Dewlish House School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

128797 Unique Reference Number 24 October 2007 Inspection date Jeannette Waring Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and two teenage children in a three bedroom house in Bromley. Children use the whole of the ground floor of the house as their play space, together with the enclosed back garden. The house is located close to the borough boundary with Lewisham and there are shops, schools, pre-schools and parks are located close by. The family have no pets.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered for the past 13 years and co-childminds with her mother who comes to the house each day, when she is needed. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children when working alone and a maximum of eight children when working with her co-childminder. Currently there are a total of seven children on roll, five of whom attend on a part-time basis.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health and wellbeing is effectively promoted by the childminder. They benefit from being cared for in a very clean and comfortable family home. They learn about the importance of good personal hygiene as the childminder reminds them to wash their hands after using the toilet and before meals.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are assured of good care in the event of an accident as the childminder routinely ensures that her first aid training is up-dated as required, and makes sure that her first aid box is well stocked. She is aware of the need to keep an accident and medication record, however, she does not always record minor bumps or bruises. The childminder does not have parents written permission for emergency medical treatment in place for every child.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have plenty of opportunities for exercise in the fresh air as they play in the childminder's garden with a range of garden toys. In addition she regularly takes children on outings to local parks. One day a week the childminder runs a toddler group in the local area and children benefit from the activities provided there.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's emotional wellbeing is supported by the childminder. She works with her co-childminder to ensure that all children are cared for in a warm and nurturing environment where they can relax and feel at home; because they work together they are able to ensure that each child has good individual attention and continuity of care is assured.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to eat healthy, well balanced meals. The childminder's co-minder takes the lead in meal preparation when they are working together but they plan menus jointly. The childminder always makes sure she discusses children's individual dietary requirements with parents and she ensures that children have free access to drinks throughout the day. Meals are provided at regular times and are relaxed, social occasions when the children and the childminder sit at the table to eat and to talk together.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and secure in the childminder's home. She has carried out a thorough risk assessment of all areas used by children and has effectively minimised all hazards; because of this children quickly become confident and gain independence as they move freely around the ground floor rooms and into the garden. Children are able to access their toys for themselves as they are provided in toys boxes in the conservatory, and they enjoy playing with the range of good quality toys and books provided. Equipment such as buggies, travel cots, high chairs and car seats ensure that young children can be cared for safely. Safety equipment such as smoke alarms, fire blankets and safety gates are all provided and appropriately positioned in order to ensure children are safe and well cared for.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is able to keep children safe from harm or neglect because she has a clear understanding of her responsibility for safeguarding children. She makes sure that she has the local authority contact numbers available to her at all times and knows how to make a referral should this be required.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are relaxed and happy; they relate well to the childminder who is kind and caring. When children arrive at the house they greet the childminder warmly and quickly settle into play, chatting happily to each other and to the childminder. The childminder spends time playing with the children; she organises activities such as painting, drawing and playdough, which the children enjoy. She plans outings in the local area, to parks, shops and to local toddler groups. When she is out and about with the youngest children she uses the time to extend their learning, for example, as they count cars or name colours.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is mindful of children's different interests and stages of development and supports them according to their needs. For example, she spends time talking and listening to the youngest children which helps to promote their language development. When caring for older children after school she makes time for them to relax and chill-out after the school day, or provides a little support and encouragement if they have homework to complete.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has an open and positive approach to equality issues and children learn to respect each other and to value their differences. The childminder talks to parents about their family background and makes sure that she is aware of each child's individual needs so that she can provide them with appropriate care. For example, by supporting children who are learning English as an additional language. Children who have disabilities or learning difficulties are welcomed and the childminder works with parents to ensure that she is able to meet each child's needs.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and older children are sociable, polite and well mannered. The childminder helps children to learn to be self-disciplined by setting clear boundaries, being consistent and giving clear explanations when children do not behave appropriately. She uses distraction and re-direction to good effect with the younger children and always allows them time to calm down if they loose control.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder builds effective partnerships with parents and the children benefit from consistent care, appropriate to their individual needs. The childminder makes sure that she spends time sharing information with parents and underpins all her arrangements with contracts and appropriate child record forms.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children benefit from being cared for by a childminder who is well organised. She has made sure that her home and her play provision is organised in a way that promotes children's independence. She plans her day around the needs of the children in her care. The childminder makes sure children have time to rest if they need it, provides meals at regular times, and allows space for children of different ages to play separately if they need to. These good arrangements help children to feel settled and secure.

p.4

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 The childminder makes sure children are protected by ensuring that all adults in the household are suitably vetted and because she works with a co-childminder continuity of care can be assured. Most documentation is completed to a good standard; children have individual files to ensure confidentiality and the childminder has good arrangements in place for the storage of all her childminding paperwork. She is aware of the need to stay within the terms of her registration and a change of conditions was agreed at this inspection.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved children's safety by making sure that she has a good awareness of the local safeguarding children procedures. This ensures that she would be able to make a referral if she had concerns about a child's safety or wellbeing.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

p.5

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • make sure that all accidents, even minor bumps and bruises, are fully recorded in the accident book, and that any injuries children sustain at home are also recorded, ensure that the records are shared with parents • make sure that parents provide written permission to seek emergency medical treatment for all children

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5