Fosse Mead Primary Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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148391 Unique Reference Number 27 February 2008 Inspection date Susan Mary Deadman 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 1999. She lives with her husband and four children in Woodley, Reading in Berkshire. Her children are 14, 12, 10 and three years of age. All areas of the home are registered for childminding. A rear garden is available 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. There are four children on roll, one of whom is under eight years of age. The childminder walks or drives to local schools and nurseries to take and collect children. The family have one dog, cat, rabbit and hamster as family pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has good procedures in place in relation to the recording of accidents and sharing information with parents. She has a valid first aid certificate and the first aid box contains the required items. The childminder does not gain parents' prior written permission to administer medication, which is a breach of regulations. However, she does record other

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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 relevant details such as the date, name of medication and time administered. Parents sign this record after the event.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents provide the main food for their children, which the childminder stores appropriately. She promotes children's understanding of healthy eating as snacks she provides are nutritious. The childminder maintains children’s hydration as she ensures their drinks are always in easy access.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder cares for children in a clean and tidy home with good hygiene procedures in place. For example, when changing nappies she uses a changing mat and gloves. Family pets receive the appropriate health care, to ensure they are safe to be in close proximity of the children. Children benefit from the daily routines such as dog walking, which provides them with regular fresh air.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the availability of a good amount of play space. The childminder has resources in the home to provide for the needs of the children. For example, children eat in the kitchen at child size tables and chairs. When caring for younger children the childminder uses a travel cot, buggy, high chair and baby monitor.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are generally safe and secure, however, there are safety issues. Although the childminder supervises children in the kitchen, she stores several cleaning items in a low accessible cupboard, which does not promote children's safety. The garden poses a hazard to children, the main being the very large splash pool at the end of the garden, although the childminder remains with children when using this area and the splash pool is not used when children are present.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Although there is a smoke alarm by the stairs there is not one situated on each level of the home. A fire blanket is in position in the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder safeguards children’s welfare and she has a clear understanding of her responsibilities in relation to child protection issues. The written child protection procedure describes to parents the childminder's role and records the need to inform the appropriate agencies should she have any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are generally happy and settle well in the attractive environment. They enjoy playing together and laugh as they potter about amusing themselves. The childminder speaks to children warmly, encouraging their comical antics and praising their achievements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have a busy day with school runs, shopping and toddler groups. They benefit from independent access to a suitable range of age appropriate play equipment, although the childminder does not plan specifically for individual children in mind.

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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 satisfactory. The childminder has a generally good partnership with parents. She maintains records relating to children's names, dates of birth, ethnicity and emergency contact details. The childminder gains written permission from parents for outings, car travel and the seeking of emergency medical treatment. She shares her complaints procedure with parents however, she is not confident in her knowledge relating to the sharing of information. The complaints procedure contains the telephone number of OFSTED, although not the address. The childminder makes parents aware of all her policies and procedures and they sign the record to acknowledge receiving this information.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and the childminder has age appropriate strategies in place to promote their positive behaviour. She uses praise and distraction and describes how she talks to children about any issues, which supports their understanding of right and wrong.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder generally supports the care and welfare of children as she adheres to a good range of policies and procedures. These include accident and emergency and working with parents. The sickness policy minimises the spread of infection as she adheres to the exclusion period.

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Organisation

With the exception of medication records, the childminder adheres to requirements relating to record-keeping. She maintains an accurate record of children's daily attendance. She organises her records to maintain confidentiality. The childminder develops her knowledge and understanding through additional training. 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 previous inspection, the childminder was required to review resources to include positive images of diversity, to review safety inside and outside the home and to update documentation.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has some books, which show positive images of differences. She has reviewed her record keeping and clearly identifies the times of children's arrival and departure. She has written permission from parents to photograph children and there are procedures in place to gain their written permission prior to children using the trampoline.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, a cleaning liquid was at low level in the bathroom, although the childminder was not caring for children at the time. The childminder has rectified this. However, she is now required to review the safety procedures in relation to the kitchen. The splash pool in the garden was not present at the previous inspection and is now part of the new recommendation.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the previous 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

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 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): • ensure there are procedures in place to gain parents written permission prior to administering medication • complete written risk assessments to identify the steps taken to minimise children's access to hazards with particular regard to the garden, cleaning items in the kitchen and the location of smoke alarms • plan a wide range of activities to promote children's all-round development • devise systems to implement the confidential sharing of any complaints and provide parents with the contact address of OFSTED as the regulators of childcare.

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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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