North Waltham Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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115932 Unique Reference Number 27 February 2008 Inspection date Sandra Laura Bates 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 has been registered since 1994. She is registered to look after five children at any one time and is currently minding two children of whom only one attends on a full time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her two children, only one of whom is aged under eight years, in a semi-detached house situated in a residential area of Feltham with good transport links, parks and other local amenities close by. The minding is generally confined to the ground floor of the premises with access to an upstairs bedroom and bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play.

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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's health and welfare is well promoted due to the childminder's careful attention to the provision of hygienic facilities for washing and toileting. Children use individual wipes or disposable paper towels to help reduce the risk of cross infections. The childminder maintains the home in a very clean and well managed way. Children enjoy lots of opportunities to develop their physical skills and wellbeing as they play energetically outside both at the setting and during outings to local parks for instance.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well nourished because the childminder provides a varied and well balanced range of meals and snacks. The childminder firmly believes in the value of helping children to develop healthy eating habits from a young age. She introduces children to foods from a range of cultures and countries and encourages them to try new tastes and textures. Children benefit from eating home cooked meals every day that include fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as some children's favourites. Children enjoy a snack of fresh banana at mid-morning for example. The childminder prepares drinks of diluted fruit juice for children and places the tumblers within reach so that children can take a drink whenever they need it.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and rest in safe and secure surroundings. The home is warm and welcoming to children. The designated children's play room is bright and colourful with lots of evidence of the children's art work displayed on the walls. The childminder identifies potential hazards and puts in place the necessary safety features that are relevant to the age and stage of development of the children attending at any one time. She ensures that the recommended fire safety appliances are fitted and regularly practises an evacuation drill so that children will know how to behave in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a very extensive range of suitable resources that are regularly checked, cleaned and replaced as necessary. The play materials are accessibly displayed to attract children and encourage them to explore. The childminder ensures that the range of resources offer appropriate stimulation and challenge for the whole age group accommodated.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder acquires the necessary information to ensure that she is clear about her role in respect of child protection issues. She identifies the forms that abuse may take and knows the steps to take if she has concerns. However, the underpinning documentation does not reflect the current local authority Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines, and the way in which she informs parents of her responsibilities in this respect lacks clarity.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from having access to a wide and varied range of play materials and equipment that help them to learn and develop new skills. The resources are attractively displayed so that children are encouraged to explore and choose materials freely. Children move around the room and make inventive use of the resources. For instance, children enjoy making a long train of Duplo blocks and show a sustained interest in the books and small world toys. 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 allows shy or quiet children the freedom to make first approaches to others. A positive, affectionate relationship is evident when the childminder is in close, personal attendance.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop an understanding of social diversity and the wider world because they are provided with a range of toys and other play materials such as books, that present positive images and promote inclusion. The childminder encourages children to explore their own emotions and to value the feelings of others. Children participate in activities that are related to the festivals and traditions of a variety of cultures. The childminder understands the needs of individual children such as recognising the shy nature of some children and allowing them the space to feel comfortable with others. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are likely to be appropriately supported because the childminder has a positive personal attitude and a willingness to acquire the necessary information to support the care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder encourages children's positive behaviour by using a star chart reward system. This is used in partnership with the parents so that a consistent approach is achieved. The childminder explains to those children who are old enough to understand the consequences of unwanted behaviours, and uses appropriate sanctions if children are persistently disruptive or endangering others. She discusses her behaviour management procedures with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are informed about the policies and procedures of the setting through discussion at initial interviews. Regular, on-going discussions about how children are progressing help to keep parents informed. However, the way in which the details of the childminder's policies and procedures are disseminated to parents, and how their acceptance of these is acknowledged, lacks clarity.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is committed to on-going training to enhance her practice. She anticipates the need for required qualifications, such as first aid training, to be renewed on a regular basis. She ensures that any changes to her household are notified to the regulating authority and is aware of the need to up date such things as suitability checks in line with the changing ages of her own family.

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Organisation

The premises and play space are very well organised. A designated play room provides ample space for a range of activities for the increased registered number. Up to date certificates such as the registration certificate, first aid and insurance are prominently displayed alongside the children's own art work. Children who need a rest are comfortably accommodated on a sofa bed or in a travel cot as necessary.

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Organisation

All the regulatory documentation is in place and is very well maintained and accessible for inspection. Daily diary sheets for very young babies provide additional information for parents. 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 provider was asked to gain knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. At this inspection it was evident that the provider had acquired the necessary

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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 information to underpin her knowledge, although this had not yet been up dated in line with the most recent Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The provider was also asked to provide verification that a first aid course had been completed. At this inspection a current certificate, valid until the end of March 2008, was displayed. The provider had already taken steps to book onto a new course during February 2008.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Finally, the provider was asked to inform Ofsted of any changes to her circumstances. There have been no significant changes since the last inspection that required the provider to change her arrangements or to instigate checks for new, or older, members of the household. A previous lodger has now left the premises and the provider's older child has not yet reached her sixteenth birthday.

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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 to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider in 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): • up date the child protection documentation and referral procedures in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board, and ensure that parents are clear about the childminder's role and responsibility in this respect • improve the manner in which the policies and procedures of the setting are shared with parents so that they clearly understand and acknowledge them; for example, consider developing a range of written documents to underpin this aim

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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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