Colneis Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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124624 Unique Reference Number 18 December 2007 Inspection date Jane Elizabeth Chappell 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 1999. She lives with her two children aged 11 and nine years, in a residential area, close to shops, schools and parks in the London borough of Croydon.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family home has three bedrooms and bathroom on the first floor. Minded children have access to the ground floor including a playroom, and first floor for bathroom and sleeping. There is also a secure garden for outside play. The family has one pet, a goldfish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time, at the time of the inspection there were three children on roll, one of whom was present during the inspection visit.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a clean and welcoming home environment. They learn the importance of good personal hygiene through effective daily routines, such as washing their hands before and after meals and after using the toilet. The childminder follows careful procedures when she changes nappies, she keeps floors, and surfaces clean, which helps maintain good standards of hygiene in the home. She ensures children have regular meals, snacks and drinks and stores food provided by parents appropriately in the refrigerator.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder can respond promptly to minor accidents or injuries because she has an up to date first aid certificate and has obtained written parental permission in relation to emergency treatment. This safeguards children's health and welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy a variety of physical activities, which includes attending local toddler groups three days a week, where they can enjoy using larger play in a safe environment. The childminder described a good understanding of the benefits of visiting other environments with the minded children to broaden their experiences and to ensure children's physical developmental skills are extended.

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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 well organised home. This means they can play freely and independently with resources that are suitable for their age and stage of development. These include a wide selection of soft toys, cause and effect toys, role-play resources, construction, games and books. Children benefit from a good level of supervision from the childminder, enabling them to enjoy a wide range of experiences with confidence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder knows about potential hazards and has a number of safety measures in her home to protect children from harm. These include, smoke detectors, fire blanket and safety gates to ensure children's well being. The childminder has an emergency evacuation plan, which is practiced with all minded children. This ensures the childminder and children know the routes they would use to evacuate the house in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings, as the childminder makes sure they are strapped into the buggy or walk closely beside her and suitable car seats are available. Travelling arrangements for children are discussed and agreed with parents. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities towards the children in her care and knows what to do if she has child protection concerns about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and confident in the childminder's home. The childminder ensures she has obtained detailed knowledge of the children she cares for and has a daily routine, which enables children to feel secure and comfortable. Children receive good care and affection from the childminder, who constantly chats and babbles with the younger children, ensuring that she is

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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 attentive to their needs. Children respond well to the attention given to them and are happy and content in the childminder's care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn both through her extensive experience and through child development workshops attended. This enables her to plan for and meet children's individual needs. Children enjoy a good range of activities that are stimulating and well balanced for all ages. Children select their own toys that are set out at their level in the playroom, and enjoy putting the magnets on and off the fridge and interacting with the childminder, as they excitedly hold their hand up again and again for round and round the garden on their hand. A good balance of adult and child initiated activities help children to make progress in their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children also benefit from regular trips to various toddler groups, parks and other places of interest. A varied balance of indoor and outdoor activities helps children to make progress in their learning. The childminder keeps records of the children's achievements, which are shared with parents. The childminder's positive encouragement and good communication with parents, helps children to progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are warmly welcomed and play a full part in the setting because the childminder values them as individuals and considers their needs in everything that she does. She gathers detailed information before children start and works closely with parents to ensure she gets to know the children well and help them settle in quickly. Children enjoy a good variety of activities and experiences that encourage them to value diversity, including building on their own lives and experiences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents and carers is very good. Regular informal discussions with parents ensure a good two-way flow of communication and continuity of care for the children. The childminder is aware of recent changes in legal requirements in relation to complaints and investigations and has provided parents with the details of the procedure to follow if they have any cause for concern about the service or the care of their children. However, the contact details included are out of date which may lead to confusion for the parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has previous experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and displayed a positive attitude to caring for children with such needs. Appropriate strategies, according to the age and stage of development are in place to help young children understand right from wrong. The older children have drawn up a list of house rules with the childminder, which includes the need to share and explains that not being kind to one another is not acceptable.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from an organised daily routine, which is planned around their individual needs. They are relaxed, happy and at ease in the childminder's home which means they are confident to participate in their play and learning. Children benefit from the childminders commitment and enthusiasm to her work and parents value the service she provides. The childminder has a clear understanding of the requirements of her registration.

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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 Comprehensive policies and procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice. This ensures children's needs are well met and relevant information is shared with the parents on a daily basis. However, the childminder still uses forms designed by the previous regulator, which may lead to some confusion for the parents. Written information kept about the children is treated in a sensitive and confidential manner. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved her documentation to ensure that all medicines administered are fully recorded. This supports children's health and well being.

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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 then 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 the complaints policy to reflect the correct contact details for Ofsted • improve record keeping: - update the forms used for written agreements with parent's.

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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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