Dunston Primary and Nursery School

Inspection report for early years provision

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112777 Unique Reference Number 28 April 2008 Inspection date Mandy Gannon 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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 2001. She lives with her three children aged 17, 14 and six in Farnborough, Hampshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding apart from the ground floor bedroom. The upstairs is used for toileting and sleeping only. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The family has two cats and pet fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time when working alone. She is registered for a maximum of 10 children when minding with another childminder at her premises. Together they are currently minding 10 children who attend on a full time and part time basis. Children are collected from a variety of local schools and pre-schools.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children are well nourished as the childminder works closely with the parents and carers to ensure that she meets any dietary requirements. Meals are provided by the parents and are appropriately stored and the childminder provides healthy, nutritious snacks. Children have water to drink which they can independently access and the childminder reminds them to drink regularly.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from an environment which is well maintained and appropriate standards of hygiene are promoted through effective cleaning and wiping of any spills. Children are encouraged and supported when required to independently access the toilets. Towels are changed frequently so as to minimise the spread of infection. Children are aware of hygiene procedures and wash their hands after visiting the toilet and before snack.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a positive attitude to physical activity contributing to a healthy lifestyle as they access the enclosed garden where they have a wide range of activities and participate in regular outings to the parks and local places of interest.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health and well-being is promoted in the majority of areas as the childminder has an up-to-date first aid certificate and has first aid boxes both in the house and the car, although some dressings in the first aid box need replacing. The childminder has an accident, incident and medication record which is shared with parents and confidentiality is maintained. However, children's health is compromised as prior consent to administer medication is not always in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit as they are cared for in an organised environment where regular risk assessments on both the premises and equipment are completed and steps have been put in place to minimise hazards. For example, the childminder has had a fire officer visit the premises and sought advice with regards to the evacuation of the premises. A detailed fire evacuation procedure is in place and available on the notice board and regular fire drills are practised with the children. The environment is appropriately organised enabling children to be able to move around safely and freely access toys and resources from boxes that are rotated. Children are protected as the childminder ensures that children can access toys that are suitable for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has an understanding of child protection. She is aware to inform the regulator of any changes and all required persons in the household are vetted. A policy is in place which is shared with the parents and carers, and contains details of the Local Safeguarding Children's Board, although contact details are not easily available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and at ease in the setting being well aware of the routine. They have opportunities to access a variety of toys which are available in boxes around the room, which

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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 are rotated on a regular basis. Children select activities and are given choice. Children benefit as the childminder ensures they have access to toys and resources that are suitable for their age and stage of development. She is aware of individual needs. For example, she asks a child who is not feeling well what they want to do and if they want to sit quietly.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children acquire new knowledge and skills as they attempt to complete jigsaw puzzles and receive appropriate support when required. Children co-operate well with one another as they pass each other crayons when they sit in the kitchen completing a drawing which they proudly show the inspector. They work together to make a train track and take it in turns to drive the train along the track. Children participate in activities both inside and outside of the home as they access the garden and take regular walks to local parks and places of interest.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is aware of the forthcoming changes and the Early Years Foundation Stage, she has sent away for a pack and has enrolled to attend a course in July.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop a sense of belonging as they bring comforters from home and celebrate each others birthdays. They make positive relationships and are settled, showing delight and excitement when another child returns from nursery. Children benefit as positive relationships are forged, contracts are completed and two way communication links are open. A complaints policy is in place and information is shared with parents, although further detail is required.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit as the childminder has appropriate strategies in place to manage children's behaviour which is shared through a written policy and the childminders work consistently together with clear communication with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop their understanding of the wider world through resources and toys that are available, the celebration of festivals and visits in their local community. The childminder is aware a child in her care is bilingual and is supporting the child by starting to learn some of the language.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Sufficient information and consent is not obtained prior to the administration of medication. The childminder has written policies and procedures in place which she shares with the parents and carers, and continues to develop. Although, up-to-date contact details are required as part of the child protection procedure and more detail is required in the complaints policy.

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Organisation

Children benefit as the two childminders who work together at the property, work well together, they are organised providing an environment where the children are aware of the routine, settled and at ease. For example, the childminder ensures that older children are involved in an activity while the other childminder attends to the baby. Adult ratios are maintained and the childminder takes younger children to collect other children from nursery. Children are protected as the childminder is aware to inform the regulator of any changes to her household and when her own children reach 16.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was set actions to; complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children, ensure that there are effective procedures in place for checking that all adults over the age of 16 are suitable, devise and implement an emergency evacuation procedure, update knowledge and understanding of the new complaints procedure and make parents aware of the system to follow if they have any concerns and to ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible and available for inspection at all times. The childminder has completed a first aid course, effective procedures are in place for the checking of all adults over the age of 16. An emergency evacuation procedure is in place and is shared with the parents and children. The childminder is aware of the complaints procedure and has made information available for

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Improvements since the last inspection

parents, although more detail is required. All records relating to childminding are available for inspection.

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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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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