Ashwood Education Centre

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 115834 Inspection date 22 September 2005 Inspector Mandy Mooney

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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 1997. She lives with her husband and two sons aged 10 and 12 years in an extended semi-detached home in a quiet residential street in Crayford. The property is close to local shops, parks, a library and is within walking distance of a main line train station. There are currently seven children on roll. All children are cared for on a part-time basis. The childminder has completed an NVQ level 3 in Childcare and Education and she

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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 is an active member of the Bexley Childminding Association and is involved with running of a local childminding support group. The family have a cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene through well planned daily routines. They know for example, that they should wash their hands before eating and after coming in from playing in the garden. The childminder has developed clear and effective procedures to help prevent the spread of infection, for example, an agreement with parents that children who are clearly unwell will not be accepted into the provision. Children benefit from a healthy diet. They are offered drinks throughout the day and each child has their own individual cup, to encourage independence. They enjoy a balanced and well presented diet, which complies with the wishes of parents and likes and dislikes of the child and also ensures the children remain healthy. The childminder has devised menus for mealtimes, which are displayed to keep parents informed of what is provided and also to give them an opportunity to comment. Lunch

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Helping children to be healthy

time is an enjoyable occasion, where children sit together and socialise. Children have many opportunities to take part in a variety of physical activities both indoors and outdoors. They are developing their gross motor skills well and are gaining a good awareness of how to keep themselves healthy. Use of the garden with equipment that provides challenge and enjoyment, such as, a large trampoline and climbing frame, form part of the daily routine.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has created a bright and welcoming lounge room, which enables the children to feel happy and settled within the environment. Children use a range of safe, good quality and developmentally appropriate resources. These are well organised at the child's level to enable younger children to develop their decision making skills and to develop a greater sense of responsibility in regards to tidying up and putting things away. Some resources aimed at meeting the needs of the older children are stored on high level shelves. This requires them to over stretch and poses a potential hazard, where the boxes are stored in quite a disorganised way and could fall on top of the children. Children's risk of accidental injury is minimised in the well maintained premises, which has good safety precautions, such as safety gates in appropriate places. This includes a full length barrier to create an area for the non-mobile children to play

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

safely. The childminder has developed an effective procedure to follow in the event of

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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 an emergency in the home, which is regularly practiced with the children and discussed with parents. Children have access to a large, secure garden. They play on the large trampoline and climbing frame, which the childminder has risk assessed to ensure it is suitable for use by the age range attending. The rules for using this, which include, no children under five years allowed to use the trampoline, are understood by all children and reinforced by the childminder. Appropriate supervision is afforded at all times to ensure children are kept safe. Good safety precautions are implemented when the children are taken out. Children learn to keep themselves safe whilst outdoors through the childminder reinforcing effective safety measures to educate them, for example, ensuring their seat belts are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

kept on until they are told by the childminder that they can remove them, learning how to keep themselves safe when crossing the road and knowing the rules and boundaries when on outings. Children are well protected. The childminder has attended a recent training workshop on child protection. She is confident in her ability to follow current guidelines in regards to protecting children from harm or neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at the childminder's home. They are very confident and achieve well because the childminder is highly skilled and uses her understanding of the children she is caring for to provide a varied range of experiences and play opportunities to stimulate and challenge the children. The childminder has some awareness of the Birth to three curriculum and uses this to prompt herself for ideas of activities for the younger children. All children arrive happy and eager to participate. Children make good progress because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. Close and caring relationships increase children’s sense of trust and help them develop a strong sense of self. Children enjoy floor play, such as Brio, as the childminder gets down to the child's level and offers suggestions for play and encourages participation. Good quality adult-child interactions are very supportive of early communication skills. Children at

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

the transitional stage of starting school are taught basic self help skills, such as, doing up their own coat buttons and being able to unlock their lunch box. This helps them develop independence and confidence. Younger children are taken out on a daily basis. Attendance at several childminder drop-in groups and a singing and music sessions form part of the regular routine. This helps children develop their early social skills and gain confidence whilst being with a familiar group of children.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are easily engaged by the childminder as she makes her home a fun place to be in and children experience a sense of belonging. The childminder creates a very welcoming, homely environment, helping children and their parents to feel relaxed and comfortable. Children move around the home with ease and confidence because the childminder helps children to feel 'at home'. Children have many opportunities to mix with a diverse group of people, through regular meetings at local pre-school groups and frequent social events with other childminder's and their children. This enables them to learn about the wider community and themselves. Resources to reflect a positive image of the community are few. The childminder demonstrates a positive approach to caring for children who have additional needs. Children play and co-operate well because the childminder praises them to encourage desired behaviour. They know what they can play with and what they can

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and can't touch, because the childminder explains house rules clearly so that they understand. Children mix with others and can develop social skills as the childminder takes them to various groups. Children feel valued as individuals because the childminder takes an interest in their family. Positive relationships are well established with parents promoting the welfare of children. The childminder creates time every day to talk to parents about their children, what they have been doing and the progress they are making. A written diary is kept for babies. Parents are also kept well informed about their children's routines ensuring consistent care is provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from a well trained and skilled childminder. She is committed to continuous improvement and development. She is able to regularly reflect, monitor and improve the quality of the care and education. She has developed clear and effective written procedures for the safe management of the provision and has attended many training workshops to keep herself up to date with current issues. The premises are well organised. Indoor and outdoor space is laid out to maximise play opportunities for children. Children can rest or sleep downstairs where the childminder can see and hear them or for younger babies a travel cot is set up in an upstairs bedroom. Children are supervised appropriately when the childminder is in the kitchen, as the lounge is arranged with a safety gate across the doorway. All required documentation, which contributes to children’s health, safety and

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Organisation

well-being are in place and are regularly reviewed, however these are not stored in a way that can guarantee confidentiality is maintained.

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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 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 Children Act inspection in 2003, the childminder agreed to ensure the rear of the garden was inaccessible to children at all times. A lockable gate has been affixed and this contributes to keeping children safe. It was also agreed to provide parents with contact details for Ofsted. The Ofsted poster is clearly displayed on a notice board for parents to see. This enhances partnership with parents.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The childminder telephoned the Regional Centre on the 14 July 2004 to report concerns relating to National Standard 11, the behaviour of one of the children she was minding. An Ofsted childcare inspector visited the childminder, together with the Childminder Development Officer from the Local Authority. The childminder acted appropriately in reporting her concerns which were subsequently referred to Social Services. No further action. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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): • review and improve the storage of resources on high level shelves • review the storage of records to ensure these are organised to maintain confidentiality at all times

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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:

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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 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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