Witham Hall School

Inspection report for early years provision

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120727 Unique Reference Number 17 December 2007 Inspection date Louise, Caroline Bonney 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 was registered in 1992. She lives with three adult children and a care support worker in Farnham, Surrey. She lives within walking distance of local schools and parks. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding with sleeping facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play with a paved and grassed area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder currently cares for six children, one of whom is over eight. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She attends local toddler groups and takes the children to the local parks. She has two dogs and four cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has the equivalent of a Level 3 qualification (NNEB). The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well in the homely environment and maintain their home routines around sleeps and feeds. This helps ensure they are well rested and fed so that they have energy for their activities. Parents are aware of the sickness policy and the childminder ensures arrangements are in place so that unwell children can be quickly collected if parents work some distance away. This helps to prevent the spread of illness.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has satisfactory routines for changing children's nappies, lying them on their own towel that is washed immediately if soiled. This helps to prevent cross-contamination. Children follow routines that help them develop awareness of good hygiene, such as washing hands before meals and after nappy changes. The family pets receive regular treatments for worms and fleas and the garden is only used by the dogs for play, which ensures it is clean for the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have healthy and nutritious meals which the childminder cooks from fresh ingredients. She liaises with parents about weaning and bottles so that there is good continuity for the children. Children have any special dietary needs met. Preschool children help shop for ingredients and enjoy cookery activities, which stimulates their interest in food. The childminder encourages children to have frequent drinks of water, and there is always fruit available for snacks. Mealtimes are sociable, when all children sit up to the kitchen table. This ensures children are well-nourished and enjoy mealtimes.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities for exercise. They walk home from school and often visit the park on the way. Younger children have weekly visits to the forest centre and toddler groups, providing good opportunities for physical activities. In good weather children play in the garden with equipment such as a toddler climbing frame, sit and rides, wheeled toys, bats and balls. Older children have use of the trampoline with close supervision. This supports the children's health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in premises that are safe and secure. They have a dedicated room for their toys which they freely and safely access. Their toys are in good condition and suitable for their developmental stages. Older children sit up at the table when they wish to play with toys safely out of reach of younger children. Toddlers have safe space to move about in as they develop control and balance when learning to walk, with safety gates preventing their access to the stairs. At meal times toddlers sit in high chairs up to the table. However, they are not high enough to encourage independent feeding and do not have harnesses to prevent the toddlers slipping off. This is a hazard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Older children learn about safety with the childminder's support. Only older children are allowed on the trampoline with close supervision and know to bounce on the central cross, particularly as there are no safety nets. They talk about how to play safely in the park while having some independence, agreeing to stay within a certain distance of the childminder. Children have suitable challenges which help them identify and manage risk, such as when older children play on the trampoline or toddlers begin to learn to run up and down the hall. The childminder has

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 clear collection procedures she agrees with parents and the school. This protects the children's safety. However, although the childminder discusses the fire drill with the children, they do not practise it. This does not fully develop their awareness of how to evacuate the building safely in case of fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children receive protection through the childminder sharing her safeguarding children procedure with parents. She is aware of the current Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and has contact numbers readily available. She knows to record any existing injuries the children arrive with and to discuss these with parents if appropriate. This safeguards the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Toddlers settle well and enjoy having space to practise new skills, such as walking. They interact with the childminder occasionally as they play, when the childminder reflects their sounds and expressions. Children confidently seek a cuddle whenever they want one. Toddlers show interest in the toys available to them. They press buttons to make noises, turn wheels on cars and pull duplo bricks apart. They use recycled materials as they peer through cardboard tubes or the childminder makes them a shaker with a plastic bottle filled with pasta. The childminder has attended training for Birth to three matters, but is not using this effectively to further develop her provision for younger children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans a variety of activities. Older children have opportunities to make collages from various materials, listen to stories and construct models with duplo. Children go on outings to various toddler groups, parks, forest centres and indoor soft-play centres. She sometimes takes children swimming and occasionally they go on trips further afield on the train, such as to London Zoo or the Natural History Museum. The childminder supports school children when doing their homework. This supports their care and learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Toddlers show they feel at home as they move freely between rooms downstairs and access their toys. They feel affirmed by the childminder, who gives them a cuddle when they seek one and responds to their needs promptly. Parents receive printed information about the provision, its policies and procedures. The childminder seeks information about children's individual needs, such as dietary requirements. She seeks appropriate consents from parents, such as for children's use of the trampoline or to go swimming. Younger children have a daily diary which they take home and time is always available for a relaxed handover at the end of the day, when there is an exchange of information with parents. This ensures children have good continuity of care and that parents are well-informed about the provision.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have equal access to a suitable range of resources. They look at books and play with play people that reflect social diversity, and talk about their own and others' religions. This helps them develop positive attitudes towards others' beliefs. Children behave well. Toddlers are quickly distracted as the childminder introduces new activities. Older children discuss the rules and help develop solutions, such as how they can play safely in the park while having a little more freedom than the youngest children. The childminder shares her behaviour management strategies with parents, which successfully supports children's development of appropriate behaviour.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from the organisation of the premises and their resources. They have sufficient space and facilities for their care and activities and select their own toys. They receive sufficient support through the childminder managing her ratios effectively. The childminder ensures all household members under-go appropriate vetting procedures. She is beginning to develop policies and procedures to share with parents and maintains documentation and records well. This supports the safety and welfare of the children. However, the childminder does not inform Ofsted of significant changes within the provision, such as additional adults living on-site. This is in breach of regulations.

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Organisation

The childminder promotes the development of the provision. She attends regular training, such as for Birth to three matters, first aid and policy writing. She meets regularly with other childminders to deliver activities and discuss childminding practice with. This helps her evaluate her setting and identify future training needs and development.

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Organisation

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 provider was recommended to develop her records and documentation and to improve the safety of plug sockets. The childminder maintains a medication record and agrees her medication procedures with parents. She seeks parental consents for requesting emergency medical assistance. This ensures children's medical needs are supported appropriately. Children's details are recorded, including their names, addresses and dates of birth. This supports the welfare of the children. All plug sockets now have safety covers. This supports the safety of the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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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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):

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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 • notify Ofsted of changes in the persons over the age of 16 working in the household and other significant events • practise the emergency escape plan • ensure sufficient equipment is available for the needs of children attending, such as high chairs • develop provision for younger children by referring to materials such as the Birth to three matters framework.

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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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