Carrwood Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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107240 Unique Reference Number 18 March 2008 Inspection date Christine Jacqueline Davies 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 1994. She lives with her husband in a two bedroom house, in the London borough of Southwark. The whole of the ground floor of the premises is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The property is close to local schools, parks and transport services. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight at any one time and is currently minding one child under five years. The family have no pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's welfare is compromised because the childminder has not maintained her first aid certificate. This means that the childminder may not respond appropriately to accidents should they occur. However, she has booked herself onto a first aid course which is due to start over the next few weeks and has a fully stocked first aid box in place. Children benefit from a clean environment and the childminder has clear procedures in place which promote good hygiene practice. For example, the childminder disposes of nappies appropriately and wipes down the

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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 changing mat after use. The childminder ensures that children's dietary requirements are adequately met by providing a range of meals that reflect healthy eating and by discussing the individual needs of children with parents. Children have many opportunities to be physically active and have access to outdoor equipment such as bikes and a slide. In addition to this, children benefit from regular visits to the park, helping them to keep fit and healthy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from secure premises and procedures are in place for the safe arrival and departure of children, however, children's welfare is not entirely safeguarded because the attendance register does not record the actual hours of children's attendance. This is a breach of regulations and means that children may not be accounted for quickly in the event of an emergency. Suitable safety precautions are in place to protect children from harm. They are helped to stay safe through the use of safety gates, which are positioned to prevent children leaving the main play area unsupervised. In addition to this, a fitted fire blanket and smoke detectors are in place. Children select activities from a good range of toys and equipment, which meet safety standards and enable them to play safely. Consideration is given to children's safety when off the premises. For example, the childminder ensures that children are supervised

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

at all times and that permission has been sought from parents to take children on outings. The childminder is less familiar with child protection issues. Although the childminder has obtained the government booklet ‘What To Do If You're Worried A Child Is Being Abused-Summary’, her current safeguarding policy refers to local authority procedures outside of where she lives. This means that she may not respond appropriately should concerns arise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a flexible routine in place which ensures that children benefit from a variety of learning experiences. For example, children have opportunities to socialise with other children through the attendance at local community groups and visits to the local soft play centre. In addition to this, children are able to visit places such as Greenwich park. Activities within the childminder's home include, a range of equipment designed to stimulate children's imagination and coordination. For example children enjoy discovering different challenges via electronic cause and effect toys and enjoy the individual attention received when sharing stories with the childminder. The childminder helps children learn about the natural world by introducing them to gardening activities such as planting sunflowers, as well as regular visits to the local allotment. The childminder has developed a good relationship with children and ensures that their individual

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

learning needs are catered for, so that they are able to make steady progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a calm approach to caring for children in her care. She ensures that children follow their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents enabling continuity of care. In addition to this, the childminder has developed a strong relationship with parents and talks to them regularly about children's general care and progress. Children are beginning to understand the difference between right and wrong through consistent boundaries and praise. So as a consequence, children behave well. The childminder has a positive attitude to the inclusion of all children regardless of their individual needs. She has a supportive approach to caring for

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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 children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and is willing to adapt her activities according to the needs of the child. Few resources reflecting diversity are in place, but the childminder is willing to increase this area of her provision so that children learn about differences in a positive way.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's welfare is not entirely safeguarded because the childminder does not hold a valid first aid certificate and has not recorded the daily, individual hours of children's attendance, which is a breach of regulations. All other documentation is in place and the childminder has devised a range of policies and procedures which are available to parents. However, current local authority safeguarding procedures need to be obtained. The premises are organised so that hazardous items are not within reach to children and that sufficient space is available for them to play freely and independently. 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 previous care inspection recommended that the childminder develop knowledge of local child protection referral procedures; ensure that appropriate records signed by parents, are maintained of accidents and medication; ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote diversity; obtain public liability insurance; request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder was also required to ensure that a fire blanket, which conforms to BS EN standards, is accessible in the kitchen.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has made some improvements. Although the childminder has a copy of the government booklet ‘What To Do If You're Worried A Child Is Being Abused-Summary’, she has not obtained relevant procedures for Southwark local authority, which means that children's welfare may not be entirely safeguarded. The childminder has ensured that an accident /medication book is in place and that recent entries are signed appropriately by parents. Written permission to seek emergency medical treatment has also been sought from parents. A fire blanket has been obtained and is accessible in the kitchen. Public liability insurance is also in place. There are some books in place reflecting diversity, but this area of provision is underdeveloped.

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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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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): • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • ensure that the actual hours of children's attendance is recorded • obtain current child protection guidelines in line with local authority safeguarding procedures • ensure that a range of resources which reflect diversity are available to children

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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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