St Oswald's CofE Aided Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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108711 Unique Reference Number 08 November 2007 Inspection date Charlotte Jenkin 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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 1999. She lives with her husband, and three children in a three bed-roomed house in the Freshbrook area of Swindon. The family live close to local shops, community facilities and parks. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for four children under the age of eight years and currently cares for four children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children play and rest in warm, clean premises. The childminder encourages the children to learn about the importance of hand washing routines, and has an awareness of the need to maintain good standards of hygiene in the home. Children are not, therefore, at risk from cross infection. The childminder has an up to date knowledge of first aid and keeps accurate records of accidents occurring to children whilst in her care. However, although the childminder has gained written permission from parents prior to administering medication, she has not ensured

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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 all medication given to children is recorded and shared with parents. This is a breach of regulation and puts the children's health at risk.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to develop an awareness of healthy eating through the nutritious snacks and meals they are provided with in the provision. The childminder liaises with parents regarding children's dietary needs and allergies. Information gained is recorded and any preferences are catered for. Children have access to drinks at all times and this means they have enough fluids throughout the day. Children's dietary needs are successfully met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular access to fresh air and exercise with daily walks to school and the local pre-school. They frequently visit the park where they play on the large apparatus, and sometimes visit soft play centres. In the garden children play with a suitable range of equipment, including tricycles, space hoppers and scooters. Children have their physical skills suitably promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in welcoming premises where the best use has been made of the available space. Children have areas for eating, resting and plenty of floor space for play. Children have access to a wide range of toys and equipment that promote their development in all areas. These are stored at low level and encourages the children's independence with respect to them choosing the toys they wish to play with. The childminder has a sound awareness of safety issues regarding the maintenance of toys and equipment. Children, therefore, play with toys that are safe, suitable and age appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in safe premises, free from risks as the childminder has identified potential hazards in her home and minimised these effectively. For example, sockets are covered, safety gates prevent access to the stairs and the premises and garden are all secure. Hence, children play in safety. All fire precautions are in place and the evacuation plan is regularly practised with the minded children. These drills are recorded and this monitors the evacuation plan to ensure it is effective in keeping children safe in the event of a fire. Sleeping children are frequently checked to ensure their safety and well-being, and on outings appropriate procedures are followed to promote the children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by a childminder who has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow in the event of concerns. The childminder formally shares her child protection duties with parents and this actively promotes children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They readily approach her for comfort, which the childminder responds to offering them a cuddle. This helps build their self-confidence through meeting their needs. The childminder interacts well with the minded children, getting down to their level to play with them. For example, helping them put the train tracks together. She responds to the younger children's communication, and when one child makes a loud noise, she looks and responds saying 'Oh what a lovely noise'. This helps encourage their confidence in communicating to others. Children are able to make decisions with regard to the toys they wish to play with. They are able to choose from a range of resources, for example, the train set, dolls and musical toys.

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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 have access to a suitable range of activities that promotes their development in all areas. They regularly engage in pretend play, creative activities and go for walks in the local environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's self-esteem is promoted by a childminder who gets to know the children in her care well, respects and values them and meets their individual needs well. She recognises children's individual needs and ensures she meets these to promote the children's well-being. Children have access to a range of resources that promote positive images of diversity in their daily play, This helps children gain an insight into the lives of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates a sound awareness of the appropriate methods to use for managing children's behaviour, including praise and encouragement. She has clear and realistic expectations of the children and is consistent in her approach to managing unwanted behaviour. The childminder works closely with parents regarding techniques to be used, to ensure children receive consistent messages and learn right from wrong. Hence, children's behaviour is good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the sound partnership with parents as they have their routines respected and are cared for in line with parents' wishes. The childminder has discussions with parents daily regarding children's general well-being and the activities they have participated in. She also provides parents with written information regarding their child's day. This enables parents to gain an insight into the care their child has received. Parents are given detailed information regarding the policies and procedures the childminder is required to follow as a registered childcare provider. She has an up to date complaints procedure in place and this meets current requirements.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children are cared for by a suitable and appropriately qualified childminder. She maintains the required adult to child ratios and this means the children receive suitable adult support. Children are, therefore, settled and at ease in her care. The childminder maintains a record of children's contracted hours and not their actual hours of attendance. This is a breach of regulation and poses a risk to the children's safety.

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Organisation

All necessary consents have been gained from parents regarding their children participating in activities and routines. This ensures they are cared for in line with parents' wishes and helps protect their well-being. The childminder implements most policies to promote the children's welfare. However, she has failed to maintain an accurate record of children's attendance and medication administered to them. Most required documentation is stored securely and readily available for inspection.

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Organisation

Overall the provision does not meet 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 provider agreed to improve fire safety precautions by practising emergency escape procedures.

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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 evacuation plan is regularly practised with the minded children. These drills are recorded and this monitors the evacuation plan to ensure it is effective in keeping children safe in the event of a fire.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection no complaints have been made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • keep a written record, signed by parents, of medicines given to children • ensure an accurate record of children's attendance is maintained These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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