Grange Community Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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116147 Unique Reference Number 27 March 2008 Inspection date Nicola Hill 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 has been registered since 2000. She lives with her husband and their two children aged nine and 10 in a semi-detached house in Feltham. The property is close to local schools and amenities and there is a park nearby. The ground floor of the house is mainly used for childminding, with toilet and sleeping facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds an NNEB Diploma in Nursery Nursing and a valid first aid qualification. She attends various local carer and toddler groups. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children aged between 22 months and six years, one of whom attends on a full-time basis. She is not registered to provide overnight care.

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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 consolidate the importance of good practice due to the childminder’s consistent and supportive approach to hygiene. She provides a clean and well maintained home and ensures children wash their hands before eating and after attending to personal care needs. The childminder effectively minimises the risk of cross-infection by following good hygiene practice when changing nappies, ensuring children use their own flannels to clean their faces and by excluding children suffering from infectious illnesses. The childminder maintains a current first aid certificate, keeping her knowledge up to date, and there are good procedures in place to record accidents and administer any necessary medication.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder shows a good understanding of healthy eating and the children's individual needs. Children have independent access to drinks and packed lunches provided by some of the parents are stored appropriately. The childminder monitors what is being provided to ensure children are benefiting from a nutritious diet. The childminder provides nutritious meals for other children in her care, such as fresh fruit snacks, soup, homemade burgers with salad, filled tortilla wraps and casseroles. She encourages children to try foods that are new to them, such as asparagus, which helps them to develop healthy eating habits. All children enjoy meal times when they sit together around the table, which encourages their social skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of activities, which actively contribute to their good health and help them to understand the need for exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. They have regular opportunities to enjoy the fresh air, for example, when they play in the garden on the trampoline and on wheeled toys, play in the swimming pool in the summer and visit the local parks. Children develop their physical skills and learn how to control their bodies as they climb on larger equipment in the park and visit local play centres where they have lots of space and soft-play equipment for vigorous activity. All children are able to rest and be active according to their needs.

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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 cosy, homely environment. The childminder has made good use of space by making the conservatory a dedicated playroom, with child-height furniture, children's artwork on display and children's music playing in the background. The environment is also welcoming to older children, as they can also use the front room for quiet play or play with smaller toy pieces, such as 'Polly Pocket'. This means the safety of the younger children is ensured. Appropriate items of equipment and furniture are available allowing the children to play, rest and eat in comfort. Children use a broad range of safe and good quality toys and resources that are appropriate for their age and stage of development. Different boxes of toys are rotated into the playroom each day to ensure variety for the children. The children are independent and are confident to select the toys and resources they wish to use or request

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

further equipment from shelves they cannot reach.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children gain an awareness of safety issues and learn to keep themselves safe through practical experiences. For example, they regularly practise emergency evacuation as part of role play and discuss issues such as road safety and strangers. Children demonstrate a good understanding of safety issues, commenting that they must wait for the childminder to say it is safe to cross

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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 before crossing the road. The childminder has taken most steps to minimise any risks to children. For example, the front door is secure, children are not permitted to use the trampoline without a safety enclosure and a hard cover is used on the swimming pool. However, there is currently no smoke detector on the ground floor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are suitably protected as the childminder maintains constant supervision both inside and outside the home. The childminder has the relevant insurance cover and most of the required documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. However, not all parents have given written consent for their children to be transported in a vehicle, and the childminder has not requested written permission from parents for their children to use the trampoline or swimming pool, which can put both the childminder and children at risk. The childminder's knowledge of child protection issues is sound and she understands the procedures to follow should she have any concerns. However, although details of existing injuries when a child arrives at the setting are discussed with parents, the childminder has not been recording these.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's needs are met well in the child-centred environment, enabling them to feel settled and have a good sense of belonging. For example, the childminder ensures they are always at home when children need a sleep, which respects their individual routines. Children respond well to the warm and gentle interaction from the childminder, which enables them to feel confident in their abilities and enjoy their play. They receive plenty of cuddles and meaningful praise, which also increases their sense of trust and well-being.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are provided with a range of opportunities such as role play, art and craft, outdoor play and games. However, the childminder is not currently using the Birth to three matters framework to support the activities she provides, and does not yet formally record her observations on the children's development. Children spend their time purposefully and enjoy their time at the setting. They play well independently and with each other. Some children happily play with the farm animals, whilst others sit and brush the manes and tails of the horses. They stop periodically to join in the songs playing in the background and do the actions, such as 'Wind the bobbin up' and 'The wheels on the bus'. They show good imagination as they play with the cars and put their dolls to bed in the dolls house. Children’s learning is extended effectively through positive interaction with the childminder. For example, as they play an 'Old

