St John's Primary and Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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116103 Unique Reference Number 20 November 2007 Inspection date Elizabeth Juon 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 registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Brentford. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is available 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's registration is to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and she is currently minding two children attending on a part-time & full-time basis. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local library and park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are very settled in to the daily routines of the childminder’s clean and tidy home. Children independently use the bathroom and wash their hands prior to eating. The childminder provides resources to aid independence, such as, a step to reach the tap. Children use soft paper towels to dry their hands to prevent cross infection. The children have daily opportunity

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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 to develop their physical skills and dexterity, for example, at outdoor play. Children can rest and sleep according to their needs and can snuggle up on the settee each with a blanket that is readily available.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate to provide appropriate treatment to children in the event of an accident. Records are clearly kept of any accidents and medication given to children to safeguard their wellbeing. Parents sign an acknowledgment of all the required procedures to safeguard children's health but this method does not clearly indicate their consent for the childminder to seek emergency medical treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished. Parents provide their children’s food for the week which is safely stored in the refrigerator to keep fresh for the children. The childminder prepares meals on a daily basis and a healthy snack of fruit is always available. Children have access to drinks throughout the day to ensure they are hydrated. They sit at the table to eat which promotes good eating habits.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a homely and welcoming environment. Toys and resources are plentiful, clean and of good quality. This enables children to make safe and interesting choices about their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder keeps her home safe for the children and has minimised the risks by using safety equipment, such as safety gates across the kitchen door and the stairs. The childminder has a high regard for children’s safety and carries out risk assessments of most situations, such as an outing to the park. Children practise an evacuation of the home by hearing the smoke detectors and going outside. This ensures they can leave quickly in an emergency.

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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 good understanding of child protection issues. She has attended recent training sessions to update her knowledge and skills. A written procedure informs parents of her responsibility to the children in her care. Current information and contact numbers for the local area social services department are readily available to seek advice should concerns arise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children have a wide variety of play and learning activities on offer at the childminder’s to promote their development. Positive relationships between the children and childminder are evident which helps to foster kindness and affection. The childminder supports children to try out new activities and develop confidence and independence. Children can make decisions about their play as the appealing toys are within easy reach. They use their imagination when they choose the explorers kit and set off in search of dinosaurs using binoculars and a wind–up torch. Children share and take turns because the childminder enables them to play cooperatively. Children enjoy learning experiences in everyday activities, such as, visiting the park or going to the shop. The childminder knows the children well and is very attentive to their needs to ensure they are happy and productive in a stimulating and caring environment.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder’s realistic expectations and use of praise, encouragement and gentle guidance help children to behave well. Children play well together. They help to tidy away their toys and understand the simple routines of sharing, sitting at the table to eat and saying please and thank-you. Children are beginning to understand right from wrong. The childminder promotes the children’s self esteem by valuing what they say and their contribution in conversation.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a positive attitude to providing an inclusive environment to meet the individual needs of all children. Children play with resources that promote positive images of diversity in the wider world. They are gaining knowledge of their local community on outings and participating at the toddler groups. Children are given interesting experiences including watching demonstrations of ‘Bollywood’ dancing and Irish traditional dancing, listening to the music and seeing the bright, colourful costumes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are well informed about their child’s day. Verbal information is exchanged daily and the childminder often photographs the children at play so parents feel included in their child’s day and see the progress the children make. Parents are well informed about the service the childminder provides by reading the comprehensive written policies and procedures. The friendly relationship between the parents and childminder benefits the children. The children know the adults get along and that provides them with a sense of security and belonging in the childminder’s home.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for in an environment where they receive plenty of adult attention and support to help them feel secure and confident. The childminder supervises children at all times to ensure their safety from people who are not vetted. The children play in a welcoming home where they are able to eat, play and rest in comfort. Good use is made of the space available to accommodate a wide range of age appropriate activities and play opportunities for the children. Time is well managed by the childminder to incorporate frequent outings and outdoor play in to the children’s daily routine.

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Organisation

All the required documentation is in place and well maintained to safeguard children’s welfare. The childminder attends relevant training to keep her practice up to date. The childminder has comprehensive policies and procedures and demonstrates a good understanding of how to maintain the National Standards. 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 Care inspection the childminder was asked to develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made improvements which include attendance at two child protection training sessions and having comprehensive written procedures and contact numbers for social services should concerns arise. These measures safeguard children's welfare.

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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

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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. 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): • devise a system to ensure parents sign the written consent for emergency medical treatment

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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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