Spring Meadow Primary School & School House Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 114834 Inspection date 18 August 2005 Inspector June Fielden

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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 was registered in 1987. She lives with her husband and 3 adult children in Crawley, west Sussex. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children at any one time and is currently minding 3 children part-time. The childminder walks and drives to local shops, parks and schools. She regularly attends toddler groups and other children's groups. The family have a pet cat.

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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 good. Children are settled in the clean and welcoming environment provided by the childminder. They learn healthy habits while developing their independence. For example, children take off their own muddy boots on entering the house and wash their hands after using the toilet unassisted. The childminder keeps accurate details of all accidents, but does not have a book in which to record details of medication administered, should the need arise. This means that children's health is not always safe-guarded. Snack times are sociable occasions, when children sit down together to eat fruit. They can request a drink at any time to ensure they are not thirsty, and sometimes take turns to pour the squash. The childminder provides healthy food for children, offering meat and vegetable meals at lunch time and sandwiches and yoghurts for afternoon tea. Children develop healthy eating habits by tasting different types of

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Helping children to be healthy

fruit, which they have chosen during visits to the supermarket. Children enjoy a range of activities which contribute to their good health. They exercise on regular walks in a nearby field and have opportunities to strengthen their muscles playing on the wide range of equipment in the childminder's garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have the freedom of using their own playroom which is equipped to meet their needs. In fine weather the door leading from this room, to a fully enclosed outdoor play area, is left open. This allows children to move around independently, using the outside space as an extension of the playroom. The toys and equipment available are appropriate to the age of all minded children and sufficient to interest and stimulate them. Children's welfare is safe-guarded by the childminder, as she has a satisfactory understanding of child protection issues. If she had any worries about a child she would discuss the matter with parents. When necessary she would report her concerns to the appropriate authority. The childminder has suitable measures in place to protect children from harm, for example, smoke alarms, socket covers and permissions to take them on visits. Children become aware of how to ensure their own safety, as the childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

explains that some of their actions could prove dangerous to themselves or others. However, children's safety is not always assured, as the open fireplace in the living room, a missing fence panel and glass doors on the summer house in the garden could be hazardous to young children.

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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 well motivated as the childminder joins in enthusiastically with the games they have chosen. She encourages children to learn through play. For example, asking them to count the number of markers they have during board games and to identify their colour. During walks, children count the number of aeroplanes that fly past in their chosen colour. Children learn listening skills while playing sound games using the tape recorder. The childminder reminds them to put on their listening ears before playing the game, all children touch their ears to reinforce this point. Children develop their intellectual capacities during story time, answering questions designed to make them think about the book the childminder has just read to them. Children have the opportunity to participate in a variety of craft activities from cooking to making cards for special occasions, allowing them to practise their creative skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They sometimes accompany the childminder to purchase the necessary resources for these activities, developing their understanding of the materials required to complete the projects and where they can be obtained. Children take home most of the items they make, enabling parents to share their experiences and be more aware of how children spend their time. Children learn about nature and the world in which they live during walks in a nearby field, where they can look at wild flowers and watch the deer running around freely in their natural setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder speaks kindly to children and resolves minor disputes in a fair manner. Consequently, children treat each other courteously and talk respectfully to the childminder. For example, one child was pleased when someone else won a game and on another occasion threw her arms around one of the children and cuddled her. Children are given the opportunity to visit various groups throughout the week, enabling them to socialise and make new friends. The childminder develops children's understanding of right and wrong by explaining the reason behind her decisions. Parents are kept well informed of their child's progress, as the childminder establishes good relationships with them. She spends some time talking to each parent when children arrive and again at the end of the day when they are collected. The childminder involves parents in their child's activities by providing them with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

photographs showing what they have been doing each week. Children are all treated with equal concern by the childminder and any treats are shared fairly between them. They are made aware of diversity through the resources provided by the childminder and by socialising with children who have additional needs at the groups they attend.

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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. The childminder organises her practice, by establishing a routine for meal times and planning some activities in advance. She gets to know children well, finding out as much information about them as possible in order to meet their individual needs. Children's records are always available for parents to see. However, the attendance register is not easy to interpret and does not ensure confidentiality is maintained. The childminder has arranged for neighbours to cover for her should an emergency arise, but has not checked their suitability or sought parental permission. Consequently, children's safety would not be assured in the event of an emergency. The childminder has the appropriate insurance and most permissions are in place to safe-guard children's wellbeing. Her records are stored securely. Overall the provision meets the needs of all children.

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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): • keep a written record, signed by parents, of medicines administered to children • ensure the house and garden are free from safety hazards • ensure appropriate written permissions are obtained from parents for emergency cover • ensure the record of attendance clearly shows each child's details and

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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 maintains confidentiality.

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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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