Trosnant Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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115912 Unique Reference Number 08 February 2008 Inspection date Keriann Belcher 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 1984. She lives with her husband and two adult daughters and Grandson aged 9 years in Brentford, Middlesex. The whole of the ground floor of the house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden 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 one child under five and two child over five before/ after school. The childminder walks/drives to local schools to take and collect children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a range of activities which contributes to their good health. They have daily opportunities for fresh air and physical exercise when they play outside in the equipped garden, when they visit the local park or walk to and from school or playgroup. Children enjoy playing in the garden, jumping on the trampoline which improves their physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a clean, warm home where they are learning about good hygiene and personal care. The risk of infection is minimised by the childminder's policy of not caring for children when they have an infectious illness. The childminder has knowledge of first aid which ensures she is confident to deal with a medical emergency. Appropriate written consents, medication and accidents records are maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet. They enjoy varied and nutritious meals which are provided by the childminder such as salmon and fresh vegetables. Drinks of water or no sugar juices are offered regularly. Any foods provided by parents are stored appropriately by the childminder to ensure they remain fresh and consumable. The childminder is aware of any special dietary needs that children may have and accommodates children's individual likes and dislikes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are able to explore their environment independently as the childminder has taken steps to minimise hazards within her home and garden. For example, safety gates are positioned across the stairs to prevent children accessing these areas alone. Appropriate fire detection equipment and a suitable evacuation plan ensure children are cared for in a safe environment. Overall, the childminder takes steps to reduce potential hazards. However, no risk assessment been carried out for the trampoline which compromises children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Toys and equipment are of good quality. Space is organised to meet all the children's needs and enables them to play, eat and rest in a comfortable environment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has a generally good understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and understands the child protection procedures to follow.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. The childminder provides a varied range of toys and activities to meet each child's developmental needs. They are suitable for the ages of children being cared for and small items are kept out of reach of younger children which maintains their safety. The toys encourage progress as well as being fun for the children. For example, babies explore paint with their fingers which develops their manipulative skills and sensory awareness. Babies are encouraged to try new activities in a safe and supportive environment, such as crawling within easy reach of the childminder.

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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 Older children are provided with an interesting and stimulating balance of activities, allowing for active play and relaxing activities. For example, doing their homework, modelling with a variety of media, visiting places of interest or watching their favourite television programme.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are valued and respected as individuals and they have equal access to toys and activities. There are resources to promote a positive view of the wider world such as books, dolls and puzzles. This enhances children's awareness of diversity and understanding of others within the wider community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's care and development is promoted because the childminder ensures that parents/carers share information about their child's routine and interests. The childminder provides verbal feedback about the children's daily routine.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has some experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She has an understanding of the need to work closely with parents to ensure children's individual needs are met. Children are learning right from wrong as the childminder uses appropriate and consistent strategies for behaviour management. She offers regular praise and encouragement to children to help increase their confidence and self-esteem.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is kind and caring. Children are settled and relaxed and they respond positively to the individual attention they receive. Their routines and achievements are shared between parents and the childminder and as a result, children receive continuity of care.

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Organisation

The childminder is well organised, although risk assessments of the outdoor play equipment is required to improve the children's safety and welfare.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good understanding of the National Standards and is able to demonstrate that she meets these well. She is aware of the need to keep herself updated with new legislation or working practises by reading information or attending training. Most of the required documentation is in place. However, the provider was not aware of the need to keep a log of complaints from parents in line with the new National Standards regulation, but has a basic awareness of how she would manage any concerns received from the parents.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to develop knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities issues. Also, to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities, resources that promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. She has obtained a range of toys and equipment that reflect cultural similarities and differences within our community and has extended her knowledge by attending additional training on the subject.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to improve her record keeping to ensure all accidents are recorded and parents signatures obtained to each entry and obtain written permission from

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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 parent's before administering medication to children. Both of these recommendations have been met, which ensures children's safety and welfare is protected.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She was also asked to ensure children are safe and well supervised when playing outdoors and that steps are taken to minimise potential hazards within the home. The childminder does not allow children to play outside unsupervised and has ensured that she identifies hazards within the home and reduces the dangers to children. For example, a safety gate now prevents access to the stairs.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 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): • complete risk assessments on outdoor play equipment • enhance knowledge and understanding of the complaints regulations relating to the National Standards, including the need to keep a complaints log of any action taken.

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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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