St Andrew Day School

Inspection report for early years provision

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126531 Unique Reference Number 18 February 2008 Inspection date Mary Van De Peer 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 2001. She lives with her husband and family in Challock, near Ashford in Kent. Most areas of the house are used for minding children. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding two children. The childminder is able to support children with learning difficulties or disabilities. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler group. The family has a pet dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has a child care qualification. She also receives support from the Local Authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder's home is welcoming, warm and clean. Children have a very good knowledge of when they need to wash their hands, for example before eating or preparing food. The childminder is clear about not minding children when they are unwell and she ensures she shares her sick children policy with parents. This helps to prevent the spread of infectious

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 illnesses. The childminder has kept her first aid training up to date every three years. She has a well-stocked first aid kit and children's minor injuries can be treated effectively. Accident, incident and medication administration records are completed correctly when required. Children benefit from being able to play outdoors in the garden, they also go out to local parks and activity play clubs where they get plenty of exercise and fresh air. The childminder provides dressing up, role play, art, craft and cooking activities, so young children are able to use their imagination and develop new skills. The childminder provides snacks and meals, ensuring she obtains the necessary dietary information from parents. The food offered includes fruit, vegetables, pasta and potatoes. Children often help with the food preparation and they can all

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Helping children to be healthy

discuss the best ways to eat and live healthily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Although risk assessments carried out are not recorded, the childminder has clear procedures on how she keeps the children she minds safe. There are socket covers and cupboard locks in place where required. When very young children are cared for, extra measures are taken, for example safety gates fitted on the stairs. The children play mainly in the downstairs area of the house but they have to go upstairs to the toilet and to wash their hands. The children enjoy cooking and baking activities, so the childminder takes special care to ensure they cannot get near to the oven when its hot. When the childminder takes the children on outings, she has simple safety rules for everyone to follow, such as the expectation that children hold her hand or each other's hands and they all keep together. The vehicle the childminder uses to transport children has child seats, seat belts and booster seats, meeting European Safety Standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn how to keep themselves safe when out of the house and travelling. The childminder has thought through her emergency evacuation procedure and knows the actions she will take but has not practised this with minded children. She has smoke alarms on each floor and has a fire blanket located in the kitchen. The childminder has a written policy on safeguarding and protecting children from harm. She has developed a good knowledge and understanding of the procedures she will follow if she has any concerns about a child. The childminder has clear and appropriate procedures to ensure children's welfare and safety is promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children enjoy being able to make choices in their play. The play resources are stored at a low level, making it easy for them to reach. Children are encouraged by the childminder, to tidy up when they have finished playing with some of the activities. She explains to them that this helps ensure all the parts, or pieces, for example, of a puzzle, remain altogether for the next person to use. Children use tools to model and shape play-dough, recycled materials such as boxes are cut and stuck together, then painted. Mark-making resources are always available and older, more able children enjoy practising writing their name. Books, puzzles, games and role play resources, allow children to play together or on their own, as they wish. Children's skills and imagination are continuously being challenged and developed. The children enjoy socialising at a local activity play centre, where they have lunch and play with their friends.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They visit local parks and walk to and from the local schools. The childminder ensures they benefit from plenty of fresh air and exercise, as well as inter-acting with their peers.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder ensures she obtains relevant information about each child from their parents, such as allergies, likes, dislikes and favourite activities. This helps her provide appropriate care for children and meet their individual needs. Children are able to learn about the differences in people, by being able to play with small world figures and look at books showing positive images of other cultures and disabilities. Although the childminder has not minded many children with learning difficulties or disabilities, she has a positive attitude towards the type of care they may need. The children's behaviour is good and they play well together, sharing and taking turns. When the childminder asks them to wash their hands before eating, they all go upstairs happily and carry out this task. The childminder uses simple strategies, such as distraction and praise, to ensure children's behaviour is managed fairly and effectively. The

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder has a written service statement, as well as several policies and procedures, including complaints and behaviour management. Although parents do not receive their own copies, she shares these with them. Parents complete child record forms and contracts. They discuss their children's achievements and progress when they pick them up from the childminder. This helps towards children's continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children's well-being and welfare is very important to the childminder. Children feel at home and comfortable within the relaxed environment. They are provided with a good level of care for their age and stage of development. Children display confidence and are happy in their play. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of her role and responsibilities. She achieved an NAMCW certificate a few years ago and has many years of child care experience. She has also attended several child care workshops. The childminder is currently studying for a Diploma in Home-Based Child Caring, working towards updating her old qualification. Her Ofsted certificate is displayed clearly for parents and visitors to view. All persons over the age of 16 years in the household have been vetted. The childminder has a good selection of written policies and procedures in place. All the required paperwork is in place and is recorded

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Organisation

confidentially and stored securely. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder had a recommendation arising from her last inspection. This was for her to update and develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. The childminder has been pro-active in obtaining different publications referring to the safeguarding and protection of children. She intends to enrol on the next available Safeguarding Children training course. Children's welfare and safety is protected.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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 discussing an evacuation procedure with minded children, so they can learn how to keep themselves safe in an emergency

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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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