Coteswood House School

Inspection report for early years provision

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122924 Unique Reference Number 30 January 2008 Inspection date Patricia Ann Edward 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 1991. She lives with her partner and two children adult children, in the London borough of Wandsworth. The whole ground floor and first floor bathroom and toilet are areas of the childminder’s house is used for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding four children under eight, and of these, two children attend during out school hours. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are very well protected from illness and cross-infection by the effective hygiene procedures the childminder has implemented. For example, children's hands are routinely washed before meals and snacks and after nappy changes. Nappy change routines are very effective with the childminder using disposable gloves and separate changing mats, washing

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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 her hands and cleaning the changing mat after. Procedures for the recording of accidents and medication administered are in place. All of which include the appropriate details. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate which means she can deal with any minor accidents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to develop positive attitudes to healthy eating, the childminder is responsible for providing snacks and drinks. She provides healthy snacks, which consists of fresh fruit. Children are able to manage their thirst levels because their cups or bottles are kept in the room, to promote independence. Parents are responsible for providing their children's pack lunch. The relevant information is gathered from parents to ensure that children's individual health and dietary needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical skills are developing well, they enjoy outdoor play and regular walks around the local area as part of their daily routines, such as school runs. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their needs and parents wishes. The childminder does not have a garden attached to the property, however she use parks and local common, weather permitting. This contributes to their good health and physical well-being

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children have safe access to an extensive range of toys and equipment. Games and resources for the older children are only accessible to them and are stored out of the reach of younger children. The younger children have their play equipment and resources in the living room, all stored at child height. The childminder uses efficient systems for checking that toys are safe and clean.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children safety both in the home and when on outings is ensured because the childminder has a excellent knowledge and understanding of risk assessments. There are compressive system in place to keep children safe in the home and on outings. The childminder carries out written risk assessment before children arrive in the morning and of outings. Children’s safety is further protected because a fire guard is in place, working smoke alarms are fitted to both floors of the home and a fire blanket is situated in the kitchen. The childminder has devised an emergency evacuation procedures, which is practised at regular intervals with the children to develop there understanding of what to do in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is very effectively promoted and safeguarded as the childminder has completed recent 'safeguarding children' training and has a clear statement in place which is shared with the parents. She has a excellent understanding of her role in child protection and is able to put effective procedures into practice when necessary to protect children from harm and holds all of the required paperwork to record existing injures and incidents to children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's house. They have access to a wide range of toys and equipment which include resources for pretend play, musical toys, drawing materials, construction materials and play dough. A good supply of toys and equipment is appropriately stored at child's height which promotes children's independence and enables them to confidently choose their play materials. The childminder offers children regular praise

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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 and encouragement which helps them develop a positive attitude to self and raises their confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to an excellent range of age-appropriate toys and resources which they can explore at their own pace. The childminder positions her self at their level to effectively supports children's learning and speech. Children are encouraged to experiment with sounds while playing with a child size keyboard and other musical toys. The childminder sits with the children and plays with them helping them develop their emerging skills. For example, the childminder sings songs to the children such as 'The sleeping bunny song' they love taking part in the actions and it also helps their emerging language skills. Children are developing a love of books, which are stored well and they access them independently. Children have a warm and trusting relationship with the childminder who responds effectively to their needs helping them feel secure and happy in the setting. The childminder has a very good awareness of the 'Birth

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to three matters' framework and has completed training in this area. However, she does not complete planning or observations.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy going on outings with the childminder such as visits to play groups, the common or to the local park where they have ample opportunities to play in the fresh air and have fun, weather permitting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are very happy in the childminder's home and their play and activities help to create a relaxed, bright and attractive environment for the children. Children's sense of belonging is fostered well, because of the warm relationships between the children and childminder. Their artwork and photographs are displayed in photo albums and on walls promoting children's self-esteem and a welcoming environment for themselves and their parents. Children are developing a very positive attitude towards others as they have access to a very wide range of books, puzzles, and people figure’s with various abilities. All of which form part of integral play resources. They also celebrate a range of festivals throughout the year that include Christmas , Chinese New Year and Easter. Parents are welcomed into childminders home to talk to children about their country of origin. This extends children's awareness of different lifestyles and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's self-esteem is nurtured well because the childminder uses plenty of praise to acknowledge children have done well. This helps to create a positive environment where children feel good about themselves. The childminder is very polite and attentive and encourages children to say please and thank you. Younger children relish her close contact as they sit on her lap having a drink and show signs of tiredness. They are very happy and involved in their play and as a result behave very well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's needs are met very well because warm, professional and friendly relationships that have been established between the childminder and parents. This ensures that information is shared regularly. Children settle well as the childminder works closely with parents at contract stage to ensure she understands children's individual needs and home routine. All parents have access to the childminders extensive portfolio, which includes a number of policies and procedures, compliments and previous inspection report. There is excellent ongoing sharing of information through daily discussions when children are dropped off and collected.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a safe, comfortable and well equipped environment. This is supported by effective procedures, so that non-vetted persons are not left unsupervised with children. All the relevant daily documentation is maintained well and is made available for inspection.

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Organisation

Children benefit from good adult support because the childminder provides them with appropriate levels of individual support. She is committed to her own professional development and has completed a number of courses that include ‘Birth to three matters framework’ and infection control. She currently in the process of completing the Cache Certificate; childcare learning and development level 3.

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Organisation

There is a good range of policies and procedures to support the childminding service that parents have access to from contract stage. The childminder organises the space well and spends her time directly with the children, supporting their learning and development effectively. All documentation is well organised and maintains confidentially. Overall, 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 was asked to increase safety in the bathroom area. The childminder has moved the bathroom lock up out of the reach of children, which now increase children's safety whilst in the bathroom area.

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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 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): • enhance practice by recording and monitoring children's progress to ensure they develop to their full potential.

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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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