Quilters Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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114884 Unique Reference Number 19 October 2007 Inspection date Christine Clint 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 registered in 1989 in the family home which is shared with her husband. There are two adult daughters who also spend time in the home. The house is situated in the village of Rudgwick, near Horsham, West Sussex.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children play on the ground floor of the family home and have access to the entrance hall, a lounge/dining room and the kitchen. They use the bathroom on the first floor and play in the rear garden. The family have a cat and indoor fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a certificate in first aid training. There are currently five children cared for during the week.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The home is clean and the ground floor is organised for child care. Children learn to take their shoes off when they play indoors and they wear boots and manage to dress themselves to play

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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 outside in the garden. Older children use the upstairs bathroom independently and the childminder accompanies smaller children. They are reminded to wash their hands before having snacks or meals. They generally sit together at the table and learn to wait until everyone has finished eating before they start to play. Children's health is suitably maintained because the childminder has a current certificate in first aid training and a first aid kit is readily available. Accident records are in place and signed by parents. Parents also provide written permission for all medical and emergency needs when children first attend and these are recorded. The childminder closely liaises with parents and children remain at home if they are unwell.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have all their food provided by their parents and this is suitably packed and stored in the kitchen, the childminder heats any food when required. Children have their own individual cups and drinks are available at any time. They all sit together to eat fruit for snack time and talk about their likes and dislikes. The childminder is clearly aware of any allergies and dietary needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children play outside regularly, they run and push dolls in buggies, they play hide and seek. The childminder frequently takes them for walks in the village and children often decide which park they will visit according to the play equipment. They talk about the different walks they enjoy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are safe and secure in the family home because they remain on the ground floor to play and the childminder is aware of their movements. Children use most rooms freely and there are stair gates readily available when smaller children are being cared for. The front door is also fully secured when smaller children attend. Children always ask the childminder before they use the first floor bathroom, so that she is aware of their movements. They play happily in the large rear garden which has high, bolted gates. They play mostly on the lawn, the sheds are locked and the greenhouse is protected at the lower level. Children are supervised continually by the childminder, who agrees to certain play apparatus according to children's age and stage of development. Children have a selection of resources which are suitably arranged in low boxes around the room. The childminder suggests different games for the mixed ages of children

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

attending. Toys are regularly cleaned and sorted into separate containers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn about road safety because they walk frequently in the village with the childminder, they hold hands and know that they can only run when it is safe and when the childminder agrees. The childminder is aware of following procedures for lost or uncollected children. All fire equipment is in place and children are well supervised whilst they play. They follow the childminder's guidelines and she always considers their safety when they ask for certain equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is maintained because the childminder has updated her knowledge of child protection, she has acquired recent documents which explain the procedures for safeguarding children. The childminder is clear about contacting Ofsted to raise any concerns, however she does not record any injuries that children have on arrival.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are thoroughly settled and happy in the childminder's home because there is good continuity of care and all children are aware of the guidelines in place. They know the routines and ask for permission at all times. Children comfortably sit together and watch selected television with the childminder; they organise their own game of ballet when the programme has finished. Smaller children practise standing in line to point their toes and they are directed by the older children. They fully enjoy playing hairdressers and the childminder readily becomes involved in their play. She frequently offers suggestions to keep children interested and involved and she often provides resources that children of different ages and stages of development can play with together. They all spread out the 'Twister' game and take part in managing to physically bend and stretch. Children also carry out craft sessions together with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children eagerly take advantage of playing in the garden, they run and chase before lunch time and continually interact with each other. Children are very keen to visit the local park with the childminder, where they meet other friends and play on the larger apparatus. They talk about previous walks and the different routes they take in the village. They are confident and are developing social relationships.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are encouraged to understand each other's needs during their play and to consider their different ages and abilities. The childminder praises and encourages children and provides equal attention. She has some equipment that reflects the diversity within society and she supports older children when doing research for their homework about other countries and cultures. Children's individual care and learning needs are clearly prioritised because the childminder has previous experience and is very willing to offer support to children and their parents. The childminder manages children well and is continually aware of their levels of play. She includes normal house rules and children are aware of these, they are also encouraged to help with organisation, especially at meal times.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are settled and secure because their parents are satisfied with the arrangements for care. Records are in place to ensure that parental permission is gained when minding commences and basic information is held. Although not all children's details have emergency contacts recorded. Collection routines are well organised and the childminder is informed; she is introduced to other family members if they are due to collect children. Parents are aware of the procedures for raising any complaints and the childminder is prepared to record these. Most daily information is verbally exchanged for older children and the childminder includes written daily records for younger children, these travel between home and the childminder and can be used by parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's care is appropriately organised and managed because the childminder understands the need to ensure that they are safe and secure at all times. All adults in the home and those who frequently return are checked. The registration certificate is available for parents in the entrance hall and basic information is in place for all children who are cared for.

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Organisation

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's timed attendance is recorded, but this is not always completed immediately when children arrive and the register does not show full names. The childminder is aware of caring for the numbers of children shown on the registration certificate and she understands her responsibility to inform Ofsted of any changes. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that a certificate of registration is displayed. This is now available in the entrance area for parents. Also, to ensure that persons living in the household over the age of 16 years are vetted and that current Area Child Protection Committee Procedures are obtained. The childminder has now completed all adult clearance and has child protection information available for reference. Children are protected because these regulatory requirements are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to ensure that toys and equipment are clean and well maintained and that the garden area is maintained to promote the safety of children. She ensures that all resources for younger children are separately stored and regularly washed. The garden is safe and secure, all children are well supervised to maintain hygiene and ensure children's safety.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children and to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. Both types of written permission are now in place and parents sign when the childminding first commences to ensure that children's medical needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to ensure that a daily attendance register is kept in line with regulations. This is available but does not fully comply with regulations to ensure children's safety, because children's full names are not noted and their attendance is not immediately recorded.

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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):

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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 • ensure that the daily register is completed and children's full names are recorded • include records of any injuries that children have on arrival • obtain emergency contacts for all children who are cared for.

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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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