Princess Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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105446 Unique Reference Number 11 March 2008 Inspection date Glenda Pownall 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 registered in 1992. She lives with her one adult child and one child who is aged 15 years, in Langley, Berkshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding. Young children use a travel cot for sleeping in a first floor bedroom. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding three children under five part-time. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks, the library and toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn to develop good personal hygiene routines through effective support from the childminder. She reminds children to wash and dry their hands before eating lunch and helps young children to wipe their noses, disposing of soiled tissues in a lidded bin. The health procedures of the setting reduce the risk of cross infection. For example, the childminder shares

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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 her sick child policy with parents, follows an appropriate nappy changing procedure and provides children with individual towels to dry their hands on.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures parents are informed of the treatment their children receive whilst in her care. She makes certain they provide prior written consent for her to administer medications and requests they sign the record of any accidents their children may have.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is flexible as to who provides food for the children. She has a secure knowledge of how to provide children with healthy balanced meals and works closely with parents to meet the individual dietary needs of each child. The childminder provides a picture board for young children to identify the fruit they would like to eat and children are offered frequent drinks of water. This develops children’s understanding of healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to experience physical play. They go on regular walks in the local area, visit play parks, use equipment to develop large muscle skills at toddler groups and dance to music in the childminder’s home.

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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 clean, tidy and well maintained environment. Parents and children are welcomed into the setting and relevant information such as the certificate of registration and first aid qualification are displayed for parents to see. The childminder also sticks up children’s art work before they go home developing their self-esteem. Children access a good range of resources. The childminder makes regular checks to ensure that the equipment and resources are safe and clean for children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder risk assesses her home and has procedures in place to make certain that children can play safely. For example, sockets are covered and the front door is secure. Children do not access the open stairs unless under the close supervision of the childminder and a stair gate is placed across the bedroom door if young children sleep upstairs. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder gives clear explanations of why they should not do something.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of the procedures to follow if concerned a child is at risk from abuse. She has copies of national and local guidance to refer to and records existing injuries children arrive with. This ensures children are protected whilst in the care of the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder interacts warmly with children and uses praise and encouragement effectively; as a result, children are happy and secure in her care and move confidently from one activity to another. Children enjoy painting activities. They create as many paintings as they want using brushes, their fingers and painting their own hands and the childminder’s hands. Children complete puzzles with support from the childminder who encourages them to think and name the ‘big’ and ‘small’ objects on the puzzle pieces. The childminder listens to young children and repeats back to them what they say developing their language skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children play imaginatively with resources and involve the childminder in their play. They make dinner for the childminder using the play kitchen. They press a button to ‘boil’ an egg and

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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 squeeze lemon in to the cup of tea they have made. Children have easy access to a range of resources that holds their interest as they are stored at low-level around the living room. This enables children to choose activities for themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder fosters a positive working relationship with parents. She verbally informs parents about the activities children have participated in each day and records daily information about babies’ routines for parents. This promotes continuity of care. The childminder explains her complaints policy to parents and displays the contact detail of the regulator. However, she is uncertain of how to keep and share a complaints log with parents to further promote the welfare of children. Parents state they are happy with the childcare their children receive.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for with equal concern according to their individual needs. They attend activities in the local community, such as toddler groups and the library where they find out about the world around them. The childminder’s management of children and their behaviour is excellent. She gives on going explanation of what she is doing and why ensuring children understand what is expected of them. The childminder describes using appropriate strategies to promote good behaviour. Children behave very well.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has good knowledge and understanding of her role and responsibilities as a childminder. She has written policies in place covering most aspects of the setting and shares these with parents. All required documentation for the safe and efficient running of the setting is in place. For example, the childminder keeps an accurate record of the times children are in her care. However, confidentiality is not always maintained in the accident records. The childminder describes appropriate procedures to ensure children are not left alone with people who are not vetted.

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Organisation

Children are secure and at home in the care of the childminder because she spends most of her time actively engaged in their play. 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 made. The childminder now has a complaints policy in place and uses a pen to record children's attendance. She now has an appropriate child protection procedure in place. This promotes the well-being of children.

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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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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

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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 confidentiality is maintained in all documents including accident records • further develop knowledge and understanding of the complaints procedure including how to share a record of complaints with parents

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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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