Stow Bridge County Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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129611 Unique Reference Number 02 May 2008 Inspection date Gillian Charlesworth 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 satisfactory. 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 1996. She lives with her husband and two children age 17 and 14 years in a house in the outskirts of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. The property is within walking distance of parks, shops and schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding where children also nap. The first floor is not used except for access to the bathroom or to sleep in a bedroom in a travel cot. The garden is not included in the registration. The family have a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children on regular walks and also has a car to transport children. She attends parent and toddler groups and activity centres regularly.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. She is currently minding two children on a flexible, part-time basis. She has responsibility for the transportation of one child over eight years after school.

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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 satisfactory. Children have daily opportunities to play in the fresh air and enjoy physical activity. The garden is not safe to be registered and so the childminder ensures that children help to walk the dog each day and visit parks regularly. They have appropriate periods of rest and relaxation. Those who like the reassurance of being close-by to the childminder are settled to sleep in a reclining seat in the lounge which supports their emotional well-being. A travel cot is also available in a first floor bedroom.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to learn the importance of personal hygiene through the routine. The childminder uses wet-wipes with young children after snacks and handling pets. Hand washing is encouraged after each nappy change. Pet hygiene and safety is appropriately managed to protect children's health and children enjoy helping to give the family dog occasional treats. Clear procedures protect children from the risks of cross-infection. The childminder talks to parents about suitable exclusion periods for sick children and reinforces this when children become unwell, ensuring she protects other children and her own family. Arrangements are in place to ensure that children have appropriate first aid treatment and that medication is administered appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have drinks and snacks available as part of the daily routine. The childminder is responsive when they ask for a biscuit during the morning and also provides a beaker of drink that is readily available thereafter. Additional biscuits and occasional fruit is provided on demand. However, younger children are not always encouraged to make healthy choices therefore they have few chances to learn the importance of healthy eating in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework. A balance of home-cooked and processed meals are offered to children who are often encouraged to help prepare meals.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are at ease in their surroundings and are cared for in a comfortable, welcoming and secure environment. They use the space confidently and move between rooms selecting from the small range of resources. These are rotated regularly to effectively maintain interest and are generally in good condition and cleaned regularly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are generally kept safe from harm. Risks are managed informally and include practical strategies such as effective supervision and ensuring kitchen and bathroom chemicals are inaccessible. However, the absence of public liability insurance limits safe practices for children. Children begin to learn how to keep themselves safe through the childminder's gentle explanations. For example, as they climb on dining room chairs the childminder reminds them of the dangers of falling. Informal fire safety procedures are in place and practised with the children and fire safety equipment is generally appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is suitably safeguarded and protected. The childminder has taken steps to ensure that she has the required local and national child protection guidance available for reference, on her laptop. She has a basic awareness of signs and symptoms of abuse and is aware of local reporting procedures and recording concerns.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are very happy, settled and relaxed. They have been attending the setting for some time, address visitors confidently and have excellent relationships with the childminder. For example, they feel secure with the childminder and receive a warm response when they approach her for a cuddle.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are very confident and benefit from the warm, caring and responsive interactions from the childminder. Young children are developing good communication skills because their impulse to communicate is well fostered. For example, when they ask 'You watch me?' the childminder responds effectively. They talk together about meaningful past experiences and the childminder helps them to think and recall trips to the shops or outings with friends. Books are shared on demand and as they look at these together, children are encouraged to name illustrations and link these to their experiences. For example, when they see fish they talk about the tropical fish in the tank. The children enjoy sharing interactive toys which helps them to develop early information technology skills and match letters to sounds.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are engaged by the activities they choose. They follow their interests and select from the toys that are available and interest them. For example, children select picture books to colour and the childminder supports and motivates by highlighting a birthday picture that links to a recent family birthday and the child's experience. Children enjoy playing imaginatively with small world resources and developing their fine-manipulative skills with very small figures. Older children enjoy crafts, games, drawing, writing stories and cooking that occupy them well. The activities provided are developmentally appropriate in line with aspects described in the DfES publication ‘Birth to three matters’ framework even though this framework is not yet actively used.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children feel a strong sense of belonging and are treated with equal concern. They are included as part of the family and enjoy familiar routines such as fetching treats for the dog when the extended family visit. The respectful relationships ensure that children are listened and responded to effectively, for example, they are immediately helped to look for books they cannot find. Children are highly valued and when they approach the childminder for affection, they receive a warm response. Their individual needs are met through individual records of information, that is sought at the outset, and effective communication between parents and children. Children have some opportunities to learn about the local community and diversity through local outings to the shops, parks or the childminder and toddler groups. Children have access to a small selection of multi-cultural resources that promote anti-discriminatory practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is aware that some children have learning difficulties and/or disabilities and is willing to meet needs as they arise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They observe suitable boundaries that are made clear through sensitive explanation and discussion. For example, they know not to go outside when they sit on the kitchen step to the garden. The childminder is intuitive towards the children and therefore recognises why their behaviour occasionally changes, for example if they are tired or when they do not have time to finish activities. She ensures that frustrations are minimised by responding to their needs and ensuring they have space and time to relax after school or chances to finish

