Thorndon Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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124745 Unique Reference Number 26 November 2007 Inspection date Sandra Patricia Jeffrey 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 2002. She lives with her partner and five children aged 20, 18, 16, five and three years. They live in a house in South Croydon, which is within walking distance of local shops, parks and transport links. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes and includes a brightly presented playroom. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. There are no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds the Diploma in Childcare and Education, a current first aid certificate and a Basic Food Hygiene Certificate and is a member of the Purley childminding network.

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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. Minded children learn about good hygiene practices through the effective every day routine. The childminder encourages older children to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. Younger children have their hands wiped for them with sensitive wet wipes. Children are cared for in a clean and welcoming home environment.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has clear and effective policies in relation to caring for sick children and acts in all the children’s best interests if any of them are ill. The procedures in place for administering medication to children are effective and records are well maintained, this safeguards children's health and welfare. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate and does role play with the children, to encourage them to think about how they would react in an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy a varied range of physical activities each week, which includes attending local toddler groups, soft play areas, parks and the local woods. Younger children benefit from attending suitable children's centres, where they can play safely in a contained play area specifically designed for younger children. The childminder described a good understanding of the benefits of visiting other environments with the minded children to broaden their experiences and to ensure younger children's physical developmental skills are encouraged.

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Helping children to be healthy

Minded children benefit from a varied wholesome diet that the childminder ensures meets their nutritional needs. The childminder ensures that parents are informed what the children have eaten at the end of each day. This ensures continuity of care for the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are actively encouraged to take part in the preparation of meal times by all agreeing the weekly menu. Children all have the opportunity to suggest their choice of meal for the following week. This encourages their enjoyment of the food they eat and enhances the overall meal time experience. The childminder has recently attended updated training in food hygiene, this ensures she is able to prepare and store food in a safe and suitable way.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Young children play and learn in a secure environment where they can move around freely. They have easy and safe access to toys and resources that are carefully selected to ensure they are suitable for children. Children can independently select from this range of toys. This helps the children feel at home in the setting and encourages them to make choices and decisions for themselves in their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own safety, when they discuss the need to pick toys up off the floor for example, so they do not trip over. They are also taught about road safety and 'stranger danger' when out with the childminder. This promotes their own awareness of safety issues.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's risk of accidental injury in the home is minimised because the childminder takes effective steps to identify and reduce hazards. She has carried out a room by room and garden risk assessment, checking for hazards which she has then removed or reduced. As a result of this, the childminder ensures that children are fully supervised whilst using the garden, which poses some risks to younger children as a result of its design. Safety gates are in place at the

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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 foot of the stairs and across the kitchen to prevent young children from gaining unsupervised access to these areas. This promotes the children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are suitable fire safety precautions in place; incorporating monthly emergency evacuation practices, when the children are asked to think about different emergency situations and how they would keep themselves safe. This helps children become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency. Suitable safety precautions are in place in relation to overnight care, including a means of escape from the first floor and the availability of a cordless telephone to call for assistance. These precautions promote the safety of the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and knows how to proceed if she has concerns about a child in her care in line with the latest government guidance. The childminder has attended training in Safeguarding Children from levels 1 to 3 (child protection), this supports children’s wellbeing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young children are happy and confident in the childminder's home. The childminder ensures she has good knowledge of the children she cares for and has a daily routine, which enables young children to feel secure and comfortable in their surroundings. Children make themselves at home and have a warm and secure relationship with the childminder. They receive lots of affection from her and they respond well to the attention given to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder, who holds a recognised child care qualification, has worked in several child care settings. She has also attended training in the Birth to three matters framework and uses this training and her experience and knowledge, to provide stimulating experiences for the children in her care. The childminder is responsive to children's needs and interacts positively with them, enabling them to feel valued and at ease within the home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The activities are planned around the needs of the individual children and their different ages. For example younger children enjoy visiting toddler groups and having one to one attention during the day when the older children are at school. Whilst older children enjoy trips to the swing park and the woods to play at their level. Children also benefit from weekly trips to the library to collect books for all ages to enjoy and share. A varied balance of indoor and outdoor activities helps children to make progress in their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from having a separate play room where bright displays of posters, photographs and samples of children's artwork make a very welcoming environment for the children. Posters displaying the alphabet, numbers and time recognition are also displayed, supporting young children's learning in these areas.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into the setting and are valued as individuals and treated with respect. They receive constant praise and encouragement to promote their self-esteem. This contributes to the children’s sense of well-being. The childminder has a written equal opportunities policy and encourages all children to take part in all activities, including dressing up and role play.

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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 Children begin to develop a positive awareness of other races, cultures and abilities through a suitable selection of resources and activities. The childminder is a positive role model and has a positive attitude towards diversity, which encourages the children to develop a greater understanding of the community they live in and the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are shown books portraying people from different cultures and learn about different festivals such as Diwali and Christmas for example. These give children opportunities to gain an insight into our multi cultural society. The children learn that they are all different and are all special, this helps children feel good about themselves and learn to show respect for others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Young children are treated with respect by the childminder, who uses praise and encouragement to promote their self-esteem. Children receive verbal re-assurance and cuddles, which helps children to feel valued and welcome and contributes to the children’s sense of well-being. Appropriate strategies, according to the age and stage of development are in place to help children understand right from wrong. The childminder is aware of the benefits of the value of praise over negative behaviour.

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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. Minded children have regular opportunities to socialise with children who have such needs, which helps them to understand that all people are different and supports their social development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. Parents provide relevant information about their children to the childminder when they start, this helps to ensure children receive individual care and attention. Regular informal discussions and the completion of a contact book for babies by the childminder, helps to ensure continuity of care for the children. Copies of written policies and procedures used by the childminder in her daily routine are made available to parents to enable them to be aware of all aspects of the service provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has organised her whole home to ensure that children are comfortable and have ample space to play, rest and eat. Young children benefit from a well-organised routine where they receive good adult support to help them feel secure and confident. The day is well-planned allowing children time for quiet and active play.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures that she attends training on a regular basis which underpins the work she does with minded children. The childminder has a clear understanding of her role in supporting young children in their play and learning. These considerations help children to make the most of the play and learning opportunities provided.

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Organisation

Compressive written policies and procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice. This ensures the childminder meets the needs of the children and shares information with parents. Information kept about children is relevant and helps promote their welfare. A good two-way flow of information ensures continuity of care for young children.

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Organisation

Most of the records are up to date and generally include the necessary details, although the daily attendance records have not previously always included the actual times of attendance. All children's details are stored in a way which promotes confidentiality and the childminder

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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 treats all information relating to the children and their families in a sensitive 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

During the previous inspection the childminder was asked to make sure that there were no hazardous building materials in the garden that could present a risk to children. The garden is now a safe and suitable environment for the children to use under supervision.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to ensure that all adults over the age of 16 years living on the premises undergo relevant checks. The childminder has now ensured that all of her children over the age of 16 years have been appropriately vetted.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to ensure that a valid first aid certificate was maintained. This is in place and the childminder is aware of the need to ensure regular training is attended as necessary.

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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): • ensure the daily attendance record consistently includes the actual times of children's attendance

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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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