Heartsease High School

Inspection report for early years provision

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121174 Unique Reference Number 01 November 2007 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 1988. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a residential area of New Haw, close to local parks and schools. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children under eight years

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Childminding is restricted to the ground floor and children move freely between the lounge and dining room. A second lounge is used for sleeping children. A secure rear garden is available for outdoor play. The family have a tortoise, hamster, rabbit and fish as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the Surrey Childminding Network and the National Childminding Association. She has a diploma in pre-school practice and an NVQ level 3 in childcare as well as a Quality assurance scheme level 3.

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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 good. The childminder asks parents to provide food. Consequently, children eat well and enjoy packed lunches and food that is re-heated for tea. Children have healthy snacks which are usually fresh fruit. They have drinks of water throughout the day, although these are not always made easily accessible to the children. There are systems in place to record details of children's allergies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from the risk of cross infection. For example, the childminder provides them with paper towels to dry their hands, cleans the toys and uses disposable gloves when helping children with their personal needs. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop gross motor skills as they use the slide, trampoline and wheeled toys at toddler groups, and some large equipment in the childminders garden. They develop their hand and eye co-ordination as they take part in organised group activities, using foam balls and skittles. Younger children get rid of their energy at the end of toddler groups, as they play on large floor mats. In addition, children are taken to local parks where they learn to climb and use the swings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has a good awareness of children's safety and has taken all necessary action to make her home safe. For example, the sitting room fire is made inaccessible, medication and cleaning substances are kept out of reach, stair gates are used, and play equipment is regularly checked throughout the day. Children are kept safe when they are travelling in the childminders car because there is appropriate seating available. They learn about how to cross the road safely and know they have to stay close to the childminder, particularly when they are in busy areas such as school playgrounds.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe in the event of a fire because the childminder completes an evacuation practise every four to six months. A written fire procedure includes the date of the last and next practise. Toys are safe, age appropriate and well maintained. Consequently children develop good independence as they choose what they want to play with from boxes in the playroom. They learn about the safety of others as they are reminded not to throw the toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a very secure knowledge and understanding of child protection. Current documentation is available and there are systems in place to record any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children get on well, enjoy each others company, and are very motivated within their play. They often laugh together, for example, when other children do funny things. Children are very interested in the play equipment, for example, as they choose to dress up and use the magnetic numbers and alphabet. The childminder helps children complete puzzles and encourages them to identify and say numbers whilst they are doing them. Children enjoy colouring, painting, drawing and play dough activities. The childminder has a good knowledge of the Birth to three matters guidance and has clear aims about providing children with a wide range of experiences

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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 and memories. She dedicates her time to ensuring children have lots of fun, meet different people, and go out a lot.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Communication with children is excellent. The childminder talks with children in a relaxed way that encourages them to share information about events in their own lives such as Halloween. Consequently, children talk freely about their feelings. Photographs show evidence of children going on visits during the school holidays with other childminders, to places such as farms and parks. In addition, children are taken to toddler groups four times a week, which the childminder helps to run. This means they develop good social skills and learn to share with other children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder is extremely responsive to the children and has an excellent knowledge of their individual needs. She ensures they are included, by giving them toys and activities that are within their age range and ability. Children develop an awareness of different festivals through activities at playgroup that recognise other cultures.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved. This is because the childminder is firm, but fair, ensures children know the boundaries and is consistent in her approach, for example, with helping younger children to learn to share the toys. Consequently children feel safe and secure. The childminder says she uses distraction and reasoning to help children become less frustrated, particularly if they have disabilities. If there are any incidents she tells parents on the phone at the end of the day. This means that children do not hear any negative discussions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has an excellent relationship with parents. She has an open door policy where parents can drop in during the day, and are invited in when they collect their children. She gives parents a copy of her written policies and procedures and ensures they are kept well informed about their children through using comprehensive daily diaries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is currently caring for a child with disability. She works alongside other agencies and supports parents by taking children to some appointments, and establishes good liaison, which includes information about children's needs and aims for their learning. This information is then shared with parents. Children with disability are fully included in activities and like art, using play dough and listening to stories. They are given extra support with attending to their personal needs. The childminder shows and explains about adaptations that are used by children with disability.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The environment is very well organised so that children can access their own play equipment in the playroom. The childminder uses child sized tables for activities and resources which are set up in advance of the children's arrival, and they have regular opportunities to use the garden throughout the year.

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Organisation

The childminder has completed an introduction to the Early Years Foundation Stage, and additional training such as an NVQ level three in childcare, which she talks about with enthusiasm. She has also recently completed a quality assurance scheme equivalent to a level 3 qualification. Consequently, children are provided with a wide range of experiences because the childminder says she is more focused on what she is doing and seeing how children develop

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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 and make progress. She meets with an assessor who visits her every eight weeks as part of her registration as a network childminder. This means the childminder is consistently reviewing and improving the quality of care for children she is looking after. In addition, the childminder provides support for newly registered childminders alongside Surrey Early Years.

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Organisation

Documentation is exceptionally well organised and kept up to date. 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 provider agreed to obtain a copy of the new Child Protection booklet. She has obtained a copy of what to do if your'e worried a child is being abused. This means that documentation has been improved.

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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. 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.

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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): • ensure drinks of water are made easily accessible to the children throughout the day

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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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