East Hill Secondary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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107172 Unique Reference Number 18 December 2007 Inspection date Alison Romanczuk 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, first registered in 1997 lives in a four bedroom house with garden in South Bermondsey with her husband and two teenage children. The house is close to parks, schools and transport. Children are able to use the ground floor of the property which includes the toilet, living room, kitchen and garden area. The childminder is registered to care for three children under five years old of whom not more than one may be under one year old at any one time. There are currently three children on roll. The family has a pet dog and cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is generally given priority and the children regularly washed and well supervised to support the childminder's hygiene procedures and ensure their well-being. Children use toys and resources which are of a generally good state of repair and clean, given children's open access to the garden area when they play. Some areas of the property do not meet these standards, however, because the childminder has dog food and an open bin near to where the children play, for example. Children are well cared for when they are unwell and the childminder

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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 offers children their favourite blanket to comfort them when tired. Medication procedures are in place to support children's well-being and children's parents are asked for consent to give medicines when appropriate. The childminder has trained in first aid but her certificate has expired. Children are well nourished at the childminder's with regular access to drinks and fresh fruit. Children's parents are consulted on their children's dietary needs and the childminder often offers the children meals that have been prepared for her own family. Children's physical development is encouraged through open access to the garden area where they enjoy manoeuvring their sit-in cars and playing football in the fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety is maintained when with the childminder because the premises are secure and she supervises the children well. Areas of the house that may be hazardous are inaccessible to children, and, for example, safety gates are in place to prevent access to the kitchen and stairs and locks are used on kitchen cupboards. Toys and equipment are of a generally good standard with broken materials discarded if necessary. Children's safety is further maintained because pets at the house are child friendly and well natured. Children are protected from fire hazards because the childminder has installed smoke alarms and a fire blanket and knows what to do in an emergency. There have been limited fire drills practised, however. Children are generally safeguarded from harm because the childminder is experienced in what she does and understands that she needs to share any concerns which she may have. Limited recent training has been

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

accessed in this area however, and the childminder is less confident about recording information to support this aim.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy to be with the childminder and get to know her well through the constant close contact and positive interaction she provides. They demonstrate increasing confidence and independence in moving about the living room and garden area and know how to access their toys. Children enjoy a range of experiences including art and craft, drawing, completing puzzles, role play and navigating their sit in cars around the garden area. Children's vocabulary is well supported particularly through one to one activities where the childminder supports children's individual activity. For example, children access their favourite number puzzles and the childminder encourages them to find the numbers and colours to support their learning in this area. Children benefit from being able to interact with each other socially and learn to share and negotiate their needs well. They show care and consideration to each other, offering

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and sharing toys, for example, and when helping others if they fall over. Children's learning is further supported through trips to the park and playgroups nearby.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are respected as individuals and the childminder builds strong and supportive relationships with the children and their parents. Clear settling in procedures ensure the childminder is able to discuss their needs with parents and record relevant details. Children's individual needs are further well met because she gets to know their routines, personalities and what they like to do by observing and talking to the children throughout their play. There are less resources available, however, such as books and toys which reflect other cultures to

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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 support children's understanding of the wider world and children's positive self image. Those children who may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities are welcomed into the childminder's home and attention is given according to each child's needs and in consultation with their parents. Children behave well when with the childminder who offers consistency in her expectations for their good conduct and lots of one to one attention when the children need it most. Children's care is supported because the childminder works well with parents to provide a continuous level of care and regular discussions about the children's progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is generally well organised and confident in her interaction with the children she cares for. This supports children's learning and well-being overall. A clear settling in period followed by a well set out routine helps the children to know what is happening each day and to separate well from their main carer. Children are well supervised and the childminder ensures adults in the house are suitably vetted. She supports their needs well in consultation with the children's parents and welcomes them into her family unit. Documentation needed to underpin her childminding business such as registers of attendance and children's details are managed appropriately. However, some policies in place such as those for child protection have not been updated and the childminder's first aid certificate has expired. This is a breach of regulation. She understands that this is a priority and has booked a training course with her local authority.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

During the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. She was asked to ensure that the required records are retained for a reasonable time and to keep a written record, signed by parents, of accidents and medicines given to children. In response to these recommendations the childminder has updated her records and now records accidents and requests written permission from parents regarding medications. There are still limited resources which reflect anti- discriminatory practice.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted which required the childminder to take 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 then those made to Ofsted.

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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

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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): • ensure the environment is kept to a suitably hygienic standard • seek training to update knowledge of National Safeguarding procedures • provide more resources to support children's positive self image and their understanding of the wider world • ensure the first aid certificate is updated in a timely manner

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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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