New Invention Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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104187 Unique Reference Number 04 October 2007 Inspection date Brenda Joan Flewitt 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 was registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and seven in Exmouth, Devon. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The family have a cat to which the children have supervised access.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently minding seven children under the age of five, on a part time basis. The childminder has an NNEB qualification and NVQ level 3 certificate in child care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Overall, children's health is suitably promoted. Children's medication and accidents are managed appropriately. The childminder holds an up-to-date first aid certificate and has first aid equipment readily available in her home for dealing with injuries, however, resources are not taken on outings. Children enjoy a variety of activities that give opportunities for fresh air and

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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 exercise. These include visits to a play park where children use large equipment such as slides, swings and climbing frames. During trips to the beach they use buckets and spades to build sand castles, and move around in the wide open space. The childminder records details of children's specific dietary requirements as necessary and respects parents wishes with regards to babies individual routines for sleeping and eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a generally clean and tidy family home. The toilet facilities are easily accessible on the ground floor and children sometimes wash their hands before handling food. There are some procedures for helping prevent the spread of infection, which includes informing parents that children should not attend if they have an infectious illness. However, on a day to day basis some routines pose a risk to children's health. For example, children are able to drink from each other's beakers or bottles and access other children's comforters. During a cooking activity a child eats cake mixture containing raw egg. Some children are allowed to eat while they play and are not encouraged to wash their hands before doing so, even when they have been previously playing in the garden.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in safe and secure premises where hazards and risks are identified and minimised. The childminder puts measures in place to help prevent accidents such as a safety gate at the bottom the stairs, securing doors to prevent trapped fingers and locks on kitchen cupboard doors to make cleaning chemicals inaccessible. The good security system makes sure that children are protected from uninvited visitors and that they cannot leave the building unsupervised. The home is organised appropriately so that children move around freely and in safety as they choose their activities. One child particularly likes to be able to spontaneously go from inside to outside and back again. There is a range of equipment to help children stay safe when eating, sleeping and travelling including high chairs, booster seats, and buggies and appropriate car seats, all with harnesses.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings through the childminder's routine procedures which includes choosing suitable venues, and making sure she takes a phone and contact numbers with her. Although the childminder has given consideration to an emergency escape plan, this has not been practised with the children to ensure it is effective and that children know what to expect. Therefore, their safety is not fully promoted in a real situation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound understanding of how to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and adequate knowledge of the procedures to follow with concerns. This contributes towards protecting children from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are generally happy in the care of their childminder. Although there are times when some children are unsettled, they receive reassurance from the childminder to help them feel secure. Children are involved in a satisfactory range of activities both inside and outside. These include construction, small world toys, books, games, painting, role play, cooking and TV. They access a suitable variety of play provision and resources which are organised to allow them to select some items for themselves, according to their age and stage of development. Children receive satisfactory interaction from the childminder to support their basic needs and help their development. For example, a two-year-old likes to help pour ingredients into a bowl and stir

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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 them together to make cakes. Another child is refreshed after being rocked while resting in a car seat, then goes off to explore for a short while, finding a file of papers to explore.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's days include a variety of activities where they meet other people, use a wider range of equipment and explore their local environment. They regularly visit a toddler group where they develop social skills by joining in group times such as singing. They often meet up with other childminders and children, sometimes enjoying outdoor activities together. This helps children to develop a positive attitude to the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are respected as individuals. The childminder gets to know each child's needs, preferences and background through discussion with parents and observation of their activities. Children develop some sense of belonging as they can access personal belongings in the childminder's home, such as comforters and their lunch boxes and bags. They sometimes like to see photos of themselves and family displayed on the childminder's computer. They start to develop a positive attitude towards people's differences as they play with resources that reflect diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children generally behave appropriately. The childminder sometimes works with parents to manage unwanted behaviour and young children are learning that 'no' means the behaviour is unacceptable. However, there are times when children are given mixed messages as to what is acceptable, particularly with regards to eating habits. Children receive some praise and encouragement which helps build their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder promotes friendly relationships with parents, supported by the required documentation. She supplies some written information about the setting. However, the 'contracts' are limited to the business arrangements, are not signed, and do not relate to the care of the child or activities offered. Although parents give written permission for some aspects of care, they do not sign to give permission for outings, or photos to be taken of their children. The childminder is unaware of the regulations and her responsibilities in responding to complaints from parents. Therefore, consistency in the care of children is not fully promoted.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The satisfactory organisation of the premises, resources and structure of the day means that children play in a safe environment, eat and sleep according to parents wishes, and enjoy activities outside the home. However, some routines do not fully promote children's health, or their safety in an emergency situation.

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Organisation

The childminder's regular contact with other childminders means that children get to know and trust other familiar adults. Therefore, in the case of their childminder's absence, or in an emergency, there is an opportunity for them to be cared for by a childminder they already know, so that they settle more easily.

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Organisation

The childminder has acted on the requirement to inform Ofsted of significant events, but is unaware of the regulations regarding complaints from parents. All the required documentation and records are in place and completed clearly. However, the written agreements with parents

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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 are limited. 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 recommended that knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures was developed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder obtained information from the local authority in the form of a flow chart and list of possible indicators of abuse, to increase her knowledge. Therefore, children's safety is appropriately promoted in this area.

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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): • review daily routines to ensure that children's health is fully promoted and the spread of infection prevented • practise the emergency escape plan with the children, so that they know what to expect and to ensure it is effective • develop written agreements with parents to include the care of the child and activities provided • develop knowledge of regulations and responsibilities with regards to managing complaints from parents.

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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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