Whitehorse Manor Infant School

Inspection report for early years provision

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136564 Unique Reference Number 25 February 2008 Inspection date Denys Rasmussen 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 1993. She lives with her partner and two adult children. The childminder's partner works as her assistant. They live in a house situated in a residential road in Beckenham. The home is accessible to local parks, shops, and schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The living room and dining room on the ground floor are used for childminding purposes. Toilet facilities are available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has an NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and Education and a Certificate in Early Years Practice at Level 4. The childminder's assistant has a diploma in Pre-School Practice.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. There are currently two nine-year-olds and one child aged under three on roll. There were no children present during the inspection.

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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. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of how children’s good health is promoted. She has systems in place to gather information from parents regarding their needs, however this is not always written in sufficient detail. She ensures that positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures are put in place when children are ill. She describes how children learn about their personal hygiene through their normal daily routines and, for example, through discussions about using tissues, washing hands and by having individual towels. She has a food hygiene certificate which means she is well aware of the regulations relating to food hygiene and safety. The childminder has a first aid certificate and requests parents written permission to seek emergency medical assistance or advice. This means accidents are dealt with appropriately. The childminder does not need to provide meals for the

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Helping children to be healthy

children presently attending but is flexible and willing to negotiate requests from the parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has taken positive steps to ensure that risks in and outside her home have been minimised, so that children can play safely. She has excellent fire safety precautions in place and explains how she helps children to learn about their own safety by helping them to practise her fire evacuation procedure. She has risk assessed her home and put measures in place to protect the children, for example a safety gate to restrict children's access, a fire blanket is available in the kitchen and the green house windows are acrylic. The premises are safe and secure and include good facilities for children to enable them to eat, rest and play in comfort. The childminder's home is made very welcoming to children through her displays of interesting artefacts and colourful mirrors. Her relaxed and supportive attitude help children feel comfortable. The furniture, equipment and toys are safe and appropriate for the needs of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children that attend and are stored to allow the children to self select and make choices in their play. The childminder has extensive knowledge and relevant experience of child protection procedures, which ensures she is well aware of her responsibility to protect the welfare of the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder talks about encouraging children’s imagination and design skills through ensuring they have the right materials, for example access to recyclable materials, craft materials and art materials. The childminder described how she engages their interest by showing them magic tricks and providing materials that they particularly request. For example, cardboard boxes to make tills. Play resources are stored to enable self selection. The childminder discussed giving the children free choice in their play and encouraging them to tidy up before they leave for school to promote their independence and self help skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a positive attitude. She demonstrated through discussion and documentation a good understanding of how to provide equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice

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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 for the children in her care. She has ensured that she has provided the children with a rich environment, with positive imagery within her play resources and has an inclusive approach. The childminder showed a sound knowledge of behaviour management, giving good examples of how she would approach a variety of situations for children of different ages. The childminder has extensive experience of working with children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She demonstrated, through discussion, a sound knowledge of working with parents to take steps that will promote the welfare and development of all children in her care. The childminder leads other services which the children in her care also attend. This means she knows the children and their parents well and is able to provide consistency of care. The childminder makes

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Helping children make a positive contribution

sure she spends time each day exchanging information with parents, and keeping them up-to-date with what children have been doing. Parents made comments such as 'She is a kind, caring and loving childminder, my child is treated as one of the family'.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is a highly experienced practitioner and demonstrates through discussion and documentation a thorough understanding of the National Standards. She is well organised, with appropriate written policies and procedures in place. She is aware of her duty to ensure that other people living on the premises are suitable to be in contact with children and has ensured that all adults have completed the relevant checks. The childminder is well qualified in childcare and education which means she has an excellent understanding of child development and how children learn. She also ensures that both herself and her assistant attend relevant training courses to keep up-to-date with current best practice. She understands the importance of working within the constraints of the condition of her registration relating to number of children and has organised space and resources to best meet the needs of the children. All the

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Organisation

required documentation is well maintained although one record lacks detail. Her childminding service is an extension of her other childcare services to enable her to provide consistency of care for the children. Overall, evidence suggests that the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to include positive images of disability within her resources and to review and regularly up date children's records with their parents. She has increased her resources to include positive images of disability which supports her anti-discriminatory practice and has ensured that the children's records are regularly reviewed with the parents to ensure she is providing appropriate 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.

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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.

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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): • improve children's records by recording any dietary requirements the child may have.

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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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