Isleham Church of England Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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110791 Unique Reference Number 19 October 2007 Inspection date Jacqueline Munden 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 1992. She lives with her husband and their two adult children in Andover, Hampshire.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

All areas of the childminder’s home are used for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding two children on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives within walking distance of local shops schools and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a certificate in first aid.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean home. They are protected from illness and the spread of infection by the effective practices and procedures the childminder has in place. For example,

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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 children use disposable towels after washing their hands and play equipment is washed regularly. Records relating to children's health and accidents are recorded appropriately and countersigned by parents. Records for the administration of medication show parental consent and instructions of what to give, but do not show what has been administered. The childminder is able to respond well to medical emergencies as she has obtained parental consent to seek emergency treatment, is trained in first aid and carries a first aid kit on outings.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy the routines of regular snacks and meals that parents supply. The childminder takes into account the wishes of parents and meets each child's dietary needs to ensure they remain healthy. Drinking water is always available and young children are offered drinks regularly to ensure they do not become dehydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Despite the childminder not using her garden, children enjoy a range of in and outdoor activities which contributes to their good health and physical development. Children have regular walks and visits to soft play areas and attend toddler groups. Young children use suitable equipment indoors such as walkers to encourage them to develop their walking skills and control of their bodies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. They are well protected from the risk of accidental injuries. For example, the childminder ensures cleaning materials are inaccessible and they are well supervised. The childminder's effective collection procedure, that includes parents providing photographs of those that are to collect children, ensures their safety. However, arrangements to fully protect children in the event of a fire are not suitable; smoke detectors are not fitted on each floor of the house, the fire blanket is not available in the kitchen and the emergency evacuation procedure has not been practised with children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can freely access a suitable range of clean and safe play equipment and books. They have suitable space to play and move around and can access the toilet independently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are adequately safeguarded with regard to child protection issues as the childminder recognises signs and symptoms and knows who to contact should she have a concern. However, her knowledge and understanding of current procedures and regulations is weak. She does not have current publications regarding the safeguarding of children or fully inform parents of her responsibilities in dealing with concerns or if a child is lost or not collected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They benefit from the warm relationship and support they receive from the childminder; young children reach out for a cuddle.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make choices from the range of activities and resources available that meet their developmental needs. They develop social skills by meeting regularly with others outside the home. Children are able to be creative and express themselves during activities such as drawing, and use their imaginations when using the role play equipment. For example, when playing with a doll and pushchair and 'visiting the shops'. The childminder has a sound understanding of child development and supports children well.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed and play a full part in their day because the childminder respects each child's individuality. Children learn about other religions and culture by using resources that promote positive images of diversity. Although the childminder has no experience of caring for children with learning difficulties or disabilities, she has a positive attitude to doing so.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder knows the children well and ensures their needs are met. Children develop independence and confidence as they select play equipment to use. They feel valued as the childminder provides activities that relate to their family. For example, they make and decorate birthday cakes to take home for mum and dad.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a calm and consistent approach to behaviour management, using strategies appropriate to the age and development level of individual children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents and carers is good. Effective communication takes place between the childminder and parents and they work together to meet the children's individual needs. This includes regular discussions upon collection and on the telephone if necessary. In addition the childminder uses a daily diary to record information of the child's day. Parents receive some verbal information to support the care of children. However they not fully are informed of the childminder's responsibilities and procedures including those for dealing with complaints as required by regulation.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She is well trained and experienced to care for children; she attends training to update her skills. However, her knowledge and understanding of some areas of the National Standards and current regulation are weak. This means that children's welfare is not always promoted and parents are not fully informed of the childminders policies and procedures. The times children spend with the childminder are not recorded appropriately. Children's records are maintained appropriately and stored in a confidential manner. The childminder concentrates on spending her time with children, who are well cared for and actively involved in purposeful activities. She uses space well within the home allowing children to play and explore freely and safely.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last Children Act inspection recommendations were made to make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the regulatory body and ensure all administration of medication records are countersigned by parents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder did inform parents of how to contact Ofsted if they wished to make a complaint. However, since then the regulation has changed and parents have not been fully informed of the new process to follow.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder obtains suitable consent and information from parents regarding medication they wish her to give children; they sign to acknowledge this at the time of collection. However, the childminder does not keep a suitable record of what and when she administers the medication.

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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

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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): • ensure that all current publications and documentation relating to childminding activities is in place with particular reference to the recording of times children are cared for, records of medicines given to children and that policies and procedures relating to the care of a lost, or non-collected child, child protection and complaints are in place and shared with parents • ensure the fire blanket is easily accessible in the kitchen, that smoke detectors are fitted on each floor of the house and conduct and record the emergency evacuation procedure.

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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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