Castle View Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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143968 Unique Reference Number 14 February 2008 Inspection date Sandra Patricia Jeffrey 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 1995. She lives with her husband and their three children aged 20, 18 and 14 years. The family home is a three bed-roomed house with a garden, located in a residential area, close to local shops and bus routes within the Borough of Croydon.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years at any one time. There were three children on roll at the time of the inspection, two of whom were present during the inspection visit. All children attend on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children have access to the whole of the ground floor and the first floor for toileting purposes. The main play area is the dining room and the lounge is mainly used for sleeping.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has an NVQ level 2 in Childcare and Education and is currently undertaking level 3. She speaks Punjabi and Urdu as well as English. There are no family pets.

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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. Young children are cared for in a clean and welcoming environment where they learn to follow generally effective hygiene practices, including using individual paper towels for the children to dry their hands on, this reduces the risk of cross-infection. They receive good explanations to help them to understand the importance of hand washing, although one of the children's hands were not initially washed before snack time during the inspection visit. This does not consistency support the children's personal hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

The use of clear and effective polices in relation to caring for sick children ensure that the childminder acts in the children’s best interests if they are ill. Children's health is further protected because the childminder is happy, with written parental consent, to give children medication if required. The childminder also holds a valid first aid certificate; these precautions safeguard children's health and welfare. However, some of the equipment in the first aid box has exceeded the 'use before' dates and overall, there are insufficient dressings available. This does not fully promote the children's wellbeing.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy meals and snacks including lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Children were observed eating healthy snacks of wholemeal toast and a freshly prepared fruit salad during the inspection. This helps them recognise foods that are good for them and to develop good eating habits. Parental wishes are respected and the childminder has a good understanding of individual dietary requirements, this ensures that the food supplied meets the children’s individual dietary needs and wishes. Drinks of fresh water are available at all times; this ensures children do not become thirsty or dehydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children enjoy a wide range of physical activities each week, which includes attending a children's drop-in centre most days. Here they can use the large, age appropriate play equipment, such as the climbing frame for example. Children also enjoy trips to local parks and the library for story time and to use the computer. The childminder described a good understanding of the benefits of visiting other environments with the children to broaden their experiences and to ensure the children's physical developmental skills are encouraged.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a warm, welcoming and child friendly environment where they have good space to play and rest. They have a good range of appropriate toys and play resources that are safe and are made easily accessible to them. This helps the children feel at home in the setting and encourages them to make choices and decisions for themselves in their play. Close supervision by the childminder enables young children to play safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises, including the garden, are secure. A fence panel in the garden recently blew down, and whilst a temporary panel is in place, it is not a suitable long term solution. Good routines and gentle reminders help children learn about safety within the setting. Young children also benefit from a good range of safety measures, for example, socket covers are in place and a safety gate prevents children's access to the stairs. Children are taught road safety when out with the childminder and are warned that dogs may be dangerous. These precautions promote 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 Generally suitable fire safety precautions are in place including the presence of two smoke alarms, however, the fire blanket is currently stored in the hallway and not in the kitchen, as is required. This effects the childminders ability to act quickly in an emergency. Children practise the emergency evacuation procedures with the childminder on a regular basis. This helps children become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and knows how to proceed if she has concerns about a child in her care, in line with the latest government guidance. The childminder has attended training in Safeguarding Children, this supports children’s wellbeing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and confident in the childminder's home. The childminder ensures she has good knowledge of the children she cares for and has a daily routine, which enables young children to feel secure and comfortable. The childminder has attended training in the Birth to three matters framework and uses this training to provide stimulating experiences for the children, within the set daily routine. Children make themselves at home and have a warm and secure relationship with the childminder. They receive lots of affection from her and they respond well to the attention given to them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Some activities are planned in advance, such as cutting and sticking when making Valentines cards for parents. Children may also choose other toys and resources that are made easily accessible for them by the childminder who is aware that not all children may wish to take part in the same activities. The childminder uses opportunities to teach the children different colours and counting as they sing action songs. A lovely interactive session enjoyed by all. The children are interested in the activities available to them and spend time concentrating on these activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children also enjoy and learn from the wide range of additional activities that they have access to at the drop-in centre