Aster House Pupil Referral Unit

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 115844 Inspection date 06 December 2005 Inspector Claire, Alexandra Parnell

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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 1990. She lives with her husband and school aged children in an extended, semi-detached chalet style house in Sidcup. The downstairs of the house is mainly used for childminding purposes. The toilet and bathroom are situated on the ground floor. A bedroom on the first floor is used for sleeping. There is an enclosed garden available for daily outside play. Shops, schools and parks are located nearby. The family do not have any pets.

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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 can care for a maximum of six children of which three may be under five years and one may be under one year. Currently the childminder cares for a total of five children, four of which are aged under five years; two on a full-time basis and three on a part- time basis. The childminder has support from other local childminders.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children develop a good understanding of effective hygiene practices. This is due to the childminder's clear explanations and support in helping children to wipe their own nose, wash their hands after going to the toilet and covering their mouths when they cough. Children's health needs are promoted through documentation of accidents that occur in the childminder's care. These are shared with the parents to ensure that they have a clear knowledge of how and where the accident happened, providing information for continuity of care. The childminder has a one-off consent form allowing the administration of medication to the children in her care. However, this information lacks clarity for each type of medication and each child's individual needs. In emergency situations parents are contacted for verbal consent to administer medication, such as Calpol for teething. Therefore adequate procedures are carried out to ensure children's temperatures are

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Helping children to be healthy

lowered effectively. Children have plenty of opportunities to eat and drink healthily in the childminder's care. They confidently request healthy snacks, such as bananas and dried fruit, and are given alternatives to choose from for a wider choice. Children independently access their drinks of diluted juice or water throughout the day. These are regularly topped up to ensure all children have an ongoing supply of healthy drinks to meet their needs. Information is gained from parents and kept updated by the childminder, to ensure children's individual dietary needs are adhered to and met. Children are encouraged to try new tastes and foods to develop their appetites. Children have daily opportunities to exercise, regardless of the weather, using the garden effectively for wet and dry situations. The children have access to large climbing equipment and swings as well as clear space of grass and decking to

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Helping children to be healthy

explore their space and movements; with the additional use of bikes, balls and outside games to extend their physical development. Children are encouraged to walk on a daily basis to collect from either nursery or school, encouraging their understanding of a healthy lifestyle through routine situations.

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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 have access to a large amount of regularly checked space, free from potential hazards, to ensure that their play is safe. The childminder supervises the children effectively without diminishing their independence, to ensure that appropriate use is made of the space and that she is aware of what each child is playing with and where at all times. Children have independent access to appropriate toys for their age and stage of development, enhancing their own choice of safe play. Equipment that is used by the children is regularly checked and maintained. Parents are informed of the equipment that is used by their children, such as car seats, to promote their safety further. Only children over six years of age can use the trampoline in the garden, following the manufacturers guidelines. However, the childminder has not carried out a full risk assessment, gained parental consent or produced rules for older children's safe use

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

of this equipment. Therefore older children do not have a full understanding about the safe use of such equipment, so their safety and that of others is not fully promoted. Children develop a clear understanding of road safety. This is due to the practical examples given by the childminder and older children, who explain when and how to cross. Children are encouraged to hold onto each others hands or the buggy and to listen to instructions carefully to develop a sense of safety. The childminder has clear procedures for evacuating the house in the event of a fire, resulting in the children's developing understanding of fire safety and what to do and where to go if the situation arose. The childminder has equipment accessible to promote their safety further, such as fire blankets and regularly tested smoke alarms. Children's safety and protection is promoted well, as the childminder has a clear understanding and knowledge of child protection procedures. She is aware of her

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

responsibilities in recognising concerns and contacting local authorities for the relevant support. Therefore children's welfare is effectively safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are busy, occupied, confident and independent in the care of the childminder. They access a good range of age and stage appropriate toys and resources for themselves; making decisions about their play, involving others and enhancing their social interaction. Children regularly meet up with other childminders and the children they care for, building relationships to increase their confidence to interact and accept others in their play. This also provides continuity of care in the event of the childminder taking holidays or time off sick, as the other childminders act as emergency care for the children and parents. Children are encouraged to become involved in all aspects of play, but they particularly enjoy imaginary role play because of the high level of participation by all

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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 and the childminder. They develop their communication skills well as the childminder constantly talks to them, enticing them to answer verbally as well as with gestures and expressions. Children's development and achievements are not recorded or linked to a framework for children under three years of age, such as Birth to three matters. They are feedback to parents verbally. Therefore there is no system to monitor children's development and formally share appropriate information with parents for continuity of care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected for their individuality, with regard to their religion, ethnicity, language spoken at home and gender. Therefore children feel confident to express themselves openly through play, without feeling uncomfortable about their feelings or thoughts. Children are encouraged to respect other people's differences through positive images of today's society and positive discussion. The childminder is willing to offer care to children with special needs. Children's needs are assessed and discussed openly with the parents to determine whether the childminder's knowledge and skills can meet the needs of the child. Children develop a sense of right and wrong, reminding each other openly of what is acceptable and what is not. They are encouraged to say please and thank you, and remind each other of this continuously. This is due to, the childminder's positive

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Helping children make a positive contribution

reaction to acceptable and unacceptable behaviour, constant praise and encouragement and the recognition of sharing and taking turns. Children therefore develop self esteem and are proud of their achievements. Parents are asked for relevant information about their children, when first settling, to allow the childminder to offer continuity of care for the children. Parents receive relevant information, through well written policies and procedures, informing them of the type of care that is offered to their children. Consent is gained from parents in writing for relevant aspects of care such as emergency treatment, photograph, outings and transport. Allowing the childminder to act professionally and with the greatest impact on the child at all times. Parents also have access to information about making complaints should they have concerns. Making their relationships with the childminder open and in the best

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children settle quickly into a warm and welcoming environment that offers continuity and familiarity through routine and events. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to mind within her registered numbers of children, but does not inform

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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 Ofsted when there is a possibility, due to continuity of care, that she may go over numbers. Children are supervised and have access to thoroughly checked persons, within the family and other childminders. Children are never left unsupervised or with an un vetted persons, therefore children are always supervised by suitable people. The childminder is eager to complete further training to improve childcare further. All relevant documentation is complete, accurately recorded, safe and confidentially stored. Therefore children's welfare is promoted well. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was given two recommendations to improve child care practice. The parents now have full information about Ofsted and how to contact them in the event of a concern or complaint. The childminder has a written procedure as well as a poster displayed in the setting for parent information. Each children's attendance is accurately recorded for their times of arrival and departure in secure documentation and is available at all times.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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 • update systems for medication administration to obtain permission for each type of medication given to the children • produce a risk assessment and written information for parents about the safe use of the trampoline for children • introduce an informal system to show children's stages of development and achievements in line with a framework for children under three years

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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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