Ark Ayrton Primary Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 139713 Inspection date 11 November 2005 Inspector Carol Newman

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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 1994. She lives with her partner and three school aged children in Worcester Park in the London Borough of Sutton. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for three children at any one time and is currently minding three children, all of whom attend on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the

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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 local parent/toddler group and takes children to the local park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children thrive in a clean environment. Good daily routines and explanation help children understand that washing hands after visiting the toilet reduces the risk of passing on germs and the childminder has an effective routine for nappy changing. Parents give prior written consent to administer medication that ensures children receive the correct dosage according to their needs. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This means she can give appropriate care if there is an accident. She has also received training in administering the Epipen. This ensures that she can confidently address the needs of children with certain types of allergy. Children enjoy varied and nutritious meals which meet special dietary needs and ensure children remain healthy. They receive plenty of drinks in suitable containers. Children enjoy regular physical activities that help keep them in good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children benefit from playing in a welcoming, spacious, child orientated environment. This allows them to move around and play safely. Children have easy and safe access to toys and resources that are well maintained, stimulating and suitable for their stage of development. Children are interested in what is available and they play happily because the childminder is attentive to their needs. Children play in a safe environment where positive steps have been taken to minimise risks, for example all hazardous materials are stored out of reach of the children. Children play freely in the large kitchen/dining room and the fully enclosed garden which is equipped with safe outdoor toys. They learn to take responsibility for keeping themselves safe as they practise fire evacuation procedures. However, older children could leave the premises unsupervised as the front door is easy to open.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues. This promotes and safeguards children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children play contentedly. They make up imaginative scenarios with the excellent range of resources that includes play people of different cultures and disabilities. They create dialogues with the childminder and the toys. Children sing nursery

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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 rhymes confidently as they play. The childminder encourages young children to express their thoughts and feelings. Good questioning and repeating children’s responses encourages use of language. Activities are laid out for the children and there is a system so that children can choose other toys, resources and activities that are not readily available. Children's art work is displayed on the easel. This shows that the children's efforts are valued and helps to develop their confidence and self esteem. The childminder plans the children's day effectively so that they can enjoy quiet and active play and rest times.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children play contentedly because the childminder has an appropriate understanding of equal opportunities and how to treat children as individuals. All children are given good attention. They play with a good range of resources that reflect positive images of different cultures and disability, such as books, play people and dolls. Children thrive through continuity of care and established routines as the childminder consults with parents about their individual needs. Children behave well and benefit from consistent praise and encouragement. The childminder supports younger children in sharing and turn taking and children learn about themselves and their own capabilities. Children benefit from a two way sharing of information about the childminding service. The childminder discusses the children's activities with parents on a daily basis. She uses a daily care diary for young babies to ensure continuity of care

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Helping children make a positive contribution

between home and the childminding provision.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Appropriate policies and procedures guide the childminder in her daily practice. This ensures children's needs are met and all relevant information is shared with parents. However, the medication records are not maintained confidentially. A good two-way flow of information ensures continuity of care. Although the childminder has not accessed further training, she is keen to familiarise herself with current guidance, such as the Birth to Three Matters framework, so that she can provide appropriate care for the children she looks after. The provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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 At the last inspection the childminder agreed to draw up a policy for excluding children who are ill or infectious and to record the times, as well as the dates, of children's daily attendance. Also, she agreed to obtain prior written parental consent to administer all medication, including non-prescribed medication and to provide parents with the details of her complaints procedure and the name and telephone number of the regulatory body. The childminder now has written agreements with parents regarding sickness and infection and the attendance register is maintained with accurate arrival and departure times. Written parental permission to administer all medication is in place and the childminder has the parent poster, that she will display alongside her registration certificate.

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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. There are no complaints to report.

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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): • develop an understanding of the Birth to three matters framework and ensure medication records are confidential • ensure children cannot leave the premises unsupervised.

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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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