Purbrook Park School

Inspection report for early years provision

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116506 Unique Reference Number 13 November 2007 Inspection date Susan Mary Deadman 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 has been registered since June 2000. She lives with her husband and two children who are eight and 10 years of age. The family live in house in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. Shops, schools and parks are within easy walking distance. All areas of the ground floor are used for childminding with rest facilities upstairs. A rear garden is available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She currently cares for four children under the age of eight years and two children who are over the age of eight years. All children attend on a on a part-time basis. The childminder takes children to and collects them from Holtspur School.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder cares for children in a warm, clean home with good procedures in place, which protect them from the potential spread of infection. For example, children use paper towels to

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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 dry their hands and baby wipes to clean themselves after meals. The childminder reminds them to place their hand over their mouth when coughing.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to provide a healthy range of foods. They enjoy nutritious snacks, which include a sandwich of their choice, pasta, cucumber, carrot sticks and tomatoes. Children have independent access to their drinks, which ensures they remain hydrated throughout the day. Children participate in a range of activities, which contributes to their good health. They benefit from the use of a good size garden with large climbing equipment.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder promotes children's welfare as she deals effectively with minor accidents. Good communication with parents ensures that the childminder shares information relating to accidents. The childminder gains written consent from parents prior to administering medication and discusses relevant information, such as the time she needs to administer and the dose required. However, she has not maintained a record of medication administered, which is a breach of regulations.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is welcoming for children. Suitable and well-maintained equipment is readily available to meet the children's needs. For example, they sit at the dining table to eat their lunch and have a high level of social interaction. Children have plenty of clear play space. They independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit by being cared for in a safe environment. The childminder takes good safety precautions, therefore minimising the risk of accidents in the house. As a result, children are able to move around the home, freely and independently. The childminder is highly vigilant and monitors children at all times. Good use is made of all areas. For example, children paint at the table in the in the kitchen/diner, play with the large train track in the lounge and spread puzzles out in the conservatory. Children play on a large trampoline in the garden, however, all young children jump around simultaneously, which does not promote their safety when using the equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very aware of safety issues during outings and talk about how they keep themselves safe when walking home from school. For example, they hold onto the childminder's hand and stand at each road to check for traffic, whilst looking left and right.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's understanding of her responsibilities in relation to child protection promotes children’s welfare. She has a clear understanding of the possible indicators of abuse and is able to refer to the local authority guidance in relation to the referral procedure. The childminder supports children's safety as she attends additional child protection training to update her knowledge and understanding of this issue.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have access to a stimulating range of play activities. They enjoy dolls, cars and play with a good quality train track and engines. Children participate in a wide range of art and craft activities. They have access to a huge range of board games and games that promote their

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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 development in language and maths. They interact with a variety of other people and friends, which promotes their confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children greatly benefit from the childminder’s time and attention. They are happy and gain a good amount of enjoyment from the activities. For example, they use face paints to decorate a dolls head. They laugh as they make her look like a clown and then take the doll to the mirror and 'allow her' to see the end product.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder involves children in home routines, such as shopping trips, which provide them with real life experiences. She has a clear understanding of the types of activities each child enjoys and plans her day to meet their individual interests. For example, she takes children on bus trips and ensures they have easy access to plenty of play vehicles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy in the care of the childminder as they receive a good level of attention. They benefit from the childminder’s clear understanding of their individual requirements. The childminder meets children’s needs and promotes their emotional security. Children learn about others in the community as they have access to books, which promote positive images of culture.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Although there is much competition between some children, they generally behave very well and are responsive to the childminder's intervention. She deals with age appropriate disagreements positively, reinforcing children's understanding of right and wrong. Suitable strategies are in place to defuse situations and encourage children to share.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a strong partnership with parents. Parents are very happy with the service the childminder provides and enthuse over her ability to create a stimulating environment. They comment positively on her ability to provide children with challenges to develop their learning. Parents state she provides a caring and nurturing environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities in relation to complaints. The written complaints procedure contains relevant information and informs parents about how she will manage any concerns they have.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder organises her day to enable children to benefit from the quality time she spends with them. She cares for children according to parents' wishes and meets the needs of the children. Flexible working ensures that children play and rest according to their needs. The childminder has procedures in place to provide children with care from a familiar adult in an emergency. She has gained a criminal record check on this person and has parents' written permission.

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Organisation

The childminder has written consent forms, signed by parents, for most eventualities, such as car travel, outings and emergency medical treatment. Although records show the children's hours of attendance, they identify the days rather than the hours they attend a crèche and are therefore not in the care of the childminder.

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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 The childminder displays her certificate of registration, which reassures parents that she is complying with her conditions. A good range of policies and procedures support the care of children. The childminder updates her knowledge and understanding of childcare issues as she attends relevant training. For example, she has completed a course on cultural diversity and first aid training. 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 previous inspection, the childminder was asked to devise a complaints procedure and gain consent for emergency medical treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has a comprehensive complaints procedure, which clearly identifies her roles and responsibilities. She ensures written parental permission is requested for emergency medical treatment and records their agreement. The improvements made promote children's welfare.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the previous 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): • ensure that a record is maintained of any medication administered • review the procedures allowing children to use the large trampoline, which should include the maximum numbers and written parental permission • improve the accuracy of the daily attendance register.

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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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