The Acorn School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 115808 Inspection date 06 October 2005 Inspector Christine Lynne Hodge

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 outstanding. 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 1995. She lives with her husband and two daughters aged 10 and 17 years in a mid terraced three bedroomed house in Thamesmead in the Borough of Bexley. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes along with the first floor bathroom and childminder's bedroom for sleeping. The childminder may care for a maximum of five children under 8 years at any one time. She is currently minding a 2 year old child, full time and an 8 year old after school.

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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 The childminder has completed a registration course. She is a member of the Bexley Childminding Association and The National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a very clean, homely environment where they can rest and play according to their individual routine. Highly effective procedures are in place for promoting children's health and hygiene and protecting them from the spread of infection. Daily routines such as hand washing after going to the toilet and before meal times help children to learn about the importance of personal hygiene. A strict sickness policy informs parents that children who are unwell must be cared for at home. The childminder's warm and caring approach supports children's emotional wellbeing. Children enjoy lots of cuddles and snuggle up to her as they become tired. Daily trips to the park and local football field ensures that children have plenty of fresh air and provides them with lots of physical play such as playing football, running and climbing. The garden provides good opportunities for children to develop

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Helping children to be healthy

physical skills riding on bikes and playing on the slide. Indoors, they enjoy activities such as music and dancing and have access to a range of play resources that help them develop fine motor skills. Children benefit from a varied, healthy, balanced diet containing freshly cooked foods with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Sample menus are provided for parents and include a combination of foods from a variety of cultures such as English, Mexican, Chinese, Indian and Nigerian. Children are offered regular drinks through out the day. Discussion and topics help children to learn about healthy eating. The childminder ensures that she respects parent's wishes and talks to them about children's likes, dislikes, allergies and special dietary requirements. The childminder's up to date knowledge of first aid ensures that she is able to take appropriate action in the event of an accident occurring.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children can play and relax in a safe, well cared for home where all necessary safety precautions are in place. For example, safety gates prevent children's access to the stairs and kitchen. A comprehensive written, emergency plan ensures that children and adults know what to do and who to contact should the childminder become unwell. Emergency evacuation procedures are discussed with children. Furniture, equipment and play resources are in very good condition and meet the needs of the children being cared for. Toys are checked regularly for broken pieces and are stored at low level so that that children can reach them safely and easily.

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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 When out with children, the childminder has effective procedures to ensure that children are kept safe. For example, younger children are strapped into the buggy or walk on reins while older children have to hold onto the buggy or childminder's hand. She talks to children about staying safe and road safety. Children's safety and wellbeing is enhanced by the childminder's comprehensive knowledge and understanding of child protection and by the vetting of household members.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children are happy, settled and enjoy a close relationship with the childminder who has a good understanding about the developmental needs of young children. She plans a range of activities for younger children based around the Birth to Three Matters framework. Activities cover all areas of development and include music, storey time, messy, creative, imaginative and physical play. Children take great pleasure from the excellent interaction they receive from the childminder. She sits on the floor with them and joins in their play engaging them in conversation to help develop language skills. Children can choose what they want to play with from an excellent variety of age appropriate play resources which are stored in stacking boxes on low level shelves and encourage them to explore and investigate. Activities for school age children include regulated time on the play station, creative activities, projects, cooking,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

watching television and free play. During the week children benefit from a range of activities outside the home. Regular trips to the park and toddler groups ensure that they have space to run around freely and socialise with other children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children and families from all cultures and religions are welcomed into the childminder's home and are respected and valued as individuals. Children learn about diversity and disability through a good range of play resources, books, different food and activities celebrating festivals such as Diwali, Ramadan, Yom Kippur ,Christmas and Easter. The childminder has a good understanding of the different types of special educational needs and disabilities and has a positive attitude the inclusion of children with special needs. Lots of initial discussion with parents about children's likes, dislikes, routines special requirements and needs ensure that she is able to meet the children's individual needs. Children's behaviour is managed in a very positive way with consistent praise and encouragement given when children do something thing well or respond positively to something she has asked them to do. She has high but realistic expectations of

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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's behaviour and sets clear consistent boundaries so that children are familiar with the house rules. Strategies include distraction for younger children and a short period of time out with an explanation for older children Excellent relations with parents contribute significantly to children's care and wellbeing. The childminder works in partnership with parents and respects their wishes. A very effective settling in procedure ensures that she gets to know children before they start and that children are ready to separate from their parents. A parent pack containing very useful information about her provision is given to new parents. The childminder uses a contact book for keeping parents involved in their child's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from the childminder's extremely professional, committed approach to childminding. Her registration certificate and Ofsted parent poster are clearly displayed. She regularly updates her childcare knowledge through information from the National Childminding Association and Bexley Childminding Association. Children receive excellent adult support. The childminder's home and play resources are well organised so that children can feel at home, play safely and make independent choices. The daily routine is planned around children's individual needs and allows time for active, quiet and creative play. All necessary documentation and paperwork is in place and is confidentially maintained. Records include contracts, child record form, attendance, medication and accident records along with a new complaints procedure. Written policies and procedures help to promote children's safety and wellbeing.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since her last inspection the safety and wellbeing of children has been greatly improved. The childminder has updated her documentation to include written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice/treatment. Medication records include parent's written consent and the amount and time to be administered. She has become familiar with Bexley's Child Protection Guidelines.

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Improvements since the last inspection

She has invested in a number of resources which provide children with the opportunity to learn about different cultures, gender and disabilities. These include small world figures, puzzles, various dolls and books. She has also devised a parent pack for new parents which contains information about her provision along with a set of policies and procedures which contribute to children's health, care, safety and wellbeing.

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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

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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