Dudley Middle School

Inspection report for early years provision

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128166 Unique Reference Number 08 April 2008 Inspection date Kay Williams 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 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 1990. She lives with her adult daughter and 13 year old son. They live in Chadwell Heath, which is located in the London borough of Redbridge. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends local toddler groups and takes children to the library and the park.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 good. Children's health and well-being is effectively promoted. The enjoy a healthy active lifestyle which includes lots of fresh air and exercise in all weathers. Children gain opportunities to develop and strengthen their muscles as they take regular trips to the local park, where they learn to climb, run and play on the swings.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children are well nourished and enjoy a social meal time where they sit together and enjoy their chicken, vegetables and jacket potatoes. They talk about how good food 'makes you grow bigger'. The childminder encourages the children to make healthy choices and encourages them to try new foods such as potato skins. Children are able to access a drink at any time and are encouraged to drink regularly, especially after a rigorous dancing activity.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a hygienically clean environment. They understand the importance of good personal hygiene, washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet. They are protected from the risk of cross-infection because the childminder has an effective procedure for caring for children who become ill. Children are well cared for in the event of an accident because the childminder maintains a current first aid qualification.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. They feel comfortable in the childminders home and their sense of belonging is strengthened because they have their own personal effects close to hand. They enjoy independent access to a range of age-appropriate resources and equipment which they confidently help themselves to as they move freely between the different rooms, choosing where to play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Overall, the childminder has a high regard for safety. Appropriate safety equipment is in place, including socket covers, safety gates and a fire guard; these reduce potential hazards to children. Fire drills are practised and recorded, and smoke detectors and a fire blanket are in place. However, the meter cupboard in the downstairs bathroom is accessible to children and poses a potential safety risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder has sound knowledge of child protection issues and knows how to respond to any concerns that may arise. Her written policy is shared with and signed by parents; consequently, both parties are aware of the her duty to protect the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have fun as they learn through their play. The childminder plans a good range of age-appropriate activities which effectively stimulate and sustain children's interests. The childminder strikes a good balance between assisting the children's learning and allowing them to think and solve problems for themselves. This effectively supports children's individual learning. For example, as children work together to complete a puzzle, the childminder suggests

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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 that older children try a more challenging puzzle for themselves. Independently they concentrate and persevere to complete the task.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children take pleasure in a range of creative art activities. They enjoy making cards using glitter, felt tip pens and a variety of sequins. Children are developing their writing skills well; they are offered a pencil to write their names on their card which they do efficiently. They also enjoy opportunities to play musical instruments, marching and dancing to the beat of the drum and organising their own game of musical statues. Children are learning about their wider world: a recent visit to the dentist, for example, has left them talking confidently about the importance of caring for teeth and the role of the dentist. In addition children enjoy trips to other places of interest which further extend their learning experiences. These places include the science museum, the zoo and the docklands.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from good opportunities to play and exercise outdoors. They recently built a snowman in the garden and each day they observe the melting process, articulating the changes that have subsequently taken place to the remaining snow.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are confident individuals who demonstrate high levels of self esteem. They are developing a positive sense of their own personal identity as they talk about the different pictures that they have drawn, referring to the displays on the wall. They learn about their own culture and those of others as they use a range of different resources within their everyday play and learning. For example, they dress up in saris, read dual-language books and play with small world figures which include people of all abilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved. The childminder creates a good sense of fun within the day's routines and learning opportunities and children respond well to her. Children are well supported in developing their skills of negotiation and compromise. For example, when two children want to visit the bathroom at the same time, the childminder advises them to talk to each other and agree a solution, which they effectively reach. Consequently, children learn to take turns and share fairly.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents report their satisfaction with the service that they receive. They are well advised of the childminder's policies and procedures and how she works within the National Standards. Parents sign the policies to confirm that they understand the importance of the procedures which the childminder follows. Although they are offered a book to log their complaints and concerns, the system for recording and responding to complaints is not well established.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's needs are effectively met because the childminder has easy access to well documented information regarding each child. Children are well cared for in a very well organised environment where daily routines flow smoothly and centre around the children's individual needs. The childminder's commitment to updating her knowledge through ongoing training is positively reflected in the good practice that she demonstrates. This is effectively supported by well documented policies and procedures.

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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 The childminder has a sound understanding of her role and responsibilities overall, though this has yet to be fully reflected in her knowledge of the complaints procedure. Record keeping is accurate and up to date. The childminder is a certified member of the local authority Childminding Network.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to update her knowledge of child protection issues. She also agreed to ensure that accurate records of attendance were maintained and parental permission was sought for children to receive emergency medical treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children now benefit from improvements to safety, as the childminder is confident in her knowledge of child protection procedure and maintains accurate records of attendance. She also has written permission to seek emergency medical treatment for all children in her care.

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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 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): • make the meter cupboard in the downstairs bathroom inaccessible to children • develop a greater understanding regarding the process for responding to complaints, including the timescale for providing parents with an account of the findings.

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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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