Parkside Middle School

Inspection report for early years provision

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107398 Unique Reference Number 22 November 2007 Inspection date Josephine Geoghegan 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 outstanding. 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 has been registered since 1993 and lives in the Kennington area of Southwark with her partner and their three children, one of whom is under eight years. She is registered to care for four children under eight years at any one time. The ground floor of the home is used for minding and children have access to a secure enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is currently caring for five children, of these, one child is over five years. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder currently supports children who use English as an additional language. The childminder does not employ an assistant or provide overnight care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Excellent systems are in place to promote children's good health. For example, children benefit from a nutritious and balanced diet of freshly cooked meals and have constant access to fresh water. The childminder is conscious of healthy eating and provides healthy foods within the diet, such as wholemeal pasta, rice cakes and yoghurts. Children gain an awareness of healthy

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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 eating. For example, they enjoy a variety of fresh fruit at snack time and use a magnetic chart with the childminder to record the five fruit and vegetables they are eating that day. Good systems are in place to ensure children's individual dietary needs are known and parents are offered a daily written record of their child's food intake. In addition, the childminder devises a weekly menu that is shared with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Effective hygiene practice help stop the spread of infection, for example, the childminder uses disposable gloves during nappy changing and children are positively encouraged to develop their personal hygiene skills, for example, during toilet training. Good systems are in place to ensure any accidents, illness or medication are dealt with appropriately. For example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate; she has devised her own policies and procedures, and ensures appropriate records are shared with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have frequent opportunities to participate in a wide range of activities aimed at promoting their physical skills which enable them to gain regular exercise and fresh air. For example, children are able to use a good range of outside play equipment in the garden, such as a roundabout, slide, wheeled toys and balls. They walk to and from the local school, and go on regular outings to an activity ball pool centre and a variety of local parks, where children use the climbing equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are able to play in a clean and well maintained home that is well organised and child friendly. Effective systems are in place to promote safety within the home. For example, a gate is used to prevent children gaining unsupervised access to the upper floor, all fire safety equipment is in place and children participate in monthly emergency evacuation drills that are recorded by the childminder. In addition, the childminder has written policies and procedures relating to safety, such as a missing child procedure and keeps a range of safety information easily assessable to share with parents, such as gas and home fire safety checks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children and parents benefit from a warm and welcoming environment created by displays of children's creative work, photo's of them participating in a range of activities and outings, and lots of information for parents. Children are able to select resources and work independently as the home is well organised and toys are stored at low level. Children have access to a broad range of good quality toys and books that are suitable for their age and stage of development and promote all areas of learning.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective systems are in place to safeguard children's welfare. For example, the childminder has completed a relevant two day course; she has written her own policies and procedures, and keeps all information easily accessible so that she knows what to do if she is worried a child is being abused.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy, settled and purposefully engaged in play. Effective systems are in place to help track children's progress as the childminder observes children's play and assesses their progress linking to the Birth to three matters framework, enabling children's needs and interests to be catered for. They have excellent opportunities to make progress in all areas of learning as the childminder provides a rich and exciting programme of activities and outings. For example,

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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 able to develop their awareness of their senses as they make play-dough with the childminder; they talk of how it still feels and how they like the smell of cinnamon. They develop their language skills as they recall the ingredients they used with the childminder and talk of other things they like to cook.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have excellent opportunities to be creative while using paint and collage materials, developing their free creative expression and while participating in planned activities. For example, children make pictures that represent lights for Diwali and collage spiders for Halloween, developing their understanding of cultures and beliefs. Children become absorbed in stories and actively join in, singing the jungle song and finding the appropriate animal as the childminder reads the book, developing their communication skills as they listen and respond well. Children's interest in books is further enhanced as the childminder has made books with children using photo's and collage materials. Children freely engage in role-play as they imitate while using dolls and play food.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing a sound knowledge of numeracy, for example, as they accurately count the cakes they have made with the play-dough and the magnetic fruit and vegetables. They develop their problem solving skills as they play a picture lotto game with the childminder and use a wide range of construction sets and puzzles. Children develop their understanding of the world around them as they participate in frequent outings in the local community to parks, museums and children's groups. They learn about nature within the home and garden as they grow pumpkins, sunflowers and use resources, such as large animals. In addition, they participate in planned events initiated by the childminder, such as the fire service visiting the childminders home with the fire engine for the children to explore, along with other childminders and children who were invited to join the event.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children's sense of belonging and self esteem are enhanced as the childminder has lots of photo's of children and their creative work displayed within the home. In addition, children have made their own table-mats using photo's of themselves with their families. Good systems are in place to ensure children's individual needs are known. Children are able to learn about diversity through activities and use of resources within the home which reflect a range of cultures and abilities, and through outings, for example, to museums. Systems are in place to ensure any care offered to children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities is inclusive. Children who use English as an additional language are supported well as the childminder liaises with parents and has familiar words written in their home language and English displayed along with relevant photo's or symbols.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Effective systems are in place to promote partnership with parents. For example, parents are encouraged to settle their children gradually, enabling them to feel secure. They are provided with a wide range of information about the setting and their children's progress. They are offered a written daily record sheet that includes children's food intake, sleep times and all details of the day. Children have good relationships with the childminder and their peers. They approach the childminder freely and respond well to the daily routine, such as helping to clear the table for lunch, enabling them to develop a sense of responsibility.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder promotes a professional attitude to her childminding service. For example, she holds appropriate qualifications in childcare and first aid, and has completed relevant courses, extending her knowledge of childcare and education. All required documentation is in place and shared with parents, such as records of children's individual details, their attendance and any accidents or medication, safeguarding children's welfare. In addition, the childminder has written many of her policies and procedures to support the management of the service.

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Organisation

The home is well organised and child friendly with an extensive range of information, photos and displays creating a stimulating environment. Children are able to make choices and develop their independence as toys and resources are well organised and easily accessible. The time children spend with the childminder is productive and no time is wasted as the activities and events of the day flow seemingly effortlessly. This is due to the excellent organisational skills and confidence of the childminder who is able to respond to children's spontaneous needs and interests, as well as providing a broad range of planned outings and activities that promote learning. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop methods of written communication with parents and develop a policy regarding sickness. The childminder has devised a sickness policy and a wide range of policies, procedures and information about the setting are shared with parents, including a daily information sheet.

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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.

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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 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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