they attend on a regular basis with the childminder. They attend this centre most days to enable them to have access to messy and creative play materials that the childminder is unable to provide at home, such as sand and water. They also enjoy using the large play equipment where they can learn to climb and balance. Regular visits to the local library for story time and singing sessions are also enjoyed by the children. A varied balance of indoor and outdoor activities help children to make progress in their learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder encourages the children to make continual progress in their learning with lots of praise and by rewarding their achievements with lots of kisses and cuddles. Reward charts are also used for the older children to encourage their independent use of the toilet. The childminder demonstrated a good understanding of the importance of helping the children to feel happy and proud of their achievements. This supports their self esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Parents receive a good daily handover from the childminder who ensures that she informs them of their children's activities for the day. Written records are kept detailing sleeps, meals and drinks for babies and verbal details are shared with the parents of the older children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Individual books and photo-albums of the children enjoying various activities and including examples of their artwork are also kept for each of the children. These form a lovely memory for each child and their parents to treasure.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into the setting and are valued as individuals and treated with respect. They receive constant praise and encouragement to promote their self-esteem. This contributes to the children’s sense of wellbeing. The children have access to a good range of toys and resources that reflect people from different backgrounds and with different beliefs, including several multi-cultural dolls, books, play people and a good variety of multi-cultural musical instruments.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is a positive role model and has a positive attitude towards diversity, which encourages the children to develop a greater understanding of the community they live in and the wider world. The children are shown books portraying people from different cultures and learn about different festivals, such as Eid, Christmas and Chinese New Year. They also enjoy dressing up as part of the celebrations for Black History month. These celebrations give children opportunities to gain an insight into our multi-cultural society and helps children feel good about themselves and learn to show respect and consideration for others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are beginning to learn right from wrong and to consider other people's feelings, especially when learning to share and take turns. The childminder is calm and quietly spoken and the children respond well to her guidance. This fosters the children's emotional development. The childminder has not cared for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities but displayed a positive attitude to caring for such children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is good. Parents provide relevant information about their children to the childminder. This helps to ensure children receive individual care and attention. Regular informal discussions and the use of a dairy for the younger children ensures continuity of care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is aware of recent changes in legal requirements in relation to complaints and investigations and has provided parents with the details of the procedure to follow if they have any cause for concern about the service or the care of their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a clear understanding of her role in supporting young children in their play and learning. The children benefit from a well-organised environment where they receive good adult support which helps them feel secure and confident. The day is well-planned allowing children time for quiet and active play, and children are encouraged to sleep during the day to enable them to benefit from the wide range of activities provided.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures that she attends training on a regular basis which underpins the work she does with minded children. The childminder's knowledge of the requirements of the National Standards is demonstrated well in her extensive portfolio of documents that are shared with the parents.

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Organisation

Written policies and procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice, parents are requested to sign to confirm they have read these and agree with them. This ensures the childminder meets the needs of the children and shares relevant information with parents. Written information kept about the children is treated in a sensitive and confidential manner.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 All mandatory records are in place, confidential and very well maintained. This ensures the safe and effective organisation of the setting in order to promote children's welfare. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

During the previous inspection, several recommendations were set in order to improve the quality of the service provided. These were in relation to ensuring all adults in the home over the age of 16 years are vetted, to complete first aid training, to obtain the local Child Protection (Safeguarding Children) guidelines and the make sure the premises are safe and secure.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has ensured that all adults in the home are appropriately vetted and has attended two first aid training courses since the last inspection. She has also obtained the relevant Safeguarding Children guidance and has ensured the home is safe and secure.

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Improvements since the last inspection

These improvements enhance the safety of the children and the overall organisation of the setting.

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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 then 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): • ensure good hygiene practices are consistently in place regarding hand washing • ensure the contents of the first aid box are checked frequently and replaced as necessary • improve fire safety precautions:- ensure the fire blanket is located in the kitchen • ensure fence panel in garden is made fully safe and secure.

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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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