Spalding Grammar School

Inspection report for early years provision

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120665 Unique Reference Number 15 November 2007 Inspection date Amanda May 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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 11 years old, in Knaphill, Surrey. The property is situated within easy reach of local shops, schools, park and pre-schools. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children and is currently caring for three children under the age of five years on a part-time basis. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the library and local parks. The family have two cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children develop their awareness of the importance of keeping active as they enjoy a range of activities which encourage them to stay healthy. Children visit toddler groups regularly where

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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 they enjoy a range of physical play, along with visits to a toddler gym where they learn to balance on beams and enjoy jumping on a bouncy castle. This contributes to their good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder deals with accidents and the administration of medication effectively. Records are well maintained of any bumps and scrapes which happen whilst children are in the childminder's care. These are shared with parents to ensure they are kept fully aware of what has happened during their child's day. The childminder ensures that no medication is administered to children without prior written consent from parents. As a result, children's health is appropriately maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop an awareness of the importance of personal hygiene as they are encouraged to wash their hands before meals and snacks. Children bring in their packed lunches from home, which they eat together at the table whilst developing their social skills. The childminder has procedures in place to ensure children can access the bathroom independently where possible. Appropriate nappy changing facilities are in place, however procedures concerning this would benefit from being developed in order to ensure nappies are disposed of immediately, and changing mats are sterilised after each use.

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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 premises which is welcoming, secure and safe both indoors and out. The childminder demonstrates a good awareness of potential risks within the setting, and minimises these effectively through securing areas such as the pond, along with ensuring children are well-supervised in their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn how to be safe when out on outings and trips. They walk along together with their friends, holding hands or onto the pushchair. The childminder ensures that children walk on the inside of the pavement where possible to ensure they are kept away from the roadside. Children learn about road safety as they are reminded to all look both ways before they cross the road carefully together.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected through the childminder's understanding of issues surrounding safeguarding children. Relevant documentation is kept for the childminder to refer to if she had concerns about a child's welfare, and she demonstrates a clear awareness of different types of abuse and possible signs. The telephone numbers of relevant agencies are also in place. The childminder records existing injuries which children may have when they arrive at the setting, however records of these could be further extended.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children experience a varied range of activities which contribute very well to their development both inside and outside the home. The childminder rotates resources which are stored in a cupboard regularly, bringing out a number of activities for children to choose from. Children enjoy investigating their toys, and concentrate and persist as they match the correct stamp to the envelope before posting it in the toy post-box. Children show enthusiasm in their play and are content in their activities. The childminder encourages children to enjoy a range of activities including creative play such as leaf rubbing and potato printing, making good use of natural resources.

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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 Children develop their self-esteem and confidence through the close relationship evident between children and the childminder. Children seek the childminder out to join them in their play. The childminder praises children effectively and consistently, encouraging them to persist as they point out pictures of different animals. Children smile and giggle as they talk with the childminder, demonstrating their relaxed confidence. The childminder encourages children to develop their independence as they learn to take off and put on their own shoes. Children also take responsibility for feeding themselves when possible, with babies and toddlers gaining early skills as they hold a spoon, whilst being fed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder develops good relationships with parents, and children's individual needs are met by sharing information about children's development and experiences. The childminder provides children with settling in visits to the setting when they first start, allowing children to gain confidence in their new surroundings. Parents are kept well-informed of the childminder's service through the provision of the childminder's portfolio which is updated annually. This provides details of the childminder's policies which she has in place. A complaints procedure is also contained within the portfolio, however this would benefit from being developed in order to make clear the specific steps the childminder would take to address any concerns, along with full contact details for Ofsted. The childminder ensures parents are advised of all the different things children enjoy whilst in her care. Daily diaries are used for each child, in

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Helping children make a positive contribution

which children's achievements and experiences are noted down for parents to see, whilst encouraging parents to use this to communicate with the childminder about any special events or useful information. This ensures consistency of care between home and the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop an awareness of social diversity as they access resources which promote positive images of people with different needs and from different cultures and traditions. Children look in wonder at wooden figures of people in wheelchairs and with crutches. The childminder encourages children to ask questions, and helps children develop their understanding of people's differences through play. There are currently no children who attend the setting who have learning difficulties and disabilities, however the childminder knows that some children develop these and knows to support these children by sharing information with parents, and providing activities which are both suitable and stimulating.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have a sense of belonging and are relaxed and at home in the comfortable environment. The childminder provides children with resources which are appropriate and stimulating. As a result, behaviour is good. The childminder has secure procedures in place to challenge inappropriate behaviour, and children are reminded about the importance of sharing and taking turns as they play. The childminder supervises children effectively, and promotes good behaviour through lots of praise and encouragement, ensuring children remain happy and stimulated.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her time effectively in order to ensure children benefit from lots of outdoor activities whilst still maintaining time for children to have free play in a home environment. The childminder is aware of the importance for children to be able to have time to play and have quieter activities, whilst also enjoying physical play and socialising with their friends at toddler groups. The childminder has a secure support network in place as she meets

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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 up with other childminders to share ideas and activities. Children enjoy meeting up with their friends to walk around Goldsworth Lake and feed the ducks, whilst developing their confidence around other children and adults.

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Organisation

The childminder is keen to develop her service to parents and children further, and demonstrates this through accessing courses and workshops to update her knowledge. The childminder has attended training in areas such as behaviour management and safeguarding children. She is also currently working towards a nationally recognised child care qualification.

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Organisation

Procedures are in place which generally work in practise to promote children's welfare. These are effectively shared with parents to ensure they have a thorough understanding of what the childminder's service includes. The childminder effectively organises documentation to keep it secure and to maintain confidentiality at all times. As a result, 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 Children Act inspection, the provider was recommended to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, ensure details of the actual hours children attend is maintained daily, ensure strategies for managing unwanted behaviour are conducive to the needs of the individual child and implemented in accordance with parents wishes. She was also advised to explore ways of extending resources that reflect diversity of society in a positive way and to increase current knowledge relating to the care of young babies including current recommendations on sleeping.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has now addressed these previous recommendations fully. The childminder has accessed relevant training in safeguarding children and behaviour management issues, and has secure procedures in place for her reference and support. These are also discussed and shared with parents regularly. The childminder has reviewed her system for registering children who attend the setting, and ensures that their exact times of attendance are recorded accurately. This helps to maintain their safety.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children who sleep at the setting do so in a darkened room within a travel cot. The childminder has good procedures in place to ensure consistency of care is maintained from home to the setting, and discusses children's individual sleep routines with parents. The childminder has appropriate facilities in place to ensure children are made comfortable whilst being kept safe. Resources have also been extended to encourage children to gain a greater awareness of social diversity. The childminder has actively sought games, books and puzzles which help to reflect the wider world. These include resources for the childminder to use to provide informative and fun craft activities to aid children's understanding.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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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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): • develop nappy changing procedure in order to ensure the risk of illness and infection is minimised through secure hygiene routines • develop complaints procedure to ensure it details how concerns raised by parents will be addressed and rectified in accordance with the amendments to the National Standards. • implement a strategy to ensure that existing injuries are accurately recorded, and details are shared and acknowledged by parents in order to ensure children's health and safety is maintained.

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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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