King's College School

Inspection report for early years provision

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110911 Unique Reference Number 05 February 2008 Inspection date Clare Moore 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 good. 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 1997. She lives with her husband and their three student children in Chineham on the outskirts of Basingstoke. The whole of the ground floor and parts of the first floor are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 three children under five. She drives to the pre-school to take and collect children. The childminder regularly attends local children's groups and the family owns a cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from the risk of infection as the childminder maintains a clean home and toys and equipment are well maintained. For example, the high chair is spotlessly clean as it is wiped down after every use. In addition she has separate changing mats for all the children who use nappies and holds a current certificate in food hygiene. Children start to become

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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 independent in their personal care as they are encouraged to wash their hands before meals and after handling the pet cat with appropriate support from the childminder. Children can be treated in the event of needing first aid as parent permissions are in place, and well stocked first aid kits are instantly available in the home and on outings.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished as they are encouraged to try new foods and eat a healthy diet. Children take their main meals together which makes these times a social occasion and also stimulates appetites. They are very well hydrated as drinking cups or bottles are set out on the work top and are available to them whenever they wish. They are encouraged to choose healthy options, for example, choosing an apple rather than a biscuit, and water rather than fruit flavoured squash.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children lead active lives and have frequent opportunities to rise to challenges and develop new skills. For example, they balance on beams, explore climbing frames, run in the park, play ball and negotiate obstacle courses. In the garden they use the rocker, slide, bouncy castle and play games. This helps them to keep fit and to build strength.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children find out about keeping themselves safe and taking responsibility because the childminder talks to them about risk and how to protect themselves. For example, when out they are reminded not to approach dogs or strangers, to hold hands near the road and not to run off. At snack times they always sit at the table so that they can eat safely. They find out about how to evacuate the house if there is a fire through a role play activity, when the children dress up as firemen and make hoses out of multi-linked plastic bricks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the home is secure and the childminder has clear emergency procedures. She takes effective measures to reduce hazards in the home, and when out and about carries a mobile phone and cards with emergency contacts. For outings to crowded places children wear a wrist strap with her mobile telephone number so that if they are separated they can be quickly helped. Children are carefully supervised at all times. Smoke detectors are tested during the year. Toys are purchased with safety in mind and constantly monitored for breakages.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is confident regarding her duty to protect children and shares this with parents to raise awareness. She has documentation to refer to and knows what to do if she has any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy attending and look forward to arriving at the childminder's house. They relate very well to each other greeting their peers with excitement when the second child arrives. They are confident and secure with the childminder, seeking her out for contact and re-assurance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They are able to access a wide variety of toys and resources as the childminder makes sure there is an interesting selection each day by rotating them from storage. Children enjoy her company as she encourages and supports their play, for example, taking part in a impromptu peeping game. She helps children to take care of a teddy bear and a doll, making suggestions about blankets and going shopping which are eagerly acted upon. Children eagerly start to use

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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 language as she encourages them warmly by talking to them, asking questions, listening attentively and responding to their first words.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop their imagination through role play, using play-dough and painting using bright colours, helping to make up the paints and exploring how they mix together and change. They explore the outdoors looking at insects such as wood lice through a magnifier and growing sunflowers from seed. They collect leaves and make them into a collage picture after throwing them up in the air to enjoy the experience of seeing them fall to the ground.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children start to develop a positive attitude to difference and break down stereotypes as the childminder has good resources and talks to them about the people going about their occupations that they see on outings, for example, the lady bus driver. She shares a series of well illustrated pop-up books about different homes, bodies, feelings and beliefs with the children. Children start to become familiar with diversity as they are introduced to a few numerical words in French, sign language and try tasting traditional Indian foods.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well. They enthusiastically help each other with outdoor clothes and readily use polite conventions such as 'please' and 'thank you'. They are encouraged to take turns when using toys and resources, for example, the pushchair. The childminder is very consistent in her behaviour management techniques and always ready with praise which helps children to be positive and to maintain a high level of self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a trusting and open relationship with parents. She spends time with parents on a daily basis talking to them about the care of their child. She shares her file which contains comprehensive policies and procedures, course certificates and also information about child development. The registration certificate, insurance and the Ofsted poster for use in early years settings together with contact details and complaints information are clearly displayed in the hall. Permissions from parents have been obtained to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and for outings, but are not yet in place to cover the use of the bouncy castle.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She makes sure all the necessary checks are carried out on the adults in the home who have contact with the minded children. She attends training courses to update her knowledge and build on her experience. She makes good use of the space she has by storing toys and resources in the loft and bringing down a suitable selection for the interests and the ages of the children she is expecting.

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Organisation

Documentation is professionally presented and is stored in a secure lockable portable file. All details are in place though the times of children's attendance is recorded to the nearest five minutes rather than the exact times.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to extend resources which reflect positive images of culture, gender, disability and ethnicity and this has been achieved with books and

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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 activities. She was also asked to make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint and for when a child is ill. There is now a clearly written complaints and sickness procedure in the parent file.

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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 good. 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 details of attendance record the precise times of arrival and departure. • obtain written permissions from parents for children to use the bouncy castle.

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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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