Leeming and Londonderry Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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121293 Unique Reference Number 21 February 2008 Inspection date Lilyanne Taylor 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 has been registered since 1990. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a semi-detached house that is situated in a residential area of Westborough, near Guildford. The whole of the premises is suitable for childminding; however, the childminder prefers to allow children access to the lower floor only. There is a fully secure rear garden for outdoor play. The premises are in close proximity of local shops, parks and schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time and currently has 12 children on roll, all of whom attend part time.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are protected from the spread of infection through the effective procedures and practices the childminder has in place. Children are becoming aware of how to manage their own personal hygiene through daily routines and are quick to remind others that they need to wash their hands prior to eating.

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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 Parents are informed that sick children are excluded in order to safeguard other children. Children who become unwell whilst being minded are cared for sensitively until their parents arrive to collect them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is protected by the appropriate procedures in place for administering medication and for dealing with injuries. The childminder has knowledge of first aid and seeks the necessary permission to be able to deal with emergency first aid situations; all accidents to children are shared with parents. Younger children are able to sleep and rest according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy range of snacks and meals that meet their dietary requirements. Fruit children eat is washed and all eating surfaces are wiped with an anti-bacterial solution prior to the serving of any snacks. Chopping boards are sterilised in the dishwasher. Children are able to freely access drinks throughout the day which ensures they do not go thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures children are out in the fresh air each day so they experience and enjoy a range of outdoor activities which aids their physical development. They have regular opportunities to use large equipment when they visit local play parks and they go for walks around the local area. During the warmer weather months they enjoy outings to the seaside.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a secure environment which enables them to move around freely. The security of the premises ensures children are not able to leave unaccompanied and only authorised persons are able to gain entry. Parental permission is sought to take children out of the home for walks or in a vehicle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are constantly supervised and the childminder carries out a risk assessment of all areas children have access to which ensures they are kept safe. Appropriate safety equipment in place prevents children from accessing areas unsupervised and objects that may cause them harm.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder carefully organises resources and play equipment; she takes into account the ages of children being cared for and stores equipment accordingly; younger children's toys are kept at a low level. All equipment and toys are checked as used so that children are able to access toys safely and freely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is fully protected. The childminder has good knowledge of the procedures she should follow if abuse of a child were suspected or if an allegation of abuse were to be made against her or other members of the household. Parents are informed of the childminder's responsibility as a day care provider to report any concerns she may have in order to protect children's well-being. In addition to this a record of pre-existing injuries children come in with is maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Records of children's attendance clearly show the times they are in the childminder's care and systems in place ensure children only leave her care with persons their parents have authorised. In the event of a child not being collected the childminder has appropriate systems and procedures in place to ensure children are kept safe.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and well cared for in the childminder's home. They are provided with a relaxed, home-from-home comfortable environment, which meets their individual needs and makes them feel secure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder interacts well with the children and ensures their individual needs are tended to. The praise she gives children in recognition of their achievements raises their confidence and self-esteem. Children express how they enjoy the time they spend with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children spend their time purposefully, they have access to a range of activities indoors and outdoors which are appropriate for their age and stage of development. For example, they use plastic bottles and pasta shapes to make musical instruments and enjoy the visits they make to a local garden centre to purchase vegetable and flower seeds in readiness for planting. Children enjoy cooking activities; they make cakes by helping to operate the food processor and decorate gingerbread men using icing tubes.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children regularly visit the local library to listen to stories being read and while there they are able to choose the books they would like to take back to the childminder's house to look at or read. Through their regular attendance at mother and toddler groups and music sessions children are beginning to socialise with other children and adults.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are treated as individuals and they have equal access to the range of toys and play materials available. Children develop confidence as they make their own choices of activities they engage in. Their awareness of some aspects of the wider world is raised through books and small world play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is consistent with her expectations of the behaviour children should display while in her care. As a result children are very polite, well mannered and they are becoming aware of what is right, what is wrong and the reasons why.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationship the childminder has with their parents. The childminder offers good settling in procedures for new children and explains to parents the policies and procedures she works to, which ensures the child's transition from home to the childminder is smooth. The effective two way sharing of verbal information on a daily basis ensures children are provided with continuity of care, appropriately supported and their individual needs met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes at all times; all agreements that require parents' written consent are in place. The childminder is keen to ensure the care she provides for children is of a good standard; she requests parents to periodically fill in a questionnaire to state if they are happy with how the outcomes for children are promoted or if there are any areas they would like to see improved.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are informed of the procedures they should follow if they have any concerns with the care their children receive or the setting. They have access to the regulatory body's contact details and procedures the childminder has in place to deal with any complaints she may receive

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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 direct ensure they would be dealt with appropriately and responded to within the required timescale. However, systems for recording any such complaints have not yet been developed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a suitably qualified and experienced childminder. The childminder attends regular training so she remains up-to-date with current legislation requirements and childhood development. Procedures, policies and written records in place effectively promote children's health, safety and well-being.

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Organisation

The childminder provides a friendly environment where children feel at home and at ease. They can be easily supervised and are able to move freely around the lower floor of the premises. Indoor play space is laid out to maximise children's play opportunities and activities they are provided with, which supports their development in all areas.

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Organisation

Parents are welcomed into the home and kept informed of the care their child has received. The childminder displays her registration certificate so parents are able to see how many children may be cared for at any one time.

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Organisation

The childminder is aware that information she holds about children is confidential so is careful to keep it safe; each child has their own individual folder that contains their personal details and permission slips for the care they are able to receive as given by their parents.

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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 inspection the childminder was asked to ensure working smoking alarms are appropriately located on both floors. Smoke alarms are now securely fixed on both floors and regularly checked to ensure they remain in good working order. As a result, if a fire were to break out the childminder and children would be alerted so they could evacuate the premises to safety.

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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.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they may 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): • devise a system for recording complaints

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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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