The Lincoln Manor Leas Infants School

Inspection report for early years provision

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138149 Unique Reference Number 19 December 2007 Inspection date Linda Close 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 1996. She currently has four children on roll aged between eight months and three years and six months, one child attends full-time and the other three attend part-time. At the time of this inspection two children are present aged 10 months and eight months. The childminder lives with her adult son and her mother is a regular visitor. The family home is a terraced house in Wimbledon, close to transport links, shops, a park and several schools. The whole of the ground floor is used for minding which includes a downstairs bathroom, and the spare bedroom on the first floor is used for children's rest. The adult bedrooms are not used. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder takes the children to use local resources and the park on a regular basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into a clean, tidy home environment. They can be cared for appropriately if they have an accident because the childminder has attended relevant first aid training. Medication records are kept correctly and only medication provided by parents is given to the

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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 children. The children's nappies are checked often and the nappy change procedure described is hygienic. Each child has their own clean sheets and an individual towel or wet wipes are provided to prevent cross-infection. The childminder is well informed about children's health issues and makes it clear to parents at the time of registration that children must not attend if they are unwell or infectious. High chairs are cleaned with anti-bacterial spray and floor surfaces are regularly cleaned to maintain good standards of hygiene for the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have formula milk powder provided by parents for feeds made up by the childminder. They only have meals that have been provided by their parents. The childminder sends uneaten food home with the children so that parents know exactly what their child has had each day. Children are encouraged to take drinks of water often throughout the day and they have plain healthy snacks of mashed banana, croissants or bread sticks. The childminder helps children to feed themselves and younger children are encouraged to hold their own drinks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are taken for daily walks and outings on foot or in a buggy. They often play in the local park and in good weather they can enjoy healthy outdoor play activities in the childminder's garden which is level and secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children have sufficient space to play, eat and rest in the childminder's home. The home is kept at a pleasant temperature. Security is good and children cannot leave the home unnoticed or strangers enter unobserved. Children enjoy easy access to an exceptionally good range of toys and resources that suit their age range. They can see their toys and they can choose their favourites. Toys are checked often and frequently washed or discarded if they are not in safe condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Daily checks are carried out to ensure children's safety in the home. Older children do not play with toys with small parts near the younger children to avoid the risk of choking. Children are safe in relation to fire hazards because the childminder has smoke alarms in place and a fire blanket to hand. Children have practised a fire evacuation routine with the childminder and details of this are on display. Cosmetics and cleaning materials are carefully stored so they are inaccessible to the children to promote their safety. Safety reins are always used when children are in high chairs or in the buggy which helps to avoid accidents. A safety gate prevents children from accessing the staircase and socket covers are in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded in relation to child protection issues because the childminder has attended relevant training. She is aware of the signs and symptoms that suggest ill-treatment and knows what steps to take if she has concerns for the welfare of the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder provides a generally good range of activities and play experiences for the children. Children's independence is promoted well when they are encouraged to select toys that interest them. They are also learning to hold their own drinks and to feed themselves which is a worthwhile step forward in their learning. The minded children enjoy each other's company. They eat and play together and are developing their social skills in this way. Children were observed exploring a lovely selection of toys that appeal to their senses. They eagerly handle bumpy balls and an exciting ball that lights up and makes sounds. They have an excellent

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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 selection of noisy toys to play with and through trial and error they soon find the buttons to press to activate them. The childminder provides many worthwhile activities and resources in her home and in the outdoor area at the rear of the house although no planting and growing activities are included. The childminder often takes children to local parks. She plans to take children to the drop-in group in the near future to enjoy the company of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Each child is treated with respect and their individual needs are well known to the childminder. Children have suitable toys and books that reflect diversity. They have enjoyed making firework pictures and the childminder's home is decorated attractively for Christmas but the range of celebrations and customs they look at is somewhat limited. None of the children currently on roll have learning difficulties. However, the childminder makes all children welcome and she has cared for a child with health issues in the past. In discussion she shows that she is aware of liaising with parents to share concerns and she knows it is good for the adults to work together to help children to make progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are given firm boundaries for good behaviour so that they know what is expected of them. Younger children are distracted if they want the same toy as someone else and they respond well. The childminder has a policy for behaviour management that she shares with parents at the time of registration. She also shares a file with them that includes details of her training and important items which include fees, holiday arrangements and information about how to make a complaint. Parents find out about daily activities through frequent discussions. Many parents have written complimentary notes for the childminder thanking her for the good standard of care she provides for their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder recognises her responsibility to keep children safe from non-vetted persons. She has taken appropriate steps to make the improvements that were recommended in the previous inspection report, both of which contribute to children's safety. The childminder ensures that her home is neat, clean and well organised for childminding before children arrive each day. She has attended some relevant training courses and is planning further worthwhile courses in the near future. The childminder provides a generally good range of activities for the children although those designed to help children to understand and respect diversity are somewhat limited. All documents and records are in place, ready for inspection and properly maintained to support the efficient running of the childminder's service. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Two recommendations were made at time of last inspection. The childminder agreed to request written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice. This written permission is now in place which would avoid unnecessary delays in an emergency situation. The childminder agreed to devise a confidential incident recording system and to obtain child protection information. She has a record keeping system in place should it be needed. She has attended a child protection training course and awaits new documents which she has applied for already. The steps that she has taken help to keep children safe.

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Improvements 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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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required either the childminder or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. The childminder is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents that they may 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): • plan and provide more multi cultural activities to help children to understand and accept 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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