Dartford Grammar School

Inspection report for early years provision

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136359 Unique Reference Number 05 March 2008 Inspection date Beverley Blackburn 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 is an experienced carer of some years, having registered in 1996. She lives with her husband and two sons aged fifteen and twelve years in a two bedroom terraced house in the Bradley Stoke area of South Gloucestershire. The family have no household pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor of the premises is used for childminding, which includes the front lounge and the kitchen/diner. The large second bedroom on the first floor is used as an additional play area for children to access, as well as for cot sleeping purposes, with the family bathroom providing changing and toileting facilities. There is an enclosed rear garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, and is currently minding three children on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives within easy distance of a primary school, pre-school groups and a range of community facilities. She takes children to local parks, which have equipment for both younger and older children, and also visits a leisure centre with soft play equipment. She owns a vehicle and uses her car to transport children to and from school, as well as for occasional trips around the surrounding areas.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and secure environment, where they are helped to understand the importance of good hygiene practices and personal care through the daily routine. Children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after visiting the toilet. This helps to prevent the risk of cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular drinks during the day. They are provided with healthy snacks which includes fruits. Meals that are provided by the parents are appropriately stored in the fridge and suitably prepared for the children at lunch time. The childminder takes account of the parents' wishes and is aware of children with special dietary needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of activities, which contribute to their good health. They benefit from a range of physical activities that includes the use of the garden and visits to the local park. Children are helped to control their bodies and improve their physical skills as they participate in outdoor activities. They can rest and be active according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. All accidents are recorded with details about the injury, which parents are made aware of. A sick children's policy is in place and parents are requested to keep children at home if they are not well, to help prevent the spread of illness.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a secure environment, they can move around safely without restriction, to independently access the available resources. They play happily under the supervision of the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from the childminder taking suitable steps to ensure the safety of the children in her care. She has sufficient awareness of safety inside and outside of the home, for example, ensuring proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents, hazardous substances are inaccessible; and children are always within sight and hearing of her.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children develop a sound understanding of how to keep themselves safe on outings by the childminder ensuring they are fully aware of how to be safe on the road. There is an emergency evacuation procedure in place; however, the childminder does not practise the emergency escape plan with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder’s secure understanding of child protection issues promotes and safeguards the children’s welfare. She is aware of the importance to keep accurate records of any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have access to a suitable range of activities, which contribute to their development and learning and provide challenges suitable to their age and development. Children become independent as they choose from a variety of toys, books, puzzles and activities. There is flexibility in the availability of the activities, which the childminder provides according to the needs of the children. The childminder has a sound understanding of child development, which

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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 helps in meeting the children’s individual needs and building their confidence and self-esteem. Children's needs are effectively met through the childminder’s appropriate interaction. She interacts well with them and gives lots of encouragement and praise that helps to develop their self-confidence. Children are settled and confident with a sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel at ease in a secure and homely environment. They have access to some resources that promotes a positive view of the wider world, such as books and a few toys. This helps in increasing the children’s awareness of others and their differences and similarities. Children learn about their local community as they visit places such as the local park and leisure centre for soft play. Children can independently select toys from a suitable range of activities suitable for both boys and girls.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is aware of children with learning difficulties and or physical disabilities and if required, would work with the parents and others to provide appropriate care to meet the children's individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are familiar with every day routines and understand what is right from wrong. Children are encouraged to apologise to each other when they have done wrong. The childminder uses appropriate strategies for managing children’s behaviour, to encourage positive behaviour in children. The childminder would work with the parent if dealing with challenging behaviour to ensure consistency. Children's individual needs are met through the childminder working effectively with the parents. She keeps them informed through regular feedback; this contributes to continuity in the children’s care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children benefit from the childminder having a suitable understanding of child development. However, this could be developed further by attending training courses to increase her knowledge in order to support the children's learning. Children's safety is maintained as a result of an appropriately organised setting with sufficient space. Children benefit from the childminder maintaining an appropriate child to adult ratio, which ensures they are suitably cared for. The childminder’s documents are suitably organised and all the required policies and procedures are in place and are used effectively to promote the welfare of the children. However, it was observed the childminder occasionally records the arrival times, (contracted time), of the children before they actually arrive. The children are settled and happy with the childminder.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure that children have an appropriate range of resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, to ensure that confidentiality is maintained when completing accident reports, to ensure that suitable equipment is made readily available to meet the sleeping needs of babies and young children and ensure that the first aid box is maintained appropriately and that the contents are checked frequently and replaced as necessary. The childminder has improved the range of resources available to promote cultural diversity, however, she needs to continue to increase the resources. There are now individual forms to record accidents, which ensure confidentiality.

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Improvements 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 There is a suitable first aid box in place, which is appropriately checked as required. The childminder has a travel cot in place to ensure babies and young children's sleeping needs are met.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 the 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 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): • ensure the emergency evacuation procedure is practised with the children • ensure the children's attendance is consistently recorded at the actual time they arrive and not the contracted time to ensure children's safety is maintained • improve knowledge of child development by attending relevant training courses in order to support the children's learning

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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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