Glen Hills Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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137932 Unique Reference Number 13 December 2007 Inspection date Patricia Ann Edward 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 1983. She lives with her husband and adult daughter, in the London borough of Merton. The whole ground floor and first floor bathroom are areas of the childminder’s house used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed 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 under five part-time before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn the importance of personal hygiene due to the childminder's established routines. They are encouraged to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet in order to keep themselves clean and healthy. Children enjoy snacks that are healthy and comply with individual dietary requirements such as fresh fruit and samosas. The childminder is aware of

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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 any allergies and liaises effectively with the parents to ensure that individual dietary requirements are met. Children have their meals sitting at the table which means that the childminder is aware of the social aspect of meal times. Drinks are readily available to children at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from illness due to the childminder's effective procedures such as having a medication book in place as well as parental consents to administer medication and seek emergency treatment. The childminder has a sick child policy in place which she shares with the parents and is detailed on their contracts. This ensures they are protected from cross infections. Children have access to a safe and secure garden with suitable and age-appropriate toys and equipment which help them develop their physical skills; for example, children develop their gross motor skills as they play with wheeled toys and a slide. Children enjoy going on regular outings with the childminder such as visits to the local park to feed the birds and to attend drop-ins.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder's home is warm and welcoming and children have generous amounts of play space both indoors and outdoors. There is a wide and varied range of toys that are of good quality and are effective to meet the needs of children of all ages. These are checked for cleanliness and safety on a regular basis. There is a selection of durable furniture which are child-centred and meet the needs of babies and toddlers, such as travel cot, baby bouncer and high chairs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is well promoted as the childminder has taken positive steps to ensure that all known hazards are addressed. Indoors for example, safety gates are fitted throughout the ground floor and locks are fitted to lower kitchen cupboards. The lock on first floor bathroom door, is within children's reach and poses a risk to them of locking themselves in. Children's safety in the event of a fire is sufficiently promoted because fire fighting equipment such as fire blanket and extinguishers are situated in the kitchen area. However smoke alarms are not fitted to all floors in the home. The childminder has devised and implement a emergency evacuation plan, which is practiced with the children, however, the details are not recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of child protection issues and has current knowledge of safeguarding children procedures. She has the relevant contact details necessary to deal with any potential concerns about children's welfare

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's house. They have access to a wide range of toys and equipment which include resources for pretend play, drawing materials and construction resources. All toys and equipment are appropriately stored at child height which promotes children's independence. They can confidently choose their play materials and their choices are respected and valued. The childminder offers children ample praise and encouragement which helps them develop positive self-esteem and confidence. The childminder sits with the children and plays with them helping them develop their emerging skills, for example, the childminder sings songs to the children. The language is further developed through exploring a wide range of books, and extend their understanding as they talk about the pictures and the characters.

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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 Children develop their creativity as they participate in a wide range of creative activities, including imaginative play with dolls and other equipment. Children's artwork is displayed in the hallway and the through lounge, this enables children to see their achievements. The childminder provides appropriate levels of challenges for children. To promote children's social skills they participate in a range of activities outside of the home including regular visits to drop-ins and playgroups, where they meet and socialise with their peers.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect which helps them feel good about themselves. The childminder has an understanding of equal opportunities and a positive attitude towards diversity which ensures that all children are included in the life of the setting. She has also completed training in this area. Children learn about diversity and disability through discussions and resources such as books and dolls and wheel chair. They also learn about a range of cultures and religions, through observing the childminder in prayer and celebrating a range of festivals throughout the year, for example Christmas, Easter, Eid and Chinese New Year. This enables children to develop their understanding of the wider community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is currently not caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, however, she has experience. She has received training in this area and is a specialist minder for the local authority. Children behave well as the childminder uses ample praise and encouragement as a means of promoting positive behaviour. She uses age-appropriate techniques in managing challenging behaviour such as explanation and discussion. The childminder has an incident book in place, as required.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept well informed as the childminder exchanges verbal information with them on a daily basis. She is aware of the recent changes to regulations regarding the complaints procedure and she ensures that the contact details of the regulator are displayed, as required. There is also a logbook in place to record complaints. The childminder has written contract in place in order to form good working relationships with the parents, to ensure that children are cared for according to their parents' wishes. This ensures that individual needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy in a child friendly and caring environment. They are relaxed, settled and benefit from a well-organised home. Children receive appropriate levels of support while being encouraged to develop their independence.

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Organisation

The childminder has a good understanding of the National Standards. She has a positive attitude to training and has completed numerous training, to develop her practice. She has attended courses such as child protection awareness infection control, making it better for boys. She has also achieved National Childminding Association, quality first accreditation. The childminder maintains her paperwork well and parents have access to a number of policies and procedures; such as managing children's behaviour and equal opportunities. She has all the required documentation in place and further supporting documentation that promote good practice.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to: develop her documentation and revises the organisation of her equipment. The childminder has devised a complaints log for parents to record concerns and has obtained a parent poster, which details the regulators details. She has also devised a written sickness procedure, that is shared with them. She has also improved the organised her toys and equipment, to ensure a number are easily accessible to children.

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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 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 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): • increase the safety of the bathroom lock • ensure all floors to the home are fitted with an appropriate smoke alarms.

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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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