Seahouses Middle School

Inspection report for early years provision

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122315 Unique Reference Number 09 January 2008 Inspection date Carol Newman 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 1994. She lives with her husband and two school aged children in Epsom in Surrey. Most of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding five children of whom, four children attend on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler groups, takes children to the local library and to the park. The childminder has two cats and two rabbits.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network through which she works as a community childminder.

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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. Effective daily routines and the childminder’s own good practice prevent cross infection. Children are provided with individual towels and carpets are cleaned regularly. The environment is clean and tidy and children receive good support to develop good personal hygiene. Children are reminded to wash their hands before snacks and meals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents give prior written consent to administer medication that ensures children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This means she can give appropriate care if there is an accident. However, some contents of the first aid box have passed their expiry date and this compromises the care on offer to the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy varied and nutritious meals which meet special dietary needs and ensure children remain healthy. Children are offered drinks at regular intervals in suitable containers.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children regularly enjoy a range of activities that contribute to their health and develop their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a well-organised environment that allows them to move around and play safely. Children have easy and safe access to a well-maintained range of toys and resources appropriate for their age. However, there is no designated area where children can relax and rest in comfort, should they choose not to engage in active pursuits. Cots are available for the children's use, but the childminder stated that children fall asleep in the car and when they return home, she remains with them until they wake up.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from a good range of safety measures, for example socket covers, interconnecting smoke alarms and safety gates to prevent children independently accessing the stairs or the front door. Some fire drills help children become familiar with the procedures so they learn how to leave the premises quickly and safely. However, these are not practised with all children who attend the provision.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding children issues and knows what action to take if she has concerns about a child in her care. This ensures she quickly recognises when a child is in danger and can act in the child’s best interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy and learn from a varied range of activities. For example, children enjoy free colouring, manipulating play dough, playing picture dominoes with adults and exploring the range of baby toys. The childminder records the children's progress on developmental charts to ensure their needs are met.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder's relationship with the children is friendly but firm. Children are encouraged to keep the play space tidy and to put resources away after they have finished using them.

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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 benefit from regular visits to local activities such as the toddler group and the soft play area, to extend their experiences. Children are happy and well occupied in the childminder's care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children enjoy respectful relationships with adults and each other. They are beginning to develop confidence and self-esteem. A range of resources, such as multi-cultural dolls and puzzles help children to learn about themselves, each other and the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder does not have experience of working with children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. However, all children progress well due to her consistent encouragement and support. She willingly discusses any concerns with parents to ensure the children's needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Behaviour management strategies are appropriate and help children understand right from wrong. Children learn important social skills such as sharing and listening to each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder gives daily feedback to parents about their child's day either verbally or through a comprehensive daily diary. This helps provide children with consistent care between home and the childminding provision.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from good adult support to help them feel secure and confident. The childminder attends training whenever she can and is currently studying for an advanced qualification. This ensures she is able to provide appropriate care for the children she looks after. The childminder's knowledge of the Birth to three matters framework provides reassurance that her practice with young children is appropriate.

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Organisation

Written policies and procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice. This ensures children's needs are met and all relevant information is shared with parents. A good two-way flow of information ensures continuity of care.

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Organisation

The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to ensure children have access to an expanded range of toys and resources that reflect positive images for children of culture/ethnicity and disability. The childminder has collected some images of different cultures and disabilities for craft work and has a range of multi-cultural dolls for the children's use.

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Improvements since the last inspection

In addition the childminder agreed to ensure garden play equipment is appropriately maintained. The swing set has been disposed of to safeguard the children.

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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 action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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 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 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 that all contents of the first aid box have not passed their expiry date • ensure appropriate furniture/equipment is available at all times within the home, for babies and young children to sleep and rest in • consider the provision of a cosy area in order that children can rest and relax in comfort.

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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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