Sir Alexander Fleming Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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132086 Unique Reference Number 22 January 2008 Inspection date Coral Hales 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 1993. She lives with her two daughters aged 17 and 19 in Kingston-upon-Thames. Childminding takes place generally on the ground floor and the bathroom is on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed front garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children and is currently caring for three children under five during the day. She walks to local pre-schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

family has a tortoise, a lovebird and some rabbits.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and maintained family home where effective health and hygiene practices are followed. They are well protected because the childminder has a suitable knowledge and a good understanding of how to meet their needs if they are unwell. For example,

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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 during the inspection she very effectively supported a young child who was showing signs of being unwell. She was given lots of lovely cuddles and gentle encouragement to eat her favourite blueberries as she was unwilling to eat any lunch. Children's needs are met well as home routines are followed, for example, the child quickly settled down for her regular sleep after lunch surrounded by her favourite comfort blankets.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished and are provided with snacks and drinks regularly throughout the day, for example, they have their own cups and these are left out so that they can access them freely. Snacks offered are nutritious, for example, fresh fruit and these encourage children to develop a healthy diet. Home cooked meals are provided as requested and during the inspection spaghetti bolognaise was offered to the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise. Regular walks to the pre-school and local amenities for example, where they love to feed the ducks and use the park. This encourages their enjoyment of being outside and allows them to develop new physical skills as they play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is well maintained as the childminder has a generally good understanding of how to keep them safe. For example, fireguards and safety gates are used appropriately and a fire blanket is sited in the kitchen. The children have taken part in emergency evacuations, however, times and any issues or hazards identified are not recorded to ensure that children can safely exit at all times. They begin to learn about taking care of themselves when out in the community because the childminder is teaching them simple road-side practices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children select from a suitable range of safe and appropriate toys. These are set out for the children to enjoy all around the lounge. The range, choices and quality of the resources and toys for the children is good and reflects the ages of the children cared for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected because the childminder has a good working knowledge of child protection issues and is aware of her responsibilities for their welfare. Appropriate information relating to Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance is in place and relevant emergency contact details are kept.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are happy and settled with the childminder and have developed caring and secure relationships. They are becoming confident in their surroundings and move happily around the different areas. The childminder has the Birth to three matters framework which she uses as a point of reference to support her knowledge of the children under three. She has a very caring manner with the children and they are learning through her positive interaction and through the play opportunities provided for them. They sit together building with bricks and rings, reading stories and cuddling up to watch favourite television programmes. Activities are planned for the older children for example, they collect leaves and bark when out walking with all the children and enjoy making pictures with them when they return. The childminder spends lots of time promoting and extending children's learning through discussion and by looking at

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

books. They make visits out into the community to for example, take items to the recycling bins. This develops their knowledge of the local environment and broadens their experiences.

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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 good. Children's sense of belonging is fostered through the warm, welcoming and homely atmosphere and they respond well to the childminder who is caring and enjoys spending time with them. Their needs are met well because she liaises closely with the parents and they are cared for in accordance with their wishes. Any special requirements are discussed and the childminder has a practical awareness of how to include and appropriately care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have many opportunities to explore and learn about their local environment. They begin to learn about the wider world through access to resources that promote positive images of diversity, for example, books and small world toys. However these are limited. Children's behaviour is managed well. The childminder discusses issues with the older children to help them to understand the boundaries of acceptable behaviour. Positive emphasis is placed on the children sharing and taking turns. The childminder is calm and sensitive to the children's needs and continually offers them praise and encouragement for their achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good relationships with her parents and they are kept generally well informed. A complaints system is in place; however, the childminder does not have a secure understanding of the new guidance issued and therefore parents are not fully informed. She talks to parent's on a daily basis to tell them about their child's day and to ensure that any additional information is shared. Contracts of agreement are established and all relevant details are recorded as required.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The premises are organised to meet the needs of the children who are settled and move around safely, with independence whilst being effectively supervised. Regular routines give them a sense of time and this ensures that they experience stability throughout the day.

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Organisation

The childminder has a generally organised approach to record keeping and most required documentation is in place. These are accessible and effectively stored to maintain confidentiality. This ensures she takes all reasonable steps to promote the children's care and development effectively. Overall, the provider 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 agreed to ensure that all forms relating to her assistant were returned and that she provide evidence of her own driving documents. These recommendations have been fully met and this ensures that information is in place to ensure all are well informed. The garden has been tidied and will be monitored to ensure it remains safe for children to use.

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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 written 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): • develop knowledge and understanding of the new complaints guidance and ensure parents are kept informed • ensure that when emergency evacuations are practised that details are recorded including any hazards identified to maintain children's safety at all times.

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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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