Ashtree Primary School and Nursery

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

117352 Unique Reference Number 25 March 2008 Inspection date Leoarna Mathias Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1983. She lives with her husband in a four bedroom terraced house, in an older residential area of the city of Plymouth. The home is within walking distance of local shops, schools, parks and a library. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. The garden is not used, but children are regularly taken to the local park for outside play. The family have one pet budgie. The childminder currently cares for five children at differing times across the week.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the Devon Childminding Association, and regularly meets with other childminders on an informal basis.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a range of healthy items at snack and meal times, such as fruit, yoghurts and sandwiches. She has considerable experience of managing children with special dietary requirements, working with families to ensure needs are met. The youngest children's individual

p.2

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 sleeping and eating needs are also met. Children are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment with appropriate and accessible toilet facilities, and they also have regular access to outdoor play, to promote their physical development. Systems for ensuring that accidents are fully recorded, and that parents have the opportunity to give prior consent for the administration of prescribed medicines, are not yet working fully. However, registration and consent forms do give parents the opportunity to provide pertinent information about their child's medical health, and to agree to the childminder seeking emergency medical advice and treatment for their child. The childminder plans to update her first aid knowledge shortly after this inspection.

p.2

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a reasonable range of toys, resources and craft activities for all age groups, which children make good use of during play. Children are cared for in two, pleasing main rooms, accessing the kitchen for meal times and messy play. The childminder has carried out a recent risk assessment, and has taken measures to minimise hazards, such as preventing children's access to the fire place. Similarly, she is clear about the action she would take to keep children safe in an emergency, such as a fire. She supervises children appropriately while they are in her care, and also ensures only known adults can collect minded children. As a result of these measures, children are kept safe and secure while they are being minded. Finally, the childminder has a working knowledge of child protection procedures, thus supporting the welfare needs of children in her care.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder ensures that children access a range of activities and experiences across the week. For example, together they attend play groups and mother and toddler groups, and make use of the local green spaces. Younger children play with a pleasing range of toys and resources, and older children particularly enjoy art and craft activities. Children are confident and settled in her care, gravitating to her for comfort and support, and showing pleasure in her company. The childminder has longstanding relationships with the families of many of the children she minds, having cared for, in many cases, older siblings and relatives. This results in children being very familiar with her, and responding positively to her warmth and genuine interest.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children access a reasonable range of resources that encourage them to become aware of difference and diversity in our society, and the childminder ensures equality of access to activities and resources for all. She has an acceptable level of understanding of how to manage children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. Children are well behaved in her care, as she sets appropriate and consistent boundaries, and uses sensible strategies for managing children's behaviour. During her long career she has built strong relationships with families for whom she has now minded a number of members, recognising as she does the importance of working closely with parents. For example, she ensures that there is a good exchange of information about their child's welfare on a regular basis.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.3

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a reasonable understanding of the regulatory requirements within which she works. For example, her registration certificate and insurance are readily on display and accessible to parents, and her registration forms and contracts are in good order. Records are securely kept. She works with outside agencies to ensure her practice is in line with latest guidance, and welcomes inspection as a useful form of professional assessment. She also attends training periodically. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the latest inspection, the childminder was asked to improve her documentation systems for recording accidents, medicine administration, and for gaining parental consent for seeking emergency medical advice and treatment for their child on their behalf. She has introduced new consent forms and a record book for medicines that have been administered. However, the recording of accidents, and the gaining of initial permission for administering medicines is inconsistent. She was also asked to improve the accuracy of registers, and this has now been done. Finally, she was asked to improve her child protection knowledge, and, while she has not attended further training in this area, her knowledge of the appropriate measures to take when she has a concern is sufficient. When taken overall, the improvements she has made to her practice have increased children's access to quality provision, while she acknowledges that

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

more can be done to improve some aspects of medical documentation.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.4

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.

p.4

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 parents provide written permission for all medicines that are to be administered • ensure accidents are fully recorded in accordance with latest guidance

p.4

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 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

p.4

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

p.5