Wychall Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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132075 Unique Reference Number 12 October 2007 Inspection date Christine Stimson 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 April 1994. She lives in a house in Kingston-upon-Thames, with her husband and two adult children aged 17 and 19. The premises are located within easy access to public transport links. All areas of the home are 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 caring for three children on a part time basis. The childminder walks to take and collect children from local nurseries and she has a Montessori teaching qualification. The family have a pet cat, a rabbit and a tortoise.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have opportunities for daily exercise as the childminder takes them for walks to local venues, and they regularly visit the park to access age appropriate equipment. They are regular visitors to Richmond park where they run off energy and look out for deer and rabbits. In the

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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 childminder's garden children use a small climbing frame and slide to practise their physical skills, and in the playroom they have a small trampoline they can access at will. This supports children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Some steps are taken by the childminder to promote children's health. For example, a sick child policy has been devised and shared with parents to ensure children who are infectious do not attend. Children learn the importance of good hygiene practice whilst in the childminder's care as they are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after messy play. The childminder has a pet cat as well as a tortoise and a rabbit that is about to be re-homed. However, the cat does not receive regular worming or flea treatments and this compromises children's health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Currently all the food and snacks children have are provided by their parents, with the childminder re-heating it in accordance with their instructions. The childminder is flexible about this arrangement and is willing to provide children with meals and snacks. She ensures children receive regular drinks to avoid them becoming thirsty.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is currently updating her first aid qualification and maintains a well equipped first aid box. This means that everyday injuries are dealt with effectively. However, the childminder does not hold parent's permission to seek medical treatment and advice, resulting in a delay in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a lot of resources and lists these in a book for parents to see. All the toys and games are kept in a play room on the ground floor of the premises and this room is solely dedicated to children's activities. However, it is not well organised with resources kept in boxes, bags and baskets some of which are not easily accessible to children. This does not encourage children to self-select and become independent. The toys the children play with are in satisfactory condition with the childminder regular checking them for damage. She cleans the toys periodically, paying particular attention to baby toys and this procedure helps prevent cross infection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to the garden directly from the play room and here they can use a climbing frame, slide, sand and water. The childminder is vigilant about supervising children in this area as the garden backs onto a golf course.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has taken steps to support children's safety. For example, she has devised an evacuation plan for her home and practises this with children who are old enough to understand the importance of this procedure. Smoke alarms are in place on all floors and these are tested regularly by the childminder. There is a fire escape ladder in place on the top floor and two fire blankets are kept in the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is guarded as the childminder has attended a child protection course to enhance her knowledge. She is clear about her responsibilities relating to child protection issues and knows how to proceed should she have any concerns about a child in her care.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at the childminder's home as she plays on the floor with them. She encourages children to challenge themselves with age appropriate puzzles or encourages them to use their imaginations by providing resources to stimulate such as dolls, cars, dressing up clothes and doll's houses. The childminder does not have any written planning of activities, but does organise her day so that children can participate in quiet and active play as well as outings. For example, children go for daily walks with the childminder sometimes stopping off at the playground for some fun or occasionally visiting the library for story time.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Photos of the current children are displayed in the playroom and these show them splashing in puddles wearing Wellingtons, using the outside apparatus to practise physical skills and exploring sand and water trays, using various implements, to assist them in their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have opportunities to take part in imaginative play as there are dressing up clothes available, but these are not attractively presented. There are also home corner items and dolls, a dolls house and furniture, play figures and cars available to children to help stimulate their imaginations.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder teaches children to use baby signing and young children respond well to this giving the signs for all gone, more and please whilst having their snacks and meals. They are praised for their efforts by the childminder and this boosts children's self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has developed professional and friendly relationships with the parents she works for. A large collection of thank you cards and references from former parents are available to reassure new parents of their choice of childminder. A file provides parents with information about the setting, including a list of resources the childminder has on site, and this file also contains proof of her childcare training and qualifications. The childminder keeps a diary for every child in her care and this is exchanged with parents daily, with parents adding anything they feel the childminder needs to know. This ensures continuity of care. However, the childminder has not informed parents of the regulators details.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has many years of experience in caring for children and manages children's behaviour well. She encourages children to understand right from wrong and to take into account her expectations and boundaries by acting as a good role model and hoping they follow her example. When inappropriate behaviour is shown the childminder offers older children explanations as to why it is unacceptable and younger children are offered distraction. The childminder tries to praise children as often as possible as she feels they thrive on positive reinforcement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are treated as individuals and their needs are taken into account. Although the childminder does not currently care for any children with learning or physical difficulties she has had experience of caring for children with disabilities in the past.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have access to some resources that depict diversity as part of their everyday play. There are dolls and books that show people from different cultures and play figures representing the elderly, the infirm and the disabled. The childminder enjoys planning activities to celebrate

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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 the festival of others and children participate in art and craft activities related to these or experience some foods that have their origins in the culture being celebrated.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her records to support the welfare of children and has most documentation in place. However, she has not obtained permission from parents to seek medical treatment or advice for their children in the event of an emergency or informed parents of the regulators details. The childminder has clear recording procedures for necessary information such as registering children's attendance and noting accidents that may occur.

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Organisation

The childminder has a wide selection of resources for children but these are not organised well within the playroom, making it difficult for children to choose what they wish to play with. The childminder has a pet cat but has failed to make sure it receives regular health treatments to ensure it is safe to be in the proximity of the children.

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Organisation

The childminder updates her knowledge by attending courses which support her childminding practice. The daily routine is organised around the needs of children and offers time for relaxation as well as play activities. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two recommendations were made to improve the care for children. Since then children's health has been supported as the childminder has devised a sick child policy which she shares with parents. She has also established written agreements for all the children in her care and makes sure parents have a clear understanding of the expectations of both parties. This supports children's well being.

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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. 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):

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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 • request written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • ensure any animals on the premises are safe to be in the proximity of children and do not pose a health risk • make sure resources are accessible to children so they can make independent choices.

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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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