St Martin in the Fields High School for Girls

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 137966 Inspection date 12 October 2005 Inspector John Edwin Warren

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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 1996. She is registered to provide care for six children under eight years; of these, not more than three may be under five years, and of these, not more than one may be under one year. When working together with another childminder from the same premises, they are registered to provide care for eight children under eight years; of these, no more than six may be under five years, and of these, not more than two may be under one year. The childminder lives with her husband and two children. The co-childminder attends on a daily basis. The ground floor flat is situated in a converted, semi-detached

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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 house in Merton. There are local shops, parks and schools within walking distance. All areas of the property are used for childminding apart from the main bedroom. There is a communal garden that can be used under constant supervision for outside play. It is a non-smoking household and the family have no pets. The childminders take the children to parent and toddler groups and local parks on a regular basis. They both have the NNEB and years of childcare experience. There are currently 16 children on the roll most of which are part-time.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from a routine that meets their individual needs. They receive support from a childminder who recognises their signs of tiredness and when they are hungry, for example, one child was tired earlier than usual so her lunch time was brought forward so she could rest earlier. Children have a good understanding of a healthy diet and are involved in the preparation for mealtimes. They wash their hands before setting the table and are provided with healthy choices that meet their dietary needs. Children sometimes have the opportunity to choose the food from the shops with the childminder on small planned shopping trips. Children show good independence at mealtimes, all are making an attempt to feed themselves and are praised for their efforts. All children help themselves to a drink whenever they need it. The childminder reminds them to taken more fluids when the weather is hot or they

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Helping children to be healthy

have been involved in exercise. Children enjoy outdoor play, they benefit from planned activities that encourage them to take on a variety of physical activities that will challenge them. Daily outings ensure that children benefit from the fresh air and are able to experience the variety of elements. Children remain healthy through procedures that are shared with the parents. Children who are infectious are excluded until the infection has passed, subsequently protecting the others from becoming unwell.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play freely in an environment that is designed to be centred around them. They choose their own play and learning resources from easily accessible areas. Children are very aware of their own safety and those of the children around them. Older children clearly know the rules of safety when being escorted to and from school. Younger children are reminded how to keep safe and the consequences of their actions, for example, one young child was playing with the till and was slamming it shut. The childminder showed her how to close it properly and informed her that she may hurt her finger if she kept slamming it. All equipment is checked for safety on a regular basis by the childminder, older children are reminded to inform her if toys are broken as they play. Children are protected from harm through a range of resources that meet their needs, for example, car seats that are appropriate for each

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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 child's age and stage of development. Checks are made by the childminder of smoke alarms and fire blanket. There is a fire drill procedure however this has not been practised recently. All areas of the home are risked assessed by the childminder and if any accidents occur the childminder will take action to ensure the risk of an incident in the same area is minimised. Children use outdoor areas that are familiar to them so that they are aware of any dangers, for example, if playing in a park they only use apparatus that is appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children are protected from harm by others because of the childminder's good knowledge of the child protection procedures and her ability to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children play confidently with a range of resources that meet their needs and offer them a challenge. This is achieved through the development of play plans that look at what the children can do and how to move them onto the next stage of development. They enjoy the company of their peers and even the youngest children play happily alongside others. They are willing to ask for support from the childminder if they need it. The support they receive from the childminder enables them to expand and explore each activity they are involved in fully. This happens on outings too, children are encouraged to look closely at the world around them, for example, looking at spider webs in the park after the rain. Children enjoy looking closely at books and are starting to recognise that print carries meaning and will follow words with their fingers. They also enjoy sharing books and will take them to the childminder for her to read.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children are adding their names to the work and younger children are asking for their name to be added. Children enjoy a range of creative play experiences, for example, play dough and finger painting. They happily take part in imaginative play and develop some complex story lines. Children are taken on local outings and some further afield, for example, the seaside. Not all trips are planned, some are spontaneous and because a child has shown an interest.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's behaviour is generally good. They play co-operatively with their peers in small groups. Children happily use please and thank you without the need to be reminded. Any potential disputes are dealt with quickly and effectively in an understanding and sensitive manner. Any unacceptable behaviour is discussed with the parents in order to maintain consistency. Children benefit from being involved in a range of activities that teach them about a variety of celebrations and festivals, for example, Chinese New Year and Diwali. They also have access to a range of

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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 resources that promote positive images of ethnicity, gender and disability. Partnership with parents are valued. They are given written or verbal feedback depending upon the age and stage of their child. They are shown the play plans of activities the children maybe involved in over the coming weeks. Comments are welcomed from the parents. The childminder recently asked for opinions on the setting, all of the parental responses were positive.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children's care is significantly enhanced by exceptional organisation. The polices and procedures have been developed specifically for this provision. Plans for the children's development and resources required are excellent. Good use is made of all time ensuring that the children have the support of the childminder on a face to face basis for the entire time they are in her care. This is achieved through superb organisation that still allows for the children to make choices of their own and the flexibility to respond positively to these choices. Children's record of their daily attendance is kept clearly and up-to-date. Permission for emergency medical treatment ensures that children receives the best possible care in a crisis. Children benefit from the support of the childminder who attends a variety of training courses in order to develop or consolidate her knowledge in an area that she thinks

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Organisation

will help her to enhance her provision. 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 was given several recommendations in relation to training, documentation and safety. Training in first aid has now been attended and the childminder has the knowledge to take the appropriate action in a crisis. Written permission is now granted by parents for medication and this is stored safely to prevent children accessing them.

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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

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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 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 fire drills are carried out and recorded

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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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