is increased as they begin to learn what is expected of them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are looked after in accordance with the wishes of their parents. Effective systems are in place to establish and exchange information about the care of the children at the start of the childminding arrangement. For example, written agreements are in place and this ensures all are clear with regard to their roles and responsibilities. Settling in visits help children to adjust to new routines. Information about the care of the children is shared daily. The childminder has not fully developed her complaints system in line with new requirements to ensure that parents are aware of the correct procedure to follow if they have concerns.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are comfortable in the childminder's care. Space, routines and resources are organised effectively to meet the children's needs. This allows them to move freely and develop their play and ideas in a safe environment. Children have their own playroom which is set out with a good range of suitable equipment and resources effectively support their learning.

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Organisation

Children's welfare and care is generally promoted because the childminder has a working knowledge of the documentation and records to be kept. She has an adequate system for organising her records and most are available for inspection. Regular discussions with parents take place to ensure information is exchanged to highlight any concerns and to monitor children's achievements and progress. This ensures continuity of care. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that all her documentation was to be completed as required, suitably organised and made available for inspection. Most documentation is available for inspection and the childminder continues to develop organisational systems for her paperwork.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She was also required to ensure checks were completed on all adults over 16 living in the house. This has been completed as required. The childminder's resources and planned activities to promote children's understanding of diversity was highlighted as a weakness at the last inspection. Limited progress has been made in this area and this will form a recommendation following this inspection.

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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. 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 emergency evacuations are practised with children to enable them to be aware of the correct procedures to be followed

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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 • ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and diversity • update knowledge and understanding of current child protection procedures and the guidance issued by The Local Safeguarding Children Board and ensure you are able to put them into practice • further develop knowledge and understanding of the new guidance relating to complaints and ensure parents are aware of the procedures to follow if they have any concerns relating to their children's care.

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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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