Lowerplace Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 105777 Inspection date 29 November 2005 Inspector Martha Naa Ahimah Darkwah

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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 was registered in 1997. She lives with her husband, an adult daughter and two sons, in Notting Hill in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Part of the flat is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under 8-years-of-age; of these, not more than three may be under 5-years-of-age, and of these, not more than two may be under 1 year at any one time. She is currently minding two children, one on full time basis and the other four days a 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 walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group, and childminder drop in centres and parks. The childminder is a member of a local childminder support group. The family has no pets. The childminder has a National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) early years child care qualification at level three. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is receiving support from the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership. The childminder is a quality approved member of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's Children Come first Childminding Network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health and welfare is fully promoted and assured by the clear and appropriate hygiene procedures the childminder uses in her daily routine and the extent to which she encourages children to learn good hygiene practices. Children are cared for in a warm clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care within their daily routine. For example, the childminder reminds the children to wash their hands after using the toilet and they enjoy brushing their teeth after meals knowing why they do this. Children are well protected from illness and cross infection because of the childminder's understanding of good hygiene procedures and a clear and well written sick child policy, which she shares with parents. Appropriate procedures are followed when a child has an accident. Children's health is safeguarded in all aspects by the clear record keeping and safe

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Helping children to be healthy

working knowledge of first aid and emergency procedures. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health and wellbeing. They regularly engage in indoor and outdoor activities to help them develop control, to strengthen their upper body and to move around independently. They have lots of fun with plenty of opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they take daily walks to the park and local childminder- drop-ins and the library. They enjoy the company of other children, learn to share and play harmoniously together. The children's physical skills and knowledge of the community is well supported through regular attendance at local playgroups and visits to the park. They enjoy using the large equipment, have good opportunities to ride on bikes and use push and pull-along toys. Children are offered drinks regularly throughout the day. These drinks are made accessible to them. Children are well nourished by the healthy foods offered to them

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Helping children to be healthy

and each child's particular needs and preferences are accommodated well. They enjoy varied and nutritious freshly prepared fruits and vegetables that meet their individual needs. They are learning about healthy eating from discussions with the childminder, subsequently this enables them to make suitable choices.

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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

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are comfortable, are cared for in a warm and welcoming home. They move around the home freely and independently because the childminder has made her home safe and secure. For example all areas of the home are set out with children in mind. Toys are stored in low level boxes making it easier for children to access and make independent choices of what they want to play with. There is sufficient space for children to move around freely and comfortably. Furniture and equipment are well placed to allow freedom of movement and to avoid children bumping into them. Children's individual needs are well met because the childminder has a good range of suitable, well maintained resources and equipment. Children can play freely in a safe environment because the childminder has very good procedures in place to minimise risks. Children are secure through the care the childminder takes to ensure they are well supervised, particularly whilst on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

For example, all children are encouraged to hold hands and younger children have wrist straps whilst walking to and from outings with the childminder as she teaches children road safety rules. Excellent use is made of florescent yellow jackets whilst on outings and special events, as it helps the childminder to easily spot and keep an eye on the children. Children's total safety and wellbeing is greatly aided by the childminder's vigilance regarding child protection. The childminder has a very good understanding of child protection issues and an absolutely sound awareness of the indicators of abuse and what procedures to follow to safeguard the child. She is well informed and has sufficient knowledge and understanding of the Area Child Protection Committee procedures and the contact numbers for making a referral when the need arises.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They are enjoying and achieving because the childminder is very skilled in her knowledge of child development. Children enjoy an interesting range of activities both indoors and at other pre-schools to help children make progress in all areas of their development. For example, children enjoy listening to stories from their areas of interest, they go regularly to drop in centres and pre-schools to socialise with other children. She has attended the Birth to Three Matters framework training; however she is not fully using the framework to implement good quality care and learning activities. Children develop good language skills because their communication is encouraged by the childminder's involvement in their play, by continually talking to the children to increase their vocabulary and by asking lots of questions to extend their thinking.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop good mathematical and imagination skills and overall development through the very good range of toys and resources. These include puzzles, books, cars, dolls, construction toys and musical instruments. Children access a number of

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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 activities freely as most resources are within reach and clearly displayed. Resources and toys are well organised into age-groups and purpose, and children are able to make selections. This encourages independence of choice. Children have good opportunities to develop their creative skills and thoroughly enjoy the range of activities the childminder provides.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are well cared for as the childminder has taken time to get to know each individual child very well. They are helped to feel a sense of belonging, develop self-esteem and respect for others. All children are treated equally and they enjoy the time they spend with the childminder. Children have good opportunities to learn about people from diverse backgrounds as they play with resources such as puzzles and books and, socialise with many children and adults at pre-schools and on outings. Children therefore have opportunities to gain a positive image of themselves and to learn about the world they live in. For example, children celebrate different festivals such as Eid and Christmas and the childminder has reference books on a number of festivals. The childminder is not currently caring for any children with special needs. She demonstrated a very positive attitude and is willing to undertake further training to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

enhance her skills with children who have special needs. Children benefit greatly from clear consistent explanations and boundaries and are therefore confident and well behaved as the childminder uses praise and encouragement to promote self-esteem and reinforce good behaviour. The childminder offers lots of praise and encouragement as well as laughing and cuddling the children when they are busy and engrossed in their activities. Children benefit greatly from the strong partnership between parents and the childminder. There is a daily exchange of relevant information about the children's routine, activities and care. Parents are given very good information about the childminder's provision.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's development, welfare and care is promoted as the childminder remains suitably qualified to work with young children. Children benefit from good levels of supervision and individual attention. Good use is made of the space indoors so that children have plenty of room to play safely and independently with good adult/child ratios maintained. The children have access to a range of activities and play materials in the home which meet their developmental needs and have opportunities to socialise with other children.

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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 All of the required regulatory paperwork is in place and up to date. A range of well written polices and procedures on good child care practice is available and shared with parents. This is implemented well and confirms that parents are fully aware of the information that is recorded on their child. The result is that the childminder is aware of children's individual needs and is able to provide suitable care. 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 carry out Criminal Records Bureau checks for persons in the household 16 years and over. All other persons in the household above 16 years have complied with vetting procedures and now have enhanced checks therefore children's safety is fully protected. Children's wellbeing in regard to fire safety is assured because the childminder had made suitable arrangements to ensure that the key to the back gate is kept on a hook by the patio door. This makes it easily accessible and thereby improves fire and emergency evacuation procedures. Children's general welfare is fully assured because the childminder has obtained written parental consents and has all relevant paperwork for the care and to seek emergency hospital treatment or advice when needed.

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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

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):

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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 • increase the knowledge and understanding of the needs of children under 3-years-of-age, for example by using the Birth to Three Matters framework.

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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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