Ashfield Comprehensive School

Inspection report for early years provision

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122827 Unique Reference Number 03 December 2007 Inspection date Judith Mary Scott 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 outstanding. 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 1980. She lives with her husband and an adult son. They live in a three bed roomed house that is situated in the Shaftesbury Park Estate in Battersea, London. The home is within walking distance of shops, schools, parks, a library and transport links. Minding takes place mainly on the ground floor. This consists of a through living room/dining room and a kitchen/diner. Younger children are supervised when using the bathroom facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time. She is currently caring for six children both full and part time, with some occasional school holidays.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has a Certificate of Childminding Practice qualification and an NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and Education. She works as a "specialist" childminder for the local authority, the London Borough of Wandsworth.

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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 outstanding. Children benefit from the childminder’s excellent physical and emotional care and they are given plenty of affection, reassurance and attention. They are cared in a friendly and welcoming home that is warm and clean and their needs are met in a constant and consistent manner. Children enjoy plenty of very positive interaction and close contact with childminder. They experience a structured but flexible routine that is adjusted to their needs and sleep patterns. They take pleasure in their own individual time with the childminder. They are very happy, content and settled and this contributes to their sense of belonging.

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Helping children to be healthy

Well balanced and varied children's meals and snacks are provided by the childminder and a food policy and a sample menu is available to parents. Food supplied is nutritious and home made and meets children’s dietary needs. Water is available at all times and diluted fruit juice at meal times. The childminder has an updated basic food hygiene certificate. Children and the childminder sit together at mealtimes which are relaxed and sociable. The childminder constantly talks to children about their likes, dislikes and the names of different fruits and vegetables. Children are encouraged to feed themselves and experience different tastes and textures, for example, at snack time they eat raisons and tangerines and talk about them enthusiastically. Children’s healthy eating is well promoted by the childminder in conjunction with parents through discussion, role play and cooking activities such as making pizzas. Children add the

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Helping children to be healthy

ingredients together in spoonfuls, roll the dough and decorate them with different toppings. When cooked, they eat them for lunch.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s health and welfare is promoted very well as part of the childminder's daily routine, plus there is plenty of information available that supports healthy eating, exercise, hygiene and health. Children are well protected from the risk of infection with colour coded towels that are washed daily and individual linen and bibs. They learn the importance of good personal care and independence through discussion, example and daily routines; for instance, the importance of washing their hands regularly or using wipes, before eating, after using the toilet and outdoor or messy play and how to blow their noses on tissues.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children thrive on being physically active and benefit from plenty of activity and exercise to help them develop control of their bodies. The garden is used regularly for outdoor play and is well equipped with outside play apparatus. Children enjoy the small climbing frame and slide, play on sit and rides, manoeuvre push and pull along toys, experience painting and digging and explore sand and water activities. Children enjoy lots of fresh air and exercise whatever the weather with many opportunities to develop their physical skills. There is the daily school run, plus trips to parks, one'o'clock clubs and groups where they can walk, jump, climb, run around and socialise with the childminder’s support and encouragement. Children have regular visits to the library and enjoy dancing, action rhymes and music indoors.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s health is also well protected by the childminder’s knowledge of health and safety, first aid and by a thorough sickness policy and procedures. Children’s individual needs are met and all information shared efficiently with parents by the childminder maintaining effective, accurate records regarding accidents, incidents and medication. She also maintains a comprehensive set of written parental consents for each child.

