Suttons Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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102283 Unique Reference Number 01 February 2008 Inspection date Heather Tanswell 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 was registered in 1991. She lives with her husband and teenage son in a split-level home close to the main industrial estate, in Helston, Cornwall. The rear, lower ground floor playroom and kitchen are used for minding. The front ground floor is used to provide access to the property and bathroom facilities only. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two primary school age children, after school on different days throughout the week. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 thrive because the childminder follows good procedures and practices, which meet the children's health needs. They are cared for in a warm clean home where the standards of cleanliness are good. The childminder takes care to minimise the risk of cross infection by ensuring children wash their hands and by providing them with their own hand towel in the family bathroom. Detailed records of accidents and medication are kept to make sure children receive appropriate care and their parents stay well informed. The childminder updates her paediatric first aid training routinely to ensure she knows what to do in an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide their children with all the foods and most of the drinks they may require. Food is stored correctly to make sure it stays cool and fresh until after school when children arrive. Meals are carefully re-heated and served at the table, which ensures children learn good manners and eating habits. Drinks are offered routinely with meals and snacks and made available from the kitchen table at all times to quench children's thirst and make sure they stay properly hydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in daily exercise to develop their physical skills and strength. They walk home from school, and visit local parks so they can play in the fresh air. A decked area in the garden provides space for less active outdoor activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay safe and secure when playing in the home, because doors and gates are securely locked. Safety equipment such as socket covers, a fire blanket, smoke alarms and a first aid kit, are in use and easily accessible. Although smoking is not allowed when children are present, members of the family do smoke in some rooms of the home at other times. Ventilation is a necessity at all times to remove the smell of smoke and provide a welcoming atmosphere.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children gain easy access to the range of good quality toys and equipment made easily accessible in the playroom to support their play. Children learn to keep themselves safe. They know what to do in an emergency as the childminder practises fire evacuations with them and displays the procedure next to where they eat and play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded from harm as the childminder has a sound understanding of how to recognise and record any concerns she may have. The childminder keeps relevant literature and guidance about child protection issues for reference, and knows what to do if she has any concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. Children enjoy close relationships with the childminder and other family members who make an effort to make good links with home life experiences. Copies of photographs from recent holidays are downloaded and printed for display and used effectively to engage children in conversations about the past. This ensures children feel valued, develop confidence and high self-esteem.

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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 Children are highly independent in their play and routines. Children decide when games are over, with good humour instigate clearing away, and persist until the task is complete. Children are interested in choices available and particularly enjoy playing board games that include using their physical skills, for example using their hand to eye co-ordination to catch leaping frogs in small nets. Children learn how to count, add and subtract numbers as they work out and decide who has won at the end of board games. Children use their imagination and resources of their choice creatively to make glittery pictures that remind them of recent seasonal festivals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed and play a full part in the activities, because the childminder values and respects their individuality and the family context for each child. Children have opportunities to learn about themselves, each other and the wider world around them as they handle a range of resources that show positive images of others. Although there are no planned activities to challenge stereotypical views of people from other cultures and with a disability, the childminder uses chance meetings, television programmes and special occasions to influence discussions about how other people live their lives.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Minded children show confidence in the relaxed atmosphere and behave very well, supported by the childminder who has well-established routines that fit in with children's needs and is kind and considerate. Basic information about the management of the setting helps parents understand how the childminder manages her business. Although there have been no complaints, the childminder's system to deal with and record any complaint requires updating. Children's care needs and personal information is fully recorded on enrolment. Informal feedback keeps parents up to date with their child's activities and daily routines.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from the care of an experienced childminder who attends training in topics such as first aid and latest government early year’s strategies to update her knowledge and practice. All of the required policies, procedures and consents for the health and safety of children are in place and fully implemented. The childminder shares information with parents about daily routines and management of behaviour, informally through daily discussions. All records are kept in confidence.

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Organisation

Children are cared for in a well organised home that includes a purposely set aside and well-equipped playroom. Good ratios are maintained at all times, which helps children feel safe and secure, develop supportive relationships and make choices as they relax and play. The childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to: complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children; devise a procedure to follow if childminder is accused of abusing a child; ensure that children are kept safe when playing in the rear garden and improve fire safety awareness by devising and practising an emergency evacuation plan.

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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 now attends routine training in paediatric first aid to ensure she knows how to respond and treat a child in an emergency. The Childminder updated her knowledge in child protection procedures and now knows what to do in the event of any allegation being made. The garden now has an improved secure area and children know what to do if a fire breaks out as they practise evacuations regularly to keep them safe.

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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): • make sure the home is well ventilated to remove the smell of tobacco smoke before children arrive • make sure the complaints procedure meets all the latest requirements as outlined in the Day Care and Childminding Guidance, dated October 2005.

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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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