Simpson School

Inspection report for early years provision

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110348 Unique Reference Number 29 January 2008 Inspection date Judith Reed 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 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 1987. She lives with her husband and adult child in Burghfield Common, near Reading. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for two children under five and two children over five on a part time basis. The childminder walks to and from local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have two pet cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the local network childminding group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from a healthy diet and nutritious snacks. They are offered a range of fruit snacks during the day and nutritious, home-cooked, lunches and evening meals. The childminder

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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 takes the children to a local shop to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables. They often choose their own fruit for snacks. Children are reminded to have a drink regularly and particularly during hot weather.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy daily physical exercise when walking to and from school. The childminder often takes them to the park after school. Children also have plenty of physical play in the garden during warm weather. The childminder provides a range of suitable toys and activities including a play house, slide, tricycles and a sand pit. Children also use a small trampoline and the childminder ensures she obtains written permission from parents for children to use this item of equipment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are healthy as the childminder has a suitable first aid kit and her first aid training is up to date. The childminder holds written permission for emergency medical treatment for each minded child. She records accidents and medication administered clearly, and ensures parents sign the book as required. The childminder is very aware of hygiene matters when changing nappies and ensures children are protected from cross infection by wearing gloves. Older children are encouraged to use the toilet independently. The childminder ensures they wash their hands after using the toilet. All children have their own hand towel for hand drying. The childminder is also very aware of safety in the sun and children do not go outside without wearing a sun hat. The childminder is aware of health and safety of the children around the cats. She checks the garden thoroughly before children play outside and keeps the cats separate

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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 secure environment where they move around most of the ground floor freely. The front door is kept locked and the rear garden is fully fenced and secure at all times. Children are protected from the risk of most accidental injuries by the good use of safety equipment. All low level glass is safe and socket covers are used throughout. A stair gate is available when required and kitchen cupboards are latched. However, children use the toilet and bathroom upstairs where the banisters on the landing are not safe. The childminder is particularly aware of fire safety and regularly practises fire evacuation drills with the children. She has suitable smoke detectors and a fire blanket. The childminder helps children learn how to cross the road and keeps them safe while out and about.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children access toys from around the room. The childminder ensures toys and equipment are cleaned frequently. She also ensures toys and equipment are safe and suitable for the ages of the children present in the household.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and understands her professional duty regarding protecting children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children help themselves to a selection of toys around the room. Children enjoy listening to stories from picture books and making the noises of the animals as shown in the pictures. The childminder reads the story as children observe the pictures. They sit cosily on the sofa together. Children point at the pictures and the childminder helps with the correct names and noises of

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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 animals, then children repeat the noises. Children are helped to develop their language skills in this manner.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a close and warm relationship with the children. She offers children a choice of activities and plays with the children. They enjoy press button musical toys and repeatedly press the buttons to play the music. The childminder sings along with the music and encourages children to dance. Children also like to make music with drums and tambourines.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play with toy dinosaurs and complete jigsaws suitable for their ages. They also use their imagination when building with blocks. Children make good use of the garden in fine weather. The childminder puts a range of toys, including the farmyard, in the garden and children sort the animals. Children also play with a large alphabet puzzle. The childminder encourages them to name items with which begin with certain letters, helping the children learn to link sounds and letters.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals and the childminder knows them well. She ensures all children are offered equal access to suitable toys and equipment. Children begin to develop an understanding of diversity through the range of toys and books available. The childminder acknowledges festivals including Christmas, Easter, Independence day and children experience a range of foods from around the world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

All children are valued and respected. As a network childminder the childminder is experienced in caring for many different children including those with additional needs. She is able to support those with learning difficulties, as well as those with disabilities, and works closely with outside agencies and the parents to support all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. The childminder ensures she is consistent and gives praise for good behaviour. The childminder helps children to learn to respect others and she sets a good example. A few brief house rules are in place and the childminder has a behaviour management policy. The childminder works closely with parents and has a reward system for the children to reinforce their good behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Positive relationships are formed with parents which contributes to both parents and children being confident and settled with the childminder. Parents are made aware of the range of policies and procedures in place, including the complaints procedure. The childminder keeps her mobile telephone with her at all times which enables parents to contact her at any time. The childminder holds a record of positive comments from parents. She keeps parents informed about their children's activities through conversations at the end of the day.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and settled in the childminder's home. They are confident and happy. Children have space to play and are taken out regularly. The childminder ensures she remains within her ratio at all times. She keeps an attendance register showing times of arrival and departure, but does not currently record when children are at school. Therefore the register is not accurate at all times and children may not be safe in an emergency.

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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 Children's care is enhanced as the childminder attends many up to date training courses relevant to childminding. She is well aware of the requirements of her registration. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The childminder is well organised and keeps individual record folders for each child. All documents are stored in a confidential manner.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure public liability insurance is maintained and a suitable first aid course is completed.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has purchased suitable public liability insurance and has completed the required paediatric first aid course, which ensures she is able to protect children and keep them safe.

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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

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): • ensure register shows when children are present in the premises • ensure banisters on the landing are made safe for children

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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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