Hamilton Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

137964 Unique Reference Number 06 August 2008 Inspection date Helen Deegan Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since May 1992. She lives with her husband and two adult sons in a house in New Malden, Surrey. Only the ground floor kitchen, sitting room, front bedroom and toilet areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden that is shared with the next door neighbours where children can play, supervised by the childminder.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently caring for one child on a full time basis. The childminder attends a local toddler group each week.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is supported as the childminder has undertaken a first aid course and maintains a well stocked first aid box to deal with minor accidents effectively. The childminder has requested permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice if necessary and

p.2

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 demonstrates a sound knowledge of how to record any accidents that occur whilst children are in her care. The childminder has devised a written policy which informs parents that she will not care for children who are ill or infectious, so that children are protected from the spread of infection

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing good hygiene practices whilst in the childminder's care, as she is vigilant about children washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet. They have their own flannels to wash and wipe their hands and faces and this helps prevent cross infection.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy home cooked food whilst in the childminder's care and this is varied and nutritious. Children's dietary preferences and allergies are recorded so that their individual requirements are met. Children are prevented from becoming thirsty because the childminder refreshes their beakers at regular intervals.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are taken to the local park and to toddler groups where they access age appropriate equipment to help develop their physical skills. The childminder has a small selection of outdoor toys and children can also access a slide in the adjoining garden. Children enjoy dancing to music in the childminder's home and go for walks, which gives them exercise and fresh air.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has taken steps to ensure children play in a safe environment inside the premises. For example, all accessible sockets have covers, smoke alarms are in place and a fire blanket is hanging in the kitchen in an accessible place. However, the inappropriate storage of gym equipment and chairs in the garden, along with the loose bricks which secure the cover of the barbeque, presents a risk to children. The childminder has a written evacuation plan for her home and has practised this with minded children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play in areas of the home that are clean and well maintained. The house is kept at an adequate temperature, is well lit, ventilated and suitable for children to play. There are sufficient resources for the number of children currently being cared for, but this would need to be increased if any more children came into her care. The toys and equipment are maintained in good repair with the childminder regularly looking out for broken or dirty items to ensure children only play with safe toys.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of child protection issues and understands her responsibilities if she has a concern about a child in her care. She has a copy of a safeguarding children advice document available for reference but does not have contact numbers easily to hand. This could result in a possible delay in contacting the appropriate authorities should a concern arise, therefore, children's welfare is compromised.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children play happily at the childminder's home where they self select toys from storage boxes kept at child height. They enjoy weekly outings to a playgroup where they mix with other children of a similar age and have opportunities to access creative resources such as paints, water and sand. The childminder does not provide these types of creative activities within her own home. The childminder leaves the television on with the sound turned down and as it is

p.3

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 not set to a children's channel it sometimes has images which would not be age appropriate for the children attending.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and relaxed whilst in the care of the childminder as they busy themselves playing with musical instruments, building bricks and dolls. Children are encouraged to help tidy away toys before moving onto other activities and confidently speak up when they want something.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's vocabulary is encouraged by the childminder as she talks to them during their play. For example, they talk about the numbers on the wooden bricks and the childminder extends this by asking a child how old they are. The childminder does drive, but does not use her car when childminding. This means children experience going on buses and taking lots of walks, either on foot or in the pushchair.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children behave well and are interested in the resources provided. The childminder deals with inappropriate behaviour by using distraction, reasoning and facial expressions with the young children in her care. This results in children who are happy and who are beginning to understand right from wrong.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a limited selection of resources which reflect diversity. This helps children's developing understanding of the diversity within today's society. Children attend toddler groups where they socialise with others and experience sharing, possibly for the first time. The childminder is teaching children about her own culture, not only in language terms but by including minded children in the celebrations of festivals, such as the feast after Ramadan.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures all children's individual needs are met in accordance with their parents' wishes, and requests written information to inform her of those needs. The childminder displays information for parents about how they make a complaint, which includes the contact number for Ofsted.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder attends ongoing training workshops to update and improve her knowledge of childcare issues. She has all the required record keeping documentation in place and has produced some written policies which guide her daily practice.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder organises her home to enable children to play in comfort and makes sure that resources are accessible to children. The childminder has established professional and friendly relationships with parents, which contributes to children's well-being.

p.4

Organisation

Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to; ensure that all household members aged over 16 complete Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks, to ensure that records of parents and

p.4

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 G.P's contact details are kept on site, to improve her knowledge and understanding of child protection and to improve her knowledge of the regulations relating to complaints.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has now obtained a CRB check for all household members over 16 and requests detailed information about minded children, including contact numbers for parents and G.P's. She now has an appropriate understanding of child protection and has obtained a safeguarding children information document for reference. The childminder now displays a poster which informs parents how they may make a complaint and has a complaint record ready for completion in the event that a parent should raise a concern.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 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. 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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): • conduct a risk assessment on the garden and take any steps necessary to ensure it is safe for children • ensure that activities are provided which meet children's individual needs and promote their welfare

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5