Castledon School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 115461 Inspection date 21 December 2005 Inspector Silvia Richardson

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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 was registered in 1996. She lives with her two adult sons and daughter aged 11 years. They live in a house in Sidcup, close to shops, parks, library and public transport links. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children aged 7 to 10 years before and after school and two children aged 22 months and 4 years on a part-time basis. Minded children attend Longlands Primary 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 family keep several pets including a dog, cat, rabbit, two guinea pigs and a hamster. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy an active lifestyle because they walk to and from school every day. They enjoy playing in the park after school and the childminder organises games of rounders, helping them to be active and enjoy exercise. Younger children also get out and about every day. They walk to the shops and community groups and love to run around the park and use the apparatus, helping them to enjoy fresh air and exercise. The children have healthy appetites and eat well. Meals and snacks are nutritious and balanced so that children enjoy daily portions of fruit, vegetables and salad vegetables. The childminder encourages healthy eating by ensuring fruit is always available and children may help themselves to the fruit bowl at any time. The home environment is well maintained and good housework routines promote children's health and welfare. Children's health is also protected through the

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder following good hygiene practices for nappy changing. Sick children are excluded to minimise the risk of spread of infection to others. Children are developing good personal hygiene habits through regular hand washing and the childminder is keen to ensure children wash their hands after nappy changing and handling pets. Care arrangements for pets are clean and hygienic and do not pose any health hazards to children. Children's health and welfare are promoted well through the childminder keeping clear records of any accidents and sharing details with parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play and move around in a safe and secure home environment. Safety precautions are taken and good measures are in place to minimise the risk of accident, such as placing cushions on the brick surround to the fire place to ensure a soft landing when toddlers are unsteady on their feet. Electric sockets are protected and fire safety precautions include smoke detectors and fire blanket in the kitchen. Children know how to stay safe should the smoke alarm sound because the childminder talks to the children about what to do and staying calm. Children use a range of equipment safely because it is well maintained and the childminder supervises children very closely to ensure they remain safe, for example, when a smaller child is sitting up at the table on a big chair. Children access and use toys and play materials safely because they are easily accessible at floor level and in low drawer units. The children know how to play and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

move around safely because the childminder talks to them about staying safe, such as not running on the stairs. Children are protected through the childminder having

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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 much childcare experience and understanding of how children express difficult feelings. She knows how to respond to child protection concerns should they arise and how to make a referral. The childminder is confident about talking to parents and sharing observations, always acting in the best interests of the child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and confident because they are made to feel very welcome and can help themselves to toys and play materials of their choosing. Children are making good progress because the broad range of activities available meet their developmental needs. The childminder spends much time sitting and playing with the children helping them to acquire new skills. Children's speech and language are very good because the childminder talks to children all the time. Younger children enjoy looking at picture books with the childminder, pointing to and naming the different animals, for example. Older children like to make things and are encouraged to use a wide range of creative materials. Activities include drawing, painting, sticking and play-dough. Children have opportunities to do some baking and like making jam tarts, gingerbread men and icing biscuits. They also enjoy role-play, board games and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

outside play which are well supported by the childminder. Children are always purposefully and constructively occupied because they are able to choose what they want to do and the childminder is keen to ensure children are happy and settled in her care. Children enjoy a very well balanced and child-centred routine that includes excellent opportunities for outside play and visits to local places of interest, enhancing children's play and learning experiences. Children enjoy many exciting opportunities on day trips to the coast and countryside, particularly during school holidays and recall through photographs many memorable experiences. The childminder gets to know the children very well and their likes, dislikes and personalities, so that their individual needs are met and their well-being is actively and positively promoted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are very much welcomed and valued: and the childminder is keen to ensure they are happy and settled. Close working relationships with parents are ensuring that children receive consistent care: and that routines meet their individual needs. Positive partnerships are supporting children well as they grow and develop and take their next steps, such as with toilet training. Children's welfare is fully promoted because the childminder is respectful of parents' wishes. She works well with them in sharing information; discussing how children are getting on; and planning for the future. The childminder welcomes all families and her play provision reflects diversity,

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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 helping children to understand and value differences. She actively promotes equality of opportunity by ensuring all children can fully participate in activities offered, such as baking and outdoor games in the park. The childminder is willing to support children with special needs so they too can take part in the activities. The childminder has some knowledge of different cultural and religious customs and festivals so children have some opportunities to learn about these through practical activities. Bi-lingual children have plenty of opportunities to practice speaking through everyday routine activities, although they do not have any picture or story books to fully support their learning. Children play very well together because the childminder has a warm and caring manner that helps children to get along. They are good at sharing and taking turns

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Helping children make a positive contribution

because the childminder supports children in their group games and activities, to negotiate and discuss ideas. The childminder agrees a few simple house rules with the children so that they can play safely and harmoniously with each other. Children understand both acceptable and unacceptable ways of behaving because the childminder discusses these with them. They know that if they are unable to agree on which TV channel to watch, the set will be switched off. Children know that they may have to sit separately for a while until they can agree to play co-operatively.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has been registered for some years and has much experience in caring for children: helping her to effectively balance the individual and group needs of the children in her care. She is keen to keep her childcare knowledge up to date and has arranged further training in first aid and child protection. Adult members of the household are vetted to ensure they are suitable and appropriate records are kept of childminding activities, so that the childminder can demonstrate accountability. She uses the NCMA toolkit and accident records and registers are kept up to date so that she can account for the times children are in her care. Children are very happy and settled because the home is very well organised for childminding activities. Comfortable carpeted areas provide much space for children to relax, spread out and play on the floor. Soft furnishings are arranged so children

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Organisation

can sit together as a group or relax on their own if they wish. Children come together at the dining table for family-style meals and snacks: and they are able to sit comfortably here for drawing, painting and other creative activities. They have easy access to toys and play materials because these are very well organised and sorted into sets. The balance and schedule of activities is particularly well organised so that children have excellent play and learning opportunities both inside and outside of the home. 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 the childminder was asked to ensure that children have an

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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 appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The childminder has added some ethnic dolls and play figures to her provision and has a good selection of books reflecting diversity. She also offers some practical activities to help children learn about different religious and cultural festivals. The childminder has improved fire safety precautions by fitting a smoke alarm on the ground floor and it is maintained in working order. She has also made sure that the premises are secure and that children are unable to leave the garden unsupervised by fitting a lock to the rear gate.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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.

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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): • provide opportunities for children to have access to books written in their own language

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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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