Boothan Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

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121728 Unique Reference Number 18 August 2008 Inspection date Teresa Elkington 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 was first registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and three school-aged children in Redhill, Surrey. She uses the ground floor of the house for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under the age of five years part-time. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends a carer and toddler group, and also takes children to story time at the library and to play in the nearby park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The childminder makes time to promote the good health of children and takes positive steps to prevent the spread of infection. She encourages them to follow good hygiene routines, for example, washing their hands after personal care routines and in readiness for meals. Access to individual hand towels ensure that children are protected from cross-contamination. The childminder's clear understanding of the required procedures regarding accidents and the

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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 administration of medication, protects children in her care. Children rest and sleep according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a continuity of their diet as the childminder works closely with parents to ensure that she meets the dietary needs of all children. She provides a wide selection of healthy meals and snacks, which children are encouraged to help prepare. Children have access to regular drinks, including water in suitable quantities for their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that children receive many worthwhile opportunities to enjoy physical play. They play in the garden, enjoy visits to the park, and activities at Tumble Tots and Mother and Toddler groups.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a secure home where they have adequate space to play freely. Children have access to a suitable range of toys and play materials which cater for the age range cared for. Regimes are in place to ensure that they are safe and clean for children to use. Safety measures within the home have been identified and minimised. For example, knives are out of children’s reach, cupboard catches are in place, electrical sockets are covered and the fire blanket is accessible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from playing in a secure garden area and precautions have been put into place to ensure that children cannot access the swimming pool. However, the maintenance of the barbeque area within the garden does not fully ensure that children can play in safety. Risk assessments ensure that children can safely play on large garden apparatus. For example, secure safety nets and pads ensure that children can place safely on the large trampoline. Children's safety is further promoted as clear rules have been established to ensure that only so many play on it at any one time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a clear understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and is aware of the importance of recording any existing injuries that children may arrive with. However, she does not have the required information regarding local safeguarding children procedures, which does not ensure that she acts in the best interests of the children should she have a concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children's confidence is being developed as the childminder knows them well and creates a friendly and relaxed atmosphere for them to feel at ease. The childminder is warm and caring, making children feel comfortable and valued. Children benefit from the continued involvement of the childminder in their daily routines and their play, ensuring that their interests and learning are continually being extended.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plans her day around the needs of the children, which ensures that they are able to participate in a range of activities that are suitable for their age and stage of development. Children benefit from a range of activities both inside and outside of the home. For example, younger children enjoy visits to mother and toddler groups, which allows them opportunities to socialise with other children their own age. Children's creative and imaginative development is encouraged through activities such as art and craft, pretence play, cooking

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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 activities and growing plants, which enhances the use of their senses and develops their creative flairs. Children have many opportunities to play independently as they select from the resources that are available to suit all age groups and spend long sustained periods of time at their chosen activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are all treated with equal concern by the childminder and given individual attention to support their individual needs. She liaises with parents to meet children's individual needs and is aware of their particular requirements. Children have opportunities to experience images of the wider world through the range of resources that are available to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to play harmoniously with one another, as the childminder has realistic expectations and uses positive methods to help promote children's self-esteem and to help them understand right from wrong. Relationships with parents are friendly and supportive. Time is taken to discuss the changing needs of the children. Daily routines reflect the wishes of their parents to ensure that children receive continuity in their care. The childminder has documentation in place to support her in the event of any complaints being raised directly with her as to the service she provides. Contact details for Ofsted are readily available, which enables parents to make a complaint to the regulatory body if they wish to do so.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder adopts a flexible approach and organises her day effectively to ensure that the care needs of children are met. Children are protected from persons unknown to the childminder as she supervises them at all times. The childminder shows a commitment to updating her knowledge in support of her work with young children, as she has recently secured a place on a forthcoming first aid course.

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Organisation

The childminder has all of the relevant documentation in place to support the well-being of the children in her care. However, the arrival and departure times are not fully reflected in the attendance register. Confidentiality of the children's care is safeguarded as all records are stored appropriately.

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Organisation

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 asked to: make the garden safe and secure, and the swimming pool inaccessible; ensure that toys and play equipment on the premises are clean and in good condition, and are organised so that children can use them easily and safely; ensure that children are unable to reach hazardous items in the kitchen; improve knowledge and understanding of the procedure to be followed and the records to be kept if a parent has a complaint; ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible and available for inspection at all times; improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations and set in place a procedure to notify Ofsted of significant events.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection positive actions has been undertaken to address all of the actions raised. The garden area is now fully secure and the swimming pool has been made inaccessible.

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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 However, appropriate measures have not been put into place to safe guard the children from the area used for barbeques. Therefore, a further recommendation has been raised at this inspection. Cleaning regimes have been established to ensure that toys are maintained in a safe condition. Re-organisation of the play resources now allow children to access their play equipment easily. Safety precautions have been put into place to ensure that hazardous kitchen items are out of children's reach.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has implemented a complaints procedure to ensure that she can act accordingly in the event of a parent wishing to raise any concerns with her. Systems have been adopted to ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are in place for all children on the roll and are readily available for inspection. The childminder shows a full awareness and understanding of the requirements of the regulations and has adopted a procedure to ensure that Ofsted are fully informed of any change of circumstances.

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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. 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 the barbeque area within the garden is made safe • obtain current literature in regard to local safeguarding children procedures • ensure that the daily attendance clearly records the arrival and departure times of children

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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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