Hollingwood Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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128618 Unique Reference Number 12 December 2007 Inspection date Claire, Alexandra Parnell 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 2000. She lives in a four bedroom house with rear garden in the Catford area of Lewisham with her three children, none of whom are aged under eight years. The childminder is a registered foster carer and currently cares for one foster children over the age of eight.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

All areas of the home are accessible to minded children, including a dedicated playroom, sitting room, kitchen and conservatory on the ground floor and four bedrooms and a bathroom/toilet on the upper floors. The home is close to local shops, parks and transport links. The childminder does not provide overnight care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a total of six children under the age of eight. Currently she cares for a total of five children; two on a full time basis and three on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding 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. Children's understanding of hygiene practices is promoted well. Children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating, after toileting and after outdoor play. They have access to running warm water, soap and facilities to dry their hands. The childminder uses good hygiene practices when changing children's nappies to prevent cross infection; such as wearing gloves and disposing of the nappy immediately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's ongoing health needs are promoted well. Accidents are recorded with details to ensure parents are given relevant information about injuries or accidents that have occurred in the childminder's care. Consent for administration of medication is sought in writing from parents. The childminder ensures that she is aware of what time the last dose of medication was administered. However, the childminder does not record the time that she administers the medication whilst the child is in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing a good understanding about healthy food and drink. The childminder provides a well balanced diet through freshly cooked meals and freshly prepared drinks for all the children. Children help themselves to a good range of healthy snacks such as fresh fruit. Drinks are easily accessible to children and are regularly replenished. The childminder ensures that she has up to date information about children's restrictions and allergies to ensure their dietary requirements are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in regular outdoor play to ensure they access fresh air and partake in physical exercise. Young children are supported well by the childminder to enable their physical skills to strengthen and develop such as allowing babies to cruise along furniture, be supported well when learning to stand and being given adequate space to crawl and explore floor space.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe and secure environment. Children are not able to leave the premises unattended due to the good security measures implemented by the childminder such as a double lock and a chain on the front door. The garden is made secure and the childminder ensures that children are always supervised when playing in the garden. Children have access to plentiful safe space within the house which is regularly checked for potential hazards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play with safe and regularly checked toys, equipment and resources. Younger children have resources selected for them and have plenty of floor space to explore in their play, where as older children choose from low level storage and shelving to promote their independence. The childminder has equipment available such as travel cots to ensure young babies cannot access small pieces of equipment that are used by older children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are developing a good understanding of keeping themselves safe. The childminder carries out a formal risk assessment to ensure all aspects of play are safe and makes recordings for all eventualities such as trips and transportation. Older children receive clear explanations about promoting younger children's safety, especially with regard to small pieces of equipment. The childminder ensures that equipment to tackle fires and routes for evacuation are checked regularly to promote children's safety.

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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 Children's welfare is promoted well through good safeguarding procedures. The childminder has a good understanding of what would cause concern such as unexplained injuries and significant changes in children's characters and behaviour. She understands the importance of recording such events and who to contact to gain advice and support regarding child protection issues. She has recently completed up to date training in safeguarding procedures within her local authority.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children chose from a good range of activities accessible to them from low level storage and shelving. Younger children have a selection of toys and resources in easy reach of their play space to ensure that they are occupied and stimulated. Older children have access to more educational activities to stretch their learning and understanding. The childminder confidently uses effective conversation and questions to extend children's knowledge by talking about colours and numbers throughout their play. The childminder uses a contact book to record the events of the day such as sleeping and eating but does not record children's developmental achievements to ensure children's ongoing development is monitored and planned for according to their developmental stage. The childminder interacts with children of all ages very successfully. When children are watching the television, she talks about what is happening and about their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

understanding. Children are seen to interact well together, even when of a different age. They acknowledge each other's play and are seen making each other laugh due to their close relationships.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individuality is celebrated and reflected well through the childminder's care. The childminder ensures children's details contains information such as language spoken at home and their religion to ensure this is reflected throughout the child's day. The childminder provides children with a plentiful range of resources that promote positive images of today's society. Therefore children positively learn about people's differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are supported well by the childminder. She has relevant experiences of caring for children with cerebral palsy and is confident to find out additional information to ensure children's particular needs are met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children receive very positive behaviour management. The childminder ensures that there is a great emphasis on recognising children's positive behaviour. She sets clear boundaries and rules to ensure children understand the difference between right and wrong. She discusses unwanted or changes in behaviour with parents to ensure consistent strategies are promoted for children at home and at the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder promotes good partnerships with parents. Parents have access to a wealth of written information such as policies and procedures that reflect the childminder's positive practice. This includes detailed information of who parents can contact if they have a concern about the care of their children. The childminder ensures that she has written consent for many aspects of care such as transport and emergency treatment. The childminder uses a contact book to communicate children's care needs with parents. Parents are openly invited into the setting at the start and end of the day to ensure they receive both verbal and written information

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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 about their child's day. Parents have longstanding relationships with the childminder, this is demonstrated through positive written comments about the childminder's care of their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by a childminder who holds relevant clearances to allow unsupervised access to children. Parents have daily sight of her registration certificate and public liability insurance to demonstrate her suitability for childminding. The childminder is also a registered foster parent and currently fosters one child over the age of eight. The childminder works with several other local childminder's for support and ensures parents are aware of the collection arrangements from nursery by other authorised people.

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Organisation

Children are very settled and familiar with the childminder's surroundings and care. Children's attendance is recorded accurately each morning and evening. Therefore clearly demonstrating exactly who she has in her care at any given time. The childminder is fully aware of her registration conditions and knows exactly how many children she can care for in total.

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Organisation

All children's details are kept safe, secure and confidential. The childminder clearly understands the importance of only sharing children's information with authorised people. Therefore children's welfare is promoted well.

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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 given two recommendations to improve childcare practice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder lacked information regarding safeguarding procedures. The childminder has updated her knowledge and training and now holds the latest safeguarding information and procedures for her local authority, therefore promoting children's welfare.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder did not have written consent to seek emergency treatment for children. The childminder now has written consent from all parents which is held within the children's recorded details.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that requires 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): • ensure all details of medication administration is recorded fully • consider recording and monitoring children's achievements in line with the Birth to three matters framework

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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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