Copthall School

Inspection report for early years provision

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101349 Unique Reference Number 04 August 2008 Inspection date Hilary Elizabeth Tierney 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 lives with her husband and their four children. Their four-bedroom, semi-detached house is located in a cul-de-sac in the North Cotswold town of Moreton-in-the-Marsh. The whole of the house is available for the childminding with the main care taking place on the ground floor. Children have access to an enclosed rear garden with grassed, patio and pebble areas.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder registered in 1997. She may provide care for six children under eight years on her own, and six when working with an assistant, at any one time. She currently cares for 12 children during the week. The childminder offers full- and part-time care all year round and before and after school care during school terms.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children are taken to a local playgroup on a regular basis. They also make visits to places of interest in the area. There are play parks, shops, primary schools and a library within the locality. The childminder provides a drop-off and collection service from the playgroup and school.

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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 satisfactory. Children are encouraged to wash their hands before meals, snacks and after using the toilet. They use separate hand towels which helps to prevent the spread of infection. Nappy changing procedures are adequate, however during one procedure the assistant did not wear gloves or wash her hands after changing a nappy. The childminder ensures she keeps records of any accident that may occur and any medication given to children is recorded and shared with parents. Prior parental permissions are obtained. First aid arrangements are satisfactory and the childminder is confident in dealing with any minor accidents should they occur.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to fresh air and exercise. They are able to play in the enclosed garden safely. Children play ball games happily with the childminder in the garden. The childminder observes when children become bored and directs them to the sand play.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to learn about healthy eating. The childminder provides home cooked meals for the children during the day. She ensures she meets their dietary needs through careful discussions with the parents. Children are offered fresh drinking water or squash during the day in labelled water bottles. However, children are unable to freely access their drinks because the childminder removes the water bottles after snack time and places them on a high shelf. Children only get them back at lunch time.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's home is clean, well maintained and welcoming for children. Children feel comfortable there. The use of space is suitable and children have quiet areas where they may rest if required. Resources are stored in easily accessible boxes, they are in good condition and balanced. Children are able to self select resources during their time at the childminder's home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has put into place the necessary precautions to keep children safe, such as fire guard, cupboard locks and stair gates. However, although the childminder stated she has practised fire evacuation procedures with children there are no records to demonstrate this. The premises is safe and the front door remains locked at all times, this means that children are not able to leave the premises unsupervised and unauthorised people may not gain access to the property.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected adequately. The childminder is confident in dealing with any concerns she may have about a child in her care. She has completed appropriate training and is able to identify the signs and indicators of abuse. She records any existing injuries of children and shares these with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy, confident and secure as they play. They are occupied and interested in their play. Children play with a large jigsaw puzzle on the floor, with help from the childminder. They find the pieces and take great delight as they fit them together and finish the puzzle.

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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 The childminder ensures that children are well occupied and resources and activities provided are appropriate for the age of children attending.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder observes the children and has started to use this to help her plan for children's next stages of development. Children enjoy sharing books and hearing stories from both the childminder and her assistant. Open questions are used by adults to help children learn and think about what they are doing. Children take part happily in a painting activity, they have sponges and paints. They paint the paper and enjoy making shapes and covering the paper with paint. The childminder praises them and ensures she keeps all their pictures carefully putting them away to dry.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated with equal care and concern. The childminder is careful to include all children in activities and adapts them accordingly for their abilities. Children's individual needs are met satisfactorily and the childminder shares information with parents to ensure the care she is providing is consistent with what is required and meeting children's needs, particularly for children with learning difficulties or disabilities. Resources are balanced and used effectively to keep children occupied and interested.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to behave well by the use of praise and encouragement from both the childminder and assistant. They speak to the children in a calm, caring manner and encourage children to use 'please' and 'thank you'. Good interaction between the children and childminder means that children are engaged and interested in their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are generally well informed about the activities their child has taken part in during the day. All written parental permission are in place for outings, vehicle travel and medical treatment. The parents' poster is clearly displayed which means that should a concern be raised parents are able to access the relevant information easily. A complaints procedure and log are in place.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. All legally required documentation needed for registration is in place. The childminder displays her registration certificate which enables parents to see her conditions of registration. She keeps a clear record of both children's and her assistant's daily attendance. She has organised her paperwork carefully and keeps these confidential and secure. Separate children's files ensure that emergency numbers are easily accessible.

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Organisation

The childminder has made some improvements since her last inspection, however she still needs to make some improvements to her hygiene procedures with attention to nappy changing procedures and she has not kept a record of fire drills that have been practised with children. The childminder does not always ensure that fresh drinking water is easily available for children.

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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 judged as inadequate and given five actions for improvement. These were to ensure that hygiene standards are suitably maintained, with

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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 particular regard to children's dummies and hand-washing procedures; plan and provide a suitable range of activities for children, which are appropriate for their stage of development and based on their individual needs; ensure that relevant information is shared with parents and implement strategies to support children with learning difficulties or disabilities more effectively; ensure that the certificate of registration is clearly displayed during the hours childminding takes place and ensure the premises are secure so that children cannot leave and strangers cannot enter unsupervised.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Improvements have been made by the childminder since the last inspection. She now encourages all children to wash their hands before meals, snacks and using the toilet. She is careful when children have dummies and ensures that children do not share these. The childminder has put into place a suitable range of activities which are appropriate for their age and stage of development. Information sharing has increased with parents and appropriate support is offered to children with learning difficulties or disabilities. The childminder displays her certificate of registration clearly and the premises is now secure so that children cannot leave and strangers cannot enter unsupervised.

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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 fresh drinking water is easily accessible for children at all times • continue to improve hygiene standards with particular attention to nappy changing procedures • ensure fire drills are practised with children and clear records kept.

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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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