Southrop Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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115651 Unique Reference Number 21 September 2007 Inspection date Marcia Robinson 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 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 1998. She lives with her family in the area of North Thamesmead in the London Borough of Bexley. The house is situated close to local transport links, shops, parks, and schools. The first floor of the premises is not used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time. She is currently minding a child aged seven years and another child aged over eight years who both attend before and after school. The family do not have any pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is on the committee of the Bexley Childminding Association and is the chair of Thamesmead Early Years Childminding support group. She is also a network childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children relax and play in a clean and well kept home, promoting their health and welfare. Older children are staying healthy because they independently brush their teeth after meals and wash

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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 their hands in the bathroom using liquid soap and running water, before eating and after using the toilet. The childminder helps children understand the importance of hand washing through discussion and visual displays in the bathroom that are used to reinforce good personal hygiene routines. Sick or infectious children are excluded and good nappy changing routines are in place, minimising the risk of the spread of infection. Children's health is further promoted by the childminder who is qualified in first aid. She follows good procedures for dealing with sick children, accidents and the administration of medication, ensuring children’s health is well maintained. Children's dietary needs are met well because the childminder plans a healthy menu that takes account of any special dietary needs that children may have. The children are well

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Helping children to be healthy

nourished, because they are offered a very good range and balance of freshly prepared meals and snacks, which includes plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and water throughout the day, thus promoting healthy eating. Children are actively learning about the benefits of a healthy diet, because the childminder uses posters, discussions and activities, associated with the five a day approach, to help children learn about the foods which are good for them. They are maintaining an active lifestyle as they enjoy playing in the garden with a good range of outdoor toys, such as slides, scooters and a badminton and swing ball set. They also go on trips to indoor soft play areas and various parks where children have the opportunity to run around or use the range of climbing apparatus.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are made to feel welcome because the childminder greets them and the parents warmly, which enables them to feel secure and at home in the setting. The living room, where children play, is bright and child-friendly with posters and children's art work displayed on the walls. Children are able to access a good range of clean and well maintained resources that meet the learning and developmental needs of the children attending. Children are safe and secure on the premises. The childminder takes personal responsibility of the children at all times to ensure they are well supervised. Good safety measures in place, such as gates across the stairs and plug socket covers, fitted to electrical sockets, are promoting children's safety. All fire fighting equipment, such as working smoke alarms, are in place but the fire blanket, although available, is not fitted appropriately for ease of access and use in the event of a fire. Children are learning

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

about fire safety because the childminder has developed a written emergency evacuation procedure, which she discusses and practises with the children on a regular basis. Children are learning how to stay safe when out walking, using public transport or travelling by car as the childminder uses suitable safety restraints such as car and booster seats. She also talks to children about road safety and ensures they hold hands and stay close together, when walking. Children are protected should safeguarding concerns arise, as the childminder has a good understanding of what to look out for and knows how to make an appropriate referral.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled in the home. They receive much individual time and attention from the childminder who provides them with consistent care and familiar routines. All children have access to a good range of age appropriate toys and resources. They enjoy a wide range of play experiences, both in and outside the home, providing children with opportunities to develop their physical, creative, emotional, social and language skills. Activities such as drawing, mask making, painting, play dough, board games, pretend play, puzzles, story telling, books and building with a variety of construction sets are available. Younger children enjoy visiting

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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 Thamesmead library where they enjoy nursery rhyme sessions and can choose and look at books. Opportunities for children to play and learn are well balanced between adult and child initiated activities. Children can make choices about what they wish to play with, because resources are easily accessible. The older children present initiate playing a board game together, which involves them trying to make words out of letters printed on card. Children are laughing and having fun as they create words using up to 10 letters or more, thus promoting their language, communication and literacy skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy visiting local play centres such as 'Tigers Eye', where they play in the ball pond and the soft play area. At the drop-in group, run by the childminder, the children enjoy socializing and playing alongside other children. They go on trips together to places such as London Zoo and Danson's park, where they take part in national play and fun day events. Children have easy access to a wide range of outside play equipment, allowing them to enjoy fresh air and exercise and develop physical skills as part of their daily activity. Children are thriving in the setting because the childminder establishes warm and caring relationships with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's family backgrounds are valued and respected and their individual needs are known by the childminder. She has taken positive steps to find out about each child's needs through discussion and documented details, kept about their individual needs. Children learn about different celebrations and religious beliefs through a range of activities, such as the celebration of religious and cultural events. They have access to a good range of resources and play materials that are promoting positive images of diversity, thus raising the children's knowledge of the wider world and awareness of others. The childminder promotes a fully inclusive environment, where every child is recognised and valued as an individual. She demonstrates a positive attitude towards caring for children with specific needs. Positive partnerships with parents are well established, because the childminder has developed a range of detailed policies and procedures

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Helping children make a positive contribution

that she shares with parents. She also shares photographs and text messages to keep them informed about their children and so they know what they can expect from the childminding service. Opportunities are created daily so that parents can discuss how well their children are getting on, contributing to their welfare. Daily contact books are used to exchange information between the childminder's and child's home at the end of each day so that parents can read about children's progress and the activities they have participated in. Children are very well behaved, enjoy each other's company, share and take turns, because they are very well supported by this caring childminder. She uses age appropriate and positive approaches towards managing children's behaviour, including a praise and reward system, for helping to build children's confidence and self esteem.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder and adult household members are properly vetted, ensuring they are suitable to look after children. Children are well cared for in a safe, secure and stimulating environment because the home is very well organised for childminding. The childminder organises her time well so children receive good levels of support, supervision and individual attention. She has a secure understanding of the National Standards for Childminding and implements this well into her practice. For instance, she is well informed about the procedures for complaints and

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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 safeguarding children. She demonstrates a firm commitment to childminding and has an extremely positive approach towards further training. For example, she has recently attended various training sessions, relating to the Foundation Stage, sharing books with all age groups and diversity. As a result, she is well informed and up to date with child care and any new developments. All the required records and documentation are maintained to a good standard, including a range of comprehensive policies and procedures that have been developed to support the professional childminding service. The childminder 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, one recommendation was raised, relating to written documentation. The provider has addressed this recommendation. She has now implemented a clear system for recording any incident of physical restraint, thus improving children's care, welfare and the organisation of the setting.

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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 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): • improve fire safety by ensuring that the fire blanket is fitted according to the manufacturer's instructions

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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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