Boothan Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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121728 Unique Reference Number 15 February 2008 Inspection date Felicity Gaff 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was first registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and three school-aged children in Redhill, Surrey. She uses the ground floor of the house for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding one child part-time. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends a carer and toddler group, and also takes children to story time at the library and to play in the nearby park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have reasonable opportunities for vigorous physical play; they attend organised activity sessions, for example, and the childminder encourages them to go for walks. There are appropriate procedures to protect them from illness or infection and children learn to follow appropriate personal hygiene routines. The childminder understands the need to maintain accident and medication records, although her current systems do not protect children's

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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 confidentiality. Children receive suitable meals and snacks, and the childminder works closely with parents to ensure she understands any dietary requirements they may have.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. The childminder takes insufficient steps to minimise hazards on the premises, which puts children at risk. There are numerous dangerous items within children's reach in the garden. The above ground swimming pool has not been made inaccessible and the fence is damaged making the garden insecure. Children can reach unsuitable items in the shed because the door cannot be closed. The trampoline is poorly maintained and sited. Although it has a safety net, the safety pads are damaged and it is positioned on a paved surface. As the instructions for use are not available, the childminder cannot minimise risks to children by ensuring it is used only in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Children pass through the kitchen to reach the play room but the childminder does not effectively minimise risks by ensuring they cannot reach cleaning chemicals, sharp implements and plastic bags. Some accessible electrical

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

sockets are uncovered and the fire blanket is not correctly fitted. Toys are not sufficiently clean and storage is disorganised, which prevents children using them easily. The childminder takes suitable steps to keep children safe on outings. Children begin to learn how to keep themselves safe because the childminder explains the reasons for road safety routines and discusses issues such as talking to strangers. The childminder has a suitable awareness of child protection issues and knows how to safeguard children by reporting any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder creates friendly, relaxed relationships with children who chat confidently with the childminder and other adults. Children play purposefully with age-appropriate toys, although the disorganised storage makes it difficult for them to find the toys they want to use. They take part in some suitable planned activities such as baking, growing plants and painting. They develop their early literacy skills as they play with and discuss magnetic letters. However, the childminder sometimes leaves the TV on when children are not watching it, which distracts them from their play. There are suitable opportunities for children to socialise with others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. The childminder has insufficient knowledge and understanding of the requirements to investigate, resolve and record complaints from parents. This is a breach of regulations that prevents the childminder identifying and addressing weaknesses in the provision, and so puts children at risk. The childminder promotes equality of opportunity at a basic level; for example, she provides toys that are likely to appeal to both boys and girls. However, she does not consider how to help children acquire an understanding of and respect for cultural diversity and disability. She does not ensure that books and play resources accurately reflect the ethnic backgrounds of all the children who attend. The childminder recognises the need to work closely with parents to identify and meet the needs of children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She uses positive methods to help children learn how to behave, such as explaining the reasons for

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Helping children make a positive contribution

rules, and has realistic expectations. Consequently, children behave well.

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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 inadequate. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She does not ensure she understands and complies with current legislation. She does not ensure all the documentation required to support children's welfare is available and up-to-date. This is a breach of regulations that limits her ability to meet their needs in an emergency. She does not organise space and resources to meet children's needs effectively and does not notify Ofsted of significant events such as building works on the premises. This is a breach of regulations that puts children at risk because Ofsted cannot check the arrangements for ensuring their safety. The childminder does not ensure her first-aid certificate is available for inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last Children Act inspection the childminder agreed to improve the information provided to parents, and to improve the resources reflecting positive images of diversity. The childminder has improved the arrangements for protecting children from cross infection by sharing information verbally with parents about exclusion times when children are ill. However, she lacks awareness of the regulation for managing complaints and so has not shared it with parents. Children still do not have access to a range of resources that reflect positive images of cultural and ethnic diversity and of disability.

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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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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • make the garden safe and secure and the swimming pool inaccessible • ensure that toys and play equipment on the premises are clean and in good condition, and are organised so that children can use them easily and safely • ensure that children are unable to reach hazardous items in the kitchen • improve knowledge and understanding of the procedure to be followed and the records to be kept if a parent has a complaint

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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 • ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible and available for inspection at all times • improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations and set in place a procedure to notify Ofsted of significant events. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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