Christ Church CofE Primary and Nursery Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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144521 Unique Reference Number 10 March 2008 Inspection date Amanda Gill 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 has been registered since May 1996. She lives with her husband, and three children aged 20, 16, and six years old. They live in a four-bedroom end of terrace house situated in a residential area of Chadwell Heath. The home is within walking distance of public transport, local schools, shops, parks and community resources. The whole of the property, except the master bedroom and the loft extension, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under the age of eight and she currently has six children on roll. There were three children present during inspection.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the local childminding network and the National Childminding Association(NCMA).

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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. The childminder provides children with a clean, hygienic and well organised environment in which they can play and learn. As play areas are clean and hygienically maintained they can be explored by children with little risk to their well being as there is a reduced risk of the spread of infection. The childminder is aware of appropriate exclusion times for children when they have a contagious illness and provides parents with a well written exclusion policy which she agrees with them prior to minding. The childminder is confident in her ability to deal with minor accidents or medical emergencies and has a current first aid certificate and a comprehensive first aid kit which is checked and restocked when appropriate. The childminder has good written procedures in place for recording accidents and the administering of medication. Children's good health is promoted by the use of these written records especially in the way that it is

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Helping children to be healthy

shared with parents, through verbal feedback at the end of each day. Children's good health is further enhanced as the childminder has obtained written permission from parents to allow her to seek any emergency medical advice and treatment that may be required.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are kept safe from cross infection and illness because the childminder has excellent routines and procedures in place to maintain their health and well-being. Children are encouraged to wash their hands after eating, stroking the family dog, and after using the toilet or having their nappies changed. Effective nappy changing procedures are in place and soiled nappies are placed in a separate bin outside, which means that the potential risk of cross infection has been minimised. Children's welfare is very well promoted because the daily routine is based around the needs of the children, for example, to ensure the younger children can have a sleep if they need one.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are offered a very good range of food and drinks and the childminder ensures children are provided with healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. Sample menus are given to parents, devised by the childminder, to keep them informed of the types of foods she provides. Meals and snacks include vegetables, fruit, range of cereals, toast, pasta, chicken, stir fry, potato layer bake, cous cous and salad. Children enjoy helping to prepare meals and often take part in cookery activities, such as making cakes for birthday celebrations. Mealtimes are enjoyable, social occasions used by the childminder to encourage the children to appreciate the goodness of the food provided.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children greatly benefit from a balanced routine which offers them time to rest and relax according to their own individual needs. Children enjoy indoor and outdoor physical experiences and learn how their bodies work, when they ride cars around the garden or attend music and movement sessions at the local children's centre.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe and well maintained environment. The childminder has taken steps to minimise hazards around the home, for example, using equipment, such as a safety gate to manage younger children's access to the stairs and has placed cleaning materials and sharp objects up high ensuring they are inaccessible to children. Resources are well maintained, stored in low level kitchen cupboards and the childminder regularly checks them to remove broken parts. Resources are cleaned weekly to ensure they are hygienic.

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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 There is a very detailed emergency evacuation plan in place. This is discussed with all children attending and evacuations are practised once a month. These take place at different times to ensure that all children are aware of what to do in case of an emergency. Written evaluations of every practice are used to ensure that all children are aware of how and why they must leave the premises in case of emergency. Smoke alarms are in place on all levels of the property and tested once a month during fire drill practice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards and promotes children's welfare well and has all the required procedures and documents in place. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what procedures to take if she is concerned about a child's welfare. These are discussed with parents prior to minding to ensure that they are kept well informed. She has completed a safeguarding children course and as a result she is confident in her ability to deal with any child protection concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children develop confidence and self-esteem due to the secure and caring relationships the childminder has built with them and their parents. She talks to the children enthusiastically whilst they play and they respond positively with lots of conversation appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children clearly feel good about themselves as they receive praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements. They show great interest in what they are doing as the activities provided by the childminder are varied and stimulating. For example, the children receive lots of encouragement when they match the shapes and animals in a game of snap and squeal with excitement when they play with Thomas the Tank engine and friends, pushing them around the large wooden brio train set making the sounds of trains together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and settled in the care of the childminder who has a warm and caring approach. Routines have been established which are consistent with home life. Children relate well to one another and become friends in the childminder's home. They are well supported by the childminder who encourages them to extend and develop their experiences by listening to and talking with them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to a large range of toys and resources, which they can independently access from low level cupboards in the kitchen. There is a large range of role play toys, transport, dolls, books, puzzles, board games and lots of creative activities. Children particularly enjoy making models and pretend food from play dough using a range of tools, such as scissors and rolling pins. Children have lots of opportunities to enjoy purposeful and exciting outings, such as to local parks, woods, supermarkets and local childminding support groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel greatly valued because they are treated with lots of respect. The childminder provides a meaningful range of activities and resources to promote a positive view of the wider world and increase children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. For example, the children made chapattis when celebrating Diwali and the childminder is planning to make soda bread for St Patrick's day. They have access to a selection of resources to help them learn about others in the community, including books and puzzles which reflect different cultures and needs, and dressing up clothes that depict different roles.

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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 Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder meets the children's needs well and follows their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents. Children show care and concern for each other, and they play together harmoniously. Children's behaviour is very good and they cooperate well with one another. They are very polite and show consideration for each other. The childminder encourages children to take turns and share. She uses a timer to limit time spent playing with specific toys so that all children receive a fair go. The childminder offers lots of praise and encouragement. She uses effective techniques, such as stickers and reward charts, which some parents also use at home to maintain continuity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has experience of caring for children with a disability and/or learning difficulty and there are good systems in place to support all children in her care. The childminder demonstrates a positive and realistic attitude to meeting the needs of all children. Children's needs are well met because the childminder has obtained very good information from parents about each child's individual needs and backgrounds.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is very good; the childminder offers parents excellent information about her childminding service. Daily verbal communication ensures information is shared effectively. She has devised clear and effective policies and procedures for the safe management of the provision. These are shared with parents and practices are reflective of these. This includes a complaints procedure which informs parents of how to raise a complaint, but this does not provide parents with the name, address and telephone number of the regulator.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by a very motivated and committed childminder in her safe and welcoming home. Children are well supervised by the childminder and feel at home and at ease in the well-organised environment. This means they are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning. The childminder effectively uses the policies and procedures to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. She shares them regularly with parents to keep them well informed about the service and their child's activities. This contributes to continuity in the children’s care.

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Organisation

The childminder attends regular training and plans to continue to attend more training in the future. This ensures she is able to provide appropriate care for the children she looks after. The home and daily routines are organised well to meet the individual needs of each child. Most records are in place and stored confidentially. The childminder stated that her attendance register is completed weekly and well maintained with the accurate hours of attendance. However, this was not available for the inspector to see during the inspection. This is a breach in criteria for National Standard 14 as a daily register of children being looked after should be kept on the premises at all times. However, there have been no concerns to date and this has had minimal impact on the good care the childminder provides.

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Organisation

Children benefit because the childminder has many years experience of looking after young children. 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 her last inspection the childminder was asked to complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children. The childminder has completed

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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 a valid first aid qualification and recently attended another refresher course at the beginning of March. This ensures children's health and well-being is maintained.

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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): • update the complaints procedure by providing parents with the name, address and telephone number of the regulator • ensure registers are on the premises at all times and available to see at inspection

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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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