Marles Hill Centre (KS3) C O Personalised Curriculum Support and Service

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 129175 Inspection date 19 December 2005 Inspector Gail Groves

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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 good. 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 registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and six in Hatfield, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house and one bedroom upstairs is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five all day, three children under five on a part time basis and two children over five after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and

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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 toddler group, takes children to the local library and to the local park. The family has a pet cat. The childminder supports children with English as an additional language.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder holds a Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene and is careful to use current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures to protect children from infection. For example, children have their own colour coded face cloths and towels. Also, hygienic nappy changing routines, which prevent the risk of cross infection, are always consistently carried out. Children learn simple, good health and hygiene practices, such as washing their hands after using the toilet and before eating or cooking, which help them to develop good hygiene routines in later life. Written notices in the toilet remind older children of the need to wash their hands when they have finished. Children are well nourished because they enjoy carefully planned meals and snacks which meet their dietary needs and preferences. They learn about healthy eating through discussions as they shop, cook

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Helping children to be healthy

and eat with the childminder. Children have regular opportunities to enjoy physical activity and fresh air as they walk to and from school, visit the park and play in the garden. They use resources such as bikes, scooters, slides, swings and climbing frames and have opportunities to dance and enjoy movement to music sessions. Consequently their motor skills are well supported and extended and they learn to develop healthy lifestyles. Children's daily routines allow for them to rest and sleep according to their needs and quiet times are built into the day for all children so that they do not become overtired and unable to enjoy the play opportunities provided for them. The childminder keeps a record of any medication she administers to children but she does not ask for written parental permission to administer each course of treatment. Because verbal information on its own is open to confusion this could lead

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Helping children to be healthy

to incorrect treatment being given by the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a stimulating, secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment in which the risks to their safety have been minimised. As a result, they can move around feely and safely and can independently access the range of suitable and safe resources and activities in the bright and attractive play room. The use of appropriate policies and procedures ensure that children are kept safe on outings. For example, children use seatbelts and the correct car seats when travelling in the childminder's car and must hold her hand, the buggy or wear a safety harness when out walking. They learn to keep themselves safe through discussions with the

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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 childminder as they experience various situations within their environment. Safety rules, such as no running in the house and always using road safety crossings when out walking, reinforce their understanding of the need to be aware of possible dangers. Children are well protected because the childminder clearly understands her role in Child Protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. For example, she has all the relevant contact details readily to hand should she need to seek advice or report a concern regarding a child's welfare and she maintains a confidential incident record. Procedures regarding the collection of children are robust and ensure that they are only released into the care of an appropriate adult.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are involved and interested in the wide range of play and learning activities available to them. Because of this, they begin to develop the good concentration and attention skills which they need to become effective learners. They have opportunities to regularly enjoy activities such as cooking, visiting toddler groups, going to the library and attending art and craft and music groups. These foster their development and help them to acquire new knowledge and skills. Children respond well to challenge and learn to become more independent. The childminder encourages and praises their efforts at all times so that they develop confidence and self-esteem and can learn to use their initiative. For example, children help to lay the table, get their own drinks and can access the toilet with little or no support. They learn to distinguish between right and wrong through discussion

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and with the sensitive support of the childminder they reflect on unacceptable behaviour and the effect it has on others. Children have their individual needs met because the childminder listens to them and observes their progress so that she is able to provide the appropriate help to extend their learning. Social skills such as sharing and taking turns are encouraged and so children begin to make positive relationships with each other and with familiar and unfamiliar adults. This helps them to develop good communication and language skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are comfortable and well settled, moving freely and confidently around the setting and communicating readily with the childminder and her family. This sense of belonging enables them to confidently take part in and enjoy all the play activities available. Children are allowed to make choices and take decisions throughout their daily routine. For example, choosing what colour icing they wish to use on their cake, choosing the toppings for their pizza or deciding when they have eaten enough of their lunch. This develops their self-esteem and helps them to feel that they have a part to play in their own care. The childminder works extremely well with parents to

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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 meet individual children’s needs and always ensures that all children are included fully in the life of the setting. Currently, she does not have a system to record complaints. Therefore parents' views and concerns may not always be acknowledged and children's welfare cannot be fully monitored. Children play together harmoniously and learn to share and take turns so that they respect the needs of others as well as their own. They behave well and respond to the childminder's effective and age appropriate strategies to manage their behaviour. The childminder speaks to children in a consistently positive and sensitive manner and recognises, praises and encourages their efforts and achievements at all times. This provides a good role model for children to follow. Children's awareness of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

diversity and their understanding of the differences between people are well fostered. The childminder provides resources which promote a positive view of the community and looks at festivals and food from other cultures as a regular part of the activities she provides.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well protected and cared for because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child development and attends frequent training to update and improve her skills. She has a high regard for the well-being of all children and is committed to constantly improving the care she provides. With this in mind she is about to take part in the Herts Quality Standards accreditation scheme. She regularly carries out self evaluation of her practice and has recently sent questionnaires to all parents to ask for their feedback. As a result, she is able to able to positively support children's care, learning and play still further. The childminder organises her resources and the available space well so that she can meet children's needs effectively and most of the necessary documentation for the efficient and safe management of the provision is in place. Her policies and

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Organisation

procedures work in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution and the information she keeps about the children is relevant and helps to promote their care. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection the childminder has increased her range of resources and has reorganised the space available to children by creating a playroom and a homework area. This means that children have access to an accessible and stimulating environment with the necessary facilities for a range of activities which promote their development. She has also improved her qualifications by attending training and is now sharing written information about her provision with parents through daily diaries and written activity plans and menus. As a result, children's needs are being well met through the strong partnership with parents.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted have received one complaint since 1 April 2004 relating to National Standard 6: Safety. The complaint related to the childminder leaving children unattended in a parked car. Ofsted carried out an investigation on 26 May 2004 and found that the childminder had left children alone in her car whilst she collected other children from inside a school. She was given an action requiring her to ensure that children are kept under her direct supervision at all times and she now does so. The childminder remains qualified for registration. 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 good. 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): • obtain prior written permission which gives details of the time, the amount and the name of any medication which is to be administered to children • keep a written record of complaints, any action taken and the outcome of any investigation, as detailed in 'Day care and childminding: guidance to the National Standards revisions to certain criteria October 2005'.

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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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