Wells Park School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 115450 Inspection date 20 October 2005 Inspector Linda Patricia Coccia

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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 was registered in 1995. She lives with her husband and three children aged 12, 10 and 6 years in Sidcup, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding 4 children under 5 years who all attend on a part-time basis. The childminder drives to pre-schools to take and collect children and the childminder's husband acts as her assistant with this activity. The childminder

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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 regularly gets together with other local childminders. The family has a variety of pets, including rabbits and a horse. The childminder can support children with special educational needs. She is a member of an approved childminding network, although she does not receive nursery funding. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children participate in effective personal hygiene procedures. They wash their hands with anti-bacterial foam or use anti-bacterial wipes on their hands after using the toilet. They have their own drinking cups and know not to put their drinking cups on the floor to avoid contamination from germs. The children benefit from the childminder’s effective written sick child policy. It is shared with parents who also give individual written permissions for the administration of medication and sun creams, going on outings, transporting children in the car, and the use of photographs. Children are protected from infections and are cared for according to their parent's wishes. Children are offered a good selection of food which is healthy and nutritious. They are able to choose from a variety of snacks and fruit. The childminder works well with parents and children's individual dietary requirements are catered for. Children learn

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Helping children to be healthy

about healthy eating. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day there are outdoor activities to help them develop control of their bodies; for example, as they use the slide and ride on wheeled toys. Indoor physical activities such as dancing and exercising to appropriate children's television programmes are available on wet days. Children exercise daily.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a spacious home where risks are identified and minimised. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. Toys are clean and safe for children to use and children are encouraged to treat them properly and put them away after playing with them. Children learn to respect their toys. The children are kept safe when out in the car with the childminder. Well thought out procedures include parents contact numbers being carried in the childminder's mobile phone should the emergency services need them. Minded children are aware of the need to keep their seat belts on at all times. The children are also aware of the childminder's emergency evacuation procedures which they practise. However, they could be practised more frequently. Children are able to keep themselves safe in

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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 emergency situations. There are well written, clear, concise procedures for dealing with child protection issues which help keep the children safe. The written information is shared with parents which ensures they have a good understanding of the childminder's role in protecting children. So far there has been no need to record any incidents. Children’s wellbeing is promoted.

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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 achieve well because the childminder is caring, professional and has a good understanding of how young children develop from the variety of courses she has attended. Children learn about shape, texture and colour though the range of craft and other activities provided. They also learn to use utensils and equipment through their role- play games. The children use the floor a lot for activities rather than using the various tables and chairs available. A photographic record is kept of children enjoying their play. The photos are shared with parents so that they can see what their children have been doing. Children are provided with activities suitable for their age and stage of development. Children regularly accompany the childminder to the local stables to feed the horse. The children have the opportunity to stroke and feed it and have contact with other

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

animals such as ducks and dogs which are also kept there. One child excitedly told me that sometimes he can ride the horse. Another child said he helps to feed the rabbits which live in the garden shed and sometimes help clean them out. Children learn to feed, care for and respect animals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminders experience of caring for children from different cultures and children with disabilities. They learn that all children are different. They are encouraged to participate in all activities, regardless of gender or ability. They have access to toys and books which show positive images of equality such as small role-play figures and different play food. Children learn about each other's differences. The children are very well behaved, polite and considerate to each other. The behaviour management procedures are used to good effect as the children discuss their behaviour with the childminder and they learn about what is or is not acceptable. Distraction and time out is used frequently with younger children. Children play within set boundaries and develop good self-esteem. Parents report that the children receive very good care and support from the

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder, as do they and other members of their families such as older siblings who have also attended the provision. Parents receive a good insight into how their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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 develop through the daily verbal exchanges about the children's wellbeing and achievements. Children receive continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children's care is greatly enhanced by a childminder who is professional in her manner and outlook. Her paperwork is exceptionally well maintained, stored appropriately and shared with parents very regularly. She has very good communication with parents and discusses all areas of individual care for their children with them. He husband will be helping her, as an assistant, with collecting children from school and pre-school. The childminder is committed to continuous improvement and development for herself by attending training and regularly reviewing her practice with the help of the local Network co-ordinator. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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): • increase the frequency of the practising of the emergency evacuation

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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 procedures with children.

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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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