Ashchurch Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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115500 Unique Reference Number 16 November 2007 Inspection date Linda Margaret Nicholls 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 1994. Registration is for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently seven children on roll, one of whom attends full time. Registration does not include overnight care. The childminder lives with her child aged 14 years in Erith, Kent. The living room and dining area used for childminding. There is a secure garden for outside play. The childminder can take and collect children from local schools. The childminder runs a local toddler group twice a week.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about personal health and hygiene routines through daily experiences. The childminder ensures the play equipment is clean so that the risk of cross infection to children is minimised. Children are encouraged to clean their hands before eating food to get rid of the germs and tissues are easily accessible.

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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 enjoy regular physical activity within the home or at the local toddler group. They develop positive attitudes to exercise with daily walks and bus rides to and from school. They play in the garden or in the local play park. Children know how to relax. They sit on the floor to play quietly or nap on the sofa. The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure individual dietary needs are met. She offers a range of light meals such as spaghetti, cottage pie or minced beef and mash with vegetables. Children sit sociably to snack eagerly on banana slices and grapes. Children have access to drinks and water throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children who have an infection do not attend which prevents the spread of contagious illness. All required documents are clearly maintained and emergency contact numbers are held. Parents are effectively informed and prepared well for emergencies, for example, when children may be taken ill or there may be a serious accident requiring emergency treatment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play safely in an organised and well maintained home. The floor space is uncluttered and toys are accessible from storage boxes or are free standing. There is good natural light and adequate ventilation. The home has comfortable modern furniture and clean bright décor. Toys and resources are regularly checked for good repair or discarded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children cannot access rooms or items that could be dangerous such as cleaning liquids or powders because the childminder ensures these are secured. She routinely completes an informal risk assessment of her home ensuring items are secure and work properly. Fire safety recommendations are in place although an emergency exit plan is unavailable. Public liability insurance is current. Children feel cared for and secure as they are closely supervised at all times both in the home, in the garden and at outside venues. They know how to keep themselves safe as they sit securely on their chairs for snacks or as they negotiate resources in the room. Road safety habits are reinforced during daily use of public transport and walks to school or in the locality.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. Local and National contact numbers are available and parents are informed of her professional role.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are stimulated, supported and engaged in their play. They are eager and enthusiastic to learn to use scissors and glue sticks as they make a picture of a fire engine, or draw pictures of sea creatures. They examine the pictures in a book closely so that they can decide where the ladder goes on the fire engine. They independently select from a range of books such as 'Sean's Red Bike', 'Mr Little's Car' and 'Fizz the Fire Engine'. Children proudly show the craft work they have made. They know their work is valued because the childminder praises them for attempting to use the scissors. She explains they need to squeeze their thumb and fingers together. Children explore the textures and composition of a pipe cleaner. One says there is metal in it and the childminder explains that the metal keeps the pipe cleaner in the shape they want. Children readily repeat and learn new words such as 'whirl', 'hosepipe' and 'ladder'. They

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

learn number as they sing nursery rhymes and songs, or count toys and items with the childminder. They chatter excitedly with each other as they pretend to be firemen imaginatively putting out a fire in the Noah's Ark.

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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 extend their developing physical skills as they slide or pedal in the garden or play in local parks. They have regular opportunities to be active at outside venues. Children develop social skills when they attend a local toddler group, use public transport or attend planned events in their local community. Children receive sensitive and appropriate simple guidance from the childminder encouraging them to care for each other. They learn to respect differences and share toys when older children return from school. They are polite, self controlled and understand right from wrong because the childminder is a good role model. Children show an established sense of belonging. They identify pictures they have made and name members of the childminder's family.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children receive consistency of care because the childminder discusses individual requirements and family preferences. Children are respected and feel good about themselves. She provides a sufficient range of equipment such as dolls, puzzles, games and books that give positive images of physical and cultural diversity. Children celebrate annual festivals with friends at groups they attend. The childminder is aware of the supportive role she will offer to children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has attended information days for children with hearing impairment and dysphasia. Children are well behaved, polite and are self controlled. They know the childminder's rules because she gives simple consistent explanations for the behaviour she wants. They learn to share toys and to care for each other. Discussion of behaviour management methods is undertaken at an initial meeting with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. The childminder takes positive steps to ensure that parents are kept informed about her policies and procedures although a recorded risk assessment and a written emergency exit plan are unavailable. Written agreements are used and individual details are recorded, for example, GP details, medical information and adults identified to collect children are recorded. Signed permissions are maintained. Daily information is exchanged ensuring potential concerns are resolved immediately. The childminder is aware to devise a procedure for complaints or concerns she may receive.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children show an established self confidence and sense of belonging in an well organised and welcoming home. Their imaginations are stimulated and engaged because equipment and activities are provided to meet their individual abilities and needs.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps all required documentation secure and to a good standard. Personal records and most general information is readily available for inspection. Registered ratios are maintained and the record of attendance notes when children are present and why they are absent. The childminder has completed a NVQ3 in Childcare and Education. She holds a current certificate in first aid for children and babies. The registration document is displayed. She is aware to inform parents and the registering body of any changes to her circumstances that may affect the welfare of children. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider was given an action and a recommendation. Children play safely because parents provide written consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and child protection knowledge has been refreshed.

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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 have procedures for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents and to keep a record of complaints and their outcome.

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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): • develop a written risk assessment of hazards in the home and an emergency evacuation plan for parents information

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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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