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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

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from a well arranged environment created by the childminder that is safe and very child friendly. They play, rest and eat comfortably as the childminder organises the available space and resources very effectively and they can access toys and activities easily. Children move freely around the living room/dining room and are able to explore most of the play provision independently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are secure and sufficiently well maintained with effective safety measures in place to reduce risks to children. The childminder uses consistent methods to reduce potential hazards and is aware of the importance of good risk assessment indoors and outside which is done on a regular basis. She has health and safety training. High consideration is given to fire safety with a clear written evacuation procedure in place and smoke alarms are tested regularly. Children practice this with the childminder once a month and it is recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well supervised and they are made aware of importance of using their environment, toys and play equipment safely through discussion, example and explanation with the childminder. For example, they learn to go up the stairs when necessary with the childminder's help and encouragement. She also enables them to take risks within their play activities to build their confidence and extend their development. This is done by assessing safety aspects and offering support and assistance, for instance, when using balance beams.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are given very clear boundaries and the childminder ensures they are safe on outings on foot or public transport. Thorough systems are in place and she supervises the children, takes a mobile and the children’s details, uses effective safety restraints and ensures they hold hands or on to the buggy. Children are encouraged to stop, look and listen at the kerb. Emphasis is placed on staying together but children are allowed to walk and run in enclosed appropriate areas. Children very occasionally travel in the childminder’s husband’s car using suitable car seats and boosters.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's individual needs are exceptionally well met because the childminder has an excellent range of well maintained furniture and childcare equipment. There is a very good, varied selection of high quality toys, books and play materials that are stored and presented effectively at suitable levels and in accessible cupboards and boxes. The childminder provides a variety of resources to ensure children's ongoing interest and ensures the play provision is suitable and age appropriate. She checks daily to make sure all is safe and clean. This includes creative materials, puzzles, imaginary and role play, dolls, dressing-up, books, construction, musical instruments, games, inter-active toys and covers the relevant age range. The childminder uses the toy library and scrap project.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is paramount and they are safe and well protected as the childminder has a very good understanding of child protection issues and procedures. She is experienced and has child protection training. She has a sound understanding of her responsibilities with a written child protection policy, relevant up to date child protection information guidelines and a confidential incident record system in place.

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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 outstanding. Children enjoy being with the childminder and interact warmly and affectionately with plenty of hugs, climbing up into her lap and sharing a snuggle together. They are talked to and played with, responding with developing speech, pleasure noises, laughs and smiles. Children are offered recognition, acceptance and comfort and are relaxed and happy, relating well to adults and other children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children experience a versatile and stimulating childminding schedule that includes collecting and dropping some of children from their own homes, plus the school run to two different schools. The childminder’s routine take into account children’s individual ages, abilities and needs and includes indoor and outdoor play activities, outings, meals, naps and quiet times. Children have regular trips out to local resources such as local groups, parks, the soft play centre, the library and shops. Children benefit from this with many opportunities for new experiences, to socialise with others, to encourage speech and social skills and use different equipment with more space to develop their physical skills. Trips further afield include fruit picking and visiting a zoo park.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are animated and enthusiastic as they make choices about their activities and confidently select toys from supplies which are well presented and accessible. Children enjoy playing with a selection of toys that encourages them to explore using their senses and investigate and experiment within their environment. For example, they play with interactive music toys with lights and sounds, explore touchy feely books and shake glitter bottles. Children persist and concentrate when fitting puzzle pieces together, mark making and using programmable toys. Children are engrossed in imaginary play placing play people and furniture within the small world house. They engage in role play with gestures and actions when making the dinner with pretend food and pouring water from the kettle.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relish their time in a safe and stimulating environment that puts them first and enjoy excellent relationships with the childminder. They are encouraged to talk and express themselves with plenty of discussion to extend their imagination, introduce new vocabulary, ideas and use of descriptive language. Children enjoy looking at picture books and identifying animals with the childminder and singing action rhymes all together. Children benefit from surroundings that display their art and topic work, pictures and posters. The garden provides a sensory area with wind chimes, a variety of fabrics, computer discs and herbs. Some resources are labelled and numbers displayed for children’s "vehicle" parking. Children have opportunities to investigate the wormery and a snails’ observation house.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children participate in a wide ranging variety of purposeful play activities that meet their needs and contribute to their enjoyment and learning on a weekly basis. They have excellent opportunities to develop creative skills and have lots of fun as they cut and stick a wide variety of materials, explore paint in different ways, experiment with printing and play with dough. Children develop good early maths skills as they enjoy construction, puzzles, sorting, stacking activities, counting during daily routines, with good opportunities to recognise shapes, colours, size and position. Children experience simple science and nature activities. They plant and care for tomatoes, herbs, potatoes and runner beans and eat the results. Older children relax after school and enjoy their tea. Later they participate in arts and crafts activities, games and construction.

