Sense College

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 132011 Inspection date 22 September 2005 Inspector Rachel Elizabeth Bent

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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 1992. She lives with her husband in a semi detached house in New Malden. Only the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. There are schools, pre-schools and a park nearby. She is registered to provide care for four children under 8 at any one time. She is currently caring for three pre-school children and one school-aged child. All attend on a part-time basis.

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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 family have four cockatiels and a rabbit, all of whom are kept in a garden aviary. The childminder collects children from local schools and regularly takes children to toddler clubs. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children play in a clean and comfortable environment, where they learn the importance of good personal hygiene. Effective hand washing routines and the childminder's own good practice prevent the spread of infection. The children are well cared for if they become unwell. The childminder keeps the children’s parents up to date, regarding her procedures in the event of a child being ill, needing medication or having an accident. Also, the childminder clearly understands and meets the children's individual health and dietary needs. The parents supply meals and snacks, but the childminder monitors the contents to ensure the children have a balanced diet. Lunches are refrigerated to keep perishable foods fresh for the children to eat. The children sit at the table to eat and drink, which is beneficial for their digestion. Drinks are available at all times and the children are encouraged to drink more in warm weather. This prevents the children

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Helping children to be healthy

from becoming dehydrated. The children enjoy a wide range of physical activities, which encourage a healthy life style. Games in the garden and walks to local parks ensure that the children get plenty of exercise. The children aged under 3 years enjoy warm relationships with the childminder. The childminder acknowledges differences and makes them feel special. This promotes their emotional wellbeing.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children have easy and safe access to a good range of toys and resources appropriate for their age. They benefit from a well-organised environment, where they move freely and confidently between rooms that are accessible to them. Safe and easy access to the garden means that the children can use the outdoors independently. Good safety measures indoors ensure the children only access areas and items that are suitable for their age. When on outings, the childminder keeps the children safe by using suitable car seats and safety straps in buggies.

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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 The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a good understanding of child protection issues. This safeguards the children and promotes their welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very happy, relaxed, and confident in the childminder's home. They readily approach the childminder for support and she is receptive to their needs. The children show independence, as they freely choose from a selection of good quality toys and resources. The children enjoy a good range of activities that are fun and age appropriate. They also enjoy many art and craft activities, such as painting and collage work. This supports their creative development. Puzzles and counting games encourage an interest in numbers, whilst visits to farms help the children learn about the local environment. Good interaction with the childminder guarantees that the children's language develops well. The children get on well together and enjoy very positive relationships with the childminder. A lot of praise and encouragement build self-esteem and make the children confident when tackling new challenges.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder treats the minded children as family members. This makes them feel confident and relaxed. Constant praise and encouragement help the children develop a positive self-image. The childminder takes time to get to know the children before they are placed in her care. She gathers all relevant information and ensures that individual routines are in place immediately. Daily feedback to the parents ensures continuity of care. The childminder has a very positive attitude towards diversity. She treats individuals with respect and encourages the children to do the same. This means the children learn to value differences. The childminder manages the children's behaviour well. The children behave beautifully and are very polite as a result of gentle reminders about good manners and consistent boundaries. The childminder supports the children and helps them settle disputes quickly. Consequently, the children develop good relationships with

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children thrive in a child friendly, loving environment. They are happy, relaxed,

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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 very settled and benefit from a well organised home. They receive appropriate levels of support from the childminder and good relationships are fostered. The children benefit from a wide range of stimulating and creative resources, which promote their development in all areas. All resources are easily accessible and the childminder responds quickly to the children's interests and requests for particular activities. Most documentation is well maintained and the parents are shown copies of written policies. The childminder has taken on board the recent changes with regard to the National Standards. The information she keeps on the children is relevant and promotes their welfare. Regular informal discussions with the parents ensure continuity of care for the children. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the

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Organisation

range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has maintained a clear record of attendance. This includes the children's full names and times of arrival, although times of departure are not recorded accurately. The car insurance is in place and states business use. The childminder has maintained her first aid box, so it contains sufficient and appropriate supplies.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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 hours of departure are recorded accurately in the attendance register.

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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 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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