Tubbenden Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 137930 Inspection date 26 September 2005 Inspector Christine Stimson

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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 has been registered since 1993 and lives with her husband and son in a house in the Apostles area of Raynes Park, which is in the London borough of Merton. Only the ground floor areas of the house are used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The premises are within walking distance of local bus routes, a main line station, parks, schools and shops. The childminder is registered for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding five children part time. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends parent toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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 She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in an environment where they learn about good personal hygiene. Daily routines and explanations ensure children understand that washing hands after using the toilet reduces the risks of passing on germs. These effective routines, and the childminder's own good practice help prevent cross infection, for example children wipe their hands on individual paper towels. Outings to the park, where there is play equipment gives children the opportunity to develop physical skills and this contributes to their good health. Each day they experience outdoor play opportunities either in the garden or at the park. They ride on bikes, climb on apparatus or walk to local parks and toddler groups. Indoors children enjoy dancing to familiar tapes, joining in with gestured songs and competing against each other as to who is the best dancer. The childminder keeps a record of accidents that happen whilst children are in her

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Helping children to be healthy

care and she holds a valid first aid qualification. However, she has not requested written permission from parents to take children to hospital in an emergency, and she has not devised a sick child policy for her practice. This puts children's health at risk. Children enjoy varied and nutritious meals prepared for them by the childminder, which helps them to develop an awareness of healthy eating.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a well organised environment which allows them to move around safely. They have easy access to a good range of toys and resources appropriate for their age. The childminder is vigilant about children's safety and has a range of measures in place such as safety gates, locks on cupboards and fireguards. Regular visual checks of toys and resources ensure there are no broken parts that could harm a child, and the childminder maintains all her toys and equipment in clean condition. The childminder supervises children whilst they are playing outside and checks all areas are safe before the children go out to play. She extends this to the playground in the park, where she ensures children only play on equipment that is safe and suitable for their age and stage of development. The childminder has a good awareness of child protection issues, and knows how to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

proceed if she has concerns about a child in her care. This supports children's well being.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children independently choose from a range of activities that are laid out each day. There is a system so that children can choose other toys, resources and activities that are not readily available, and all the toys enable children to explore and investigate. Children are interested in their toys and spend time concentrating on self chosen activities, for example one child spent a long time putting together a large floor puzzle, making sure she identified all the straight edges first. Children are encouraged to be independent. They see to their personal needs such as taking a drink and going to the toilet on their own. Children show confidence whilst in the childminders care, and are learning the importance of taking turns and sharing fairly. Children are well behaved and respond to requests for good behaviour, for example the children were asked to tidy the toys in the garden before coming inside to dance

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

and sing to their favourite video. They did this without fuss and were rewarded with stickers for their efforts.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about the wider community through regular outings to toddler groups where they socialise with people from different cultures. In the childminder's home children are further supported as they play with a good range of toys and resources that help develop their understanding of diversity. Children behave well and respond to requests for good behaviour. They benefit from lots of praise and encouragement, which is supported by reward stickers for children who are helpful and kind. The childminder supports young children in learning how to share and take turns; she has a consistent approach to behaviour management using appropriate strategies that help children learn right from wrong. The childminder has developed professional and friendly relationships with parents and a two way flow of information ensures continuity of care. This good partnership with parents contributes considerably to children's well being.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are cared for by an experienced childminder who is committed to training and development courses. The premises layout is appropriately organised for children to play and rest, and children have many opportunities to play outside in the fresh air. Children benefit from a well organised environment where they receive good adult

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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 support to help them feel secure and confident. Regulatory documentation is maintained in a confidential manner and information kept about children is relevant and helps promote their welfare. The childminder uses her time well and her flexible approach allows children the opportunity to choose activities for themselves. The children's days are well planned, allowing them time for both active and quiet play. The childminder spends time encouraging children to develop their independence. 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 increase resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. Good progress has been made since then with the childminder increasing her resources in this area, for example she has play figures in wheelchairs and on crutches and has books and dolls that show people from other cultures. The childminder takes children to local toddler groups where they socialise with children from different cultures, and this helps them to develop a positive attitude to diversity.

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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): • request written parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment • devise a policy that excludes children who ar sick, ill or infectious.

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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 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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