Sydenham First School

Inspection report for early years provision

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125604 Unique Reference Number 10 December 2007 Inspection date Jackie Liffen 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 1989. She lives with her husband in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five years and one after school. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and also the Tunbridge Wells Childminding Association toy library.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of an approved 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 outstanding. Children routinely undertake good health practices as they diligently wash their hands before eating and after visiting the toilets. They play in a scrupulously clean environment where the childminder regularly teaches them to take responsibility for their own hygiene. For example, children are learning how to brush their teeth as they play with a model toy mouth and toothbrush. They are quickly gaining an understanding of how to maintain good personal hygiene and the childminder provides them with step stools and disposable towels to help them act independently. Children are always protected from infection because the childminder uses anti-bacterial cleanser to wipe surfaces. They rest or sleep extremely comfortably according to their individual needs in a designated travel cot for which the childminder provides daily clean linen. She enables older children to rest on the sofa where they sleep very well using their own

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Helping children to be healthy

cushions. Children have a large number of opportunities to extend their physical abilities, either in the garden where they enjoy running, climbing, skipping and balancing or on outings which include nature walks and exploring the woods. Children are extremely well nourished by the childminder who prepares sustaining meals for them on a daily basis. She prepares the food the previous night and uses a slow cooker so that children always benefit from eating healthily. Children also eat healthily at snack time when they generally have fruit. They help themselves to a drink whenever they are thirsty from sports flasks which are left within reach.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are looked after in premises which are suitable for the purpose, welcoming, secure and child-friendly. They play freely throughout the spacious downstairs of the house, mainly in the playroom which has a washable floor. Children use suitable and safe equipment such as a travel cot and buggy all of which are well maintained. They also sit at a low level table and chairs to eat their food or play games so that even the youngest child joins in all activities. The childminder uses a range of safety strategies such as stairgates to protect children from possible dangers, although she is not using her written risk assessment on a daily basis. She ensures that many features, such as window locks, are in place to minimise the dangers for children but has not yet put a lock on the medicine cupboard. Children are effectively protected from fire because the childminder ensures that she follows the Fire Safety Officer's recommendations

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

in order to warn and help children evacuate the premises if necessary. The childminder carries a number of precautions such as a first aid kit in case children suffer from accidents whilst on outings. The childminder ensures that children's welfare is continually safeguarded as she has tight procedures in place such as keeping a record of unvetted visitors. Children's well-being is enhanced by the childminder who has a very good knowledge of child protection procedures and knows whom to contact if necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle quickly in the familiar surroundings of the playroom which is comfortable and well equipped. They are beginning to interact and talk because the childminder asks a number of appropriate questions to stimulate their curiosity. The childminder gently helps children to find different toys and as a result they respond and interact well with her. They discuss the different colours of the spoons and forks and respond to expectations when they are reminded

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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 to wash their hands before sitting down for dinner. The childminder sits with children and praises them as they put spoonfuls of food into their mouths; as a result children are becoming more and more independent. Children choose from a selection of toys put out within their reach and ask for help if they wish to play with any other toys stored in clearly labelled boxes. The childminder helps them to continue learning as children decide what they wish to play with from a wide selection of toys and activities which promote their physical intellectual, emotional and social play. For example, she often spontaneously helps them to count and recognise colours. Younger children benefit from the childminder's sound knowledge of the Birth to Three matters framework. Children continue to develop and progress when they are taken on outings

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder introduces positive images of diversity to children so that they assimilate an awareness of other religions, cultures and the diverse nature of society. Children are valued and treated with equal concern by the childminder who has a comprehensive policy and puts this into practice by introducing lots of different games and activities. For example, children celebrate festivals such as Diwali and Christmas. Children also become familiar with equal opportunities because the childminder has a welcome poster in different languages and also has a number of books depicting children of different skin tones and nationalities, plus a number of appropriate toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have their specific needs met by the childminder who works with all of them as individuals in order to promote their progress and development. The childminder researches relevant information on the internet and liaises closely with parents so that she is well informed and consequently works well with children and their families. Children generally behave well because they understand that their good behaviour is appreciated by the childminder as she praises them and uses positive reinforcement as often as possible. The childminder promotes children's self esteem by making it clear that it is what they are doing and not they themselves that is not wanted. Children are beginning to respect the needs of others and are learning to work harmoniously. Children are secure because the childminder works closely with parents to ensure that their continuity of care is enhanced. She offers home contact books and ensures

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Helping children make a positive contribution

that parents are provided with all relevant information so that they work in partnership to promote the well-being of all children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's security and development is enhanced because the childminder has a clear sense of purpose and a commitment to continual improvement. For example, the childminder continues to undertake appropriate training such as 'speech and language development', 'reflective practice' and 'behaviour management'. She also holds an up-to-date first aid certificate so that she helps children appropriately if an accident occurs. The childminder protects children from unvetted persons by ensuring that all residents hold clear criminal records checks and she keeps a signed record of any unchecked visitors.

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Organisation

Children's safety, enjoyment, and ability to take an active part in the setting is extended by the childminder who devotes all of her time to caring for them. For example, she prepares meals the night before so that her time is not taken up in the kitchen. The childminder keeps all her

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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 records up-to-date and contributes to children's good health by ensuring that her accident, medication and existing injuries books are suitable; she also re-visits children's individual records every six months so that parents complete up-to-date information on their children on a regular basis.

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Organisation

The childminder gives high regard to making her policies and procedures work in practice in order to promote children's welfare; she respects their confidentiality by storing her documentation in a locked bureau. The childminder works well with parents in order to promote children's security by adhering to all the regulations and displaying information such as how to make a complaint clearly.

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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 the childminder was asked to increase the range of resources reflecting disabilities. She now has a number of books and also encourages children to colour in appropriate pictures. Children also play with a range of toys from the toy library's disability box. The childminder was also asked to ensure that parents give written permission each time medication is administered to children. She is now using a specified printed booklet where parents write all relevant information such as the dosage, timing and any special instructions.

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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): • undertake a daily risk assessment to include the safe storage of medicines.

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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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