Padstow School

Inspection report for early years provision

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122905 Unique Reference Number 28 January 2008 Inspection date Linda Close 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 1997. The childminder lives with her husband and four children who are aged between 10 years and 21 years. They live in a five bedroom house in the Southfields area of Wimbledon, very close to the A3. The local authority is Wandsworth. Minded children have access to the kitchen, the conservatory, a downstairs toilet, and a secure outdoor area. They can sleep in the lounge or in a ground floor bedroom. There are two children on roll at present and both are two years old. They attend part-time and both are present at the time of this inspection. The childminder takes children to a local playgroup on a regular basis. She also takes them to the library, the park and to local shops. She is a member of the Wandsworth Childminders Association. The childminder speaks fluent English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into a very clean home environment. They learn good routines for personal hygiene because the childminder supervises them closely to make sure they wash their

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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 hands properly. She patiently explains why they need to have clean hands before eating. Children use disposable hand towels which helps to prevent cross-infection. Children can be cared for appropriately if they have a minor accident because the childminder has updated her first aid training and has suitable first aid resources. Children are protected from the unnecessary spread of infection because parents know from the outset that children must not attend if they are unwell or infectious.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are known to the childminder and she ensures that they only have food and drink that parents approve of. Children can have food that they have brought from home or she will provide meals if parents wish. She plans healthy meals for the children which are described on a sample menu that the childminder has prepared for parents. Children have healthy fresh fruit snacks which they eat with obvious enjoyment. They are given drinks of water or juice at snack time and meal times. They can have a drink if they ask but they have no fresh water beside them throughout the day to serve as a reminder to take frequent sips in order to maintain their hydration levels.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children go to the playgroup every week for activities which include energetic play. They play with wheeled toys and take part in ball games. They also benefit from visits to the local parks and playgrounds where they run and play in the fresh air. They can play in the childminder's garden when the weather is suitable.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a secure home where they cannot leave unnoticed or strangers enter unobserved. They have a generous space in which to play and eat their meals and they rest in a ground floor bedroom which means they are close to the childminder at all times. The conservatory that is used for play is attractively decorated with posters and examples of children's art work which provides a pleasant play room for the children. Children have easy access to a good range of toys which are checked and cleaned on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is supported well by the childminder who checks her home for hazards before children arrive and takes steps to minimise risks. She keeps all cleaning materials and sharp utensils out of children's reach and ensures that items such as hot drinks are not accessible to them. She ensures that the garden is safe for the children. Children are transported safely in the childminder's car. She keeps her insurance and other relevant documents to hand to show to parents and for inspection at any time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are safeguarded in relation to child protection issues because the childminder has attended training to keep her knowledge up to date. She knows what signs or symptoms suggest ill-treatment and has a suitable procedure to follow if she is concerned for the welfare of the children in her care. She ensures that parents know about her responsibilities in this respect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children benefit from being cared for by a childminder who has a good knowledge and understanding of what games children like to play and of how they learn. Children enjoy a varied range of worthwhile outings and activities that are planned in advance. They go to a local playgroup on a regular basis to help them to become accustomed to mixing with a range

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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 of adults and to develop their social skills. They enjoy singing and action rhymes with the other children at the playgroup.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy playing with each other and with the childminder who is actively involved in their games. They learn new words which include the names of animals, objects and colours from discussions over their play and from sharing books. Children learn about the world around them when they go out with the childminder to local places of interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to choose from toys that are arranged at a low level in their playroom. They become very involved in imaginative games with small world toys, including a cooker and toy food which is a great source of fun. They roll and mould dough together and play with construction toys and puzzles which helps them to develop good skills with their hands. Children's paintings and craft work are displayed all around the play room which shows them that their work is valued and also demonstrates the variety of art activities that they enjoy.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs and their parents' preferences are made known to the childminder at the time of registration which ensures continuity of care. Children's outings help them to become accustomed to a range of people. They have a good selection of toys and books that represent a cross-section of society. The childminder has not cared for children with learning difficulties. However, she has attended a relevant training course which has raised her awareness of meeting children's needs. She welcomes guidance from professionals if it is required and would be happy to work with parents to help children make the best progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are calm and well behaved when they are with the childminder. She keeps them busy and involved in games and activities which successfully avoids disagreements. She is very calm and kind in her management of the children which brings out the best in them. The childminder relies on distracting the children and diverting their thoughts to new activities and games if they tire of what they are doing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents and carers have access to ample information about the childminder's training and about all aspects of the service that she provides. She displays her registration certificate and she has assembled a comprehensive file of policy and procedure documents for parents which includes a description of the steps she will take if a child is lost or uncollected. Parents can make any concerns known to the childminder through discussion or via a 'Worry Box'. They are informed that they can complain to Ofsted if they wish although the relevant contact details are incomplete.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to keep children safe in relation to non-vetted persons and she keeps the children close to her at all times. She has been very active in her approach to ongoing training which helps her to keep abreast of developments in childcare and helps her to provide a good overall standard of care for the children. The childminder plans and provides a worthwhile range of activities for the children. She is generally well organised and children benefit from following a regular routine. The childminder keeps all of the necessary records to ensure children's safety and wellbeing. She retains documents for inspection

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 appropriately although some are written in pencil which is not wholly acceptable and the complaints procedure lacks detail. 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 time of the last inspection six recommendations for improvement were made. The childminder agreed to develop her knowledge and understanding of special needs and through personal study she now knows what to do if she is concerned about the development of children in her care. The childminder agreed to improve fire safety precautions in her home and she now has working smoke alarms in place which contributes to children's safety.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder agreed to make books accessible to children at all times and she has arranged her resources so that children can choose a book when they wish to do so. The childminder has suitable toys and resources that reflect positive images of a range of people which helps children to respect diversity. The childminder agreed to provide more opportunities for parents to be informed about their child's progress and to ask for their permission for emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder invites parents into her home to talk about their child's progress and she has gained appropriate permissions from parents. The childminder has improved working relationships with parents which benefits the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints that required the childminder or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. The childminder is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents that 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 registers are kept in indelible ink and that the complaints procedure document for parents includes full contact details for Ofsted • ensure that children have easy access to drinks of fresh water throughout the day.

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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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