Carlton le Willows Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 136627 Inspection date 10 October 2005 Inspector Stephanie Graves

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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 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 partner and two children aged seven and ten in Orpington, Kent. The whole of the childminder’s house, except the master bedroom, is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children, under eight years of age. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler group.

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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 family has a pet cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are provided with a range of experiences which help to promote their knowledge and understanding of good health issues. They benefit from procedures which help to prevent the spread of infection. For example, the childminder uses anti-bacterial spray on all surfaces and children do not attend if they have an infectious illness. They are encouraged to adopt good hygiene practises and know when they need to wash their hands and why. Children are not given medication by the childminder, although she keeps a record book. First aid training is not current, although an update is planned, and there is no written consent from parents to seek emergency advice or treatment. Children's physical development and sense of well being is promoted well. They are provided with a range of energetic activities, both indoors and outside, but also know when they need to rest. Children have access to drinks at all times and are developing an awareness of

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Helping children to be healthy

healthy eating. They enjoy their favourite foods, including lasagne, chicken, ham, rice, vegetables and fruit. Food is provided both by the childminder and parents. The childminder discusses healthy eating with the children and encourages them to choose healthy, nutritious options.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children can move around and play safely within the childminder's home, because she ensures there is plenty of open, unobstructed space. They are supervised closely at all times, although the childminder promotes their independence according to children's individual ages and stages of development. For example, she allows older children to walk without holding her hand on outings, if it is safe to do so. Children have access to a range of safe toys and resources, which the childminder ensures are easily accessible. Children are involved and included in procedures to help keep themselves safe. For instance, the childminder explains the importance of not opening the safety gate at the top of the stairs and children understand this is to prevent them falling and hurting themselves. Children are well cared for due to procedures, which promote their welfare and safety at all times. For example, the childminder has an emergency evacuation procedure,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

which is discussed with the children. She also has some understanding of child protection issues and a positive attitude towards continuing to update her knowledge to current requirements.

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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 The provision is good. Children are very settled and make themselves at home in the childminder's house. They demonstrate high levels of well being and involvement because they are provided with a good range of toys and resources to play with. For example, they can choose to play with trains, small world activity sets and puzzles. They enjoy being creative through art and craft opportunities and free choice role play experiences, such as taking baby dolls shopping in buggies. The childminder has a good understanding of the developmental learning needs of children of all ages. She has an awareness of the Birth to three matters framework and a positive attitude towards updating her knowledge so that play opportunities can be adapted to meet the needs of babies and young children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play purposefully and are confident enough to ask the childminder for what they need. For example, they may ask for a specific toy or activity, such as to ride on toys in the garden or become involved in their favourite number game. Children are very confident and have good social skills, because the childminder spends much of the time talking and playing with them and asks questions to encourage them to think and respond. Children actively communicate with the childminder as they talk about their favourite activities and interests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are welcomed and acknowledged as individuals by the childminder. They demonstrate a sense of belonging, and are confident enough to initiate communication and offer their own ideas. They are provided with a range of toys, resources and experiences, which are easily accessible. They have opportunities to learn about themselves, one another and the wider world, through outings and toys and resources which promote positive images of equality. Children are respected and treated with equal concern by the childminder. They feel secure because they are included as part of her family. Children are well behaved because they understand the behavioural boundaries set by the childminder. As a result, they are able to negotiate, share and take turns as they play. They benefit from consistency of care because the childminder works closely with parents to ensure their needs are met.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are comfortable and settled within a generally well organised environment. As a result, they make themselves at home, lead in their play and are not afraid to ask for what they need. Records include a daily attendance record, although this does not currently contain clear arrival and departure times for children. Children's welfare, care and learning are promoted because the childminder puts their needs first and has a positive attitude towards ensuring she keeps up to date with current requirements. The childminder provides a professional service. As a result, the needs

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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 of all children in her care are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to ensure she cared for children within permitted numbers. She is registered to provide care for four children under eight years of age. The childminder is committed to the safety and well being of the children in her care and has a very positive attitude towards improving her practice and is working within the conditions of her registration.

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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): • promote children's good health by ensuring accident and medication records and procedures meet with requirements, first aid training is updated and consent is obtained from parents, to seek medical advice and treatment • promote children's welfare by continuing to update knowledge and understanding of current child protection issues • ensure the records of attendance for children, show clear arrival and departure times.

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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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