Sutton-Cum-Lound CofE School

Inspection report for early years provision

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122809 Unique Reference Number 03 March 2008 Inspection date Sylvia Dindar 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 a registered childminder since 1988 and is registered to care for four children under eight years. She currently has two children on roll one of whom is over eight years

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives in a two bedroom flat, on the second floor of a low-rise block of flats in Putney. The area is well served by public transport and close to Putney Heath and local parks, shops and childcare facilities. All areas of the home are used for childminding, with the exception of the balcony, which remains out of bounds to minded children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have a dog, and appropriate steps are taken to ensure good safety and hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a diet that is varied and nutritious. The childminder safely stores and reheats the children's food provided by the parents. She liaises well with them and offers ideas for

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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 healthy options when children become bored with their diet, for example fruit smoothies when the children go off fresh fruit. Allergies or dietary issues are discussed with parents as part of the registration process. These discussions are recorded and any needs accommodated. Children are regularly offered drinks, which helps to ensure the do not become dehydrated

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities for fresh air and exercise whilst walking to and from the local school. In addition they play in the communal garden under the supervision of the childminder. They visit local parks and places of interest such as the local common. Here they get opportunities to run around and climb and play ball games which help to develop their physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's good health is protected. For example, children use separate towels when hand drying to reduce the risk of cross contamination, the childminder's sick child policy is shared with parents at registration and written permission has been obtained to ensure that the childminder can seek emergency treatment for children in the absences of their parents. Children benefit from the childminder's knowledge of first aid and her understanding of the correct administrative procedures to follow if accidents occur. There are robust procedures in place for the safe administration of medication and all accidents are recorded and shared with parents to enable them to give their child the appropriate on going care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play and relax within premises that are clean, well maintained and of an appropriate temperature. Children are able to access the toilet independently, which helps them to build their self-care skills. There is a range of safety measures in place. For example, smoke detectors are kept in working order, a fire blanket is easily accessible, potentially hazardous materials in the kitchen are inaccessible to children and the premises are secure. An emergency evacuation procedure is in place and this is discussed with children, however this has not been practised, so the childminder can not confirm whether children can be safely and quickly evacuated in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children help themselves to a good range of age appropriate toys. They benefit from the childminder's appreciation of safety issues concerning the purchase and ongoing maintenance of equipment. Good supervision coupled with the childminders knowledge of the children ensures their on going safety and well being. As a result, they play with clean, appropriately maintained toys that are safe and suitable.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted by a childminder who understands child protection issues. She has shared her child protection policy with parents, this explains to them her responsibility to protect and safe guard children. There are appropriate records and procedures in place to ensure that any concerns are dealt with and reported effectively.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children respond very well to the childminder natural ability to make them feel loved and secure and as a result are confident and happy children who are keen and ready to learn. They express themselves clearly. They have a structured week, which includes activities that interest them. For example, they go to local toddler groups where they learn to socialise, share resources and make new friends. Their language is very well developed because the childminder listens well

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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 to what they say and gives them the time to respond with the words that they know. Children learn new words through songs rhymes and stories and from the childminders stimulating conversation. They regularly attend story time and music sessions at the local libraries which further enhances their language development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Indoors they have free play and explore a wide range of play provision. For example, the children's imagination is captured by the many attractive texture and styles of materials and resources stored in the accessible dressing up box. For instance, grass skirts, ballet skirts, hats, silky scarves, saris, purses, flower gardens and crowns. As a result children independence is being developed as they enjoy and become very confident at dressing and undressing themselves. They are provided with mirrors and explore their reflection. The childminder offers to take their photograph so that they can show their parents when they pick them up. Children smile confidently at the camera feeling good about themselves.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children's play is real and meaningful because the childminder knows what interests individual children. For example she gets out the train, she encourages children to think for themselves when constructing it. Asking them questions that make them think, such as ‘what do you think we need to do to mend the bridge’, offering help appropriately when the child has exhausted their own ideas.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy arts and crafts at home as well as toddler groups. At the childminder's home they help themselves to some interesting resources for example a range of paper materials, wavy and straight cutting scissors, glue sticks and crayons, stickers and flowers. They become absorbed in this activity, creating and drawing swirls, cutting and gluing. Children are very well supported by their childminder who is skilful at giving just the right amount of support in order to help them succeed. For example, when she sees children struggling to use the scissors she suggest to them that they might like to try and open the crocodiles mouth wide and close it again to see what happens. The children are thrilled when they see they have cut a wavy line.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals. They benefit from the childminder knowing them extremely well and from her having a good understanding of their differing needs and home circumstances. Children are able to access a suitable range of resources, such as books, games and puzzles, to help them gain an awareness of diversity. Children who have English as an additional language are very well supported. In particular if they are Italian as the childminder speaks fluently in both English and Italian and so converses in both to benefit the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well, they know what is expected of them, and get the attention they need. Their behaviour is supported by a childminder who acts as a good role model and understands appropriate strategies for promoting children's positive behaviour. She offers parents a copy of her behaviour management policy and works closely with them to ensure a consistency of approach between home and the provision towards managing children's behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is aware that some children have disabilities and or learning difficulties. She is clearly experienced and able to support children with the help and support they need in order for them to reach their full potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with the parents to meet both their needs and the needs of their children. For example, she reads the dual language book provided by the parent. She works

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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 closely with them on children’s diets in particular if they become fussy eaters. A verbal handover allows opportunities for discussion about children's achievements or any care issues. To back this up the childminder provides a daily diary for parents in which she records, essential information about the child’s day, for example their food intake, nappy changes, activities and behaviour. This keeps parents well informed about the care of their child and allows continuity of care between home and childminder. Business arrangements are secure and regularly reviewed to ensure they meet the parents and child's needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care and welfare is well supported by an experienced childminder who has undertaken all mandatory training. All legally required documentation is maintained and securely stored. Contracts and consents are regularly reviewed to ensure that they meet the needs of the child and parent and all records are routinely shared with parents. Daily attendance is carefully recorded and ratios are maintained, the childminder provides lower than average ratios of children to adults and as a result is able to provide good quality care for children.

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Organisation

Space and resources are well organised in order to meet the children's individual needs and providing a stimulating, child centred environment for children in which they feel relaxed and happy.

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Organisation

Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At last inspection the childminder was required to revise medication records to ensure parents sign after medication has been administered it is evident that she now does this so parents are well informed and are able to administer the next dose safely. She was also required to revise written agreements to ensure appropriate parental consents are updated regularly. She now does this annually or sooner if there is a change of events.

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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 maintain 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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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): • ensure that all children are familiar with the fire evacuation process in order that they can be quickly and safely evacuated in and emergency

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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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