Sutton St James Community Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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120420 Unique Reference Number 17 March 2008 Inspection date Christine Clint 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 registered in 1999 and lives with her husband and four children, three of whom attend school. The family home is situated in a residential area of Beacon Hill, close to Hindhead, Surrey; all amenities are within walking distance. Children are cared for on the ground floor of the home and use the bathroom only on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The family have one rabbit and three cats. The childminder has completed an Introducing Child Care Practice course and has a current certificate in first aid training. She is caring for two children on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Smaller children learn about following regular routines for hand washing because they are supervised when using the bathroom on the first floor. They know that they use a separate towel from the adults and the childminder confirms this during their conversation. Children's individual needs for nappy changing and toilet training are met and hygiene is maintained. Children's needs for sleeping are organised individually and in agreement with parents. The

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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 family home is compact and the childminder has experience of managing children's health and hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is also maintained because all accidents are recorded and parents sign these on the day. There is a first aid kit readily available and the childminder has a current certificate in first aid training. She has a sound awareness of the regulatory procedures for administering any medication, and has obtained parental permission for seeking any emergency medical treatment. All general information regarding children's daily health is shared verbally with parents and this includes organising their attendance following any sickness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy snacks and drinks that the childminder provides and these are mostly healthy. They often sit on small chairs at a low table to eat their packed lunches, which the childminder stores hygienically. Any allergies or dietary requirements would be recorded, because the childminder has considerable experience of managing these needs. Children do have some opportunities for physical exercise, they frequently walk to school and often attend parent and toddler groups.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children remain safe within the family home because they use one main room on the ground floor to play and sleep. Their care needs are appropriately met because the childminder supervises them at all times if they eat and drink in the kitchen. There are stair gates in place on all doors in the sitting room, including the patio doors, to ensure that smaller children's movements can be monitored. The garden is fully secure and all outbuildings are locked. Older children can access the larger play equipment at the end of the garden and smaller children's outdoor play is supervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have an appropriate range of suitable play equipment, which is available within the room and the childminder rotates the resources to provide variety for children in her care. Children are encouraged to choose from the selection and they show interest in new items when they first arrive. They often use a small table and chairs if they eat packed lunches and snacks within the main room.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe and secure because they can be fully observed at all times and the childminder shows awareness of assessing risks within the home. Most fire safety equipment is in place and the childminder has considered how fire escape routes would be organised, although no fire plan has been devised. Children are safely transported and all permission is in place from parents for outings and regular local trips.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is suitably managed because the childminder understands her duty to protect children and to refer any concerns; she is aware of the procedures in place to notify other agencies. Any injuries that children have on arrival are discussed with parents and recorded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and secure within the family home because they have well established routines and know their surroundings. They arrive home from pre-school and interact fully with the childminder; they show interest in the play resources available, especially the new puzzle. Children look at the picture and listen to the childminder's explanation about how it fits together;

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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 they respond soundly and answer questions. Children have books and the childminder reads to them spontaneously; they can build with construction toys and ride on indoor wheeled toys. Children are keen to eat their packed lunch and the childminder prioritises this because she knows they are hungry after their busy morning. She is also aware that children need to rest before the afternoon walk to collect older children from school and this is planned to meet children's needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and happy because the childminder has established stable routines and regular verbal dialogue with parents. All necessary written parental permission is in place, including contracts with parents and full children's records; there is also sufficient information for parents about alternative emergency care. The childminder is clearly aware of maintaining confidentiality because she has separate files for storing children's individual records. Some information is available for parents in a portfolio and this includes a full complaints procedure. The childminder has maintained close links by providing long standing care to families.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have opportunities to learn about the wider world because they play with some resources which reflect the diversity within society. The childminder understands the need to encourage children's awareness of differences and she has a sound attitude and experience in organising routines to meet their individual care needs. Children's good behaviour is encouraged and the childminder reminds them to say please and thank you. There are unwritten house rules which have evolved since child care commenced and children are aware of these. Children are supervised continually and the childminder is aware of how they play together, therefore she can often intervene to separate children before any behaviour situations occur.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's care is appropriately managed because the childminder is aware of ensuring that all adults are checked and she responsibly supervises children in her care. The registration certificate is displayed for parents and a small portfolio of basic information is available. The childminder has maintained the required training and holds all regulatory documentation relating to the children in her care, including a daily register with times of children's attendance. 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 a record of any existing injuries is maintained, with parental consent. The childminder now uses a section of the accident book to record prior injuries and parents sign; this ensures that children's safety is prioritised and also protects the childminder. The childminder was also asked to review documentation, and ensure that all is dated. All documentation is clearly dated to show that it relates to current child care arrangements.

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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): • increase fire safety by providing a fire blanket in the kitchen and devising an emergency escape plan.

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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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