Aberdour Preparatory School

Inspection report for early years provision

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125317 Unique Reference Number 18 March 2008 Inspection date Laura Brewer 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 was registered in 1998. She lives with her three children aged 17, 15 and 12 years. The family live in a house situated in a residential road in Swanley. The downstairs is mainly used for the children to play and sleeping provision is available in the upstairs main bedroom. There is a toilet on the ground floor and a family bathroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play opportunities. The family have one rabbit, two cats, a hamster and fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. Currently she has eight children on roll. They are aged between two years and 11 years and attend on either a full-time, part-time or after school basis. The childminder holds a first aid qualification and is currently completing a diploma in home based childcare.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children engage in regular activities which help to develop their physical abilities. For example, they often use the garden where they use bikes, trikes and climbing equipment, they visit parks and soft play centres where they develop their skills and co-ordination. This variety of physical play activities in conjunction with the provision of healthy meals encourages children to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with regular food and drinks in appropriate quantities for their needs. They are offered a range of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks which ensures their dietary needs are met throughout the day. For example, at snack time children enjoyed eating apples, oranges and raisins. The childminder uses opportunities to talk to children about healthy eating practices to encourage children to broaden their awareness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Overall, children's health is promoted as the childminder helps them learn to follow good personal hygiene routines. For example, children are encouraged in good hand washing techniques and use their own individual towels, flannels and toothbrushes. This supports their health care needs and helps to prevent cross-contamination. The childminder's effective implementation of her sick child policy clearly informs parents of her procedures and so helps to stop the spread of infection. The childminder has a system in place to record medication that has been administered, however parents are not requested to countersign these records to ensure they acknowledge the entry to support children's health needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has organised space well to meet children's needs and has created a child-friendly and welcoming environment for them to play. She is vigilant about safety and has assessed her home for possible risks and has taken appropriate measures to minimise potential hazards. Children can play safely because they have access to a wide range of safe and suitable play materials that are appropriate for their age and stage of development. Resources are stored in low level boxes which are accessible to children. This encourages them to self select equipment in order to initiate their own play and learning.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have good opportunities to learn about keeping themselves safe. For example, they practise regular emergency drills at home to ensure they learn how to leave the premises quickly and safely in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are well protected, the childminder recognises her responsibility to the children in her care and understands the procedures she must follow if concerned about the welfare of a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy, confident and secure in the setting. They take part in a wide variety of activities which promotes their all round development. The organisation of the day includes active and quiet times with opportunities to play both indoors and outdoors. This helps children to develop to their full potential.

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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 Children respond well to the childminder's positive interactions. They receive strong support and encouragement in their chosen activity. For example, as they looked at the story of The Hungry Caterpillar, the childminder encouraged the children to develop simple problem solving skills as they counted the different pieces of fruit together. Children were confidently able to respond to this and were able to anticipate what was going to happen next in the story. Throughout children's play, the childminder talks to them about what they are doing and assists their language development by re-enforcing key words. Children's learning is extended and they develop a good sense of achievement through the childminder being interested in their play and introducing new concepts.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have regular opportunities to socialise with others of a similar age. They frequently attend local toddler groups, libraries, mini-gyms and visit other childminders with young children. This broadens their experiences and ensures that they continue to be well stimulated.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the good relationships which develop between their parents and the childminder. The childminder meets children's individual needs well through following the clear information provided by their parents during the admission stage. The use of contact books ensure that children’s changing needs are shared with parents and they are fully aware of their child’s activities, progress and care routines. Clear, written information about the setting is available and shared with parents to ensure that they are fully aware of the service that is provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well as a result of the childminders clear guidance. Her effective use of praise and encouragement builds children's self esteem and helps them to learn about acceptable behaviour. Children are valued and have access to the full range of activities offered. The childminder ensures that resources available promote a positive view of the wider community to help children develop positive attitudes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards caring for children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is aware of the appropriate levels of support required to promote children's welfare and development. The childminder offers a gradual settling-in process which caters to meet children's individual needs. Children are able to initially come for visits followed by a four week settling in period to ensure that they are comfortable and at ease within the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and relaxed in the childminder’s home which enables them to access equipment freely to support their development. They feel secure as they have developed close relationships with the childminder who knows them well and supports their play and learning. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to wanting to improve her knowledge as she has attended various training courses relevant to childcare practices.

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Organisation

All documentation is well organised to ensure that it is easily accessible whilst remaining confidential. Parents have access to written policies about the setting and are given clear information about their individual children. Procedures followed work in practice to keep

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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 children healthy and safeguard their welfare. 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 agreed to ensure accident and medication records are securely stored, ensure attendance for every child is recorded accurately, ensure the fire blanket is appropriately accessible and produce a written evacuation procedure.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Accident and medication records are now stored appropriately and attendance records are recorded accurately to meet registration requirements. The fire blanket is mounted appropriately in the kitchen and a written evacuation procedure has been developed to support children's safety within the setting.

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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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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 parents sign the medication record book to acknowledge the entry after medication has been administered.

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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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