Trinity Church of England/Methodist Primary School, Buckshaw Village

Inspection report for early years provision

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135860 Unique Reference Number 18 March 2008 Inspection date Anahita Aderianwalla 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 satisfactory. 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 1996. She lives with her husband and five children, three daughters aged 25, 23, and 15 years old and two sons aged 21 and 18 years old.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

They live in a house situated in a residential area, close to local amenities, shops and parks. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, as well as the first floor bathroom. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder works with an assistant, her husband. She has eight children on roll, on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean environment. Children learn about personal hygiene routines and benefit from learning about regular hand washing after using the toilet and eating. This

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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 ensures that children are protected from infection. They benefit from clean toys and equipment, as the childminder cleans the children's toys and ensures that they are safe.

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Helping children to be healthy

A sick child policy is in place that excludes children who are poorly and therefore protects others against the spread of infection. The childminder keeps written parental consent for all medications given, but is not clearly recording how much medicine is actually given and is not recording accidents clearly enough, and relies more on verbal feedback to the parent. This compromises partnership with parents if they are not informed of the details of day to day accidents and actual amounts of medication administered.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a healthy diet whilst in the care of the childminder; they eat a healthy breakfast, and lunch, consisting of fresh vegetables and fresh fruit each day. The childminder records all allergies, and dietary requirements for all children in her care. Drinks are always available to keep children's bodies hydrated and quench their thirst. Children enjoy regular exercise through regular garden play with a variety of large equipment like see saws and bikes and trikes, and visits to a variety of different parks, like Trent Park and Broomfield Park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder checks the premises and undertakes a daily risk assessment to ensure the children do not come to any harm. The children benefit from appropriate safety equipment that is used throughout the home. However, there is substantially over grown ivy all around the garden, which is hazardous, and this does not ensure the children are safe outside.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a stimulating range of suitable and safe equipment and toys which are stored adequately in the kitchen cupboard and in a store room in the garden. The childminder brings out different toys regularly, and understands the need to rotate them to ensure children stay stimulated. The childminder plans plenty of art and craft activities and games, balancing indoor and outdoor play. She is vigilant and demonstrates to pre-school children how to use scissors and knives to cut play dough effectively and safely. Resources are not all easy to access or stored in containers labelled with pictures or words to help older children to begin to recognise letters and words, but children know where most things are.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings because the childminder is vigilant on foot and pre-school children must hold hands when crossing roads. Documentation also adequately supports children's safety in the home. For example, the daily register is completed to show which children are on the premises along with their arrival and departure times. All required insurances are in place and the childminder keeps health and safety information handy for reference. Children are protected from abuse because the childminder has sufficient understanding of her role in child protection and is confident that she is able to put appropriate procedures into practice if necessary. She keeps documentation to hand, including contact numbers for the Local Children's Safe Guarding Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children's personal needs are met in a supportive and homely environment. The children learn to make shapes with play dough and they receive the help and support they need from the childminder. They learn to cooperate during the activity. Children have access to the whole ground floor. Older children can ride their bikes confidently around the home at certain times

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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 of the day. However, the younger children's play is disturbed, as the older children ride bikes into their play area. Consequently, younger children's play is interrupted as the areas for quieter play and more physical play are not clearly defined. The younger children are learning to walk with confidence and they receive praise and encouragement which helps the children’s confidence grow and helps them acquire new skills. The childminder talks to the children and asks questions and encourages them. The children’s welfare is promoted and their individual needs are met as they are comfortable and happy in the setting. The provision for children is further extended through visits to places of interest, such as the local park and trips to the Clown Town, a soft play area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children self select their toys and play with the childminder, which encourages them to participate in activities. As a result, the children are interested in what they are doing and enjoy their time in the setting. They have access to a sound range of activities and a variety of materials that helps to develop their skills and awareness.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children have access to an adequate range of books which reflect our diverse society, and the childminder does discuss different festivals and the wider world. However, younger children in her care are not included in the planning. Consequently, not all children are exposed to activities that promote different cultures and this prevents all children in her care developing an understanding of our wider world. The childminder understands the need to plan for children who may have a learning disability and/or disabilities, and understands the need to support them during routines and planned activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s self-esteem is promoted and as a result, the children are happy and confident. They often receive praise from the childminder, which helps build their self confidence. The children are well behaved. She talks to the children about being kind to one another and sharing. This is actively encouraged by the childminder, who is supportive of the children and is respectful to them. Their behaviour is managed in a positive manner, through the use of distraction, explanation and encouragement. This enables the children to feel part of the group and learn about boundaries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works well with parents to ensure that their children’s specific needs are met. For example, the childminder records information and follows the parent’s instructions. The children all benefit from continuity of care, which supports their emotional well-being. They are well informed of the complaints procedure should concerns arise and a complaints record is in place. The childminder exchanges information regularly, through feedback, about the children and an adequate system of communication ensures an effective passage of information.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has a sound regard for the well-being of all children and is adequately building upon her parenting knowledge and experience over time. The childminder has a clear sense of purpose and uses her time and resources adequately well to support children's care, learning and play. The childminder does have a clear routine in place when she and her assistant have a maximum of six children in their care. Domestic arrangements are also well organised so that she is with children throughout the day ensuring that they can participate alongside her in all the routines of the day.

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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 Most procedures work adequately in practice to promote children's health, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution, for example, all necessary parent agreements, insurances, and child details. The daily register is also accurate and up to date. However, accident records and medication records do not fully include all relevant information. This makes it unclear whether these records are being fully kept and compromises the proper sharing of certain records with parents. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection one recommendation was requested to devise a sick child policy. The childminder has devised a sick child policy, and the childminder does inform all parents to exclude sick children in her care, to prevent cross infection. This contributes to children staying healthy in the childminder's care.

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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 complaint 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 satisfactory. 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): • improve records kept for the administration of medication and accident records • ensure all hazardous plants in the garden are inaccessible to children • consider ways to define areas of play, so younger and older children can play uninterrupted • encourage all children are exposed to broad range of activities that encourage awareness of different cultures

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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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