West Pelton Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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114004 Unique Reference Number 11 January 2008 Inspection date Bridget Richardson 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 1993. She lives with her husband and child aged 15 years in Horsham. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house and a first floor bathroom are used for childminding and there is a garden for outside play. The childminder uses her car to take and collect children from local schools. She attends the local parent/toddler group and takes children to the local library and parks.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding six children all of whom attend on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The environment is clean and tidy and children receive support to develop suitable hygiene practices. For example, children have individual flannels and towels and liquid soap is accessible

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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 to wash their hands. The home is cleaned prior to children attending and surfaces are cleaned with an anti bacterial agent.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children who are infectious do not attend. The childminder holds a first aid certificate. This means she can give appropriate care if there is an accident. Parents give prior written consent to administer medication that ensures children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. However, the accident and medication records are not recorded confidentially. This means other parents may view children's information. Incidents that happen to children prior to attending are not recorded. The childminder has limited knowledge on notifiable diseases to ensure that she is able to notify the relevant authorities if needed. This means children's wellbeing is not being fully supported.

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Helping children to be healthy

There are effective storage procedures for the food provided by parents to prevent spoiling. Fresh drinking water is available to children at all times. This encourages children to think about their personal needs. The childminder gathers all relevant information regarding diet and medical history. This ensures children's individual dietary and medical needs are met. Children regularly enjoy a range of activities that contribute to their health and develop their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder offers a welcoming environment for children. Their work is displayed on the wall and they benefit from a suitably organised environment, which allows them to move around freely and choose from the range of resources available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has generally minimised hazards within the home. For example, fire-fighting equipment is in place and clear procedures for leaving the home in an emergency. The premises are secure and the childminder checks her home, toys and resources that children will be using prior to them attending to ensure suitable. The childminder teaches children on how to keep themselves safe when on outings by teaching them road safety and by supervising at all times. However, the slated banister is accessible to children and poses a hazard to them when accessing the bathroom independently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an understanding of child protection issues and knows how to proceed if she has a concern about a child in her care. This supports children's wellbeing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder creates a welcoming atmosphere in the family home. Children are happy, confident, settled, and enjoy comfortable routines that are structured around their individual developing needs. The childminder has developed appropriate relationships with the children. She knows them well and is able to respond appropriately to ensure each child's individual needs are met. The children respond positively to her thoughtful approach and enjoy her company. For example, ensuring clear floor space is in place to support and encourage younger children to walk. Praising and encouraging those achievements both verbally and through facial expression.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder supports children well and is involved in encouraging children to try out developing skills, this has a positive effect on encouraging children to set their own challenges and acquire new skills. For example, the childminder supports young children's language

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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 development, through talking with the children attending and naming items that children are playing with. She actively listens to children's early attempt at speech and responds, which makes children feel valued and secure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children have limited opportunities to gain an understanding of the wider world, as the childminder offers few activities that offer children the opportunity to build on there natural curiosity. However, there are some resources in place to promote. The childminder has systems in place to share any concerns that she may have about a child with parents to help ensure the child's needs take priority. She sets clear boundaries to deal with behavioural issues that are consistent and takes into account a child's age and stage of development. For example, she is competent in distracting children away from situations or behaviour and on to other activities and offers lots of praise and encouragement for positive behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The partnership with parents is satisfactory. Informal systems are in place to share information on children with parents. The childminder makes herself available at different times of the day for discussion and ensures all parents have her contact numbers so that they can keep in touch at all times.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder plans her day to offer children times for quiet and active play. The children benefit from an environment where they receive suitable support to help them feel secure and confident. As a result, children move around the areas freely and make themselves at home.

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Organisation

Information kept about children is relevant and generally promotes their welfare. However, there are weaknesses in the childminder's practice, which has an impact on children's well-being and safety. The accident and medication records are not stored confidentially; the childminder has limited knowledge on notifiable diseases to ensure that she is able to notify the relevant authorities if needed and the banister in the home poses a hazard to children accessing the bathroom independently. 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 two recommendations were set to ensure a first aid certificate is maintained at all times and to expand resources that reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has a first aid certificate in place and is aware that this needs to be maintained at all times. A range of resources that reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability are 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.

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Complaints 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 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): • ensure the accident and medication records are maintained confidentially and that all incidents are recorded • develop knowledge of notifiable and contagious diseases to ensure able to identify • ensure hazards within the home are made safe or inaccessible to children • develop opportunities for children to become aware of the wider society and the world around them.

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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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