Nexus Foundation Special School

Inspection report for early years provision

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119050 Unique Reference Number 27 May 2008 Inspection date Judith, Mary Butler 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 has been registered since 1993. She lives with husband and two children aged 19 and 15 years old in Bracknell, Berkshire. They live within walking distance of local schools, shops and amenities. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a dog as a family pet.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for up to six children under eight years. She is currently caring for two children on a part time basis. The childminder drives or walks to local schools and nurseries to take and collect children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder follows effective procedures to ensure the health of children, for example, wearing gloves when changing younger children's nappies and washing her hands before feeding the children in her care. The childminder now holds a valid paediatric first aid certificate. She records all accidents and administration of medication and parents sign the completed

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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 documentation. However, parents do not always receive a copy of the completed documentation; therefore the health of children is not fully enhanced.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of walks and outings and the childminder ensures they have access to fresh air and exercise daily. They enjoy walks to and from school, outings to parks and play in the garden.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents of younger children provide them with their milk and meals and the childminder stores and prepares these in accordance to their wishes. Younger children enjoy meal times with the childminder, who feeds them and encourages them to eat their food. Children receive cuddles from the childminder while having their bottle of milk. Older children enjoy a range of healthy and nutritious meals and enjoy snacks such as apples and raisins. Children sit at the table to have all their meals. Babies have their needs met as the childminder encourages them to drink their water and milk throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in their environment. They enjoy a range of different activities and receive cuddles from the childminder who knows each child well. Children have opportunities to play with a variety of toys as the childminder lays a range out for younger children to play with on a blanket in the lounge. Older children are aware of the selection available and choose the toys they wish to use from the storage boxes and shelves in the conservatory. The childminder sorts and cleans toys to ensure they are suitable for the children she cares for.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder undertakes a daily safety check to minimize risks to children. She has effective plans in place to evacuate the home should she need to and she practises these with the children. All entrances to the home are secure and visitors are supervised while in the home. Children remain safe while on outings through the use of age and stage appropriate equipment such as pushchairs and car seats. However, the childminder does not carry written details of the contact numbers of parents while on outings with the children. Therefore, the safety of children is not fully protected.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good awareness of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and holds the contact details for advice and referral. This enhances the welfare of children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Younger children enjoy individual time and attention from the childminder, who knows them well. She moves the babies so that they can watch other people in the home and constantly chats to them in their play. The childminder follows the routines of the children and this enables them to feel comfortable and secure in the home. She provides younger children with support in their play, for example, assisting a baby in sitting up and reaching for a toy and shaking toys to gain their attention. The childminder chats to the children who respond positively to this attention by smiling and cooing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder does not plan activities for children but asks older children what they would like to do when they arrive. She takes the children on some outings and these include trips to the park and walks to and from school. She is aware of the individual play preferences of the

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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 in her care and provides equipment to suit these, for example, playing with the football while at the park.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder welcomes all children into her home and values them as individuals. She discusses the children with parents and records this information; this ensures she is able to meet the needs of all children in her care. The childminder provides the parents with verbal feedback regarding their day and has introduced a journal for younger children. This is shared with parents and includes details of the child's routines and activities they have been involved in. Parents receive some information about the childminding service through the developing policies and procedures that are in place. All parents have signed consent forms and these include consent for emergency medication, outings and transporting in the car. Written agreements are held by the childminder detailing the expectations of both parties, however, new documentation that has been developed has not been completed by all parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children enjoy outings and meet different people while out walking and through visits to parks. The childminder has limited resources to reflect the diverse society within the home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a behaviour policy in place and she discusses this with the parents to ensure a consistent approach is maintained. This enables children to feel comfortable and secure in the home. She uses praise with the children while they play and rewards children with positive comments and smiles. This assists children in developing their self-esteem.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in this home. The childminder makes good use of the available space within the home and children access all areas of the ground floor. Children enjoy individual time and attention from the childminder, who discusses their needs with the parents. Parents receive some information about the policies and procedures and receive both verbal and written feedback regarding their child's daily routines.

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Organisation

The childminder has developed some policies and procedures to support her childminding service and shares these with parents. She holds most of the required documentation to protect the health, safety and welfare of children. However, this is not always shared with parents or carried on outings. The childminder keeps accurate details of the hours and days of each child's attendance and all visitors in the home are supervised. 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 quality of care was judged as inadequate. The childminder was asked to address two actions. These related to undertaking a first aid course and keeping a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours and days of attendance.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has attended paediatric first aid training and now holds a valid first aid certificate. She now records the names of children and their hours and days of attendance and this enhances the safety of children in her care.

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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): • ensure parents receive a copy of completed accident and medication forms • ensure parents emergency contact details are carried on all outings • develop the variety of toys and resources to reflect the diverse society • ensure written agreements are held from all parents detailing the expectations of both parties • continue to develop the policies and procedures to support the childminding service.

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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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