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Macdonald' sound game, they have to listen to the sounds of animals, find the correct picture card and place them on the corresponding space on their board. Younger children are encouraged to find different coloured buttons as they try some threading.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy creative, exploratory and messy play activities such as cooking, growing sunflowers in the garden, clay modelling, playdough and painting. Children attending after school can relax or be active in accordance with their interests. They play on the computer, make pictures and play with educational toys such as magnetic maths puzzles and times tables games. The childminder is also keen to build on children's learning through outings. For example, she takes children to the local parks and on outings further afield to places such as Hampton Court, Beale Park, the bowling alley and the cinema. These activities broaden the children's experiences and stimulates their interest in the wider world. The childminder also takes children to toddler groups, music groups and play centres, which encourages their social skills and their ability to relate to a wider group of adults and peers.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel valued because the childminder shows each of them an equal level of concern and respect. Children are becoming more aware of the wider world and are learning to develop a positive attitude towards others through regular outings and toys and books that reflect diversity. However, there are currently minor weaknesses in the provision of resources that show images of disability. Children are encouraged to discuss and accept differences and learn about cultures other than their own through planned activities, for example celebrating festivals such as Diwali and Chinese New Year.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are generally well behaved. The childminder manages behaviour calmly and effectively, ensuring clear rules and boundaries are in place. For example, she does not rise to tantrums and gently explains to young children about the need to share toys. Children are encouraged to show consideration for others, say please and thank you and help to tidy their toys away, showing respect for their environment. Children develop confidence and self-esteem as the childminder displays their artwork in the home and gives consistent praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationships the childminder has developed with the parents. Parents are encouraged to share information about their child, which helps the childminder to meet the children's individual needs successfully. The childminder has not developed any written information to inform parents about her childminding service, although she talks through the main aspects of her business, such as sickness, child protection and behaviour management. The childminder informs parents of their right to go to Ofsted with a complaint about her service. However, she is not aware of the procedure she must follow if a parent made a complaint in writing to her, which is a requirement in regulations. The childminder talks to parents each day, which ensures that they are kept informed of their child's progress and care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a sound understanding of the National Standards. Children benefit from the childminder's use of space, time and resources and they receive sufficient adult support to help them feel secure and confident. The atmosphere is one that is calm and happy and where children feel welcome. The daily routine is organised to include time for quiet play, active play and outings.

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Organisation

Required adult to child ratios are maintained at all times, ensuring the children are well supported. The childminder has a range of suitable documentation in place which enables her to meet the children's needs. However, not all records are effectively maintained in order to safeguard the children's welfare and care. For example, some parental consents are not in place, the childminder has not been recording details of existing injuries, and the exact times of children's arrival and departure are not recorded in the attendance register. In addition, the childminder has not displayed her certificate of registration clearly for visitors and parents to view. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection highlighted two recommendations. These required the childminder to ensure the conservatory door is safe and secure, and to increase her knowledge and understanding of the Area Child Protection Committee guidelines.

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Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder has since replaced the windows and doors in the conservatory with new double glazed panels, which are safe. The childminder has not attended any training courses on child protection since her last inspection, but she has obtained a copy of the local child protection procedures for childminders in Hounslow. She has also obtained a photocopy of the Government booklet 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused - Summary' and the corresponding flowchart. She has a sound awareness of the procedures to follow if she was concerned about a child in her care, or if an allegation of abuse was made against herself or a family member.

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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): • improve safety practices and procedures within the home by maintaining a smoke alarm on the ground floor and by ensuring written consents are obtained from parents for children to be transported in a vehicle and to use the trampoline and swimming pool • further safeguard children's welfare and care by ensuring any existing injuries when a child arrives at the setting are recorded • improve knowledge and understanding of the complaints procedure as set out in the October 2005 amendments to the National Standards • ensure the certificate of registration is clearly on view at all times when minded children are present and that the exact times of children's arrival and departure are recorded in the attendance register.

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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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