Hopwood Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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105798 Unique Reference Number 18 February 2008 Inspection date Jan Healy 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 1997. She lives with her son aged 11 in North Kensington, London. The kitchen-diner, lounge and toilet facilities are used for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding three children aged one, two and three years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children have the benefit of being cared for in a clean and tidy household, where the childminder takes pride in maintaining a high standard of hygiene. This helps to ensure the children in her care remain healthy and free from cross-infection. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and is confident to deal with an accident. All of which are recorded and are shared with the parents, so they are aware of any injury to their child. Written parental permission is sought for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment, to prevent a

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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 delay in the children from receiving appropriate medical attention. Sick children do not attend the provision, so their illness is not spread to the other children in the group. Details are retained about any medication administered to the children, with prior written consent being requested from the parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children have the benefit of enjoying a healthy and nutritious mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack, consisting of fresh fruit. When preparing menus for lunch, the childminder gives careful consideration to the nutritional content of the food, so the children have the opportunity to eat a balanced diet. The childminder is respectful of the children's likes and dislikes and written details are retained about the children's dietary requirements. Therefore, she is able to protect the good health of the children who suffer with a food allergy or intolerance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children have the advantage of playing in a kitchen/dining room, which is organised for their benefit. There are a broad range of resources, including jigsaws, games and books, readily available for the children to self select. The children's artwork and their photographs are sensitively mounted, which the children are proud to show visitors. There is no outdoor play area, however, the childminder resolves this problem, as she takes them out every day for a walk to the local park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The furniture and equipment are safe for the children's use and consideration is given to their comfort during play. Therefore, they have the advantage of sitting at child sized tables and chairs, so they participate in activities in contentment. The children are able to reach the resources with ease, as they are stored at their level, contributing in the furthering of their independence. A booster step and seat are provided for the younger children in the bathroom, so they are able to make use of the facility without adult help.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures the children in her care remain safe at all times. She checks the smoke alarms are in good working order and aids the children to become familiar with the leaving of the premises swiftly in the event of an emergency. Safety gates prevent the children's access to areas that are unsuitable for their admittance. Sharp objects, such as knives and dangerous substances, such as cleaning fluids, are kept out of the children's reach. The premises are secure, to prevent the access to unwanted visitors. A safe and effective arrival and departure system is in place, contributing to the children's security.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has strong knowledge about child protection procedures, so is able to protect the children from harm. She attends training courses, as she is committed to ensuring the children's happiness and welfare. She is very aware of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and is capable and confident to share a concern with the appropriate authority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children and the childminder share a warm and affectionate relationship, as the childminder is friendly and welcoming. The children enjoy her company and want her to join in their play. They receive reassurance and encouragement when trying new experiences, including mathematical experiments when playing with water. They have the opportunity to dress up in a wide range of costumes and pretend to be characters of their choice. They build models using

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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 recyclable resources and learn about two and thee dimensional shapes. They have the advantage of experimenting with simple musical instruments and to listen to the different sounds they make. The children are taken on outings to Avondale and St Mark's Park, where they have the opportunity to climb, to balance and to extend their strength and stamina.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder values every child in her care and lavishes them with love and attention, so they feel important and wanted. She aids their understanding that everyone is different and to respect such differences. The children learn that there are many other countries in the world, where children may wear different clothes and eat different foods and who may speak a different language. They have access to a broad range of resources, that reflect positive images of age, gender, ability and disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is aware that there are some children who have a learning difficulty or disability. Therefore, she seeks such information from the parents before the children's attendance, so she can plan for their arrival. Informal channels of communication keep the parents up to date about any concerns the childminder identifies, so planning can be put into place about how the children may progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children behave very well whilst in the care of the childminder, as they enjoy being in her company, so want to please her. They are able to express their emotions in a safe and supportive environment and learn that it is natural to have a wide range of feelings. Positive behaviour is encouraged through the giving of praise and encouragement. Unwanted behaviour is dealt with calmly and effectively, with the children receiving an explanation as to why such behaviour is undesirable.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in partnership with the parents, for the benefit of the children, regularly exchanging details about the progress they are making. Written agreements prevent misunderstanding and the parents are kept up to date about the activities the children are involved in during their stay. They have the advantage of being informed about the procedure to follow in the event of wishing to raise a concern, so a problem can be swiftly resolved. The childminder and parents are developing their relationship when working together when a particular personal need, as this requires both parties to be consistent.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She has many years experience of working with children and has good knowledge about child development and about how young children learn. Therefore, they have the advantage of being provided with a wide range of interesting and challenging activities. They are protected from adults who are not vetted and the childminder ensures a suitable adult: child ratio is maintained for their safety. An attendance register contains the times of the children's arrival and departure, so they are accounted for in an emergency. All records and documentation are readily available for inspection, as the childminder is organised. Children's personal details remain confidential and are shared on a need to know basis.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, the childminder was requested to ensure written parental permission was sought for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment. This is now in place, to help prevent a delay in the children from receiving appropriate medical attention. The childminder was also requested to ensure the parents signed each entry of the accident record, which is in place, so they are aware of any injury to their child. A fire blanket is now located in the kitchen, which the childminder is confident in using. Developmental progress is now shared with the parents, so they are aware of the stage of development their children have reached.

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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): • continue developing the partnership with the parents, with regard to providing the children with consistency with their personal needs

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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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