Henley Valley Road Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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122978 Unique Reference Number 20 February 2008 Inspection date Janet Marie Thouless 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 satisfactory. 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and nine years in Mitcham, Surrey. Local shops, school, library and parks are within walking distance of the home. All area of the property are used for childminding. There is an enclosed back garden for outdoor play. The family have two cats, seven guinea pigs, three rabbits and two hamsters.

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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 three children under eight years on a part-time basis. However, no children were present at the time of the inspection.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is happy to take and collect from a local school and visit parks, activity groups and places of interest. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a clear awareness of the importance of promoting lots of opportunity for healthy exercise for children. She has on offer musical resources for the children to practise dancing and to encourage them to move in different ways. The childminder takes children to the park and visits to local groups are planned to enable children to use the large climbing equipment. The childminder describes different activities which help children to remain healthy and develop their physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

The environment is very clean, well maintained and child friendly. Children are provided with adequate quantities of food and drink for their individual needs. Discussions with the childminder show that parents' wishes are respected regarding food given to children, for example discussing the food and drinks provided at the groups they attend which may be different to those usually given at home. The childminder verbally demonstrated examples of healthy, nutritious foods.

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Helping children to be healthy

The home environment is very clean and well maintained. The childminder shows a good knowledge of how to promote children's good health. For example, she protects them from infectious diseases by ensuring parents fully understand that sick children cannot be cared for. The childminder describes her good nappy changing procedure which reduces the risk of cross contamination and the need for good hygiene practices such as hand washing for the children after playing in the garden and before and after meals. Medication and accident records are in place and permission has been sought from parents to seek medical advice or treatment. However, the first aid certificate has recently expired.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Discussions with the childminder and observations indicate that she has taken appropriate action to ensure risks in her home have been minimised, allowing children to play safely around the home and garden. For example, she has safety gates available and safety covers fitted to any unused sockets. She places strong emphasis on safe supervision at all times. Children have access to a fully enclosed outdoor play area, which is secure and well maintained. The childminder can describe how she assesses venues for safety such as the park. She checks that gates are kept closed and children are within sight at all times. Clear fire evacuation procedures are in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Use of available space is planned very effectively to meet children's individual needs and ensure they are safe and comfortable. Play resources are organised so that children can safely access a wide range of toys and equipment independently, to develop their confidence and allow them to make choices. Resources are rotated on a regular basis to provide children with a more varied selection and are regularly cleaned and checked for continued safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Through discussion the childminder demonstrated a clear knowledge and understands of her role in safeguarding children. Effective procedures advise parents of their responsibility and the childminder knows how to record and refer any concerns. Up-to-date contact details are maintained. This ensures the childminder acts in the best interest to safeguard the welfare of the children.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder describes the ways in which she observes children so that the variety of activities offered appropriately meets their individual needs. She has a good knowledge of how children learn and has incorporated play opportunities so that children are offered a well balanced range of activities each day. She is aware of the need to provide activities which offer appropriate levels of challenge, suitable to children's age and stage of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Evidence suggests that children are settled and move confidently in the childminders home. The childminder talks about how she encourages children’s interaction with other children as they socialise with friends and attend the local groups. Opportunities are made available for children to visit the childminders ponies at a local stable and discussions take place on how to groom and care for the ponies. Lots of craft activities are on offer to the children. Children spend their time purposefully and enjoy playing with the toys provided, supported and encouraged by the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Observation of resources and equipment suggests they are organised and used well. The provision of which, means children have access to exciting and stimulating activities and are motivated to learn. The childminder talks about the provision of activities that offer appropriate levels of challenge and that engage the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder talks about how her partnership with parents is effective and regular communication ensures they are fully informed about the provision and what their children have been doing. She stated that she spends time updating parents on collection of their child and ensures she is always available to talk. The parents reciprocate by keeping the childminder informed of how the children have been whilst at home. This ensures continuity of care for children which are suitably adapted to meet their individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Discussion with the childminder suggests that children are much valued and respected as individuals as she has cared for the children for sometime. She offers many opportunities for children to learn about their local community as they use the library, visit local shops and go to the park. Resources to raise children's awareness of the wider world and encourage a positive attitude to diversity are integrated in to everyday play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder talks about how she meets the individual needs of all children who attend. She takes time to get to know them well and establish their likes and dislikes. She encourages children to behave well through clear guidance and praise. She sets clear boundaries and strategies, which are agreed with the parents and help the children to distinguish between right and wrong.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates that she has an organised and professional approach to her childminding role. She shows she supports children's individual needs by flexible planning. Daily routines are in place but are amended sensitively to respond to the differing needs of the children being cared for.

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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 The childminder is well organised and maintains an efficient record keeping system which is confidentially stored. She clearly displays her certificate of registration and accurately records children's daily attendance to reflect when she is childminding. The regulatory documentation which is in place is maintained appropriately ensuring the childminder's good practice promotes children's welfare.

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Organisation

The childminder has established good procedures for sharing information with parents on a daily basis. She demonstrates effectively the ways in which she shares her policies, responsibilities and overall childcare practice with them. The childminder closely supervises and supports the children to ensure they are safe from any persons who have not been vetted. 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 last inspection, two recommendations were made to provide children with a further range of play materials and books reflecting positive images of disability and request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has fully implemented both recommendations to promote the care and development of 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 any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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 satisfactory. 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 a first aid certificate is maintained, which includes training in first aid for infants and young children.

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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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