Westwood Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 139804 Inspection date 08 November 2005 Inspector Joanne Lindsey Caswell

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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 a registered childminder since 1995. She lives in a residential part of Wallington, Surrey. The local park, schools, bus routes and shops are close by. Children have access to most of the ground floor of the childminder's home. Sleep facilities are provided on the first floor. A fully enclosed garden provides an outside play area. The childminder is registered to care for a total of six children under the age of eight, at any one time. She is currently caring for children who attend on a part time basis throughout the week.

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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 The childminder regularly attends local pre-school groups and is willing to collect children from local schools.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about health and hygiene through the daily routine. The childminder teaches children the importance of regular hand washing. As a result, children understand that they must wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. Children's health and well-being is promoted very well. The childminder uses effective strategies to ensure that any children who are suffering from an infectious illness are excluded from her care. This ensures the protection and healthy development of all children. Children play in a very clean, well-maintained and hygienic environment. They have many opportunities to undertake daily exercise and play in the fresh air. Children undertake regular walks and play in the garden. They also visit the park and activity centres where they use a range of equipment to develop their physical skills. This enables children to undertake physical, robust exercise which enhances their

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Helping children to be healthy

development. Children's dietary needs are met well. Children learn the importance of nutrition and healthy eating as the childminder provides a very good range of nutritious, home-cooked meals. The childminder is dedicated to catering for all children's individual dietary needs and provides appropriate meals and snacks. Food is stored safely and in accordance with environmental regulations, to ensure it is safe for children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder provides a very clean, child-orientated home, enabling children to be cared for in a secure and homely environment. The childminder is vigilant in ensuring children's safety. She ensures all potential hazards are identified and the necessary precautions are taken to protect children from harm. Children learn about safety as the childminder explains dangers to them. She talks to children about the dangers of talking to strangers and the importance of understanding road safety. Children play with a very good range of high quality, age appropriate toys and resources. Older children learn the importance of ensuring babies and younger children do not have access to toys with small pieces, which may present a choking hazard. Younger children understand that they must be careful whilst negotiating the stairs and take necessary precautions to keep themselves safe, carefully supervised

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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 Children are protected in the event of an emergency. The childminder has arrangements in place to evacuate her premises safely and has identified a place of safety. This ensures that children's security remains a high priority at all times and demonstrates that effective arrangements are in place to care for children, in the event of an emergency. Children are protected from harm, as the childminder demonstrates a very clear understanding of her responsibilities regarding child protection. This enables her to follow the relevant procedures, should she have any concerns about a child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very settled, relaxed and at ease in the childminder's home. They respond happily and enthusiastically to the childminder and enjoy engaging in play with her. Children approach the childminder confidently and happily, understanding that they will be listened to and their needs will be understood. Children have many play opportunities and engage in a very good range of games and activities. They use their imagination and creativity to play with the role play castle to recreate their ideas. They delight in sharing stories and looking at books with the childminder, joining in with familiar words and making animal sounds. Children's developmental needs are recognised and addressed as they play with a very good range of age appropriate play materials, which encourage curiosity, independence and enthusiasm for learning. Children have many opportunities to socialise with other children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children regularly undertake outings and visits away from the setting. They visit the local parks, toddler groups and farms. During school holidays, children enjoy outings to the cinema and swimming activities. This enables children to broaden their experiences and develop an understanding of the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with respect and their individual needs are identified and addressed. Children play with resources which reflect diversity within society, enabling them to develop positive attitudes towards equality and to feel valued as individuals. The childminder actively promote anti-discriminatory practice in all areas of her childminding. This ensures that children are treated fairly and with respect. Children with special needs are supported well. The childminder is committed to welcoming all children into her home and adapting her routine to meet any specific care needs. Children behave very well. The childminder displays a very calm and competent

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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 approach to managing behaviour and, as a result, children respond positively. They clearly understand the few house 'rules', such as sitting down to eat, taking shoes off when inside and hanging up coats. This demonstrates that children fully understand the childminder's expectations. The childminder ensures parents receive plenty of feedback regarding their children's daily achievements and activities. This enables parents to feel involved in their children's day and be fully informed of their daily activities. Written parental consent is on file, ensuring that children's care routines are discussed and agreed with parents to ensure consistency for children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder provides a well-organised childminding service. The daily routine is flexible around the children's differing needs and is adapted accordingly, wherever necessary. Time is set aside each day to cater for children's sleep and rest times, meal times and sufficient time is given for outings and play. Toys and play materials are organised well, enabling children to access them freely. The childminder is aware of the conditions of her registration. She keeps herself up-to-date with childcare practice and regulations, enabling her to improve her standards of care. Children are protected well as all adults who have contact to children, have been suitably vetted. All regulatory documentation is in place and is maintained in full. Records are stored securely, ensuring confidentiality. There is little written information provided for parents detailing the organisation of the childminding service.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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): • develop the written information available for parents regarding the organisation of the childminding service

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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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