Charter Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

148533 Unique Reference Number 07 February 2008 Inspection date Joanne Graham Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 1993. She lives with her family in Woodley, Berkshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with sleeping facilities upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parents/carer group. The family has a dog.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of children’s dietary needs and adheres to these when serving meals. She stores and prepares food supplied by parents hygienically and according to the child’s routine. This promotes children’s welfare. Children regularly enjoy a range of activities that contribute to their health and develop their physical skills. For example, walks

p.2

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 with the dog, bouncing on the trampoline in the garden and visiting the local parks. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This means she can give appropriate care if there is an accident. She records accidents with sufficient detail and ensures she obtains parental signatures. She has systems in place to record incidents, existing injuries and medication administered comprehensively. This safeguards children's wellbeing. Children play in a clean, tidy and uncluttered environment, which is a suitable temperature. The childminder ensures pet care is a priority and children’s welfare is maintained. For example, she checks the garden before the children use it and the dog is fed outside of minding hours. Children are beginning to recognise their bodily needs and indicate they are hungry and thirsty. The childminder

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

responds positively to these requests and children sit down to eat their meals.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children sleep according to their requirements and the childminder follows their routine and parental requests to support these. The childminder provides a tranquil environment to support their needs and ensures the children can access their comforters and favourite toys. There is sufficient bedding to accommodate the children who sleep in the setting and this contributes to preventing cross infections. This supports children’s wellbeing.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a safe, warm and child-friendly environment where the childminder assesses and reduces potential risks. The childminder ensures the premises are secure and persons not vetted are not left alone with the children. This safeguards their welfare. Children benefit from a good range of safety measures, for example socket covers, fire guard, alcohol and medication made inaccessible and a secure outdoor play area. However, the fire blanket is not attached according to manufacturer’s instructions. The childminder supervises the children well. She ensures the children are in hearing distance or sight at all times. Children play in a well organised environment that allows them to move around safely, with sufficient facilities. They have easy and safe access to a good range of toys and resources appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder ensures these are clean, in working order and in good repair.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are beginning to learn about keeping themselves safe. They know the house rules and adhere to these. For example, closing the conservatory door as the baby is crawling and not jumping on the furniture. The childminder ensures she uses correct car restraints when travelling in vehicles and has suitable business insurance, contributing to children’s safety. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. She is aware of signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and paperwork and documentation supports her knowledge and understanding of local procedures. All persons in the house over 16 years old have completed checks. This maintains the children’s welfare.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well and become happy and secure in the childminder’s home. The childminder encourages children to play and responds to their interests. She reacts positively to their needs. She talks to the children and mimics the baby’s sounds and gestures. She introduces extension to their play, demonstrating a good understanding of their individual developmental needs. This helps to move the children’s learning forward. Children acquire new knowledge and skills, increasing their language, cognitive and creative development well. For example, fixing the

p.3

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 train track and building different carriages. The baby enjoys the self rewarding toys, which make noises when a ring is placed on the bar. Children show an interest in what they do; they select their favourite toys from the range of appropriate resources, involve the childminder in their play and engage in activities well. They especially enjoy playing with the cars and train track.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children gain confidence and self-esteem as the childminder offers appropriate and sufficient attention and praise. She provides activities, which children can achieve and enjoy. The childminder ensures there are sufficient toys and resources to accommodate the children’s needs and preferences. Children are forming good relationships with the childminder and confidently approach her for support and comfort.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel a sense of belonging. They settle well and are self-assured, confident and comfortable in the childminder’s care. The childminder respects the children's routine and cares for their individual needs. She ensures she provides sufficient time for rest, play and nourishment. Children eat and sleep according to their own needs. This ensures they feel valued. Children’s behaviour is good. They are aware of boundaries, which the childminder consistently manages. She uses positive reinforcements and age appropriate methods to manage behaviour. Children are polite, share and take turns. Children become aware of the wider society through visits to local places of interest and accessing some resources depicting positive images. However, these are lacking variety especially with regard to promoting positive images of disabilities.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder establishes good relationships with parents; she ensures she exchanges information daily to inform parents about their child’s day and activities, through verbal discussions and written diary if requested. This contributes to ensuring the childminder follows the children’s own routines and promotes continuity of care. The childminder has an adequate knowledge of the complaints’ procedures and has details of the provider, although these are not easily accessible to parents.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well protected and cared for by the childminder who has a good knowledge and understanding of child development. The childminder attends training to update her knowledge of childcare frameworks and has high regard for children’s welfare. She has a clear sense of purpose, is aware of her role and duty, and has a commitment to provide a suitable and interesting environment for children to explore and learn. The childminder maintains ratios at all times, keeps minded numbers low and never leaves children unattended with persons not vetted. This contributes to children’s health, safety and wellbeing. The childminder displays her certificate of registration during operational hours.

p.4

Organisation

All mandatory documentation is in place and securely stored. Most contains sufficient detail, although some requires additional information. Children’s hours of attendance are recorded on the contracts, but their actual daily attendance times are not accurately recorded. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

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

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder had recommendations to continue to extend the range of resources and toys available for the children including more which reflect positive images of people with disabilities and to devise and implement a daily attendance record. All toys and resources are in storage boxes and in the conservatory which children can access easily, supporting their independence. However, these still lack resources depicting positive images of people with disabilities. The childminder has implemented a system to record children’s expected attendance. However, this information is not up to date and is not accurate to children’s actual attendance times.

p.5

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 than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • make sure the fire blanket is wall mounted according to manufacturer's instructions • increase knowledge of the complaint's procedure and ensure the regulator's details are easily accessible to parents. Further increase resources which depict positive images of disabilities • maintain children's details sufficiently and make sure children's arrival and departure times are accurately recorded.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5