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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 activities the following day. Children are valued and praised for their achievements and good behaviour and this promotes their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit form the long term, friendly relationships the childminder has developed with parents. Information is exchanged verbally each day and initial visits are arranged where a simple port-folio of information is shared. However, while discussion takes place about some policies and procedures such as sickness, not all essential procedures are discussed at the outset, for example, methods for behaviour management. This limits the continuity of care for children. Suitable complaints procedures are readily available for parents and recent compliments include 'We are lucky to have you'.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's welfare and development is protected and safeguarded. Vetting is completed to ensure that all adults living in the household are suitable. The childminder is aware of appropriate procedures to protect children from visitors who are not vetted. She has taken steps to maintain the minimum qualifications such as first aid and has obtained the DfES Early Years Foundation Stage publication to have regard to in the future.

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Organisation

Children's attendance is well organised so that they have effective support. The childminder prioritises her time with the children and this enhances their experiences and enjoyment. A diary is maintained to accurately record children's attendance patterns and includes those attending who are over the age of eight years and for whom the childminder is responsible. Most of the required documentation is in place although the absence of public liability insurance limits the safe and efficient management of children. Overall, children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The previous care inspection set a range of actions for improvement. These include: to complete a first aid course and obtain suitable first aid resources; to seek emergency medical parental permission; to ensure that all persons over the age of 16 years are suitably vetted; to develop a complaints procedure; to ensure that child protection procedures are suitable and to take proper precautions to minimise risks in relation to fire safety equipment, a disused pond and kitchen chemicals.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has addressed all the actions and therefore improved the safety and welfare of the children attending. She completed a first aid course in December 2007 and has obtained suitable first aid resources that are monitored closely to ensure they are always sufficient and suitable. Written parental permission for emergency medical treatment and advice is sought. All persons over 16 years of age are undergoing suitable vetting. Ofsted contact information and a short statement on how to make a complaint is made available to parents in the entrance hall. The childminder has electronically downloaded the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance material along with 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused - summary'. She is thereby able to implement child protection procedures and respond to safeguarding concerns. Smoke alarms are checked each week and a fire blanket is available although yet to

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Improvements since the last inspection

be suitably mounted for ease of use in the event of a fire. Harmful kitchen chemicals have been removed or made inaccessible to children and the garden it to be excluded from registration to give the family time to make the disused pond safe.

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Improvements since the last inspection

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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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 satisfactory. 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): • improve opportunities for children to make healthy choices with regard to their snacks and meals in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework • ensure that public liability insurance is consistently maintained • ensure that parents are fully informed of childcare practices and procedures from the outset and that methods are agreed, for example, those used to manage children's behaviour.

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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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