Holmes Chapel Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 140083 Inspection date 21 September 2005 Inspector Angela Ramsey

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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 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 has been a registered childminder for 10 years. She is registered to look after a total of 4 children aged 0-8 years old. Her daughter-in-law who lives on the premises works as her assistant. The childminder lives with her husband, her grown-up son and her daughter-in-law in a four-bedroom terraced house that is situated on a quiet residential road in the London borough of Lambeth. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor apart from the

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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 bedroom. Toilet and washing facilities are also available on the ground floor. A bedroom on the first floor is used for sleeping. There is a small paved garden that may be used by minded children under the direct supervision of the childminder and her assistant. The childminder and all members of the household are non-smokers. There are no pets on the premises. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She regularly attends toddler groups with her minded children and collects children from local schools in the area. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for two children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, well organised and comfortable home. Children learn about the importance of good hygiene practises through their daily routine, such as washing their hands after visiting the toilet and after playing in the garden as this reduces the risk of spreading germs. The childminder maintains a good standard of cleanliness in her home. When changing nappies the childminder wears disposable gloves and wipes down the changing mat, this reduces the risk of cross-contamination. Children take part in a range of activities that contribute to their good health and physical development, such as playing outdoors in local parks on a daily basis or practising physical skills such as playing on the slide in the garden and crawling through the play tunnel. The children's physical care needs are well catered for and the childminder ensures children's individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder keeps records of children's individual care needs, this ensures children's health needs are met. Record books are available to record any accidents, incidents that may occur. This ensures information can be effectively shared with parents and other agencies if required. Parental consent forms are in place which ensures, parental wishes are followed. Children benefit from nutritious meals and snacks and the childminder and her assistant ensures their dietary needs are met throughout the day. Children are encouraged to make healthy choices at snack time with choices of a selection of fruit. The childminder freshly prepares meals including fresh vegetables which contributes to children's good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in an environment where risks are identified and minimised.

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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 This means they are able to move around safely and freely. The childminder uses a large rug in the kitchen diner where the children play and cupboard catches have been fitted to ensure that the contents are inaccessible. Stair gates are also in place to keep the children safe. In the garden the slide and play tunnel are placed on large mats to ensure children's safety. The childminder ensures the smoke alarms in her home are in working order and there is a fire blanket available in the kitchen. Children are able to play with a suitable range of toys and play materials that are clean, safe and independently accessible in appropriate storage units. The childminder has a working knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures, which enables her to protect vulnerable children. Parental consent is

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

obtained for outings and the children are kept safe as the childminder uses reins for walking children and children are safely harnessed in their buggies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident and settled and make themselves at home. They relate well to the childminder and her assistant because they join in with their play and they are both very positive in their interaction. The children enjoy the close contact with both the childminder and her assistant and respond well to their encouragement. Children are able to experience a wide range of activities both inside and outside of the home, this contributes to their development. Children are able to develop a sense of belonging through the consistent routine and positive relationships they have with the childminder and her assistant. The children learn to listen and respond while enjoying and sharing stories, songs, rhymes and games. Both the childminder and her assistant promote children's learning by talking to them about what they are doing and asking open ended questions that encourage

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

them to think. Children experience a varied range of activities which contribute to their development needs. Resources both indoors and outdoors are accessible. The dedicated play area enables children to confidently initiate their own activities and enjoy playing with the resources available.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and treated as individuals. Their needs are met well through their daily routine as discussed with parents. Children's achievements are praised and encouraged which helps to build their self-esteem. Children are encouraged to share and take turns when playing. The childminder and her assistant have developed good relationships with parents and communicate daily ensuring that the children in their care receive the best care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Although both the childminder and her assistant are aware of the need to make the children in their care learn about the wider community, there are limited resources available that promote positive images of culture, gender and disability which restricts children's awareness of diversity and their understanding of others. Children behave well because of the childminder's realistic expectations. Her good use of praise and encouragement help build children's self-esteem and self-control. If misunderstandings occur between the children, the childminder deals with these appropriately ensuring that children respect each other. Therefore children learn to be kind to each other by the childminder's good example and positive interaction. The children show independence, for example when they select toys and play materials

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and help tidy up. Whilst at the childminding groups the children are able to socialise with others.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children feel at home and at ease in the childminding environment which helps them gain confidence and be independent. Children's play opportunities are realised because of the organisation of the childminder who ensures she understands the children's interests and promotes their enjoyment of the outdoors. Appropriate consent forms are completed by parents. Children's needs are well met because of the good relationships and effective communication with the parents. Parents are well informed about their child's day and the care provided. All documentation is well maintained and kept confidentially. However some background check forms have not been completed by the childminder, her assistant and members of the household. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection the childminder has improved her documentation by ensuring that written agreements with parents are available for all minded children. The attendance register now includes children’s arrival and departure times.

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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

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 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): • provide resources, which reflect diversity showing positive images from a variety of cultural backgrounds and with varying needs. • ensure that all members of the household complete background check forms.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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