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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’s independence, confidence and ability to make choices is encouraged by the childminder, for instance, they are encouraged to feed themselves, choose toys and books and put on coats and shoes. Children’s progress is promoted by extending play activities such as introducing more complex puzzles. Children experience a high standard of warm, consistent standard of care. They have plenty of opportunities to explore their environment and participate in new experiences. The childminder tailors her care to meet children’s individual needs and gets to know them well. She has some written activity planning and maintains written observations of each child's development and progress linked to the Birth to 3 matters framework, plus photos and examples of children’s work. She also participates in developmental

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children come to visit first when possible with their parents and flexible settling in arrangements are tailored to suit specific families’ needs and children’s routines. Planned sessions help children to settle quickly with the use of a child profile and comprehensive documentation. Children become familiar with the childminder and are valued as individuals. She gets to know them very well and communicates with parents daily regarding their care and progress. Detailed verbal information is exchanged about children’s general well being, naps, meals, food intake, nappy changing, outings and activities. The childminder is happy to do this in writing if required. Children gain from the positive partnerships that the childminder has with parents who indicate they are very pleased with the quality of flexible and supportive care provided. All the childminder’s written policies and procedures are available to parents with their own copies in

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are given clear, realistic boundaries and expectations of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in the form of house rules. They are encouraged to have good manners, show concern for others, help to tidy up and play co-operatively. Children behave very well and react positively to the childminder’s requests and guidance, for example, she deals calmly with squabbles over toys, encouraging children to share and take turns. The children benefit from the childminder’s consistent, age appropriate behaviour management strategies such as anticipation and distraction, talking, explaining and supervised time out to calm down if necessary. Praise and positive language are found effective to promote desired behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to develop a sense of identity and self worth. They are treated as individuals and with equal concern. Children have access to the full range of activities offered which includes a very good selection of resources that promote a positive view of the wider community and increase their understanding of diversity, including disability. Children are provided with activities that teach them to understand and value similarities and differences. They are encouraged to respect and value others and their environment. They learn about different festivals such as Diwali, Chinese New Year and Christmas when attending a variety of groups. This is followed up at the childminder’s home. The childminder is experienced in caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and demonstrates very positive attitudes. She aims to be inclusive and proactive and has specific training. Children are given

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Helping children make a positive contribution

additional support and resources and the environment is adapted as necessary to meet their needs. Information is shared and the childminder works together with parents and other agencies such as Portage.

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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 outstanding. Children enjoy very close and supportive relationships with the childminder. They relate to her as someone very special who treats their well being as a top priority. The childminder ensures children's individual ages and abilities are taken into account when organising their daily routine and resources are swapped over regularly to ensure children are enthused by the diversity available. They show energy and enthusiasm when exploring range of toys and activities. Children have very good opportunities to make progress in all areas of their development. The childminder understands how children learn and she provides a nurturing environment with opportunities for them to respond to success and challenges.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's energetic and motivated approach. She uses her initiative to seek out documentation to support and develop the high standard of care she provides. Children's overall care is enhanced by the extensive information shared between parents and the childminder and the excellent organised record keeping. The childminder has developed policies and procedures that support her very good childcare practice. She has very positive attitudes towards training and has undertaken an extensive range of workshops as well as attaining two Level 3 qualifications. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has ensured all hazardous items are stored safely and securely in areas accessible to 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 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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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 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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