Mullion School

Inspection report for early years provision

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143993 Unique Reference Number 23 November 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 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 lives with her partner in a two bedroom flat on the first floor of a low rise building in a residential road in Clapham. The flat is located a short walk from Clapham North underground station. The local authority is Lambeth.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are two children present at the time of this inspection age seven months and two years and they are minded every weekday. There are two other children on roll who are minded part-time. Minded children range in age from seven months to eight years. The childminder is willing to collect children from local schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Child minding takes place in the lounge and one of the bedrooms which has been converted into a play room. Children take their meals in the dining room/kitchen where they are supervised at all times. Bathroom and toilet facilities are on the same floor.

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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 are cared for in a pleasant home environment where standards of hygiene are very good. Children have separate hand towels, bedding and toothbrushes which helps to prevent cross-infection. The childminder and the children wash their hands together before eating and after using the toilet and the childminder talks about it with the children so that they learn about good hygiene from an early age. Parents are made aware at the time of registration that their children must not attend if they are unwell which prevents the unnecessary spread of infection. Medication is recorded and accident information is shared with parents. The childminder has attended relevant first aid training in the past which helps her to care for children appropriately if they have an accident. However, her training has not been updated recently because the course she planned to attend was cancelled. Parents have given written

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Helping children to be healthy

permission for all but one child to receive emergency medical treatment or advice which risks delay in an emergency situation.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is well informed about healthy eating. She is happy to provide well balanced meals based on fresh ingredients or parents can provide meals if they prefer. Children enjoy fresh fruit snacks and frequent drinks of water or diluted sugar-free fruit drinks.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities for energetic play and exercise. Children walk over the park to attend the childminder drop-in where they play games and enjoy play with wheeled toys. They also walk over the park to meet older children from school. A large shared garden behind the childminder's home provides ample space for games in dry weather.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed into a warm, secure home environment. There is sufficient space for children to play, eat and rest in comfort. Children have a dedicated playroom with suitable resources and a good range of toys that suit their age and stage of development. Younger children sleep safely in a large travel cot with clean sheets provided for each child. Older children rest on clean covers on a bed or on the settee in the lounge.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe in the childminder's home because she makes daily checks before they arrive. She ensures that there are no small objects for crawling babies to find and no sharp or unsuitable items left accessible to children. Smoke alarms are in place and a fire blanket is to hand if required. Cleaning materials are stored where they are inaccessible to children and cosmetics are kept out of their reach.

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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 is well informed. She knows what signs or symptoms suggest ill-treatment and will take prompt steps to notify the appropriate agencies if she has concerns for the welfare of the children in her care.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy an appropriate range of activities and play experiences at the childminder's home and they enjoy regular outings. The childminder shows her experience in the care of children when she recognises their need for sleep at times that suit each one of them. She cuddles and comforts them when they wake up and they soon begin to explore suitable toys that are offered to them. Toddlers are provided with suitably stimulating activities. They make wooden puzzles with the childminder and they enjoy the praise they receive for their efforts. The childminder interacts well with the children. She speaks clearly to them to help them learn new words including colour words and the names of animals. The children are co-operative about potty training because the childminder is patient but persistant. They develop their social skills through play with other children at the local drop-in groups. The learn about the world

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

around them on their daily walks across the parkland nearby.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Every child is treated with kindness and respect at the childminder's home. They learn to play fairly and take care not to hurt each other. Children are part of a diverse group at the toddler drop-in which helps them to accept a range of children and adults. They enjoy multi-cultural activities together and the childminder supports their learning with a range of toys and books that reflect diversity. She asks parents to share useful information with her about children's dietary needs and any health issues. The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties. In discussion she shows that she is well aware of children's individual needs and is happy to work with parents and outside agencies to assist the children in their development and progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children respond well to the childminder in relation to behaviour management. They know what is expected of them because the childminder explains simple house rules including not bouncing on beds or furniture. Children are easily distracted if they both want the same toy. They enjoy praise when they are helpful and in this way they learn to gain attention for good reasons.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents and carers are welcomed into the childminder's home daily to share news about the children. They are given useful information about the childminder's service at the time of registration and they are informed about the appropriate steps to take if they have a concern or a complaint. Parents sign contracts and give most of the appropriate written permissions for most children apart from a very small number of children who are minded on a very occasional basis. The childminder has minded these children in the past and she remembers important details about their individual needs although she does not have this information in writing which does not meet requirements.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder is aware that it is her responsibility to ensure that non-vetted persons do not have access to the children. Registers show that the childminder always works within the constraints of her registration. She organises her home and her time well so that the children can play in comfort and they can enjoy a good range of activities and outings. The childminder is not always sufficiently active in her pursuit of training. Most of the required records and

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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 documents are in place for most children to promote 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

At the time of the last inspection one recommendation for improvement was made. The childminder agreed to develop a range of play materials that reflect positive images of race, gender and disability. She has an appropriate range of toys and books that reflect diversity to help children to accept and respect each other.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the childminder or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. The childminder is required to have procedures for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents and to keep a record of complaints and their outcome.

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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): • attend relevant first aid training • obtain written parental permission for emergency medical treatment or advice for every child minded • ensure that documents and records are kept for all minded children including those minded on an irregular basis.

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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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