The Pilgrim School (A Church of England Primary With Nursery)

Inspection report for early years provision

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143832 Unique Reference Number 07 January 2008 Inspection date June Fielden 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 was registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 and 17 in the London Borough of Lambeth. The whole of the downstairs of the childminder's house and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding. 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 three children at any one time and is currently minding two children after school and during school holidays. She walks to the shops and parks, and collects children from the local school.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming and friendly environment. Sick children are excluded in order to protect others from infection, and the childminder's accident and medication records are suitably completed. Overall, systems are in place to promote children's health. The childminder practices sound hygiene routines which include ensuring children wash their hands

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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 when they use the toilet and before they eat. However, the childminder has not obtained written permission from parents for the emergency medical treatment of children, or maintained a current first aid certificate, which is a required qualification, and impacts on children's welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Drinks are always available to children to ensure they are not thirsty. Parents provide their own meals for children and the childminder monitors what they eat, to ensure they have a healthy diet. The childminder has an appropriate understanding of healthy eating and children are offered nutritious snacks of fruit. They are provided with suitable opportunities to exercise, as they play with the equipment provided in the childminder's garden and are taken on walks to the local shops and parks. Children rest on the settee if they are tired, and there is a travel cot available for young children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's work is displayed on the windows of the conservatory where they play, making the room bright and cheerful for them. There is a wide range of toys and equipment that is appropriate for all children's need. Resources are stored in a manner that makes them easily accessible to children. They move around freely throughout the downstairs of the childminder's home, choosing what they wish to play with.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Effective measures are in place to ensure children's safety. The childminder has an emergency escape plan which she practises with children. She regularly carries out risk assessments and broken toys are discarded. Socket covers are fitted, and all low level glass has been made safe. When the childminder takes children on outings she ensures that they hold hands when crossing roads and do not run ahead of her. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and is aware of how to report her concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are provided with stimulating play opportunities. They are given interesting toys and games to use, including ones that speak to them and make different sounds. Children are encouraged to write their own shopping lists for cookery activities and accompany the childminder to the shop to buy the ingredients they need. She assists them with their writing and gives children clues to help them with the spellings. The childminder shows older children how to use the index in the cookery book, and lets them find the recipe they need for themselves. She talks about the different ingredients in the recipes to raise children's awareness of healthy eating. The childminder plays games that involve counting with the children to develop their number skills. She helps children with their homework if parents wish her to assist them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are all treated with equal concern by the childminder, and are offered the same rewards. She liaises with parents to find out about children's individual requirements, such as their need for comforters. The childminder has effective resources to promote children's understanding of diversity. She celebrates festivals from other cultures with them, preparing activities linked to these for children to complete. The childminder does not currently have any children with

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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 learning difficulties and disabilities on roll, but has a good understanding of how to meet their needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents have the opportunity to talk to the childminder about their child’s progress at the beginning and end of the day. Each evening she discusses with parents everything that their child has done during the day. Letters of reference from previous parents show that they are pleased with the quality of care provided by the childminder. Parents have been informed of the complaints procedure, and are aware of how any concerns raised will be handled by the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder calmly resolves disputes that arise between children before they develop into arguments. She uses efficient strategies to manage children's behaviour, including distraction and telling them why something they have done is wrong. The childminder promotes positive behaviour by praise, as she always lets children know how well they are doing.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's safety is assured when visitors are present, as the childminder remains with children at all times. She has consulted with parents about the care of their child in the event of an emergency and has an arrangement with another childminder to provide cover for her. The childminder's attendance register is suitably completed, and children's times of arrival and departure are recorded. She regularly updates her records on children and ensures that they are stored securely in order to maintain confidentiality. Children's records are shared with a child's parents on request. The childminder's certificate of registration is on display, to make parents aware of the conditions under which she operates. However, she has not attended any training since her last inspection in order to update her knowledge of first aid. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last care inspection recommended that the childminder complete further training relating to childminding. She has currently been unable to undertake any further training due to family commitments. A recommendation has been made on the current report for the childminder to renew her first aid training.

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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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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 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): • obtain written permission for the emergency medical treatment of children • obtain an appropriate first aid certificate

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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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