Thornden School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

136715 Unique Reference Number 20 February 2008 Inspection date Rebecca Hurst Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1998. She lives with her daughter in a two bed roomed ground floor maisonette in a residential area of Bromley. Public transport, parks, schools, library, shops and pre-school facilities are all within easy walking distance.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The children are able to use the lounge for play, and sleep/rest facilities are provided in the small bedroom. There are toilet and wash hand facilities and a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The main bedroom is not used for childminding purposes.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for three children under eight years at any one time. There are currently two children under eight years on roll. However, the childminder is registered with the Bromley Mencap childminding network and provides a childminding service for children with special needs. She is currently caring for five children and young adults aged between 9 years and 21 years.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has two guinea pigs, one hamster and five tarantulas.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for by a conscientious childminder. All children are cared for with the up most of care and consideration for their individual needs. Children's health is protected as the childminder has thorough policies and procedures in place to keep them healthy. The childminder regularly undertakes training which ensures she is able to administer medication the children require for their disabilities such as rectal diazepam. This ensures the children's health and welfare is paramount. The childminder ensures her home is cleaned, items around the bathroom can be removed to be thoroughly cleaned. This is because some children have weak immune systems. This ensures the risk of cross infection is significantly reduced and protects the children from cross contamination.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a routine for the children to wash their hands and that she does not deter from this. The childminder sings to the children every time she washes their hands so the action and singing is familiar to them. The childminder ensures children receive a healthy and nutritious diet when they are in her care. Children are actively encouraged to try fruit and vegetables. The childminder works with the parents to ensure she has fruit that the children like when they are in her care. Children have a well thought out range of appropriate equipment provided to them which caters for their needs, for example non spill cups. Children are able to thrive due to the care and consideration the childminder takes when preparing meals for them, for example pureeing foods and feeding through a tube.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in physical activities that are suitable for their abilities and for their needs. The children regularly visit the local parks and play in the childminder's garden that has an abundance of resources for the children to explore. This contributes heavily towards their large muscle development. The childminder has provided lots of resources that support children's small muscle development including construction toys, play dough cutters, puzzles and craft materials. The childminder provides the children with sensory items such as a light box and sensory toys that promote children's small muscle movements and co ordination for those who are unable to participate in activities that require large muscle movements. This ensures that children's individual physical development needs are met.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The children are welcomed into a safe and child centred home. Children's self esteem is boosted as their work is displayed around the home. Children are consistently protected in the care of the childminder as she regularly undertakes risk assessments which are through and is detailed for the individual needs of the children she is caring for. The childminder carries with her on outings details of the children with their photos and their disabilities and that she is a childminder caring for these children. This ensures children are able to receive help and advice should the childminder not be able to this. All policies and procedures that keep the children safe are shared with the parents so they are aware of how the childminder safe guards the children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All toys and resources are more than adequate for the needs of the children that are using them. The childminder ensures they are substantial and checks that they are appropriate for the developmental needs of the children. The childminder is fully aware of her duties to keep children safe and ensures she undertakes regular training to keep herself updated with any

p.3

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 changes to legislation. Children are kept safe and taught road safety through the childminder signing to them with Makaton stop and look and listen for the traffic. Children are further protected as the childminder ensures there is an abundance of safety equipment such as plug sockets, fire blankets and stair gates that keeps children safe.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is strongly safeguarded as the childminder has a thorough awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse or neglect. She has devised an extremely thorough policy and procedure document that she shares with parents. This ensures that they are thoroughly aware of her role and responsibilities towards protecting children in her care and reporting any concerns that she may have.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has excellent skills she uses to communicate with all children in her care. The childminder uses Makaton to communicate to the children so they have an understanding of what she is saying to them. The childminder has symbols around the home which show the children what's in the toy boxes. These symbols also label furniture and the childminder uses them in a time line for the children so they can see what event is happening next. Children also use these symbols to indicate to the childminder when they would like a drink and what food they would like to eat.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has an abundance of resources for the children to play with. The childminder is dedicated to providing the children with resources that allow them to explore their senses and to help with their development. Children are able to explore their senses through well thought out multi sensory items such as a light box and touchy feely items. Children are able to access a piece of equipment that allows them to join in songs and stories with the childminder. The Big Mac records the childminder's voice so when she gets to a point in the song the children can push the button and it will say the part of the song that is recorded on it. This allows the children to have a sense of belonging and builds their self confidence.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder writes detailed observations on each child in her care. This allows her to see what is happening with the children. This allows the childminder to feedback to the parents on what the children have achieved and what they have participated in during the day.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children have an abundance of resources that reflect diversity and people with disabilities. All activities that are offered to the children are non discriminatory and they are non stereotypical. All children in the care of the childminder have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The childminder works closely with all outside agencies and parents to ensure the care of the children is paramount. The childminder liaises with the children's schools to ensure continuity of care for them. All children have care plans that the childminder follows and regularly feedbacks to the parents to let them know how they have been throughout the day.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

To ensure children are able to settle at the childminder's with minimal disruption, she carries out an extensive settling in process. The childminder carries out home visits to see the children in their home environment and for the children to get used to the childminder being present. The childminder will then carry out visits to the child's school. This ensures children get used

p.4

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 to the childminder in familiar surroundings. Children will then spend time at the childminder's when they are ready to attend.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works with the child's school to ensure all parties are consistent in their behavioural management strategies. The childminder regularly praises the children both verbally and through signing. The childminder talks through with the children about their negative behaviour and use visual signs to show what the children should be doing. The childminder regularly takes photos of the children participating in activities, which she makes into books for the parents to keep which shows them what the children have been doing whilst they are in the exceptional care of the childminder. Children benefit greatly from the concrete relationships that have been built between the childminder and their parents.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder provides respite care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. The care of the children is of top priority to the childminder. Children benefit as they are cared for by a qualified, vetted and extremely well organised childminder. The childminder attends regular training to ensure that she continuously improves her practice. Children benefit from the childminder's flexible attitude and her ability to respond to their spontaneous needs. The childminder has implemented a number of sensitive procedures and policies to ensure that all parents and carers are aware of all aspects of her provision. The childminder is enthusiastic with her care of the children which shows in her policies and procedures. Observations demonstrate that the childminder has worked extremely hard to develop intrinsic knowledge of individual children and this ensures that she can provide activities and resources that

p.5

Organisation

consistently meet their specific needs. Overall the setting meets the needs of the children in its care.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder has this permission in place for all of children in her care.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are outstanding. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6