Ridge House School

Inspection report for early years provision

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128295 Unique Reference Number 15 November 2007 Inspection date Fiona Sapler 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two teenage children in Hainault in the London Borough of Redbridge. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. The garden is not currently used for outside play.

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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 3 children under five all day and 4 children over five after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local carer/toddler group. The childminder is a member of the childminder's network and is currently studying for a Level 3 NVQ in childcare. The family has one cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment where appropriate steps are taken to maintain their good health. Children are helped to develop ways they can meet their own health needs, for instance when they use paper towels to dry their hands to minimise the risk

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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 of cross infection. A sickness policy is shared with parents to ensure they know that children who are contagious should not attend. Children are protected in the event of a serious accident or emergency because the childminder has current first aid training and parents have provided their consent to seek hospital treatment. The childminder has sufficient records relating to accidents and the administration of medication to protect the children's wellbeing. Children visit the park in good weather and regularly walk to and from school and preschool to benefit from fresh air and exercise. Children are provided with fruit, yoghurts and vegetables alongside their sandwich lunch to help them begin to understand the value of healthy eating.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children move around the home safely because the childminder has taken suitable steps to minimise risks in the home. These include fitting a stair gate in the hallway to ensure children cannot access the front door or stairs. Children understand ways that they can keep themselves safe because the childminder provides clear explanations. For example, children are reminded that they must not walk around with pencils as this could be dangerous and they could hurt themselves. Children know the procedures to follow in case of a fire as fire drills are regularly practised and recorded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children have a range of toys and resources that sufficiently meet their developmental needs. They are able to independently access the selection allowing them to make choices about their play. Small chairs and tables ensure the children sit comfortably to draw and eat.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder records existing injuries and is aware of the actions to take if she has any child protection concerns about the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled in the childminder's home. The childminder uses local groups for the children to socialise and take part in creative and imaginative play, benefiting from their time in the childminder's care. Children enjoy the activities provided in the home, such as colouring in and drawing with stencils, however there are few opportunities for them to explore and experiment. Older children are provided with time to complete their homework, supported by the childminder, who also offers them Maths and English workbooks to help develop their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about the world around them when they celebrate festivals and take part in craft activities at the groups they attend. Some play figures in the home represent people with disabilities, although there are limited planned activities, or other resources that reflect positive images of diversity to help the children's understanding of the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and a willingness to adapt the environment to ensure the children's care needs are appropriately met.

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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 behave well. The childminder talks to them about caring for each other and sharing their toys. She explains clearly why they must be kind to each other and uses explanations to help them begin to understand the house rules and right from wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for according to their parents' wishes, as they provide sufficient information to enable the childminder to provide a satisfactory level of care and to help her to get to know the children well. A selection of written statements relating to aspects of the setting, such as complaints, child protection and sickness inform the parents of the childminder's policies and their responsibilities.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder provides a caring environment for the children, ensuring their needs are satisfactorily met. She has sought to increase her knowledge by accessing a range of training courses and workshops. These include behaviour management, disability awareness and those specifically aimed at working with children under three. However, the activities provided, do not fully promote the children's development and learning in all areas. Parents provide the necessary information to contribute to consistency of care. The childminder ensures her assistant is knowledgeable about the requirements of his role and responsibility to promote the outcomes for children through discussion. Required documentation is adequately maintained. 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 last inspection a recommendation was set to ensure the childminder gained written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Children's wellbeing is protected in the event of a serious accident or emergency as appropriate consent is now in place.

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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. 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):

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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 • offer a broad range of stimulating activities that challenge the children and provide opportunities for them to explore and experiment • provide a range of resources and activities that develop the children's understanding of diversity in the wider world.

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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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