Priory Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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138181 Unique Reference Number 17 December 2007 Inspection date Lorna Lorraine Hall 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 satisfactory. 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 been registered since 1993. She lives with her husband and one adult child in a three bedroom house in Wimbledon. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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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 four children one of whom attends after school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local childminder drop in centre and toddler group on a regular basis.

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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 satisfactory. Children have a sound understanding of healthy eating because they engage in cooking activities. Parents provide healthy and nutritious meals and snacks for their children. In the event that parents were unsure what food to provide the childminder would share her knowledge about healthy eating with them and, where necessary, she would supplement the meals with fruits.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive a high standard of care and items for them to attend to their personal needs are easily accessible. Cross infection to the children is greatly minimised because the childminder carries antibacterial gel to use when she is out with the children. The changing mat is cleaned after each use and the childminder uses gloves when changing nappy. Accidents to the children are appropriately dealt with because the childminder has a complete first aid box. The childminder is on the waiting list to attend an approved first aid course in the near future.

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Helping children to be healthy

Effective paper work and practices are in place to ensure children receive the correct care if they are ill and need to take medication. As an extra safety measure parents receive information about the care and exclusion of children who are ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides a very clean environment and children begin to understand simple good health and hygiene practices such as when to wash their hands. The childminder ensures that the dog and cat do not pose a health risk. There is a written pet policy giving information about how the animals are cared for.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their physical skills because the childminder provides plenty of physical exercise. For example, they walk to the park and climb playground apparatus. They enjoy exercise and fresh air every day when they walk to and from the local school to collect the older children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Space is effectively organised to allow the children to move around freely and safely, they access activities from low level tables, on the floor and creative activities at the dining table. The organisation of space provides opportunity for the babies to crawl and learn to walk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children make progress in their development because they have day long access to a good selection of learning resources. Through play they learn about equality of opportunity and different roles people play in their community. The range of toys is suitable and sufficient to sustain and challenge the children in their learning.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in an environment where effective safety devises are fitted to promote their safety indoor and outdoor. Unused electric plugs are covered and through discussion children learn about road safety. Within the home, the childminder ensures that she complies with fire safety recommendations and through play children learn about the purpose of the fire engine. The childminder has a written policy and a drawing of her home showing the evacuation procedures. However, the procedure is not practised with all the children. So in an emergency some of the children would not know what to do. As an extra safety measure the childminder carries the children's details with her on outings and written policy, such as, a lost child policy further promotes the children's safety.

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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 The welfare of the children is promoted because the childminder has a good understanding of child abuse. She has suitable information to refer to should a concern arise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident, happy and contented in the childminder's home. They demonstrate good hand and eye co-ordination as they carefully play with delicate dolls house furniture. They make comparisons in their learning; they relate real life experiences during play. Their vocabulary is extended because the childminder talks to them about what they are doing and introduce new works where appropriate. Through observation and interaction, the childminder ensures that all the children spend their time purposefully. She sits with them on their level and helps them to dress and undress the dolls. They relate well with the childminder and regularly approach her for a cuddle or to sit on her lap with a book.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Learning resources are interesting and attractively laid out for the children to see at a glance what is available and to choose how they wish to spend their time. The childminder uses the Birth to three matters framework to plan and deliver a good range of meaningful learning play experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Visits to the local childminding drop in and toddler groups enable the children to socialise with other children and celebrate special days such as birthdays. They also visit the library for story time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about other customs because they are cared for in an environment that embraces other cultures. Their self esteem is promoted because they confidently talk about the make up of their families. Resources, such as, brightly coloured books show positive images of people from around the world wearing traditional dress and show how they live in other countries and cultures. Generally children enjoy meals which incorporate food from around the world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has experience of caring for children and families who have learning disabilities. Children have access to resources which reflects positive images of disabilities. The childminder is aware of the implications of caring for such children and would access individual needs before providing a service.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are generally well behaved because they are engrossed in play. The childminder knows the children well and uses suitable and appropriate methods to manage their behaviour. Written information is in place to guide the childminder in her work and to ensure consistency. Children respond positively to the childminder's good use of praise and encouragement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is a strong emphasis on working in partnership with parents. The childminder states that she has a fantastic relationship with the parents of the minded children. Time is made at the beginning and end of the day to talk to parents about the daily activities. New parents are invited to visit the childminder in her home to discuss childcare needs and to look at the policies and procedures that guide the childminder in her work. Parents give basic information about their children to ensure appropriate care. However, the childminder has not completed a written agreement with some of the parents. This means that they do not receive written information which sets out business arrangements or the childminder's routines. However, they do receive

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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 daily information about their children's well-being throughout the day. Parents receive information about Ofsted's complaint procedures.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder’s portfolio evidences her commitment to providing quality care for the children. Written policies and procedures demonstrate her understanding of the National Standards and related guidance. However, she does not have a current first aid certificate or written agreements for all children.

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Organisation

Regular meetings with other childminders and attending training when she can are some of the ways the childminder keeps up to date with changes in her field of work.

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Organisation

Children's individual needs are met because the childminder organises her day around the needs of the children. The children enjoy free and structured play several times throughout the session.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to meet two recommendations; the recommendations related to paper work. The childminder has attended a child protection course. Systems are now in place to seek permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice in their absence. The progress made has improved the outcomes for the 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.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • practise the emergency evacuation procedure with all the children • complete written agreement which sets out business arrangements and the childminder routines with all the parents

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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 • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children

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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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