Westbourne Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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125858 Unique Reference Number 18 February 2008 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 1987. She lives with her husband and two of her five children in Southborough, near Tunbridge Wells. 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 and four children out of school on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools and toddler groups. The family have two dogs and one cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the Tunbridge Wells Childminding Association and the National Childminders 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 good. The childminder ensures that children wash their hands before eating and after visiting the toilet, so that they quickly learn to understand simple, good health practices. As they undertake hygienic routines children are also maintaining good personal hygiene, such as brushing their teeth after meals. They use individual towels to help stop any germs spreading. Children are protected from infection by the childminder, who uses an anti-bacterial cleanser to wipe surfaces. She also makes sure that the dogs are fully inoculated and kept away from the children during their play. Children often take part in regular physical activity as they play in the two-tiered garden where they have a variety of toys to play with, including a play house and some balls. They also exercise as they walk to school or go on various outings, such as to the park where they stretch their limbs on the apparatus. Indoors, the childminder clears a space and joins the

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Helping children to be healthy

children in skipping, jumping and performing to action rhymes. The childminder keeps a signed record of all accidents to children. When tired, younger children usually sleep in their pushchairs, although sometimes they rest in a travel cot where the childminder always provides clean linen.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from eating healthily at the childminder's house and enjoy eating cereals or toast with fruit juice for breakfast and a range of appropriate sandwiches at lunch times. If the weather is cold then the childminder often provides something on toast with a warm drink. Children eat a cooked, sustaining meal in the evenings. The childminder provides nourishing snacks, such as fresh fruit and raw vegetables for children, but does not always provide the facilities for them to help themselves to a drink of water at any time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in child-friendly, safe and clean premises which are suitable for the purpose. They tend to play mainly in the front room but sometimes extend to the dining room, especially when using the table for activities. They do not enter the kitchen as the childminder erects a stairgate to keep the dogs in and children out. Children tend to play on the tiled patio part of the garden and the childminder usually puts up a barricade to prevent them reaching the steps. Children have free access to a wide range of resources which are well-maintained, safe and attractive. The childminder throws away any broken or damaged toys so that children do not hurt themselves on them. Sometimes children use specific equipment, such as a step stool or a seat adaptor, to help them reach the table. Children are helped to avoid accidental injury by the childminder who has a written risk assessment which she considers on a daily

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

basis, especially with regard to the patio doors and the wiring. The childminder has a range of strategies to protect children. For example, she uses stairgates appropriately, covers sockets and ensures that children cannot reach any medicines. Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder who has a good knowledge of child protection procedures and recognises any signs and symptoms of abuse. She records any existing injuries and asks visitors to sign her book so that children's welfare is protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children quickly settle and become happy in the familiar surroundings of the childminder's home. They easily find their own toys from the range on offer and often play a variety of

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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 imaginative, co-operative games. Children speak clearly and show awareness of the listener as the childminder asks them thought provoking questions, such as those regarding the weather. They also have conversations about cleaning teeth and visiting the dentist. Children think hard before answering the childminder when she asks them what cats like to eat for dinner. They then follow up on this by pretending to be cats and exploring a range of real and imagined experiences. Children are beginning to make decisions as they choose which bricks to use when building creations from the Duplo. Although children are generally encouraged to become independent sometimes the childminder also helps them achieve things in their play, such as putting stickers in the right place. Children relate well to others and play happily together; they

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

also help clear the floor when they wish to enjoy exercises such as jumping and hopping. The childminder is not displaying any pictures or posters at the children's level to help them assimilate information. She believes that young children learn through play and tries to stimulate them into communicating well and developing social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued, respected and included by the childminder, who tries to provide an environment where all children and their parents feel comfortable. Children have their individual needs met by the childminder who offers them the opportunity to grow and develop in an environment free from prejudice and discrimination. Children benefit from activities and resources which help them value diversity. For example, they choose from a range of resources such as black dolls, play people with different skin tones, and puzzles. Children have their specific needs met by the childminder who works in close partnership and liaises carefully with parents and professionals in order to establish the best way of caring for them. Children develop self-esteem as they learn to respond to appropriate expectations for their behaviour. For example, the childminder talks to children if they misbehave and encourages them to say sorry.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are secure because the childminder works closely with parents to ensure their continuity of care is enhanced. She has well written policies and procedures and liaises with parents so that their children enjoy staying at the setting. Parents are pleased with the care that the childminder gives to children and say that she is always fun, flexible and fair and provides a variety of activities and fun days out to keep children amused. The childminder has a high regard for children's welfare and keeps careful, suitable records including appropriate, written, signed agreements from parents to ensure that their children are given the best care possible.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's security and development is enhanced by the childminder who is very honest and uses her many years experience and knowledge of childcare practices to provide well for them. Children thrive in the setting because the childminder gains a deep understanding of the needs of children from the training that she attends, including courses on 'Birth to three matters', behaviour management and food hygiene regulations. Children's welfare is maintained by the childminder who ensures that all adults over 16 living on the premises hold clear criminal record checks. She contributes to children's good heath by making sure that she is up to date with current first aid procedures. Children's safety, enjoyment and ability to take an active part in the setting is enhanced by the childminder who ensures that she organises the setting so that she receives only the number of children who can comfortably be accommodated in the setting.

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Organisation

She positively supports children's care and learning by spending most of her time playing with

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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 them and ensuring that they are happy and stimulated. Children's well-being is enhanced because the childminder gives high regard to making her policies and procedures work in practice to promote children's health, safety and enjoyment. She is careful to keep her documentation stored confidentially and keeps this for the recommended length of time so that children's security is maintained. Children's continuity of care is also considered carefully by the childminder who ensures that she works closely with parents in order to keep her records up to date and help children reach their potential.

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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 ensure that children's behaviour is managed effectively, consistently and positively. At this inspection the childminder managed all children's behaviour sensitively so that they responded to her in a positive manner. She was asked to develop her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and the childminder is now clear about recognising signs and symptoms and knows the appropriate procedures to follow. The childminder was also asked to ensure that a good range of toys are available and children now help themselves to toys from a range of boxes, cupboards and shelves in the living room. The childminder has also detailed children's hours of attendance in her register and completed medication administration records as requested at the last inspection.

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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): • consider how to enable children to help themselves to a drink at any time • consider displaying relevant pictures at children's level to promote their knowledge and understanding.

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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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