Rutherford House School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 139775 Inspection date 08 September 2005 Inspector Amanda Jane Tyson

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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 registered since 1997. She is registered to provide care for three children under eight years; of these, no more than one may be aged under one year. The childminder lives with her husband and two children aged, 4 and 3 years. They live in a three bedroom semi-detached house in a quiet residential area in Worcester Park, close to local shops, schools and community resources. All areas of the home are available for childminding use.

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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 There are currently four children on roll, two of whom attend on a part time basis. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play. The family have one cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder's home is clean and well maintained. She makes sure that children are reminded to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating, and provides children who sleep with individual linen to help prevent the risk of cross infection. The childminder's vigilance and consistent dialogue with children throughout the day supports their learning of good health, for example she explains the possible consequences of "tummy ache" when a child attempts to taste the bubbles from water play and provides healthy mid morning snacks of fruit to encourage a fondness for nutritious tastes. The wide variety of exciting outdoor activities encourages children to be active; they delight in searching for snails and making their own trails, picking blackberries and going on nature walks, and excellent use is made of the well equipped garden. Children are happy and content in the childminder's home. Relationships between

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Helping children to be healthy

the childminder and children are strong and clearly demonstrated by the affection between them. They are able to freely move around, and confidently make requests for activities or help themselves to toys. The childminder encourages children to use their developing independence, and they are becoming skilled in managing personal care, for example 2' olds take off their own trousers and socks, and take themselves off to use the potty, before confidently calling for assistance. Young children's sleep needs are prioritised, and although this is sometimes difficult during the school holidays when day trips are planned, overall children are able to rest in line with parental wishes and their familiar routine. Children's individual health needs are well met and supported with all the appropriate documentation, for example details of allergies and food intolerance are clearly detailed. Although the childminder's first aid certificate has just expired, she is

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Helping children to be healthy

booked to renew this to ensure she is equipped to deal with any emergencies based on the most up to date guidance.

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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, and well maintained environment, where potential hazards are mostly identified and minimized. The home is fitted with numerous safety gadgets to protect children, for example kitchen cupboards and drawers are fitted with child safety locks and the outdoor trampoline is protected by a very secure

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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 safety net, which meets British safety standards. Fire safety is particularly rigorous; the home is in the process of being fitted with an advanced warning system, the landing window is an identified fire exit, and the childminder has discussed emergency evacuation with older children, although this has yet to be practised. The shed is fitted with glass window panes, one of which is broken, but the childminder is committed to making this safe immediately. The childminder is sound in her knowledge of the signs and symptoms of potential child abuse and neglect and she is familiar with the procedure to record and report concerns, but lacks confidence in her ability to put procedure into practice to ensure children are consistently protected. Children learn the importance of safety; they understand the rules for using the

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

trampoline, know to hold hands when out and about in the community, and are learning to use the "green cross code". Whilst the childminder has considered what immediate action she would take if a child was uncollected or became lost, the current procedure is not comprehensive enough.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder uses her sound knowledge of child development to provide a wide range of stimulating activities which support and extends children's learning, although there are no administrative systems in place to monitor and record children's progress. Children are interested and motivated to explore and experiment using the excellent variety of good quality toys and resources. Regular nature walks encourage their learning of the natural and living world, sunflower seeds are planted and grown into father's day presents. Water and soil are eagerly explored and a wide range of creative activities encourages children to create their own designs and interpretations. Children use chalks to mark out trails in the garden, use paints to create colour changes, and absorb themselves in make believe play in the very well equipped outdoor play house. The childminder consistently encourages counting

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

skills, for example children counted the dots on their hand made butterflies, and references to numbers are a consistent feature in her dialogue with children. She understands the differing needs of school aged children after a busy day in a structured environment, and provides opportunities which encourage free play and relaxation. The childminder plans a busy week which includes visiting numerous toddler groups. Children participate in structured music and movement sessions where they experiment with different instruments and learn to use them to create different sounds and rhythms.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder's friendly approach to parents and her sound knowledge of children's

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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 individual needs ensures consistency of care for children. Parents are able to spend time talking to her about their child's day when they arrive to collect. When requested by parent's, the childminder keeps brief written records detailing specific aspects of daily care, such as sleep times, toileting and food consumption. Most aspects of care have been agreed in writing, and include numerous specific consents, such as permission to apply sun lotion and to take children on public transport, but parents are provided with minimal procedural information, such as; behaviour management; child protection; and complaints. Children are developing broad awareness, and knowledge of nature. The childminder's high use of local public resources introduces them to community life and she visits toddler groups which encourage and support children with special

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Helping children make a positive contribution

needs so that all children learn to play together and accept each others differences. Children learn about British customs and have the opportunity to take part in exciting activities, such as to celebrate fathers day, Christmas and Easter. However, although the childminder has some multi-cultural play resources, such as black dolls, small world play figures and books which depict positive images of diversity, there is little opportunity for them to learn about the cultures and beliefs of others, although the childminder is committed to enhancing her knowledge so that she can support this area of development. The childminder's consistent expectations and gentle approach helps children feel secure; they understand right from wrong and show concern for one another, for example when a 3' old accidentally trips over another child, he spontaneously picks a flower and hands it over, saying sorry. Children are developing high levels of independence which is well supported by the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

accessible storage of play resources and the childminder's encouragement for children to attempt self help skills, such as dressing and undressing themselves. The children help to tidy away toys, and are actively involved in decision making, such as deciding where to go for a day out in the summer holidays.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are happy, confident and secure in the childminder's well organized home. The home is well resourced with accessible, and very good quality toys and equipment; children help themselves and use their imagination to initiate and organize their own activities and games. Her organization of the daily routine and activities takes good consideration of children's varying needs, and considerations such as un-predictable weather conditions. All required regulatory records and documentation are in place and sufficiently used to promote good quality care and learning experiences. The childminder is committed to developing these further by devising more comprehensive systems to clarify specific procedures, such as her responsibilities for child protection. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last children act inspection recommended the childminder should; improve record keeping by ensuring that written parental agreements include the expectations of both parties as to the care and activities provided as well as the business arrangements and a record of existing injuries is maintained; devise and practise an emergency evacuation plan; and required vetting procedures are completed by her husband. The childminder now uses National Child Minding Association (NCMA) administrative systems to agree most aspects of care. Additional written consents for specific activities, such as taking children on public transport are also obtained, but procedures such as for behaviour management and child protection are still not detailed. Existing injuries are clearly detailed. Fire safety procedures are good; the childminder is in the process of fitting an advanced system, which alerts her husbands mobile once the smoke detector is activated. Escape routes have been

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Improvements since the last inspection

carefully determined, and although the evacuation procedure has not yet been practised, the childminder has discussed it in detail with the older children. The procedure for completing Ofsted's vetting requirements has been initiated.

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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): • make the window panes on garage safe or innaccessible • increase confidence and knowledge of child protection issues.

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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:

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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 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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