New York Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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120467 Unique Reference Number 04 March 2008 Inspection date Catherine Greenwood 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 1996. She lives with her husband and two school aged children in Addlestone, Surrey. The premises are close to local amenities. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, and is currently minding three children under eight years. The family have a pet cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children have access to the sitting room and dining room, There is a bathroom and also a bedroom on the first floor for children who need to sleep. A secure rear garden is available for outdoor play.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children have healthy packed lunches provided by their parents, which include fresh fruit and vegetables. The childminder provides snacks for children who attend after school, and does not encourage snacks for younger children during the morning unless needed. Consequently, children eat well at lunchtime and enjoy their food. She respects parents' wishes by not giving

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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 children chocolate and biscuits, although they eat the cakes they make during cooking activities. Drinking water is always available. The childminder consults parents and records details of children's allergies and individual dietary needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from the risk of cross infection because the childminder has a clear written sick child policy, and ensures parents are clear about the expectations if children are ill. She holds a current first aid certificate, which means that children receive the correct treatment in the event of an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop skills in climbing, sliding, swinging from ropes and crawling through enclosed tunnels as they visit soft play areas. This means they have good physical challenges as they use different areas, such as 'the black slide'. Children talk with enthusiasm about the parks they visit, where they have picnics, feed the ducks and use large equipment. Photographs show children playing in the childminder's garden. Consequently, they have good opportunities for outdoor play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are extremely well supervised, and the childminder gives priority to ensuring the premises are safe. For example, she ensures any hazards are inaccessible before children arrive. In addition, children are taught not to run inside the home, and toys are tidied away if there are too many things out, so they do not trip up.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When children are in the garden, the childminder locks the side gate with a padlock. In addition, she ensures the front gates to the premises are shut, when they are choosing play equipment out of the garage. However, the front door of the premises has a low level handle, and the door is not locked, which means children could leave the premises unsupervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Play equipment is extremely well maintained and easily accessible. Consequently, children are very interested in using the resources, and are motivated within their play. The risk to children's safety is minimised because the childminder ensures smoke alarms are in working order, and has a clear evacuation procedure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Younger children are kept safe on outings, because the childminder ensures there are enough adults, for example, during the holidays, when her own two children are present. Children learn about their own safety, because they know they have to stay on the inside of the pavement, hold the buggy at all times, and are not allowed to run ahead, unless they are in a safe enclosed area, such as the park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully safeguarded, because the childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection procedures, and all necessary record keeping systems and current guidance are available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Communication and interaction with children is outstanding. The childminder consistently talks with the children, and asks them questions that encourage them to remember past events and make choices. Consequently, children are very happy and self confident. They initiate their own

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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 play and tell the childminder their thoughts and ideas, for example, as they set up the Lego together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take part in an excellent range of creative activities, such as planting seeds for mothers day, playdough, painting and cooking. Photographs show evidence of children making their own designs on handkerchiefs using fabric pens, scooping out pumpkins for Halloween, feeding the ducks at the park, leaf printing, meeting up with relatives' children for lunch, making their own playdough, dressing up, celebrating birthdays, playing and relaxing in the garden, marble painting, making valentine cards, and lanterns for Chinese New Year.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities for older children are sufficiently challenging and interesting. The childminder sets up activities on the dining room table ready for older children to use after school. These include cooking, stencilling, painting, and using the playstation and computer for limited periods. Children do their homework, and enjoy games of 'Bingo' and watching DVD's. Letters from parents show that children have a wide range of experiences, such as visiting garden centres where they look at the tropical fish, and going strawberry picking.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn within their play, because the childminder asks appropriate questions that capture their interest. For example, she asks them if they want a big or little muffin, which colour plate they are going to give her when using the playdough, and count the number of dinosaurs as they arrange them on a model of a dinosaur habitat.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder tries to take children out as much as possible, for example, to craft sessions. Children borrow toys during weekly visits to a local toy library, such as trains that they sit on in the garden, puppets, rockets with play people, Lego and tools for the playdough. This means that children are provided with an excellent variety of play equipment and can choose their own resources to take back to the childminder's home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled. This is because the childminder provides a positive environment and responds to their individual needs. She says children are pleased to see her, for example, as they run to her for a cuddle, during handover times with parents. Children develop a positive view of differences through having easily accessible play resources and books which reflect positive images, and through outings into the local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive and friendly relationships the childminder establishes with parents. This is because the childminder provides a relaxed environment, where parents are welcomed into her home. She gives them daily feedback through discussion, and using a daily diary for children who attend full time. Any concerns are not discussed in front of the children, which means they do not hear any negative comments. Letters from parents include very positive comments such as 'the childminder and her family have become an extension of our own family, and we look forward to continuing the friendship in years to come' and 'I have always been impressed by the range of activities both inside and outside the childminders home' and 'the childminder is utterly reliable, and has been a joy to work with'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved and co-operative. The childminder says she really enjoys her job, and because she is happy, the children are happy. She gives them clear boundaries and explains in simple terms about the consequences of their actions, for example, when there are minor squabbles about sharing. The childminder is not currently caring for children with learning

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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 difficulties and/or disabilities. However, if she was concerned about a child's developmental progress she would talk to parents and suggest referral.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her time extremely well to accommodate transporting children to and from different schools and clubs they attend. Toys are changed ready for older children who attend after school. The childminder organises the children's school bags and coats so they are ready when they are collected by their parents. Consequently, handovers are relaxed and calm.

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Organisation

Photographs show evidence of children using a wide range of play equipment in the garden. Indoor and outdoor activities are set up in advance of the children arriving. This means that the home is laid out to maximise play opportunities. Children choose resources such as a large connect four, and noughts and crosses and make their own decisions within their play, such as setting up their own shop within the garden. Consequently, they develop good independence.

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Organisation

Documentation is very well organised, and includes a comprehensive range of written policies and procedures which the childminder shares with parents. This contributes to children's health, safety and well-being. 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 agreed to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources to enhance their understanding of society's diversity, and request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder has obtained resources such as puppets, dressing up clothes, and imaginative play food from different cultures, books, and playpeople. She also provides activities related to cultural festivals. Written parental consent for children to receive emergency medical treatment has been sought and details clearly recorded. As a result, the risks to children's health have been reduced and they have better opportunities to develop a positive approach to differences.

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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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Complaints 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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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): • make the front door secure so that children cannot leave the premises unsupervised

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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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