Highfields Primary Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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138083 Unique Reference Number 29 February 2008 Inspection date Lindsay Ann Farenden 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 1988. She lives with her husband, two adult children and two children aged eight and 14 years in Morden the London Borough of Merton. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a two pet cats, one small dog and a rabbit.

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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 and is currently minding two children under five years on a full time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends toddler groups and takes children to the local park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children play and are cared for in clean home. They learn the importance of good hygiene practice as the childminder helps them wash their hands with liquid soap after they use the toilet and before meals. The use of paper towels also reduces the risk of cross infection.

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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 Parents provide children with packed meals and to protect children’s health the childminder ensures they are stored appropriately. Children enjoy healthy snacks of a wide variety of fruits provided by the childminder. This helps them to develop healthy eating habits from a young age. The childminder takes account of the parents' wishes and records children’s dietary requirements and any allergies. Children confidently help themselves to drinks, which are kept at their level. This prevents children getting thirsty or dehydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a good range of fulfilling activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. They walk everywhere including to school. They play on slides and wheeled toys in the garden and also have opportunities to use these when they visit toddler groups. Children regularly visit parks, where they are able to use various play apparatus. This helps to develop their co-ordination and physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s health and welfare is safeguarded because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and the first aid box is very well stocked. This means the childminder is able to attend to any minor injuries that may occur. The childminder keeps a record of any accidents and medication administered. For continuity of care, this is shared with parents. To safeguard children in the event of a serious accident the childminder has obtained parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment. The sickness policy informs parents that children should not attend if they have an infectious illness in order to prevent the spread of contagious ailments to other children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a warm and welcoming home, where they have plenty of space to play and move around freely. Children access a good range of clean, well maintained toys and resources. They eagerly select what they want to play with from toys that are stored in containers at their level.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in a safe home because the childminder has taken precautions to ensure there are no hazards to them when they are present. For example, all cleaning materials and sharp objects are stored in locked cupboards and drawers. Children are also protected outside of the home because the childminder holds their hands or they wear reins when walking. Children learn about how to keep themselves safe as the childminder talks to the children about safe places to cross the road. Children are very well supervised because the childminder cares for children in areas of the house where she can observe and hear them easily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded by suitable fire equipment fitted in the home. There is a fire blanket in the kitchen and the smoke alarms are in working order. The childminder has a written fire escape plan which is practised with the children. This develops their awareness of how to leave the premises quickly and safely in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has attended child protection training and has a good understanding of the signs of abuse. She knows the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child. This gives priority to their safety and welfare.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very happy and settled in the childminder’s home. They respond well to her because she gives them lots of praise and is warm and affectionate towards them. Children use their imaginations well whilst playing with the resources. For example, dressing dolls and pretending to take them for walks in the buggy. They enjoy playing with small people figures in the play castle. They develop their hand control and they build construction resources together to make a tower.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enthusiastically select books to look at and listen intently to stories read to them by the childminder. Their interest in books is enhanced through regular visits to the library for story time and to select books to bring back to the childminder's home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s creative development is encouraged through a range of different activities, such as sticking, drawing, painting, play dough and making dens out of cardboard boxes. Children like stroking the childminder's pet animals and take turns in feeding them. This helps children to learn about caring for animals and the importance of being kind and gentle with them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children attend toddler groups on a regular basis where they have opportunities to make friends with other children and join in group singing sessions. They also access further resources and art activities at the groups, which extends their learning through play. They also attend a weekly session at the soft play centre where they jump and develop their balancing skills. Children enjoy visiting the farm where they see real animals and like to take part in feeding them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are made to feel good about themselves, as their individual needs are valued and respected. They access a range play resources which reflect diversity, which provides them with some positive images of both themselves and others. Regular outings to parks and children’s facilities introduce them to the wider community and opportunities to socialise with other children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder makes good use of contracts to invite discussions with the parents about each child’s requirements and routines. She then uses this information to promote the care that she provides for them. The childminder gives parents verbal feedback about their child’s day. This contributes to the continuity of their care. The complaints policy provides information for parents on how to make a complaint.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and play happily together. The childminder helps children to share and take turns and her use of praise contributes to children’s high levels of confidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is not currently caring for any children with special needs. Through discussion the childminder demonstrated how she would provide a fully inclusive environment, in which children’s individual developmental needs would be met to help them reach their full potential.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder dedicates her time around the children when they are present. Children have plenty of space to play and the storage of the resources is organised so they can select toys of their choice. The childminder plans her day so children have time to play in the home and go on outings where they can socialise with other children.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps all the required records and documentation for the safe and effective management of children, which includes policies and procedures. This contributes to children’s safety, health and welfare. She attends a range of training courses which keeps her up to date with current child care practices and promotes the care of the children. The childminder displays her registration certificate for parents to see. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has devised an emergency fire evacuation plan and practised it with the children. This further protects children's safety.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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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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): • extend the range of resources which reflect positive images of diversity

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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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