Emersons Green Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

150000 Unique Reference Number 25 October 2007 Inspection date Susan Mary Deadman 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 has been registered since August 2001. She lives with her partner in a house in Loudwater, Buckinghamshire, close to a range of local amenities. All rooms on the ground floor are available for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder has two cats and some fish.

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 caring for three children under the age of five years. She takes children to and collects them from Chalfont St Peters Nursery School.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder encourages children to follow good hygiene routines. Children have clear hand washing procedures as they use a small stepping stool, plenty of soap and dry their hands on individual paper towels, which they place in the bin. Effective cleaning of equipment reduces the risk of the spread of infection.

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 The childminder follows clear guidance from the Food Standards Agency and as a result keeps children's food in the refrigerator at a safe temperature. Children enjoy a social lunchtime as they sit together at the table and eat their meal. The childminder offers children healthy snacks of fresh fruit and they remain hydrated as they have drinks available to them at all times. Children have regular opportunities for physical play. They use the garden and enjoy outings to farms and parks.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children receive appropriate treatment following minor accidents as the childminder maintains a current first aid certificate and has a fully stocked first aid kit. There are effective systems in place to record the full details of accidents and medication the childminder administers.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children enjoy the welcoming environment. The home is child-centred and offers a suitable amount of play space within the lounge and kitchen diner. The play areas are attractively decorated and a good amount of equipment supports children's individual needs. For example, they each have a travel cot in which to sleep and the childminder provides age appropriate car seats.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder generally takes very good steps to minimise risks to children’s safety. She has attended risk assessment training and visually assesses the areas, which children use, although does not record the outcome. The childminder is vigilant and monitors the children to a high level. Although the lounge door is kept closed, the front door is not locked, which does not promote security.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The house and garden are safe as the childminder ensures hazardous items are out of children's reach; the fixed fireguard is in place in the lounge and a stair gate prevents access to the first floor. Children are familiar with the fire evacuation procedure, as the childminder talks to them about the need to leave the home should the alarm sound. The childminder teaches children about road safety during outings. They know to stop at the kerb and look and listen for traffic.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder promotes children's welfare and she has a very good understanding of child protection procedures. She is able to describe the possible indicators of child abuse and knows whom to contact for advice and support. The childminder has relevant documents, which support her understanding of the referral procedures. The childminder has attended child protection training, which supports her knowledge and understanding. She asks parents to sign the record of pre-existing injuries and they are aware of her duty to report any concerns.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children very much enjoy their time at the setting. They are happy in the care of the childminder and enjoy the company of others. A good variety of play equipment is easily accessible to the children. They very much enjoy completing puzzles and the childminder uses this time to extend children's learning. For example, children count with support and the childminder develops their understanding of numbers through discussion.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

During the Halloween season, children participate in a variety of related activities. They proudly show off their carved pumpkins and walk around the home clutching their cauldrons.

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 Children are relaxed in their environment and happily sing impromptu nursery rhymes. They laugh as they play with others, look at books together and enjoy dressing up. They benefit from a good range of interesting outings. For example, they attend music and rhyme sessions at the local library and use a variety of toddler groups.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder cares for children according to their individual needs. She records relevant information relating to their care, which includes dietary requirements. Children learn about differences as they celebrate a range of festivals. For example, they visit Chinese and Indian restaurants to support their learning about these cultures. The childminder's discussions with the children, increases their developing understanding of others.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave very well and the childminder has effective strategies to manage their behaviour. She provides them with simple explanations and distracts them to defuse age appropriate disputes.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder's effective partnership with their parents. The childminder shares the policies and procedures with parents who sign to knowledge the information. The complaints policy includes all the required details and there are procedures in place to enable the childminder to record any concerns. Parents are happy and confident with the care the childminder provides.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is generally very well organised and has a sound understanding of her roles and responsibilities. She maintains the required documents, which include full details on all the children, an accurate record of their daily hours of attendance and written permission for emergency medical treatment. Records are stored in secure filing boxes. However, some accident records contain the names of other children involved in the incident, which does not promote confidentiality or adhere to the childminder's written policy.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder places her certificate of registration, public liability insurance and first aid details in the entrance hall. Having the information in prominent view, reassures parents and provides them with relevant information.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder gives high priority to attending training courses to extend her skills. She is a member of local 'buddy system' and supports other registered childminders. She is part of the Network First organisation and is working towards the Diploma for Home Child Carers.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder has detailed policies and procedures covering all areas of the service, which she shares with parents in her introduction pack. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, the childminder was required to inform Ofsted of how she intended to maintain children's safety during building work. The childminder provided the required details and the work was completed to a high standard.

p.4

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 The childminder was also required to ensure children do not have access to cleaning items; fix the fire blanket in the kitchen; maintain good hygiene procedures when changing nappies and ensure resources include items which reflect positive images of difference.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder stores cleaning items out of children's reach. She has effective procedures in place to promote good hygiene standards during nappy changing. The childminder uses a changing mat, gloves and wipes. She provides a disposal unit in which to place soiled items.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

There is a good range of resources, which promote children's understanding of differences. Children have regular access to play figures with mobility aids, use dressing up outfits from other cultures and learn about various festivals.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

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): • review current safety procedures to ensure that children cannot leave the premises unsupervised • review records to ensure they maintain confidentiality.

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