Hawkley Hall High School

Inspection report for early years provision

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138110 Unique Reference Number 19 December 2007 Inspection date Christine Stimson 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 October 1996. She works alongside her daughter, a registered childminder, who attends on a daily basis. The childminder lives with her husband in a house in Raynes Park, which is situated within walking distance of local transport links, a library, schools, a park and shops. All areas of the home are used for childminding with the exception of the downstairs office. The bedrooms on the first floor are used for children's rest. There is an fully enclosed garden, but this is not suitable for children's play; the childminder takes children out daily. The family have a dog, plus a tortoise that lives in a tank indoors.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children when working alone and a maximum of five children when working with another registered childminder. The childminders are currently caring for five children between them on a part time basis. The childminders are specialist childminders for the London Borough of Merton. Both childminders have the CACHE Level three Certificate in Childminding Practice.

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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 good. Children's health is important to the childminder and to make sure all children in her care stay healthy she has devised a sick child policy that makes it clear she will not care for children who are sick, ill or infectious. This limits the risk of infection to others. Children who have minor accidents whilst in the care of the childminder have their injuries treated effectively whether they are in the home or on an outing. This is because the childminder has a first aid qualification and takes her first aid box on outings.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a home where they learn the importance of good hygiene practice through daily routines that teach them the importance of procedures, like washing hands before meals and after using the toilet. Even young babies have their hands wiped after nappy changing, which means they are beginning to learn that this is part of the routine.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to healthy food and regular drinks. The childminder provides all the food for the children in her care and they start the day with a good breakfast followed by a light lunch that can be something on toast or a sandwich. Fruit is readily available, as are drinks of water throughout the day. Children's main meals are healthy, nutritious and provide children with a balanced diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have plenty of opportunities for physical exercise. They make regular visits to the park and local areas such as Wimbledon Common. Children practise their physical skills on playground equipment suitable for their age and stage of development and run off energy kite flying or playing ball.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a home that is clean, well maintained and organised. For example, children have space to enjoy the resources as they are kept at child height so they can self-select. The childminder's home is maintained at an adequate temperature, which makes playing on the floor with toys comfortable for children. The childminder does not use her garden for children to play in, but makes sure they are taken out each day for fresh air and exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There are plenty of resources for children to play with and these are kept in good condition by the childminder who regularly checks to ensure they are not broken or dirty. Toys are rotated to avoid children becoming bored and the range of toys spans from birth to about eight years old. Children are made aware of the importance of using toys and play equipment safely through explanation and discussion with the childminder. They are encouraged to pick up the toys before lunch and place them safely back in their boxes. The children enjoy this activity and even the youngest children are keen to help.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has taken steps to ensure children are safe whilst in her home. For example, she has made all plug sockets inaccessible to children and uses stair gates to prevent children accessing the stairs and the kitchen areas unsupervised. There is a written emergency escape plan displayed on the kitchen door and in the small lobby hallway. The childminder practises this with the children periodically, but she does not record this anywhere. Children are beginning to respond to the smoke alarm that goes off on occasions, showing they are becoming aware of its significance.

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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 Children's wellbeing is supported as the childminder has knowledge of child protection issues and knows how to proceed if she has a concern about a child in her care. The childminder has child protection guidelines available for reference, but the incident recording system that is in place is not confidentially maintained.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children receive support from the childminder to develop their independence. For example, children are encouraged to put on their own outdoor clothing and are given plenty of time for this to be achieved. The childminder is experienced, caring and provides children with a good quality of care, making sure she meets all children's individual needs. Children are provided with activities such as cooking, art and crafts, messy play and play that stimulates their imaginations. For example, using dressing up clothes in role play and interacting with programmable toys that provide stimulation, make noises and flash lights, inspiring children into action. Children have plenty of opportunities to construct, using large bricks that fit together. From these they make towers and models and use cars and play figures to bring them to life.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Regular visits are planned to local parks, farms, the library and parent/toddler groups. Here the children mix with other children, use large equipment and experience different sights and sounds in the local community. Children visit the library for story time and here they sit, listen and concentrate. Whilst children are at local parks they run and chase each other, play with kites and collect leaves, conkers, acorns and twigs which they use to make pictures when they get back to the childminder's home.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children love to make music and instruments are provided so this can be achieved. Children are confident singers and know the words to lots of songs like 'You are my sunshine' and 'Twinkle twinkle little star'. Children perform these songs to their peers and are praised by the childminder for their efforts. Children play together well, they are occupied and interested in the activities provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have opportunities to learn about diversity outside of the home as they are taken out daily within their local community; here they mix with people from different cultures. The children access some resources as an integral part of every day play, to enable them to develop a positive awareness of other races and cultures. There are books, a train set showing people with different colour skins and some books. However, there are no resources that give positive images of people with disabilities. The childminder works with her daughter, who is also a registered childminder; because of this children are well supported and their individual needs met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder encourages children to understand right from wrong and tries to make them aware of her expectations and the boundaries within her home. She does this by changing the tone of her voice if she is displeased by their actions, uses distraction with younger children and uses short periods of time out for children with understanding. Once the incident is over, the child receives a hug and it is all forgotten. The childminder encourages children to develop a positive approach to helping others. For example, children help to tidy away toys for each other and assist the childminder when she is changing babies nappies, by handing her the sacks

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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 or the wipes. Children enjoy these small tasks and are praised for being helpful. Older children are asked to set tables before meals and fetch things to assist the childminder with the younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has established professional and friendly relationships with parents. She makes sure good communication links are maintained by spending time at the beginning and end of sessions discussing their child's day and how their needs were met. Parents are very happy with the quality of care provided and to express their appreciation they have recently taken both childminders out for a Christmas meal.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her documentation well and uses it effectively to support the welfare of the children. Parents are informed about all aspects of the provision and relevant permissions are sought. For example, to take children on local outings. Children's personal details are kept up to date and stored confidentially. The childminder and her daughter work well together as a team.

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Organisation

The childminder has clear recording procedures for necessary information such as registering attendance and noting accidents that occur. However, there is no system for recording complaints and no confidential incident record system in place. The childminder has undertaken training in the past like the CACHE Level three Certificate in Childminding Practice which she completed in 2002. She is looking forward to further opportunities to undertake training in the Early Years Foundation Stage being introduced next year. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Three recommendations were made at the last inspection which have been addressed by the childminders. Standards for children’s health and safety have improved as the childminders have

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Improvements since the last inspection

ensured accident/incident/medication records are maintained in more detail with both parents' and childminders' signatures and the first aid box contents are kept well stocked. They have obtained child protection guidelines information and improved the detail of written agreements with all parents

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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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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): • increase the range of resources that promote a positive view of the wider community and increases children’s understanding of diversity • ensure that suitable systems are in place for recording complaints, in line with regulatory requirements and implement a confidential incident record

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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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