St Peter's CofE (C) Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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124277 Unique Reference Number 07 December 2007 Inspection date Gillian Cubitt 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 1994. She lives with her husband and three children, one is an adult and the others of school age. They live in Coulsdon within the London borough of Croydon. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding five children at different times during the week.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used, with children having access to bedrooms for sleeping and computer use. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The childminder takes and collects children from a local school and attends toddler groups, parks and places of interest.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of Croydon's 'Children Come First' Childminding Network and 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 outstanding. Through the excellent everyday practices adopted by the childminder, children are able to develop a very sound understanding of hygiene issues. Children have individual towels for hand drying, and understand the importance of washing hands after toileting, before meals, after playing outside and handling pets. Older children are able to carry out these activities independently and younger children learn by following the pictorial displays by the toilet wash basin.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a wide range of healthy meals, which are provided by the childminder, including breakfast, snacks, lunches and teas. Meals consider individual children’s needs, with older children involved in the choice and planning of meals. Children learn about different foods by helping the childminder to nurture vegetables in her garden. They plant their own seeds and water young shoots. They learn about life cycles of foods such as sweetcorn and carrots, increasing children's understanding of the need for plants to have water, sunlight and warmth to enable them to grow healthy and strong.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have the opportunity to access an extensive range of outdoor activities throughout the day, both within her garden and at the local park; for example, older children use go-carts and trampolines whilst younger children use smaller mobile toys. This helps them to develop confidence as well as the opportunity to develop control of their bodies. Children also learn the effect exercise has on their bodies and the reasons why they need to drink more water especially in the warm weather.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has excellent procedures and policies in place to record accidents, medication administered and for the treatment of emergency and medical advice. This means that parents are kept informed and their wishes are acknowledged and adhered to. The childminder is able to provide appropriate treatment in the event of children having an accident, because she has undertaken relevant first aid training.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Safety precautions have been taken to minimise accidents within the home to safeguard children; for example, smoke alarms are in place and regularly tested. There is an emergency evacuation plan and this is practised with all children to ensure they confidently understand the procedure. The childminder carries out a wide range of checks on the house to ensure the environment is safe for children and these are noted in her risk assessment. The risk of accidents outside the home is reduced, because the childminder is conscientious about ensuring children are safe whilst on outings; for example, younger children wear distinctive tabards so that they can be easily seen and the childminder carries emergency numbers and names on her key ring so that she has quick access to parents and other services in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit because there is a good range of toys to appeal to all ages. All resources are carefully chosen for their quality and appropriateness for the age range of the children present. She has developed children’s understanding of how to care for toys through fun everyday activities, such as tidying activities away if areas are becoming cluttered at the end of the day.

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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 Children's welfare is fully safeguarded. The childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the different types and possible signs of abuse. She has participated in the latest training courses and has a very sound knowledge of the procedures to follow if she has a concern. Her understanding is supported by a well written policy which she shares with parents and carers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Through the excellent range of resources and activities provided by the childminder, children develop a wide breadth of skills. They choose their activity from the extensive selection available and freely seek the support of the childminder, who has a wealth of ideals and experience. She provides an excellent balance between adult and child led activities which allows children to develop at their own pace; for example, she shows children how to plant and nurture seedlings and then allows them take responsibility for their own plants so children can learn by seeing them grow. Babies receive individual attention with plenty of quality resources to stimulate their senses. They roll soft balls and reach out for bright interactive toys which delight them with the happy sounds.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have established excellent relationships with the childminder. This is because she enjoys planning interesting activities for them. Older children benefit because she takes them on educational outings to such places as Madame Tussauds and the London Eye where they learn about well-known people from the past and present as well as enjoying the views of London. Children also have fun at leisure centres and farms in the suburbs. Children’s interest is kept alive because the childminder maintains links with activity programmes at the local library where children take part in reading programmes and creative activities such as making masks of cats and dogs. Children are extremely happy and secure as a result of the childminder's positive approach and support in all that they do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have access to a good range of toys and resources that reflect diversity in society. Children’s understanding is also extended through the topics arranged at the local library. The positive approach of the childminder is reflected in her open attitude and clear equal opportunities policy. This encourages children to develop concern and respect for each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has little experience of caring for children with disabilities, or learning difficulties. She has a positive approach to this subject and has produced a policy to guide her and parents. Children's behaviour is well managed in a calm, quiet manner. Older children help form the house rules which they understand and therefore own which has an impact on their good behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Successful relationships have developed with parents which ensures children’s continuity of care. Good settling in programmes, together with well written daily information on the routines of younger children gives parents clear notes on how children have spent their day. Parents also receive helpful information in the way of policies and documents, to which they can refer, that impact on their children's care.

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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. The good organisation of space and resources within the home provides children with areas in which they feel comfortable and confident. Children are provided a stimulating environment in which they can play and learn. Time is maximised to ensure that all children receive the individual support they require.

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Organisation

All policies and procedures are in place and fully support the childminder's good childcare practice. She is thorough in her record keeping and ensures that all relevant documents are shared with parents. She has a firm commitment to training as illustrated by her membership to the childminding network and her commitment to attend childcare courses which helps her to update her childminding practice.

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Organisation

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 a recommendation was made to increase the range of toys and resources that reflect positive images of society. As a result the childminder has increased her resources, including a good selection of books that depict other cultures. The childminder also takes children on outings to places such as the library where further opportunities are open for children to increase their awareness of differences in others.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also given an action to ensure that all adults in the household were vetted in line with regulations. This was because the childminder's daughter had then reached the age of 16 years. The childminder has now taken steps to ensure that all adults who come into frequent contact with children are vetted accordingly which safeguards 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 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): • update knowledge on caring for children with special educational needs and disabilities

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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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