Mandale Middle School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

107393 Unique Reference Number 21 January 2008 Inspection date Alison Romanczuk Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been a registered childminder since 1994. She lives with her husband and their three children in a three bedroom terrace house, situated in a quiet area of Bermondsey. The house is in easy walking distance to local shops and a park. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for no more than four children under eight years old; of these, not more than two may be under five years, and of these, not more than one may be under one year at any one time. There are currently two children on roll. There is a garden available for children to play outdoors.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the Southwark Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is maintained well in an environment which is clean and well organised so that children get maximum benefit, for example when crawling on the carpet or in the kitchen area. Policies and procedures covering all aspects of the children's health, including those

p.2

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 around nappy changing routines, ensure their wellbeing and are clearly shared with children's parents. Children are well cared for when unwell because the childminder uses clear medication procedures and has an infectious illness policy which ensures other children are not unnecessarily exposed to infection. The childminder has undertaken training in first aid in the past but does not have a current certificate. She understands the immediacy of this and is booked on a course in the near future.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children's good health is supported through regular physical activity, for example, at local parks and playgroups and the childminder ensures children have daily fresh air. They benefit from regular access to water in their own beakers and are well nourished with a variety of foods in their meals including chicken, spaghetti Bolognese and regular fruit and vegetables. Children's good health is further supported because the childminder collates information about their individual needs in order to provide consistent care from home to childminders.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is well maintained in an environment which is secure, well organised and suitable for the children's use. Children safely crawl about in the living room area, for example and learn about the childminders house rules such as not climbing on the sofas or going behind the furniture. This helps them to gain an increasing awareness of their own safety. Toys and resources used are clean and of a good standard and the children access them well. Children are protected from fire hazards at the childminders because she has information about what to do in the event of an emergency. She holds regular fire drills to familiarise the children and has installed fire prevention equipment such as smoke alarms and a fire blanket in her house. Children are protected from harm because the childminder has up to date policies and information concerning child protection. Children are regularly monitored and the childminder

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

confident at sharing information should the need arise.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy being with the childminder and appear happy and confident at moving about the premises and accessing their favourite toys and books. They benefit from the childminders close contact, as she cuddles them and reads their favourite stories, for example and because she gets to know them well. Children explore a range of activities including those which they access at local playgroups which are attended regularly. They locate and play pretend games with their favourite toys cars, for example and are able to master skills such as posting shapes in their shape sorter with good support from the childminder. Valuable interaction and thoughtful questioning from the childminder supports the children's growing vocabularies so that they learn to name objects and to begin to talk about what they are interested in. Children benefit from regular outdoor play, particularly in the childminders allotment which backs onto her

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

garden where they plant and help to tend sunflower seeds and watch corn and other vegetables growing throughout the year.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated equally at the childminders house and she gets to know their individual personalities well. Policies underpin the childminder's good practice and are well thought out

p.3

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 to ensure all are included in the activities she provides. Children are able to play with a range of materials including books which reflect different cultures and ways of life and visits to local clubs further support the childminders aim to broaden the children's horizons. Children behave well when with the childminder and begin to understand her house rules from a young age. They interact purposefully with each other, handing out and sharing their toys, for example and the childminder offers lots of praise and encouragement at this time. Children settle well with the childminder because she builds good relationships with their parents and exchanges information about daily activities. Clear settling in procedures further support the childminders aim to provide consistency of care for each child when they start.

p.3

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is well established having worked as a childminder for a considerable time. She is well organised overall and children settle well and follow a routine which meets their individual needs. Children are well supervised at all times including when on outings. They have access to a range of activities and have suitable times to eat and to rest as well as visit local clubs and places of interest. The childminder ensures she meets regulations by providing comprehensive procedures and policy documents for most areas to underpin her business. All records and policies in place including registers, children's details and accident books promote the welfare and care of children attending and are suitably shared with the children's parents. The childminder is mindful of training available and has developed secure contacts with her local authority in ensuring she meets requirements. A first aid course has been booked for next

p.4

Organisation

month. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

During the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that suitable hand drying facilities were in place to prevent the spread of infection. She has addressed this issue so that children now have suitable facilities including towels and wipes to help them wash and dry their hands throughout the day.

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration, 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.

p.4

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.

p.4

Complaints 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

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 the first aid certificate is updated at the first available opportunity

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5